What is the best AR for under $1,000?

2019-02-11T12:45:46-05:00

In looking at picking up an AR one thing is clear the market is flooded with low - $, middle - $$$ as well high end AR's - $$$$$+. While options are great it however really makes picking just "one" a difficult task. As such looking for a general purpose AR - that would be good enough for 3 gun yet practical for plinking around. As well as the wife's only question at the LGS was "how much" looking for advice on what you would consider a good hopefully great out of the box AR for under a $1000.
The budget is without glass, grips, slings and all the other geardo stuff.

**Update wife took me to Shoot Point Blank and bought me a Springfield Saint Edge on Father's Day - man I love her and she's a keeper and the wife isn't too bad either.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 11 at 2019 12:55 PM

2019-02-11T12:55:58-05:00

H&R has a nice one.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 11 at 2019 1:26 PM

2019-02-11T13:26:58-05:00

Wives are funny like that. I'm tracking this conversation as I am in the same market right now.

Response by Cpl Mark McMiller made Feb 11 at 2019 1:37 PM

2019-02-11T13:37:38-05:00

Depends on whether you are buying new or used. You'll get more bang for your buck buying used. If you want to spend $1K for a new AR, you won't go wrong with a Colt, but you can get a perfectly fine new AR for hundreds of $ less. Palmetto State Armory makes a good rifle for less: https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/pa-15-rifles.html

For used, try to find a LWRC DI (Direct Impingement) AR for $1K or less. LMT, Daniel Defense, BCM, Larue, Noveske, Wilson Combat, KAC, are also some of the many manufacturers of higher end, higher priced AR's that you might be able to find a deal on.

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Response by SPC Gary Welch made Feb 11 at 2019 2:15 PM

2019-02-11T14:15:20-05:00

I bought a delton it sport in 5.56 it costs me$450 great shooting rifle love it

Response by SGT David T. made Feb 11 at 2019 2:22 PM

2019-02-11T14:22:40-05:00

Your question is far more complex than you know. The AR platform is like the lego set of the gun world. So there are many additional questions that would need to be asked to fully answer this. Many of the questions simply come down to personal preference as well. All that being said, you can pick up a bare bones one for a few hundred. You can then mod it as you like. My first one was a commercial spec DPMS i got for like $400. I then upgraded the parts on it over time. My second one, I built. I bought a stripped lower from a pawn shop and later acquired the parts to complete it. That build ran me about $260 for just the base rifle not counting toys. Most of the parts i bought were from PSA. You can get good deals if you catch them on sale.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Feb 11 at 2019 5:00 PM

2019-02-11T17:00:52-05:00

Bushmaster makes a very affordable AR in rifle and carbine models. Good firearm for the price!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 5:43 PM

2019-02-11T17:43:32-05:00

SIG 516

Response by SGT Richard H. made Feb 11 at 2019 7:38 PM

2019-02-11T19:38:16-05:00

You can build a really good one with a high end barrel, bolt, and trigger for close to that budget. One tip I would offer is that the upper & lower don't really matter. There are only a small number of manufacturers who cast them (7 I think) and about a zillion who stamp their logo on them. Pick one with a graphic you like and go with it. Personally, I like the spider on Spike's tactical. If you want tighter tolerances, go with a billet upper.
Here's what mine is:
Nordic Components .223 Wylde stainless barrel $260...wylde is 1:8 twist and good w/ .223 or 5.56
Tac Con 3MR trigger $349
Spike's lower $80
Spike's upper $80
Spike's BCG: $140
Midwest Industries G3 SS-Series One Piece Free Float Handguard $95
Magpul ACS Carbine stock $90
Griffin M4SD compensator $90
Hogue pistol grip $30
Pin/Spring kit, buffer, gas tube, etc...$80+-
Total about $1300, but this is more like a $2000 AR if you buy it already built. You can save some money if you really want to, especially on the barrel & trigger but to be honest, this is where I don't scrimp. I build the rifle around these two parts.
Personally, since you're looking for advice, mine is to buy the parts one or a few at a time until you have a GREAT AR instead of settling for a good one. I've bought and sold a few inexpensive one and if I had it to do again I would just have started like this and done it once.
Side note: You can get alot of this stuff from Joe Bob outfitters at a 5% discount for being a vet/military. The discount code is THANKYOU

