The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Tactical Rifle & Carbine => Topic started by: jakeman234 on October 19, 2010, 02:18:45 PM
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i want a good first AR-15 for no more than 1000 dollers i have looked at Arma light,Bushmasters,Dmps and Stag. But im like a kid in a candy store and cant make up my mine on what brand/series of AR i want, Nor do i have the knowledge about AR's. What should i do thanks. :)
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Don't forget the Smith and Wesson M&P line. They have several. If you have friends with them, borrow or go out with them and try as many different brands as possible. there are so many varieties and options, it all depends on what you want and can afford.
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Don't forget the Smith and Wesson M&P line. They have several. If you have friends with them, borrow or go out with them and try as many different brands as possible. there are so many varieties and options, it all depends on what you want and can afford.
thare more than 1000 dollers. but thanks
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There are a thousand threads on this. They are all the same. I say we start a new one, because its one of the questions that brings folks here. So, instead of repeating ourselves and drifting (who, us ;D), I'd suggest the following:
What questions do you wish you'd asked before you bought your first rig?
What mistakes did you make?
Were you able to fix it, or did you replace it/buy a second?
That way, we might get some new ideas, and avoid old arguments. Just a thought.
Me:
1) Why do you want an AR vs say an AK, AR-10 or M1A?
2) What do you want to do with it? Varmints, range toy, SHTF 200-300 yard carbine?
3) Do you want the tacticool stuff? (Be honest, there's no shame in wanting the GI look. Its like porn, if it were just you, there wouldn't be websites devoted to your particular kink ;D).
4) How fat is your wallet? Budget in mags and ammo, and don't assume upgrades are going to be cheap. I still can't find decent BUIS or a front sling mount for my Sportical at a reasonable price. I should have researched it.
Let us know your specs. I hope others have questions as well.
FQ13
PS Welcome aboard. As for your question, I love my sportical as a shooter. At the $675 or so I paid, it shoots great. The lack of realeastate for buis and no easy front mount is annoying, but it is a very good shooting rifle. I would reccomend it with those caveats. The problems are easily, but not cheaply fixed. For the price of a new front rail system, I could have upgraded a model and saved $$$$, still, I like DPMS a lot.
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All the name brands are good. Talk to your friends or the guys at the range that shoot them, and take their advice. Nothing worse than listening to a fat old dude from Minnesota that has drunk the DPMS kool-aid when you live in Rock River country of Arizona!
Any good gun shop will have a selection of AR-15's in the $800 to $1,000 range.
Don't go to the used rack!!! The used ones will only save you $50, and when you are spending $800 what's another $50 for that new in the box factory oil smell ;D
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thare more than 1000 dollers. but thanks
Actually keep a look out. I just saw an M&P at one of my local shops for a little over $850. Prices are starting to come down since the recession and also being past the panic of the last couple of years. The market is flooded with weapons now, but no one has the cash.
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Jakeman234,
It's America, you can save your money and buy as many as you want.
You should get a M&P15 for less than a $1,000 these days. I'm happy it with it as well as with my Bushmaster Shorty and a Stag/Sabre Frankengun.
I would like a 20" A3 but the Straw Boss has cut my budget for the time being
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All the name brands are good. Talk to your friends or the guys at the range that shoot them, and take their advice. Nothing worse than listening to a fat old dude from Minnesota that has drunk the DPMS kool-aid when you live in Rock River country of Arizona!
Any good gun shop will have a selection of AR-15's in the $800 to $1,000 range.
Don't go to the used rack!!! The used ones will only save you $50, and when you are spending $800 what's another $50 for that new in the box factory oil smell ;D
I disagree with the last half of M58s post. A lot of folks bought ARs out of panic. They didn't really want or need them, just thought "now or never". Now that the panic is over and the economy has tanked? I'd bet there are some sweet deals out there. Who cares if it has a couple of thousand rounds though it? If its a good brand (Bushmaster/remington, Smith, DPMS Rock River, Stag, etc.) that has been well maintained,well that's just getting broken in. I wouldn't buy a beater, but a like new gun that you can look at at your local dealer might save you a lot more than $50. I'd look at that used rack.
FQ13
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I am very happy to see this thread get started. I basically had the same question as jakeman; however, I might could be talked into spending a little more when I finally break down and buy one.
I'm looking for something simple that would make a good truck/range gun, but could be used for more if necessary. I realize that an AK would probably be better for me, but I’ve always wanted an AR, even before the panic.
By the way, I just a few hours ago saw a M&P priced in the mid to high $800 range.
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Cheaper than dirt has armalight and bushmaster starting at around $830 up to the high $900.
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Around here you can pick up an M&P for around 850 to 950 depending on model. I think they are still offering a $100 rebate until the end of the month.
