School me on ARs, please - looking to purchase first

[Skylerbone]

I am not sure about everybody else, but all of my "Machine Gun Steel" barrels are stamped with the FN factory mark.

I somehow ended up with three of the premium uppers with this barrel and the all have the factory FN mark.

I don't think FN would allow PSA to sell junk steel or reject barrels with the factory stamp.

One thing for sure, there are so many manufacturers and so many variances in build quality that it will drive you crazy trying to directly compare one to the other.

Sorry for the bad pic but here is the stamp found on all three of my barrels.

View attachment 1042755

So now we know that FN manufactured those barrels but again, if they did not meet specs for military contract, they may have been sold off. More importantly IMO, they do not represent the pinnacle of accuracy and so are not what I would recommend to anyone looking to target shoot or hunt.

 

[C-grunt]

Well...they pretty much are...so there's that. The differences are small..and the name stamped on it is really all you're paying extra for.

So you think the difference between a Taurus 1911 and a Wilson Combat or Nighthawk is the rollmark?

 

[C-grunt]

Not wishing to argue with you, but have you actually checked what PSA is using lately? Its all high grade stuff now. 7075 aluminum, 4160 steel....416 stainless...all the same stuff Colt and other high dollar names use. This is even for almost all PSAs entry level stuff to boot. They use "machine gun steel" (Sorry...the number slips my mind at the moment) on their top end premium rifles and kits.

I agree with an earlier poster in Aero does a little better for economics(while its great, its not really Mil Spec either)...but as far as materials and function go..again, PSA offerings are just as good to them as well.

Some here linked a rifle that had an unlined barrel. No chrome or nitriding.

PSA definitely makes quality parts, but they also make budget parts that cut corners to hit a price point.

 

[ECVMatt]

So now we know that FN manufactured those barrels but again, if they did not meet specs for military contract, they may have been sold off. More importantly IMO, they do not represent the pinnacle of accuracy and so are not what I would recommend to anyone looking to target shoot or hunt.

I am simply pointing out that my sample of three all have the FN stamp. Since the OP was also looking at a 6920 I think that is a reasonable observation. I don't think the 6920 was meant to be an extremely accurate target rifle. As for hunting, I have taken quite a few coyotes with my 6920's, so the coyotes might have a different opinion as to whether or not it is accurate enough for hunting.

It looks like the OP might have made a choice, so I will leave it at that.

 

[GravelRider]

Yes they are, but I was more thinking about a newbie who might just want to do a new stock and drop in handguard. I understand most of this stuff isn't hard to do, but some folks may not be as mechanically inclined.

Like my example of my Wyndham rifle. It had a commercial buffer tube, so I couldn't just put any stock that I wanted on it. I had to replace the buffer tube.

I should have clarified, READILY adaptable. To me that meant no major parts removal or replacement.

Oh, gotcha. Well, in that case, you just have to look and see if the stock is commercial or mil-spec. Many brands produce both commercial and mil-spec stocks, so I don't think having a list would be practical.

If someone is so mechanically uninclined that they can't swap out a buffer tube or handguard, they should just take it to a gunsmith. No shame in paying someone to do what you can't. We can't all be good at everything.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Boy has this topic gone off the rails or what.
I know that @Skylerbone has built some nice AR using parts that are above Milspec grade.
Can’t say that I can remember any topics where @Megawatt maker has shown ARs that he’s built. Not saying he hasn’t, just don’t remember seeing any.
The thing about building ARs is that, as you buy different parts, you start to see the difference in quality of fit and finish. I’ve built a few.
But every time a topic on buying a first AR, you always see PSA and Colt come up. There’s nothing wrong with the two brands, but what most people don’t know it that both companies sell two levels of guns. PSA has their standard line and then they have their Premium line. The Premium rifles come with FN barrels.
Colt Industries makes rifles for commercial sales and Colt Defense builds and sales for military contracts. These are actually two different companies that are ran by Colt and the rifles are not the same. I know this because I have friends that have been to both factories while going through the BATF Firearms Examiner's school.
Many will tell you that Colt has been in business longer then PSA, but PSA has never filled for bankruptcy, or been bought out. On the other hand Colt has filled bankruptcy several times and has been bought and sold several times. Wasn’t it CZ that just bought them a few months ago after the last owners sucked the company dry. Now that they are owned by a gun company, they may start showing some innovative in their product line.
But trust me. When you buy Colt, you are paying to ride the pony. There are several companies out their that make a better product at a better price.
Ruger puts out a nice AR. But I don’t like their front sight setup on their standard models.
I’m a big fan of Areo Precision. They make great rifles with upgrades you don’t find of your standard milspec rifles on the market. Their fit and finish is very nice also. They have their standard AR lineup and the M4E1 lineup.
FN makes some nice ARs. They are also build rifles for the government.
The S&W M&P 15 lineup is good, but S&W doesn’t make the parts. They have them made and assemble the rifles.
Anderson makes a nice AR. Before you knock them, you should know that they are one of the larger suppliers of AR parts for other companies. Colt even used their parts when build the Colt Sporting ARs.


