Looking to get my first AR-15, what's the best bang for buck, brand and model?

[cdb1]

Just stay away from Vortex, Primary Arms, Holosun, Hilux, etc.

Big time right.

I also agree that a HD weapon doesn't need to be an AR. I have read ad nauseam the arguments on whether a handgun, rifle or shotgun is best for HD. I can't make up my mind so I have all three.

 

[NWcityguy2]

Define "better". Better for what?

This is the key. "Better" can be an interesting word, because it can mean something, and nothing, at the same time. There are ARs in the $500-600 range that will...

1. Shoot multiple times their cost in ammunition without needing replacement parts.
2. Be more accurate than the commonly available practice ammunition
3. Be reliable

If that is what you need, does buying a more expensive AR make it "better"? Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on what you want to use it for.

 

[cdb1]

I'd be happy with a S&W, Ruger or PSA for HD.

I also believe "authentic" in the context used by the OP is a moving target.

 

[ilbob]

You're not going to get a high quality carbine for less than the price of a Glock.

The way that prices of decent ARs is dropping I suspect this statement may not be true anymore.

I guess in some respects it depends on your definition of "high quality". Some people tend to equate quality and price. Others equate appearance and quality.

All most of us really care about is that it reliably goes bang when we pull the trigger. I have run across all manner of expensive guns that are not especially reliable. I don't care how "high quality" such a gun is. if I can't trust it, I would rather have something else.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I also agree that a HD weapon doesn't need to be an AR. I have read ad nauseam the arguments on whether a handgun, rifle or shotgun is best for HD. I can't make up my mind so I have all three.

All three serve different purposes. Of the three, my first was a trust Remington 870. They're fairly inexpensive, very reliable, and can shoot a bunch of different types of ammo. If I only had to have one weapon and was able to not have to worry about concealing it, the 870 (or clones) would be my choice. Otherwise, a good pistol would be my choice. They're small, and deadly with a bit of practice. An AR would (and was) my last choice as they're more limited in what they can do compared to the shotgun, and they're not easy to conceal.

That said, the AR IMHO is the most fun to shoot of the three types. And the "sexiest" IMHO.

 

[cdb1]

Since they serve different purposes and I have all three, I guess I'm covered.

 

[hi-impact]

I'm covered too, because I already have all 3. I just think it's to time to try an AR-15 because prices are very reasonable.

 

[MistWolf]

An AR would (and was) my last choice as they're more limited in what they can do compared to the shotgun

I believe you were talking about self defense in the above. In that context, what can an 870 do that an AR cannot, in the hands of a citizen defending hearth and home?

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I believe you were talking about self defense in the above. In that context, what can an 870 do that an AR cannot, in the hands of a citizen defending hearth and home?

My point was that if I had to have one gun I'd choose the 870 over the AR. I say that as the shotgun has many more choices of ammo, from nonlethal loads, to birdshot, buckshot, slugs, cut shells, and probably some others that I can't think of or don't know about. A shot gun is an excellent close range weapon and can be effective out far enough to keep people away from your home. It can also be used for hunting where in my state it's illegal to hunt game with a 223/556 AR. And I think all semiauto rifles (but I may be mistaken).

For longer ranges, an AR is much better. For cases where you have a lot of folks and need to reload faster the AR is much better. But for general flexibility the shotgun gets the nod in my book.

It really just depends on what you need, what you want, what you're limited to etc. Thankfully I don't have to choose. So the combo of a pistol, rifle and shotgun are part of my defense system. Add my dog, extra cars around the house, and good neighbors and we have a decent setup.

 

[MistWolf]

I can see the advantage of the shotgun for hunting. There's no way I'd choose an AR for hunting quail!

But, local ordinances aside, I see no reason to choose a shotgun over an AR for self defense

 

[grampajack]

I believe you were talking about self defense in the above. In that context, what can an 870 do that an AR cannot, in the hands of a citizen defending hearth and home?

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about shotguns thanks to Hollywood. People think they have impossibly extraordinary knockdown power, they think the shot spread is much wider than it is in reality, that you don't have to aim, etc. But they never stop to think about magazine capacity, recoil, follow up shots, ergonomics, or ease of reloading. I wouldn't hesitate to use a shotgun if it were all that I had, but I would much rather have a carbine with a 20-40 round magazine.

My point was that if I had to have one gun I'd choose the 870 over the AR. I say that as the shotgun has many more choices of ammo, from nonlethal loads, to birdshot, buckshot, slugs, cut shells, and probably some others that I can't think of or don't know about. A shot gun is an excellent close range weapon and can be effective out far enough to keep people away from your home. It can also be used for hunting where in my state it's illegal to hunt game with a 223/556 AR. And I think all semiauto rifles (but I may be mistaken).

For longer ranges, an AR is much better. For cases where you have a lot of folks and need to reload faster the AR is much better. But for general flexibility the shotgun gets the nod in my book.

It really just depends on what you need, what you want, what you're limited to etc. Thankfully I don't have to choose. So the combo of a pistol, rifle and shotgun are part of my defense system. Add my dog, extra cars around the house, and good neighbors and we have a decent setup.