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M+P's, DPMS, Rock River, Stag, and others, are all hovering around $1000 or less for the standard models, the bells and whistles can be done as you become even more familiar with an AR platform. In essence, the receivers are about the same.
Be sure, it is the caliber and rifle for what you want it to do. Think of mags, ammo, barrel length, features, ease of use, field stripping, spare parts, etc,..
Take as much time as it takes to test drive, research, study, ask around your local shooting places, and get a feel for what it is for YOU.
There is great resources and knowledge here. $1000.00 is a good price to get a great AR rifle. Welcome to DRTV, post any questions or ideas your kicking around, you will get a straight and honest response regarding brand, triggers, options, future upgrades, etc.
Glad your here at DRTV.
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This is the 21st century, there really aren't any "bad" AR's out there unless it's a very new Company, the ones that make crap got tore up here on the internet, so any that are still in business have to be making decent product.
After market stuff, Magazines, and especially optics you generally get what you pay for. You don't want to go to Afghanistan with a $30 NcStar red dot, by the same token, do you really need to spend $$$$$$$ on EoTech or Trijicon for 20 rounds a month at the range ?
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I recently ran across a used LMT for $900.00. Your budget is reasonable but if you can find a way to add another $250-$300 to your budget...your options will improve tremendously.
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I disagree with the last half of M58s post. A lot of folks bought ARs out of panic. They didn't really want or need them, just thought "now or never". Now that the panic is over and the economy has tanked? I'd bet there are some sweet deals out there. Who cares if it has a couple of thousand rounds though it? If its a good brand (Bushmaster/remington, Smith, DPMS Rock River, Stag, etc.) that has been well maintained,well that's just getting broken in. I wouldn't buy a beater, but a like new gun that you can look at at your local dealer might save you a lot more than $50. I'd look at that used rack.
FQ13
Not in this world! Fifty bucks is about all a good used will save you. To save a hundred it is going to look worn and used. May still be good, but it shows wear. Also, our bubble burst here long ago, and prices have returned to the pre-BHO range. Anyone with high priced new isn't moving them, and they can't afford to discount the high priced used.
Like I said, I'll pay $50 extra for new gun smell, because $50 is all it will cost me. Damn, a new M&P 15-22 is $499, and on the used rack it is $479 ... When I'm spending five hundred I'm going new for that price!
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I don't really care about price. I'm happy to pay what I can afford to get exactly what I want.
It's that "can afford" that causes the problems. ;D
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Not in this world! Fifty bucks is about all a good used will save you. To save a hundred it is going to look worn and used. May still be good, but it shows wear. Also, our bubble burst here long ago, and prices have returned to the pre-BHO range. Anyone with high priced new isn't moving them, and they can't afford to discount the high priced used.
Like I said, I'll pay $50 extra for new gun smell, because $50 is all it will cost me. Damn, a new M&P 15-22 is $499, and on the used rack it is $479 ... When I'm spending five hundred I'm going new for that price!
Maybe you'll only save $50 in the shops but watch for private sales. I bought a "used" Bushy XM15 (handled a bit and carried around in the trunk of a car but never fired) for $500 a couple weeks ago from a guy walking around the gun show. I see new M&P's all the time for $799 specials now. Now that the Obama panic has subsided for the time being you can buy stuff dirt cheap if you work at it a bit. I bought an unfired WASR Romanian AK a few weeks ago for $325.
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Pretty hard to go wrong with a good Bushmaster M-4 model in the $780.00 to $900.00 range. I've got 5 Bushy's. They all run like scalded dogs! I'm also in total agreement to buy new. Buying a used AR will save you very little. Bill T.
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There are a couple Gunbroker sellers that have had LMT SPM16 M4's listed for $999 - $1099 the last couple of weeks. Three months ago that was an easy $1500+ rifle. Unlike a lot of AR's on the market you'd be hard pressed to build this with new LMT parts for less. Pick one of these up for a $25 transfer and no sales tax and you won't be sorry.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=197147702 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=197147702)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=197312633 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=197312633)
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=195759914 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=195759914)
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you can pic up a good AR from budsgunshop.com I got the olympic arm k16 they came a long away since there cast lowers. It shoots just as good as my old bush.
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I just finished my cheapest AR build for a friend on a serious budget. $550 with all mil-spec quality parts on a forged receiver.
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I just finished my cheapest AR build for a friend on a serious budget. $550 with all mil-spec quality parts on a forged receiver.
we gotta get you a picture posting tutor.... ;)
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I put it together at his house and didn't have my camera with me. He's supposed to get some pics of it and send them to me.
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I just finished my cheapest AR build for a friend on a serious budget. $550 with all mil-spec quality parts on a forged receiver.
8) How a bout a parts list while we wait for the pictures?