Wilson has also used Anderson manufactured lowers.

As long as the OP is buying a name brand AR that has a good warranty, he really can’t go wrong. Maybe after he gets his first AR, he might decide to build one. That is when the fun starts. Just be careful not to let building them get out of hand.
It’s hard to build an AR when you’re not sure what you want, but after having your first, you will start to learn what you like and don’t like.
Here’s two builds that were fun. The first is one that I built for me and the second is the one that my son wanted. He was 14 at the time.

​

 

[Megawatt maker]

Boy has this topic gone off the rails or what.
I know that @Skylerbone has built some nice AR using parts that are above Milspec grade.
Can’t say that I can remember any topics where @Megawatt maker has shown ARs that he’s built. Not saying he hasn’t, just don’t remember seeing any.
The thing about building ARs is that, as you buy different parts, you start to see the difference in quality of fit and finish. I’ve built a few.
But every time a topic on buying a first AR, you always see PSA and Colt come up. There’s nothing wrong with the two brands, but what most people don’t know it that both companies sell two levels of guns. PSA has their standard line and then they have their Premium line. The Premium rifles come with FN barrels.
Colt Industries makes rifles for commercial sales and Colt Defense builds and sales for military contracts. These are actually two different companies that are ran by Colt and the rifles are not the same. I know this because I have friends that have been to both factories while going through the BATF Firearms Examiner's school.
Many will tell you that Colt has been in business longer then PSA, but PSA has never filled for bankruptcy, or been bought out. On the other hand Colt has filled bankruptcy several times and has been bought and sold several times. Wasn’t it CZ that just bought them a few months ago after the last owners sucked the company dry. Now that they are owned by a gun company, they may start showing some innovative in their product line.
But trust me. When you buy Colt, you are paying to ride the pony. There are several companies out their that make a better product at a better price.
Ruger puts out a nice AR. But I don’t like their front sight setup on their standard models.
I’m a big fan of Areo Precision. They make great rifles with upgrades you don’t find of your standard milspec rifles on the market. Their fit and finish is very nice also. They have their standard AR lineup and the M4E1 lineup.
FN makes some nice ARs. They are also build rifles for the government.
The S&W M&P 15 lineup is good, but S&W doesn’t make the parts. They have them made and assemble the rifles.
Anderson makes a nice AR. Before you knock them, you should know that they are one of the larger suppliers of AR parts for other companies. Colt even used their parts when build the Colt Sporting ARs.
View attachment 1042764 View attachment 1042765

Wilson has also used Anderson manufactured lowers.
View attachment 1042766

As long as the OP is buying a name brand AR that has a good warranty, he really can’t go wrong. Maybe after he gets his first AR, he might decide to build one. That is when the fun starts. Just be careful not to let building them get out of hand.
It’s hard to build an AR when you’re not sure what you want, but after having your first, you will start to learn what you like and don’t like.
Here’s two builds that were fun. The first is one that I built for me and the second is the one that my son wanted. He was 14 at the time.
View attachment 1042774 View attachment 1042775 View attachment 1042776 View attachment 1042777
​

I have build 9 PSA rifles. This is my most recent. Ill post what pictures I have on my phone when I get time...right now rolling out to my daily toil.