I'm not sure I follow you. If we're talking one gun to do it all, from home defense to putting meat on the table, then you have a point. But strictly from a defensive standpoint, shotguns are nowhere near as versatile as a carbine. Also, I don't see what less lethal has to do with anything. If you're using less lethal rounds in a gun capable of firing lethal ones I would urge you to reconsider that. You're likely as not to get them mixed up and kill someone you didn't intend to. IMO, you don't point a gun at anyone you haven't already decided is a deadly threat, and you certainly don't shoot bean bags at deadly threats.

 

[grampajack]

Well, OP, I think you pretty much got your answer. If you still have more questions I would ask them now to steer the thread back in that direction.

Otherwise we'll end up debating piston vs. DI. Or worse...

 

[redneck2]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but a dog like what you're describing sounds like a loose cannon. You're probably more likely to end up with a bit kid, and a lawsuit, than you are with a thwarted burglary attempt.

How the hell did we go from "best AR" to what kind of dog?

Wow.

I'd suggest the OP go back and research the couple dozen threads on this exact topic that get posted weekly. And this dies a quick and merciful death

 

[grampajack]

Build your own, get what you want, cheap out on nonessential parts

I hate to sound like a broken record, but THIS!

At the very least, "build" the lower and buy a high quality upper to put on it. I understand building an upper is kind of intimidating if you don't have a mechanical background (it's more intimidating than it is difficult, however; though it does require more expensive tools if you don't already have them), but building the lower is easier than putting together your kids' lego kits, and you don't need many tools to get it done right. A few punches, a cheap vice block, and a castle nut wrench.

 

[Ramone]

I've been shooting the AR Rifle since MCRD Parris Island, 1980.

Today, I build my own to suit my own needs, selecting components that meet my higher - than - milspec standards. I handload carefully developed cartridges for each rifle, but still expect them to run reliably with anything I put through them.

All that said, my go-to recommendation for a first AR is the S&W M&P Sport. It's a great all purpose AR, plain and simple, and it's a great first AR. It likely will not be your last.

I would recommend learning the AR with decent ammo - 9 out of 10 new AR malfunctions are caused by cheap ammo. You needn't, and shouldn't, shell out for Black Hills while you are getting to know the rifle, but make your first 2-3 range trips with Federal M855. Buy a few quality 20 round mags for starters- can't go wrong with P Mags.

Buy a cleaning kit, and a large can of Breakfree CLP. Get on YouTube and field strip it. Spray down every inch of every piece, and get it good and hot- let it sit in strong sunlight, or on top of a radiator, or use a blow dryer till it's almost too hot to handle ( all the components, plastic, springs, whatever, can easily handle more heat than your hands ). Let it cool, and wipe away the excess. It should leave it with a sheen, and a slightly greasy feel but shouldn't transfer to your hands.
Then take it out and shoot it. Have fun!

 

[Prijador]

I recall seeing slow motion video of different ARs firing, and the pencil barrels moved dramatically when fired.
...which of course won't matter at HD ranges, but I can't imagine it improves long range accuracy.

 

[mjsdwash]

I don't get why every manufacturer insists on the A2 barrel.

When I was shopping for an AR, cheap and pencil barrel were the only requirements I had. I didn't worry about all the AR spreadsheet specs - tested bolt, 6061 buffer tube, etc - because I frankly don't shoot enough to see a real-world difference. But with a pencil barrel, you feel the difference every time you pick the gun up.

A Delton Sport was about the only budget gun I could find that even had a pencil barrel, so I ended up with one of those. Love the way it handles with a 20 rounder and so far I have had 0 regrets.

yep yep yep

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

right now ARs are cheap cheap, best beginners are the DPMS oracle, best value best made I would go Wyndham Arms...the old Bushmaster people....damn good firearm...I say Wyndham

 

[grampajack]

I don't get why every manufacturer insists on the A2 barrel.

You and me both, brother. It all goes back to the post Vietnam era. The Army tests barrels with a straightness gauge, and all of the sudden they had all these A1 barrels coming back as bent. They assumed that the barrel whip was causing the barrels to warp over time. Turns out that the gauges were getting caught on burrs from the gas port, and the barrels weren't bent after all. It was just a manufacturing defect. But by the time they realized it the damage had already been done.

The really crappy part is that the additional weight is all up front where it doesn't do any good. Barrels always rupture right behind the gas port, with the area in front of the gas journal staying remarkably cool relatively speaking. So they didn't really improve anything. It's truly mad. But pencil barrels have some issues, as well. I don't abuse my guns, but I had to drop pencil barrels from my builds because they were getting too hot for my comfort. Not that an A2 barrel is much better though.

Luckily some manufacturers nowadays are coming out with some really intelligently designed barrels, like BCM and Larue. They place the weight towards the chamber where it's needed for heat dissipation and rigidity, and you don't feel it nearly as much since it's not out there on the end of your barrel like with the A2 profile.