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Im hoping to start a decent project at first of the year.
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8) How a bout a parts list while we wait for the pictures?
Yeah, +1.
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Yeah, +1.
Gunsmoke Lower (a company out of Okeechobee, FL who has their uppers forged from the same vendor as Spikes) - $69
Palmetto State Armory classic LPK with 6 pos stock & Buffer - $99 Total Lower cost $167 (You can also use the Plum Crazy complete lower for $125 for an even bigger savings.
DTI 14.5" M4 profile 1-7 chrome lined barrel with FSP & gas tube from Gun Broker - $125 shipped (These or similar are pretty easy to find on GB for anywhere from $100 - $150 but this build it was $113.74 + $10 shipping so I rounded up a bit).
Cerro Forge Complete upper receiver from Gunbroker $83 (I bought 6 a while back for $78ea + $16 shipping so I averaged it at $83 for 1, this is a pretty regular price because I just got 2 more for $78ea + $9 shipping the other day from a different GB vendor)
Barrel Nut & Delta ring assy. $10.50 (PSA regular price)
Flashhider $10 (We used a Phantom picked up from arfcom classifieds for $10 but if you can't find that deal you could use an A2 for $10 or less)
BCM full auto BCG - $135 (you can scrimp here but I won't. I do have a good source for a $99 full auto carrier that looks as good as the BCM though. I've got one in a rifle and it's doing fine with about 2500rds so far)
Mil-Spec forged CH - $15 (plans on swapping to a BCM Gunfighter for $45 soon though)
This give a build total of $545.50 - I had a Magpul rear BUIS I gave him so that saved him from buying a rear sight but you can pick up a decent used (or the ARMS that Magpul coppied) For $20-$25 with minimal effort. The only thing left to buy was mags and ammo (I gave him a old sling I had in my parts box as well) Botach has Lancer mags for $10 or a couple places have C-Products Mil_Spec contract style mags for $8-$9.
Granted I had all the tools and experience needed to put this together for him and I didn't charge any labor but he bought the beer and pizza for our build night. The good thing is he could probably just about build another rifle himself now or at the very least understands enough to properly maintain it. I'd compare the quality to being equal or better than any $700-$1000 retail M4 like the DPMS, Rock River, M&P etc. If you're really concerned about the brand I can find Doublestar lowers for $99 and just bought some Armalite lowers for $129 so another $30-$60 if that matters to you. I've actually used a few of these Gunsmoke lowers and never had an issue which I can't say for Rock River or DPMS, both of which I've had to make adjustments to the trigger or hammer holes or other issues.
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Thanks, bafsu....sounds like some of the component prices are back in the ballpark of where they were 2 1/2 years ago (ante BHO) when I was really looking at a build of my own. Stripped lowers were running around $90 then.
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Thanks, bafsu....sounds like some of the component prices are back in the ballpark of where they were 2 1/2 years ago (ante BHO) when I was really looking at a build of my own. Stripped lowers were running around $90 then.
A lot of stripped lowers are still in the $90 - $125 range but there are more than a few out there in the $65-$80 range too. THe big difference is 6 months ago you were lucky to find any LPK for $75 and now there are multiple choices available for under $50. The ones from PSA with a the full buffer assy and stock for $99 is a great deal. They also do a Magpul MOE kit for $149 and even an ultimate kit that has a CTR stock, MIAD grip and Geiselle SSA trigger for $369 which is a great deal to do a high end build. If you watch places liek gunbroker and ar15.com you can really do a cheap build if you're not in a rush. I just got a DPMS LPK on gunbroker for $33 and a like new ACS stock on arfcom for $60. Usually when I go to do a build I'm only short a part or two so I have very little out of pocket at the time. The problem is nobody really seems to be buying rifles right now or if they are it's a DPMS on sale for $699 with a hard case and 2 mags.
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is spikes lowers any good I heard they dont always keep trigger in tight large pin or small. I personally like yankee mill but they are high priced.
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is spikes lowers any good I heard they dont always keep trigger in tight large pin or small. I personally like yankee mill but they are high priced.
I personally think everything Spikes is highly overrated and overhyped and they are the closest AR manufacturer to my house. I've had the best luck with Armalite lowers but they're not offering stripped lowers anymore although there are still a ton out there. If money is no object or at least secondary on a build I prefer to go with billet components like POF, Sun Devil or Mega. If you want to build a nice AR arfcom has their special edition POF billet lower on clearance right now for $150 shipped. This is one of the best lowers you can get at any price, they were $300 when they first came out: http://store.ar15.com/store/product.html?cat=9&prod=252 (http://store.ar15.com/store/product.html?cat=9&prod=252)
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thanks I think Im going try to get my hands on a dpms race for giggles