 

[maxxhavoc]

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.

If you get the Colt, just do yourself a favor and don't get attached to "keeping it all original.". Too many first-purchase ARs end up at the back of the safe so they don't get modified from their factory parts.

Once you get used to the way it is put together, you will want to change things, and many times this leads to building a "beater" AR so you don't mess up the pony.

Remember, you can always put it back to stock, and it probably won't appreciate in value. If you want something different, change it. The more parts you change, the closer you will be to having the second AR magically assemble itself from parts you have laying around. If that doesn't make sense to you, it will later.

They always seem to multiply.

 

[Megawatt maker]

A few more of my builds. Im not a big photo bug. I'll get better pictures and post when I get home.

 

[Megawatt maker]

If you get the Colt, just do yourself a favor and don't get attached to "keeping it all original.". Too many first-purchase ARs end up at the back of the safe so they don't get modified from their factory parts.

Once you get used to the way it is put together, you will want to change things, and many times this leads to building a "beater" AR so you don't mess up the pony.

Remember, you can always put it back to stock, and it probably won't appreciate in value. If you want something different, change it. The more parts you change, the closer you will be to having the second AR magically assemble itself from parts you have laying around. If that doesn't make sense to you, it will later.

They always seem to multiply.

I won a cheap build challenge with the guys at work due to that very thing. I had a pile of left over parts...plus a box of junk I bought at an auction for 10 bucks...in that box was a stripped Ruggiero lower (worst of the worst fly by night AR maker that ever was!)...it actually cost me more for the BGC and transfer than I paid for the box in the first place...

but anyway...after modifying that lower (out of spec is a massive understatement!) to make it work...combined with the rest of the parts in that box and the stuff I had laying around..I put together the most Frankenstein AR youve ever seen...for a grand total of 125 bucks!

Its my truck gun..and it's actually a pretty good shooter!

 

[milemaker13]

There is a difference between Colt and at least the cheaper PSA rifles. It has to do with materials and testing.

It's up to you to decide if you need or want that extra expense.

But i can tell you from experience it does make s difference if you run the guns hard. I started with a Bushmaster duty rifle and changed over to Colt. I had more issues in the first week with my Bushmaster than I've had in the last decade with the Colt.

But like I've said I have had good experiences with the PSA rifles. But I've never run one really hard.

Give it a try and report back

 

[misser]

Boy has this topic gone off the rails or what.
I know that @Skylerbone has built some nice AR using parts that are above Milspec grade.
Can’t say that I can remember any topics where @Megawatt maker has shown ARs that he’s built. Not saying he hasn’t, just don’t remember seeing any.
The thing about building ARs is that, as you buy different parts, you start to see the difference in quality of fit and finish. I’ve built a few.
But every time a topic on buying a first AR, you always see PSA and Colt come up. There’s nothing wrong with the two brands, but what most people don’t know it that both companies sell two levels of guns. PSA has their standard line and then they have their Premium line. The Premium rifles come with FN barrels.
Colt Industries makes rifles for commercial sales and Colt Defense builds and sales for military contracts. These are actually two different companies that are ran by Colt and the rifles are not the same. I know this because I have friends that have been to both factories while going through the BATF Firearms Examiner's school.
Many will tell you that Colt has been in business longer then PSA, but PSA has never filled for bankruptcy, or been bought out. On the other hand Colt has filled bankruptcy several times and has been bought and sold several times. Wasn’t it CZ that just bought them a few months ago after the last owners sucked the company dry. Now that they are owned by a gun company, they may start showing some innovative in their product line.
But trust me. When you buy Colt, you are paying to ride the pony. There are several companies out their that make a better product at a better price.
Ruger puts out a nice AR. But I don’t like their front sight setup on their standard models.
I’m a big fan of Areo Precision. They make great rifles with upgrades you don’t find of your standard milspec rifles on the market. Their fit and finish is very nice also. They have their standard AR lineup and the M4E1 lineup.
FN makes some nice ARs. They are also build rifles for the government.
The S&W M&P 15 lineup is good, but S&W doesn’t make the parts. They have them made and assemble the rifles.
Anderson makes a nice AR. Before you knock them, you should know that they are one of the larger suppliers of AR parts for other companies. Colt even used their parts when build the Colt Sporting ARs.
View attachment 1042764 View attachment 1042765

