There's a lot of noise to sort through in this thread.
Don't try to build your first AR
Keep your choices to a minimum
Keep it simple
Go buy a Colt 6920
School me on ARs, please - looking to purchase first
- Thread starter Anchorite
- Start date
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Don't try to build your first AR
Keep your choices to a minimum
Keep it simple
Go buy a Colt 6920
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
For under $1000?
Ruger ar 556 works out of the box, then buy some parts and build your second one. Or customize your first.
just put it back to stock if you ever have to send it in, which is not likely.
Of course s&w and may others are the same, so never mind get one you like.
just put it back to stock if you ever have to send it in, which is not likely.
Of course s&w and may others are the same, so never mind get one you like.
danez71
Member
For under $1000?
It's the F150 of ARs.....?
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Well, its the SIG of, uh, SIGs........
That said, they are brilliantly built rifles and I shoulda snapped up the last one I saw- cuz it might have been the last one Ill ever see.
ECVMatt
Member
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- 2,871
This just cost me some money. With the 12% off sale running right now that is a good deal. If it shoots good it will go on my coyote calling rifle.
Thanks for posting.
$299.99 16 inch Nitride complete upper (Free Shipping):
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...-nitride-moe-upper-with-rear-mbus-bcg-ch.html
$149.99 complete lower (Free Shipping):
https://palmettostatearmory.com/bla...r15-complete-moe-ept-stealth-lower-black.html
$20 transfer fee at your local FFL = $469.98 AR15.
Not to derail the thread but, do we have a list of ARs that are readily adaptable to aftermarket parts?
Reason I am curious, the OP wants a basic one. We all know it probably won't stay basic forever.
I have a Windham weaponry and it came with a commercial buffer tube. I think that the Ruger has (or did have) a proprietary Delta ring.
I just don't want them to be pinned into a more expensive endeavor down the road
Reason I am curious, the OP wants a basic one. We all know it probably won't stay basic forever.
I have a Windham weaponry and it came with a commercial buffer tube. I think that the Ruger has (or did have) a proprietary Delta ring.
I just don't want them to be pinned into a more expensive endeavor down the road
Zerodefect
member
They all are. I'd start with a KISS carbine, then get another complete upper for whatever else he wants.
CapnMac
Member
Some photos to consider:
AR15A2
LE6922 (same as an LE6920 just with a 1:9 not a 1:7 barrel)
S&W M&P 15-22 (box stock)
LE6922 Annotated (red are add-ons)
This is the "specific" part of milspec, where everything is built (generally) to the same dimensions and specifications.
Now, some of the accessories are specific--KeyMod v. M-Lok for example.
AR15A2
LE6922 (same as an LE6920 just with a 1:9 not a 1:7 barrel)
S&W M&P 15-22 (box stock)
LE6922 Annotated (red are add-ons)
As far as I know, the parts are near universal--and, when not, they are labeled.
This is the "specific" part of milspec, where everything is built (generally) to the same dimensions and specifications.
Now, some of the accessories are specific--KeyMod v. M-Lok for example.
milemaker13
Member
PSA all the way Can't beat the price and lifetime warranty.
![IMG_0297[1].JPG](https://www.thehighroad.org/data/attachments/984/984485-6f01a477f51e75b39ace556cff0633a7.jpg "IMG_0297[1].JPG")
Accuracy is tolerable too. I'm probably pretty biased since I work around the corner from one of their retail stores.
C-grunt
Member
For cheaper ARs Ive had pretty good luck with the PSA rifles. I have a few of their lowers on rifles and have friends with complete rifles that run well.
For just under 1000 dollars you can buy a Colt.
For just under 1000 dollars you can buy a Colt.
milemaker13
Member
Do you think you can tell the difference between a colt 6920 or a PSA freedom rifle in the dark? Lol, I mean shooting them side by side without looking at them
danez71
Member
Wouldn't a lack of a lack of flash and bang be an easy indicator? 
In seriousness though, I bet some could.
In seriousness though, I bet some could.
maxxhavoc
Member
PSA, S&W, Ruger-in the entry level rifles they are about the same except for price and the name on it.
As a first time AR buyer some of the advice given may be confusing....I have been there.
If you buy a new Ruger, the first thing you should do is clean it. This is most easily done by separating the upper and lower, which takes a few seconds. Reassembling is the same process as assembling a new upper and lower. So when people tell you to buy an upper and lower and put them together, you would not be building it Just undoing the first step in a cleaning.
ARs are not like other rifles. Base models suck because it is so easy to fix them. MIL-spec triggers are not very good, MIL-spec barrels are meh. But take that same base rifle and fix what you don't like and it can be pretty amazing.
If I said I could outshoot anybody's AR with a base model PSA, I would have people challenge that. If I said I had a base model PSA with a White Oak barrel and a Geissele trigger, I don't think anybody would challenge that. At least not on a range in real life. Even if they spent $2500 on their rifle.
