Finally giving in and buying an AR....suggestions?

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mod700

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I'm looking at buying an AR primarily for personal defense around the house, and i'm a little overwhelmed at all the options available. I know I want one with a telescopic stock, and would like picatinny forend with some type of holographic or red dot sight for quick target acquisition. I'm debating between a .223 or .308 platform in case i decide to hunt with it, plus I like the extra knockdown power offered. Any suggestions of brands, features, sights, or caliber would be helpful....and I'm looking to spend about $500-$750
 
uh, oh!!! Lots of threads like this lately and this subject has been the topic of lots of heated debate.

In any case, if that is your budget, you real option is a Smith and Wesson Sport, anyway.
 
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well, I don't know enough about black rifles to debate about them (most of which could be endless)....just looking for sound info/advice
 
I think if I was in your position I'd get a PSA rifle kit such as this:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-mid-length-light-weight-rifle-kit.html

And pick up a stripped lower separately (probably a surplus arms lower if I could find one cheap). With that setup you should be able to come in around the $750 mark and have a great rifle. I actually have both a Smith (ORC) and a PSA AR, and while S&W makes a great rifle, I think the PSA kits with the hammer forged FN barrels are one of the best deals out there.
 
I'll echo those recommending a PSA. They are still probably the best deal in that price range (excluding good deals that can be had by careful and patient shopping).
 
Bushmaster, Rock River Arms has a 2-4 month wait on ordering one, the S&W has had good reports.

For hunting and shooting longer range I'd recommend the RRA Elite Operator 2 with the mid-length gas system, but a little more expensive.
 
As an alternative, you can get a Saiga 308 and 'convert' it yourself for the price point you listed. Otherwise the Sport is great...I have one.
 
Check out this Doublestar AR-15. Its 669.00 shipped and out of 184 reviews, 180 of them are 5 stars. 3 of them are 4 stars, and one is 3 stars. I was going to get this one as my first ar but they were sold out when I was ready to buy. Wish I would have waited a week for them to come back in stock
Click to expand...

My Doublestar has been outstanding! It was worth every penny and then more! I have not had a problem with the rifle, and it is very accurate (like an AR should be).
 
Page 14 of centerfire systems catalog and page 13 have ARs from $649 to $749 and others for about $1200
 
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I went through the same thing back in May. Knowing nothing I visited a few gun shops to see what they had. I learned quickly that I didn't like the porcupine forend (pictinny) and that I liked Magpul accessories.

So, I started looking at Bushmaster, S&W, Armalite, Colt and a few others with the Magpul accessories. I noticed regardless of brand they were all very close in price. The Colt also offered 1-7 twist while the others were still at 1-9.

I chose Colt because I figured it would have a better resale value then the others. The Colt also came with popup sites.

Next were optics. I'm a big optics fan and won't buy cheap. That narrowed it down to Aimpoint and Eotech for my choice. I went with the Eotech 512 because it ran on AA batteries and the dot was 1 moa while the others were 3 moa.

Now, others can give you all kinds of choices but the above did it for me.
 
Another vote here for PSA. From what I've seen, they offer the best mix of quality & value I've seen.

Spikes & BCM are also great choices, but both will likely run over the $750 price tag.
 
I'll voice my support for Doublestar as well. For the price, I think they are hard to beat, and I'd gladly buy another (and most likely will)
 
My first "black" rifle was an LR308 (DPMS Panther TAC20) for about $1,100. I put a Nikon scope on it for $300, bipod, and did a home brewed polished trigger job. Done, finished, reload, and then go out to the range and shoot. I do not regret my purchase and love every second I'm behind the rifle. Some reasons are as follows:
1. Added weight of LR308 doesn't bother me as I'm not carrying it all day.
2. 308 is a great all around catridge that can be used for varmit to big game with correct bullet selection.
3. DPMS LR308 due to price and quality. Yes quality. The gun shoots great at 1 MOA, never had a miss feed, fitment of parts is very good. No not $3,000 quality but very good quality and reliability for its price range.

Listen to the over-all reasons you will get in the posts, research for yourself and make an informed decision. Some of my reasons are based on this one unit and my personal evaluation of quality - yours may differ.
 
I don't work for Rock River Arms.


I don't own a Rock River Arms. Yet. RRA does not need my assistance in "selling" their firearms as they have an extensive wait list for ordering. 2-4 months depending on build you want.

Full disclosure: The factories I am closest to are the ones I am a certified Armorer for: Glock and SIG-SAUER, and they don't need my assistance in selling either.

I believe the Mississippi Wal Marts carry some of the ARs, check their website to find the inventory near you. Find a RRA dealer near you to cut you a deal on the Elite operator 2 and it can be had for around $900.




This guy works for RRA, take it for what it's worth.
Click to expand...
 
+1 for getting a PSA kit. I really enjoyed learning more in depth how to put together a rifle beside basic Army PMCS. Plus it was a great value and a great kit.
 
Like others said, the PSA kits are the best value in the price range.

Check out this Doublestar AR-15. Its 669.00 shipped and out of 184 reviews, 180 of them are 5 stars. 3 of them are 4 stars, and one is 3 stars.
Click to expand...

When 180 out of 184 people don't know any better, what they say has little value :uhoh:
 
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