Wilson has also used Anderson manufactured lowers.
View attachment 1042766

As long as the OP is buying a name brand AR that has a good warranty, he really can’t go wrong. Maybe after he gets his first AR, he might decide to build one. That is when the fun starts. Just be careful not to let building them get out of hand.
It’s hard to build an AR when you’re not sure what you want, but after having your first, you will start to learn what you like and don’t like.
Here’s two builds that were fun. The first is one that I built for me and the second is the one that my son wanted. He was 14 at the time.
View attachment 1042774 View attachment 1042775 View attachment 1042776 View attachment 1042777
​

AM 15 ?? what is that

 

[Mosin77]

OP I was in the same dilemma as yourself a year ago.

I went with a Rock River Arms because my buddy was selling it cheap. Otherwise I would have gone with a S&W or a Ruger… or a PSA. It’s kind of a roll of the dice and a year ago what was actually obtainable mattered far more than any minor differences. If you get a $600 AR it will perform equivalently to a $1200 AR, that’s pretty much a given these days and you won’t be able to tell the difference for practical purposes. So most would advise you to get a cheaper one (because they really are good and reliable) and spend the extra $ on ammo, mags, and perhaps upgrades you personally want. Commonly upgraded items on ARs are triggers, barrels, and sights/optics.

 

[Anchorite]

Thanks, fellas. This has been an amazing thread (seriously) and I appreciate all the input - and opinions noted.

Like one poster said, and I’ll paraphrase, “come back after you purchase and ask us about optics!”

 

[Megawatt maker]

So you think the difference between a Taurus 1911 and a Wilson Combat or Nighthawk is the rollmark?

Comparing 1911s to AR is like apples to bowling balls...

But to respond...no, I know a plain Jane off brand 1911 is not the same as a Wilson and others...

1911s are not ARs. A good high end 1911 has handfitted parts...done by true craftsmen who has decades of experience...
There is also an almost endless list of materials and parts, methods of manufacturing and machining...that goes into a 1911...

With a 1911...you actually get something for the premium you pay for a good name. Parts fitted to a high end 1911 are very unlikely to fit on a mass produced Springfield or Taurus....very very unlike ARs.
The Mil Spec standard doesn't really exist in 1911s...at least not to the extent like it does in ARs. I'd call 1911 standardized...but not even close to Mil Spec.

So..no, I'm not so naive to think all 1911s are the same. I know not all ARs are the same either. I know some are more Purdy than others...and some have little tweaks...but mostly, there simply isn't enough differences that parts wouldn't interchange between all brands.. and for those that dont...its called out of spec..which generally means junk.
That said.....all my PSAs will land groups at 100 yards that will fit inside a quarter...some will do a dime. They do it at any temperature, rain or shine...

I can't say that for my M1A...which moves groups around with temp and weather..just like a few other rifles I own.

