First AR-15 - Under $ 1,000.00 - Any Suggestions

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Jackal said:
I lump BCM, PSA and Spikes in together. All 3 use the correct parts (or better). My favorite option is buying PSA upper/lower (PSA forged lowers made by Aero Precision, gets no better than that, they also use FN barrels, which are imho the best around) and BCM LPK/BCG/CH, although the PSA M16 BCG is a nice product as well.
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PSA makes a damn fine rifle. In fact, the next upper I order will be from PSA just because I want to keep the cost down and I know I'll get a good product.

That being said, to say they are on the same level as BCM is in my opinion an insult to BCM. Since that companies existence, they have done nothing but sell and build quality parts. They have built a very good track record over the years by some of the strictest testing in the industry. PSA on the other hand hasn't been around nearly as long and they've had some mishaps along the way. They are still notorious for extended shipping times along with shipping items with missing parts and they've mislabeled a few of their products. In sure they didn't do it to mislead anyone but it still happened.

Do some people pay the extra premium for a BCM BCG because it says BCM in the side? Yes they do but rightly so. They pay the premium because they trust that it was constructed with the proper material to the proper spec and because each and every single one has been seriously tested. Many BCG's sold today are batch tested due to it being cheaper than testing each one.

When PSA parts start demanding the premium that BCM parts demand, I will then think they are on the same level. PSA sells a fine product but they aren't there yet.



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Meh, they both sell parts made with the same materials, to the same specs, with the same testing procedures. For as much cheaper as PSA is, I can live with the fact that they haven't been around as long and don't have as good customer service.
 
Warp said:
BCM > PSA >> Windham > most home builts

IMO/IME
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This is often true, especially with novice builders, but a home built lower put together properly with quality parts and the correct buffer/spring then topped with a BCM or PSA upper should perform as well as the corresponding complete rifle from the respective company.

Anyway I know my DD, BCM and PSA uppers on my lowers are better than Windham!
 
PSA and BCM have different business models. PSA is primarily a parts/ accessories retailer that also builds some rifles. BCM is primarily a rifle builder that also sells some parts and accessories. There's a difference.
 
PSA is primarily a parts/ accessories retailer that also builds some rifles. BCM is primarily a rifle builder that also sells some parts and accessories.
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I'd be interested to know how many complete rifles and carbines PSA and BCM sold last year. My guess is the number may not be as far apart as many think.
 
Great thread. Thanks for all the info here for a wannabe. I'm now leaning toward PSA -- whereas I'd been thinking lesser brands at the big box sports store.
 
Fishbed77 said:
I'd be interested to know how many complete rifles and carbines PSA and BCM sold last year. My guess is the number may not be as far apart as many think.
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It may not be far apart but that doesn't really change their business models. One entered this industry to do one thing and the other entered it it to do another.

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Another thing; you very well might find a number of AR's showing up on the used rifle rack of your LGS and Gun Shows in the very near future.
Those that bought in a panic may well regret it sooner than later.
I saw a very gently used Colt A2 (mostly dust) marked $800 and my brother recently purchased a 6920 for the cost of getting a vehicle off of the repo tow truck.
It would seem the magazines began to appear, then the rifles; now all we need is more ammo locally and all is well again.
 
Yes, save up a bit longer and buy an $1,100 Bravo Company Manufacturing rifle!
 
I have visited several manufacturers websites and so far I am impressed by what I am
seeing with Panther Arms. What are your opinions on their rifles? I really like the
looks of their carbines and the 20" classic models.
 
Quentin said:
This is often true, especially with novice builders, but a home built lower put together properly with quality parts and the correct buffer/spring then topped with a BCM or PSA upper should perform as well as the corresponding complete rifle from the respective company.

Anyway I know my DD, BCM and PSA uppers on my lowers are better than Windham!
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Yes, putting a lower together is not difficult. I still wouldn't want to trust somebody else to do it in their garage. I would want it from a reputable manufacturer, or I would do it myself.

BTW, that is just what I did for my second rifle. Aero precision stripped lower, Colt FCG, PSA for the remainder of the LPK, BCM buffer extension/buffer/spring, my choice of stock, and then I topped it with a BCM complete upper (upper, BCG, and CH)
 
Warp said:
Yes, putting a lower together is not difficult. I still wouldn't want to trust somebody else to do it in their garage. I would want it from a reputable manufacturer, or I would do it myself.

BTW, that is just what I did for my second rifle. Aero precision stripped lower, Colt FCG, PSA for the remainder of the LPK, BCM buffer extension/buffer/spring, my choice of stock, and then I topped it with a BCM complete upper (upper, BCG, and CH)
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Sounds exactly like what I did. My last build was a BCM complete upper and I used a PSA parts kit with a BCM buffer and buffer tube.

My next build I'm debating. What do you think. Get a complete upper from PSA or save another $200 and just get another BCM.

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Vigilante X said:
I have visited several manufacturers websites and so far I am impressed by what I am
seeing with Panther Arms. What are your opinions on their rifles? I really like the
looks of their carbines and the 20" classic models.
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I assume you're talking about DPMS. Personally man, I'd stay away. They build commercial grade rifles and like to cut corners.

Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. I just speak the truth.

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Yep, if DPMS (who makes the Panther rifles) was actually significantly cheaper than PSA, they might be justifiable if not intended for hard use. But for the negligible price difference, I wouldn't do it.
 
ObsceneJesster said:
Sounds exactly like what I did. My last build was a BCM complete upper and I used a PSA parts kit with a BCM buffer and buffer tube.

My next build I'm debating. What do you think. Get a complete upper from PSA or save another $200 and just get another BCM.
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I'd get the BCM all the way, but that's just me.
 
ObsceneJesster said:
Sounds exactly like what I did. My last build was a BCM complete upper and I used a PSA parts kit with a BCM buffer and buffer tube.

My next build I'm debating. What do you think. Get a complete upper from PSA or save another $200 and just get another BCM...
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Same here. My first build used a Daniel Defense upper on a S&W stripped lower built up with a DD LPK and BCM receiver extension kit. My second used a BCM upper on a Valkyrie (JD Machine) lower with the same LPK and RE kit.

My third, I wanted to try PSA last year so went with their upper (but used a BCM BCG) shared over two lowers, ArmaLite (ArmaLite LPK, PSA RE kit) and Quentin Defense billet (PSA LBK).

As expected the DD and BCM are better but for more like $300 less the PSA is impressive. No issues with any of them that a little thought couldn't resolve.
 
OilyPablo said:
I'm still struggling with this. These are still in stock. AMAZING!!!!
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I was looking at a Colt for $1100 but when I saw this PRimary Arms DDM4 deal I took it. A bit more than I wanted to pay but I've wanted a DD ever since I saw Larry Vickers abuse the crap out of his on Tac TV
 
Sounds like a good idea... what parts did you use from each?
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PSA upper w/ 16" Chrome lined Mid Length FN 1/7 MPI/HPT Pencil Barrel
PSA Stripped lower
PSA LPK
PSA stock/mil spec buffer
BCM BCG
BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle
BCM Gunfighter grip
Parallax Tactical PXT 13" Free Float

Came in right around $850 (PSA parts on sale)
 
Quentin said:
Nice mix! That's pretty much a BCM at the price of a Bushmaster!
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It's beyond me why people spend $800 on a crappy black rifle when they could build one for equal price with much better parts.

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