As a first time AR buyer some of the advice given may be confusing....I have been there.
If you buy a new Ruger, the first thing you should do is clean it. This is most easily done by separating the upper and lower, which takes a few seconds. Reassembling is the same process as assembling a new upper and lower. So when people tell you to buy an upper and lower and put them together, you would not be building it Just undoing the first step in a cleaning.
ARs are not like other rifles. Base models suck because it is so easy to fix them. MIL-spec triggers are not very good, MIL-spec barrels are meh. But take that same base rifle and fix what you don't like and it can be pretty amazing.
If I said I could outshoot anybody's AR with a base model PSA, I would have people challenge that. If I said I had a base model PSA with a White Oak barrel and a Geissele trigger, I don't think anybody would challenge that. At least not on a range in real life. Even if they spent $2500 on their rifle.
Megawatt maker
Member
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- Nov 12, 2017
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- 699
None. Even in the light...no difference that matters in reality. Downrange...the Colt MAY....MAY..get a little better group, with factory ammo. With handloads? Not so much.Do you think you can tell the difference between a colt 6920 or a PSA freedom rifle in the dark? Lol, I mean shooting them side by side without looking at them
Sorry...Im not on the "Stamped name matters" bandwagon when it comes to ARs.
Maybe at one time the stamp mattered...not anymore. All you are doing now is paying a premium for a name, for very little if any real world gain.
Pretty hard to screw up an AR. The "fly by night" makers are mostly long gone now. Those that are in the AR game now have their kinks all worked out.
Flame me if you want...and its your money...but I'll be darned if I'm going to hand over hundreds of extra dollars for a product just because it has a famous name.
milemaker13
Member
I bet most of us could.. I'm just saying, get the PSA and get going. No worries.Wouldn't a lack of a lack of flash and bang be an easy indicator?
In seriousness though, I bet some could.
The colt costs a lot more.. may lend itself to being carefully handled.. wouldn't want to scratch or ding a thousand dollar colt. Lol.
I need to get out shooting more.
OP
OP
Anchorite
Member
Thanks for all the comprehensive replies, fellas. I’m still doing my due diligence, but at the moment I’m leaning toward a 6920 or a PSA complete rifle.
The Colt b/c my local gunsmith recommended them saying everything tends to be correct in alignment and tight right from the box, and the PSA for inexpensive with good reviews.
My reasoning for a complete rifle is that if there is an issue, I can send it back. My local smith has agreed to handle the transfer and check everything out, and I’ll get him to show me the ins and outs of the platform once I make the final decision. I figure how can I go wrong with his advice and tutorial?
The Colt b/c my local gunsmith recommended them saying everything tends to be correct in alignment and tight right from the box, and the PSA for inexpensive with good reviews.
My reasoning for a complete rifle is that if there is an issue, I can send it back. My local smith has agreed to handle the transfer and check everything out, and I’ll get him to show me the ins and outs of the platform once I make the final decision. I figure how can I go wrong with his advice and tutorial?
maxxhavoc
Member
To put your mind at ease, all the parts on the gun can be replaced quickly with no hand fitting at all.
And the most expensive part on an entry level rifles can be replaced for less than $100, and improved for not much more.
It is pretty much impossible to get an AR that is a lemon, unless it uses a custom lower or gas system.
Oh, and if you get the Colt check it against the recent recall list. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...-a-recall-of-some-some-ar-pattern-rifles/amp/
And the most expensive part on an entry level rifles can be replaced for less than $100, and improved for not much more.
It is pretty much impossible to get an AR that is a lemon, unless it uses a custom lower or gas system.
Oh, and if you get the Colt check it against the recent recall list. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.th...-a-recall-of-some-some-ar-pattern-rifles/amp/
The Ruger I bought does have the plastic DElta Ring, but, I swapped it out when I put my STNGR MLOK Free Float handguard on it.
So like all others, they are able to be modded to what you want.
Skylerbone
Member
Do you think you can tell the difference between a colt 6920 or a PSA freedom rifle in the dark? Lol, I mean shooting them side by side without looking at them
Guaranteed I could tell the difference between an Aero and a PSA. One has sharp edges and a good hump below the handguard where it clamps together. The other does not require gloves.
Note the attachment method for the rail. If you’re inclined to grip the magwell while shooting...hopefully you have small hands and bandaids.
Flared magwell to funnel magazines in, smooth transition between upper and handguard, nicer finish, free floated barrel, nitride finish on barrel, more accurate IME, designed by former aerospace engineers who loved to shoot. Yes, for ~$100 there are real differences.
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GravelRider
Member
Literally all of them are.
GravelRider
Member
Buying a complete AR for your first makes sense. I bought three competes before I ventured into building my own. You can't go wrong with either of the ones you're looking at.
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