If you are not match shooting or competing, they are plenty plenty plenty accurate enough for hunting, self defense, general fun.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Boy has this topic gone off the rails or what.
I know that @Skylerbone has built some nice AR using parts that are above Milspec grade.
Can’t say that I can remember any topics where @Megawatt maker has shown ARs that he’s built. Not saying he hasn’t, just don’t remember seeing any.
The thing about building ARs is that, as you buy different parts, you start to see the difference in quality of fit and finish. I’ve built a few.
But every time a topic on buying a first AR, you always see PSA and Colt come up. There’s nothing wrong with the two brands, but what most people don’t know it that both companies sell two levels of guns. PSA has their standard line and then they have their Premium line. The Premium rifles come with FN barrels.
Colt Industries makes rifles for commercial sales and Colt Defense builds and sales for military contracts. These are actually two different companies that are ran by Colt and the rifles are not the same. I know this because I have friends that have been to both factories while going through the BATF Firearms Examiner's school.
Many will tell you that Colt has been in business longer then PSA, but PSA has never filled for bankruptcy, or been bought out. On the other hand Colt has filled bankruptcy several times and has been bought and sold several times. Wasn’t it CZ that just bought them a few months ago after the last owners sucked the company dry. Now that they are owned by a gun company, they may start showing some innovative in their product line.
But trust me. When you buy Colt, you are paying to ride the pony. There are several companies out their that make a better product at a better price.
Ruger puts out a nice AR. But I don’t like their front sight setup on their standard models.
I’m a big fan of Areo Precision. They make great rifles with upgrades you don’t find of your standard milspec rifles on the market. Their fit and finish is very nice also. They have their standard AR lineup and the M4E1 lineup.
FN makes some nice ARs. They are also build rifles for the government.
The S&W M&P 15 lineup is good, but S&W doesn’t make the parts. They have them made and assemble the rifles.
Anderson makes a nice AR. Before you knock them, you should know that they are one of the larger suppliers of AR parts for other companies. Colt even used their parts when build the Colt Sporting ARs.
View attachment 1042764 View attachment 1042765

Wilson has also used Anderson manufactured lowers.
View attachment 1042766

As long as the OP is buying a name brand AR that has a good warranty, he really can’t go wrong. Maybe after he gets his first AR, he might decide to build one. That is when the fun starts. Just be careful not to let building them get out of hand.
It’s hard to build an AR when you’re not sure what you want, but after having your first, you will start to learn what you like and don’t like.
Here’s two builds that were fun. The first is one that I built for me and the second is the one that my son wanted. He was 14 at the time.
View attachment 1042774 View attachment 1042775 View attachment 1042776 View attachment 1042777
​

Colt is indeed owned by CZ now. Shame, a great American name now owned by a European nation. But like you said, CZ are gun people, with a long history themselves that survived the fall of communism, and hopefully will restore Colt back to actually earning it reputation as opposed to riding on it.

This is why I'm very partial to PSA. Those guys are 100% pure gun people, and even poke the anti gunners in the eye every chance they get. You see that with the logos they come up with for some of their lowers...Tyranny 15 was hilarious...choice between F-15s and Nukes..which of coarse was a direct pun at our Fake POTUS...
I'm also partial to them because they are carrying their own water, building their own reputation, rather than buying a name. Yes, they bought DMPS, but they are not putting that name on their ARs, and sticking with their own.

What they do going forward with the DPMS name remains to be seen, so we shall see, but my point is...
PSA is using the best materials...or at least the same stuff all the more famous (and popular for the gun snobs), yet they offer it all at a much lower price point. Most of us assume they can do that because they cut corners, or skimp on details.

They don't do that...they can offer the lower prices because...
1)They are pretty integrated. They do own and control a large parts of everything they make, outside the raw materials. Does them mean they make their parts "cheaper" with less quality? Others on this thread seem to accuse them of that..but I challenge anyone to actually prove that. I have yet to find a defective or failed part on any of my builds from them. I have yet to see any proof that any single part on even their cheapest kits have lesser quality parts. There are only so many ways to make the parts...and now days, its all done by computer controlled CNC and lathes. So, really, how are they less quality than all the others?

2) PSA can offer what they do at the prices seen because they go with the volume business plan...plus also by being less greedy. They are gun people, not bankers, accountants, or hedge funds who are only looking to fatten the bottom line in the next quarter so they get a big bonus. Gun people who love guns and run their business with that passion!

Back in my Army days I was a 76y (supply guy), and I got to see what the government paid for stuff. One thing I noticed...the Government was paying $125 bucks for an Colt M16A1..this while the civvy version was over a grand..even back then. Colt made big bucks off the Government contract...and even more from the civilian sales per unit. Big margin to say the least...and that was before advances in machinery equipment and before CNCs...with those, its even cheaper to produce one! (Biden inflation aside)
So..knowing that...It becomes even clearer how PSA can offer lower prices WITHOUT cutting quality. They simple are not driven so much by greed. They can still make a smaller profit per unit, but sell a heck of a lot of them....the high volume business model!

