First AR - Here's what I'm thinking...Opinions

[batex]

Alright. I'd like to buy an AR. It will be my first AR, but I'm been shooting a long time. It's just that I've been shooting 22 rifles, shotguns for clay sports and lots of handguns. I also have a 270 deer rifle as well as a marlin 35 rem 336. Oh, and I'm a reloader (38, 45ACP, 44mag, etc.).

In any case, I saw that Dicks Sporting Goods has the Remington R-15 on sale for $949. It seems to be good price these days. I do understand Remington, Bushmaster and DPMS are all owned by Cerebus so I don't need a lecture on Remington being a rebadged this or that. I also don't think black guns are evil.

I'm attracted to the Remington because of the setup. I'm looking for a rifle that I would consider a utility rifle. I'm attracted to the fixed A2 stock. I like the fact that it has a 22" barrel. I'm not really looking for somethiing entirely dedicated to self defense but rather a rifle that I can use for informal target shooting, varmit shooting and could be used as a utility/defense rifle with the right optic.

So, can I expect this gun to be accurate, say 1" at 100 yards? I know a dedicated varmit setup would be more accurate, but some of the guns I've seen weigh in excess of 9lbs, while the reminton comes in at under 8llbs.

Finally, it seems that ARs are becoming hard to get. My local Dicks has this on the shelf now. I'm not inclined to order and not sure about building my own first AR.

So what do you think...Would this be decent first AR.

Thanks!!

 

[Hoppy590]

the Remington/Bushy will serve you fine. they arnt the top end of the scale, more mid range.

So, can I expect this gun to be accurate, say 1" at 100 yards?

i dont have any experience with these Remington's but 1" should be accomplished with good ammo

 

[matrem]

You should expect similar accuracy with that "bushrem' as you would with a run of the mill bolt rifle.If you want an AR,get it.I doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

[Geneseo1911]

I considered one as well, but managed to get a Colt for a bit more. They appear to be nice rifles with a free-float handguard and (at least on the one I picked up) a pretty decent trigger. I may pick up an R-25 if I still can in a year or so.

 

[Coronach]

One of the nice things about ARs is that you can switch out most anything on them. If you get the gun, you're not locked into that configuration forever.

Mike

 

[Gideon]

You can get good value AR's for less despite the surge in purchases. I'd recommend a Stag or CMMG if you can find it but if you have the cash, don't want to wait and it's sitting there, this one will do you fine.

1" will depend more on the ammo selection and you than the gun because this one is capable. I find Wally World white box .223 to be terrible as far as accuracy in mine but I once was given a box of handloads that will almost always make one jagged hole (all rounds touching) at 100 yards from a bench rest. I wish I could find out who loaded those and get more!

With Remington or other commercial ammo I do well enough and I bought a 1000 round of "canned heat" from Georgia Arms on line. That ammo is as accurate as any I've shot with the exception of that one box of reloads.

It's hard to pass up one on the shelf when you want it bad, isn't it!

Gideon

 

[taliv]

disadvantages of getting the remington:

1. it's still on the shelf for a reason. resale value will suck
2. the camo looks cool, but if you try to change it out like coronach suggested the mix n match parts will look really goofy as you can't replicate their camo job easily
3. you can EXPECT all the accuracy you want, but the fact is, they're hit and miss factory guns. some are good, some are bad. which one you get will be pot luck.
4. i don't really think 22" barrels or fixed stocks are good for anything but varmint hunting. but it's not the end of the world for a first AR
5. if you shop around, you can find a colt match in the same ballpark. search the forums. they're out there.


edit, in this case, i'm not claiming the colt is the better gun... just that it will keep its value.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

hey if this is what you want go for it!i'm not crazy about the camo either but as far as function goes it will not hurt a dern thing

 

[Eightball]

Seems to be one of the few decent ARs for under a grand during the hysteria as of late.

I'd say get it. It seems to fit your bill, under $1000. You can always fix any parts you don't like, and if you wind up mix n' matching, you can always get the thing Duracoated or somesuch.

 

[madcratebuilder]

edit, in this case, i'm not claiming the colt is the better gun... just that it will keep its value.

+1 Never lost money on a Colt. The basic HBAR bushies can be had for about $1000, makes a good starting platform.

 

[codybrown]

I have a Stag Model 6 on order from my local dealer. They have a lifetime warranty on them, and are garuanteed to shoot 1/2 MOA with high quality factory ammo. I wanted one for varmints, and am not planning on using it inside 100 yards. I did a lot of research before I bought it, and to me, it seemed like the best deal. I will have just under $950 into it from my dealer. Here's a link:
http://www.stagarms.com/product_info.php?cPath=13_22&products_id=211

 

[HOLY DIVER]

hey STAG makes good stuff!we can argure about AR manf from now to kingdom come but the fact of the matter is there is allot of manf out there making great AR's

 

[Nhsport]

I saw the same Reminton at Cabelas for a similar price but they were runing a deal where anything over $500 would get you a $130 discount.
Not sure if that was off the purchase or a furture purchase. (you will need ammo
right?)
Resale could be a problem with the camo finish

 

[Grumpyoldman]

I bought an R-15 two months ago from a local Dick's. Using handloads with a 69gr. Sierra HPBT match bullet and H335 powder, I am getting half inch 5 shot groups at 100yds. It is becoming one of my favorite rifles.
When I bought it, the price at the local Dick's was 1000.00 with a sale of 100.00 off on any gun over 800.00. Then the manager had to check the paperwork and took some time to get to the counter, and gave me another 10.00 off because of the wait. My price was then 890.00.
The sale also included a 40.00 Dick's gift certificate by mail for buying a Remington and I got a 40.00 certificate for points on my Dick's rewards card.
All in all, not a bad deal.

 

[SHvar]

I know a few people who were going to get the R-15 and one that decided at the last minute to get a used colt Hbar for less.
Ive yet to find one disatisfied owner of an R-15, nothing but amazing accuracy with even the cheaper rounds (not with Wolf). Everyone who has bought one says the same thing, very very light, and as accurate as any bolt gun they have ever shot.
One friend wanted it for the camoflage pattern, the light weight, and its unique appearance.
The problem was one guy stopped when the local gunshop told him after quoting one price that the price may be higher than that once ordered in, but they dont know how much, so the Colt came home with him that day.
If they are offering it at that price, and its what you are looking for then get it, you will never regret it.
The actual quality differences between all ARs made by the major manufacturers is minute (except those made with plastic recievers, avoid them).

 

[Logan5]

From all reports I've heard, it's a good rifle for the purposes you describe. It got a decent writeup in American Rifleman, it's a quality product from a well known manufacturer, and so on... if you want one, go grab it!

 

[Zundfolge]

Is the Remington a re-badged Bushmaster or a re-badged DPMS?

I ask, because I believe the .308 version is a re-badged DPMS.

Or does it really matter at this point (since I'd put both Bushmaster and DPMS on the same footing quality wise).


One thing I like about the Remy is the free floating fore-end ... not a lot of sub-grand ARs that are free floated.


Honestly, if you're not planning on customizing the gun a lot, I imagine the Remington would serve you best.

 

[punkndisorderly]

If I remember correctly, Remington was outsourcing for parts in the beginning but has since ramped up their own production and now make them 100% in house.