So, in my opinion, this is why some like to hate on PSA. They sell guns at a vastly lower price, therefore they must be inferior to those that sell for twice as much...but that just ain't the case!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

AM 15 ?? what is that

The AM 15 was just a model number on the basic forged lower with the built in trigger guard. I built several ARs on those lowers. Here’s one that my son wanted me to build to look like the AR carbine in the video game Grand Theft Auto 5.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

If you get the Colt, just do yourself a favor and don't get attached to "keeping it all original.". Too many first-purchase ARs end up at the back of the safe so they don't get modified from their factory parts.

Once you get used to the way it is put together, you will want to change things, and many times this leads to building a "beater" AR so you don't mess up the pony.

Remember, you can always put it back to stock, and it probably won't appreciate in value. If you want something different, change it. The more parts you change, the closer you will be to having the second AR magically assemble itself from parts you have laying around. If that doesn't make sense to you, it will later.

They always seem to multiply.

You are right about ARs multiplying once you start building them. Here’s some of my ARs. I need to do another group photo.

 

[C-grunt]

Give it a try and report back

Probably not going to happen. I have my duty rifle and my main home defense rifle.

I'm not going to switch out proven reliable rifles just to see what happens. I'm also going to do any serious training with one of those rifles. The PSA stuff is on my fun rifles and they work well.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Colt is indeed owned by CZ now. Shame, a great American name now owned by a European nation. But like you said, CZ are gun people, with a long history themselves that survived the fall of communism, and hopefully will restore Colt back to actually earning it reputation as opposed to riding on it.

This is why I'm very partial to PSA. Those guys are 100% pure gun people, and even poke the anti gunners in the eye every chance they get. You see that with the logos they come up with for some of their lowers...Tyranny 15 was hilarious...choice between F-15s and Nukes..which of coarse was a direct pun at our Fake POTUS...
I'm also partial to them because they are carrying their own water, building their own reputation, rather than buying a name. Yes, they bought DMPS, but they are not putting that name on their ARs, and sticking with their own.

What they do going forward with the DPMS name remains to be seen, so we shall see, but my point is...
PSA is using the best materials...or at least the same stuff all the more famous (and popular for the gun snobs), yet they offer it all at a much lower price point. Most of us assume they can do that because they cut corners, or skimp on details.

They don't do that...they can offer the lower prices because...
1)They are pretty integrated. They do own and control a large parts of everything they make, outside the raw materials. Does them mean they make their parts "cheaper" with less quality? Others on this thread seem to accuse them of that..but I challenge anyone to actually prove that. I have yet to find a defective or failed part on any of my builds from them. I have yet to see any proof that any single part on even their cheapest kits have lesser quality parts. There are only so many ways to make the parts...and now days, its all done by computer controlled CNC and lathes. So, really, how are they less quality than all the others?

2) PSA can offer what they do at the prices seen because they go with the volume business plan...plus also by being less greedy. They are gun people, not bankers, accountants, or hedge funds who are only looking to fatten the bottom line in the next quarter so they get a big bonus. Gun people who love guns and run their business with that passion!

Back in my Army days I was a 76y (supply guy), and I got to see what the government paid for stuff. One thing I noticed...the Government was paying $125 bucks for an Colt M16A1..this while the civvy version was over a grand..even back then. Colt made big bucks off the Government contract...and even more from the civilian sales per unit. Big margin to say the least...and that was before advances in machinery equipment and before CNCs...with those, its even cheaper to produce one! (Biden inflation aside)
So..knowing that...It becomes even clearer how PSA can offer lower prices WITHOUT cutting quality. They simple are not driven so much by greed. They can still make a smaller profit per unit, but sell a heck of a lot of them....the high volume business model!

So, in my opinion, this is why some like to hate on PSA. They sell guns at a vastly lower price, therefore they must be inferior to those that sell for twice as much...but that just ain't the case!

I understand where you are coming from. But when someone goes way off topic in a thread just to get their point across, and butts heads with anyone that disagrees, they start to sound like they are ranting.
I have seen many times where someone will defend a gun or a brand like they were on the company payroll. But the bottom line is, no matter what PSA will not send you a check for defending them on a forum.
At the bottom of each post there’s a like button. When members like what you post, they hit the like button, most of the time. But if you’re not getting any likes on your post, you should wonder why. You can also check to see how many likes other members have by clicking on the box with the name of the person that made a post. It will show you how many post and how many likes a member has.
I, myself, think that PSA makes a very good rifle and has great deals. I have used PSA kits to build several rifles. I actually have a basic PSA carbine kit sitting on my bench right now that I need to build as a Christmas gift. I know that the person that is getting it will be very happy with it.
Two of the reasons some ARs cost more than others that most people don’t think about is fit and finish, and quality control inspection of parts.
Have you ever had a good look at a Black Rain AR? Boy are they sweet. But you will have to pay more for the sweetness. I don’t think @Anchorite is ready to fork out that kind of money on his first AR.
@Anchorite be sure to let us know which rifle you buy. We will be looking for a range report to hear how good your rifle shoots and how much fun you had.

 

[GravelRider]

You are right about ARs multiplying once you start building them. Here’s some of my ARs. I need to do another group photo.
View attachment 1042825

I think you may need a 12 step program.

 

[Skylerbone]

I suppose we are all passionate about our likes when it comes to firearms. I was a 1-trick pony for many years before Gunny’s Pallet of Pain got me to branch out and try a few new parts. And while each AR I’ve assembled had a different purpose, be it for a smaller shooter or HD, a good number share some very familiar parts.

Whether the $100 or $200 separating one rifle from another is enough to persuade someone is their decision. While materials may be similar, I’d like to display a few differences that matter enough on a personal level for me to spend that cash.


This is my PSA. Note the handguard transition to the upper receiver (highlighted by an oil slick it seems). It’s a sharp transition and I also mean sharp as in near cutting edge sharp.


This is my (daughter’s that we built together) Aero. Same transition area but beveled and lightly tumbled. Doesn’t snag, cut, or abrade. Again I’ll point out the funneled magwell of the M4E1 as compared to a basic milspec lower.


Lest anyone think I’m singling out PSA, here’s a pic of my Rock River Arms scope mount next to an Aero. They both function well as far as assigned scope holding duties are concerned but the Aero is lighter weight, dehorned of all sharp transitions, looks better IMO, and was in this case less expensive.


My (wife’s, purchased by me) PSA (top) and my RRA $1,100 rifle (bottom). Only two purchased complete (PSA was upper/lower pinned by me). That RRA was what I thought I wanted in an AR, big name, fancy half-rail, and it worked fine.


This is my RRA, same one from above, reconfigured for what I want in a rifle serving its purpose. It took another $400 in parts to get here making it a tremendous waste of both money and effort, could have purchased 2 Colts for what I spent.


The above rifle is why I stress purpose. I fell headfirst into that money pit, faced numerous obstacles, and still didn’t come out exactly where I’d like to be. I’m not the first to buy what should have been a $700 rifle and turned it into a really expensive rifle that’s not worth half.

Finally, lest anyone think I’m a roll mark snob, these are all (but not all that I own) my Anderson receivers. They make a fine product, albeit more difficult to work with in some regards compared to brands like Aero, especially if you’re replacing parts on a complete rifle.


OP, I wish you all the best in choosing a rifle and hope the squabbling was worth it. I don’t think any of us are seething at home over these types of exchanges, again, we all have our preferences to share.

 

[Skylerbone]

I think you may need a 12 step program.

Gunny is THR’s 12-step solution lol. He and MistWolf have given better advice and probably cost members here more money than all forms of advertising combined.

 

[MistWolf]

I think you may need a 12 step program.

Gunny has taken more than 12 Steps

 

[GravelRider]

Gunny has taken more than 12 Steps

And here I thought I was living high on the hog with 7 ARs. Lol. Always a bigger fish!