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2019 10:02 PM

2019-02-11T22:02:32-05:00

Purchased a S&W M&P 15 last year from CDNN sports. With shipping to my FFL $720. Add in the transfer fee at the FFL and I'm still under $800. Nice rifle. Came with a collapsible stock (need to have an armorers wrench to change the buffer tube), a sling, a beefier grip, a cheap scope and sights. Good luck in your search.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 12:43 AM

2019-02-12T00:43:58-05:00

Build your own the way you want it. Start with a stripped lower and go from there.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 4:06 AM

2019-02-12T04:06:22-05:00

Why not build your own? I mean everything is Mil-Spec, so in reality, you are just paying more for a name. What makes an upper or lower different from brand A and brand B? Nothing (talking forged not billet). Same material and coating. The only items, in my opinion, that really matter (and comes down to personal preference) are your trigger, barrel (length, lining/no lining, and finish), possibly BCG, optics, and hand guards/rails. If you build your own then you get exactly what you want and I guarantee it will do any task you want (within spec’s of the caliber).

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Feb 12 at 2019 12:31 PM

2019-02-12T12:31:22-05:00

Without giving away too much personal info, I'd suggest looking into assembling or building from a variety of "kits" and/or individual uppers/lowers/BCGs, etc. IMHO some components are pretty universal in terms of quality/functionality...but you absolutely don't want to scrimp on things like your choice of barrel, twist, BCG, trigger, etc...and oh yes, optics are what you pay for, but there are cheaper ways to get the good stuff if you do some homework. I'd advise against the carbon fiber, "pencil" barrel plinkers... and think a LOT about possible future mods like weapons lights and cans (if you're up to doing the paperwork and paying for the stamps).

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2019 1:45 PM

2019-02-12T13:45:36-05:00

My brother got one of these for around $600 new. https://ruger.com/products/ar556/overview.html

Ruger AR-556 Autoloading Rifles

Made from aerospace-grade 7075-T6 aluminum forging, the flattop upper receiver includes a forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Feb 12 at 2019 7:50 PM

2019-02-12T19:50:53-05:00

I built an A2 style AR15 for about $900. It has a heavy 20 inch barrel 1/7 twist (standard length for an A2) and using 75 grain bullets I can hit steel at 1000 yards with it. I don't remember all the parts, but I think the upper and barrel are Rock River Arms. Good stuff.

Response by CW4 Anthoney Lowry made Feb 13 at 2019 10:37 AM

2019-02-13T10:37:01-05:00

where does the average army M4 fall into the current price range of ARs? i fired everything from M16A1s to the newest generation of M4s and never had any serious problems. just curious where do they fall in the price range.

Response by SGT Carl Clayton made Feb 13 at 2019 11:42 AM

2019-02-13T11:42:32-05:00

I have about 6 ARs at this time and compete in NRA Service Rifle and Match Rifle. I agree with Cpl. McMiiler, except I would add Ruger. You can't go wrong with Colt or Ruger. High end, Daniel Defense, Wilson or Larue.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2019 2:45 PM

2019-02-13T14:45:49-05:00

Springfield Saint 5.56 seems to be pretty nice off the shelf and MSRP is ~ $900 +/-. I am sure you could pick up a new one for less. The Saint "Edge" rifle seems to be better in many ways EXCEPT for one major area ... NO heat shielding on barrel! I have no idea how many 5.56 rounds I have put down range from an M-16 and the M-4 but it must be in the high hundreds of thousands. Reviews state that the Edge forearm becomes uncomfortably hot after 90 rounds whereas it takes a fast dump of multiple magazines to achieve the same from the older Saint. In some firefights on semi-auto (that is the setting elite infantry mostly use) I have burned through 10+ mags in a very short period. You could not do that with an edge unless you were wearing an M-60 barrel changing glove. So stay with the original.
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2016/11/1/springfield-armory-saint-ar-15/?NRARelatedContent=true

springfield-armory-saint-ar-15

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2019 10:54 PM

2019-02-13T22:54:49-05:00

As of right now at Buds

Response by PO2 Ron Burling made Feb 17 at 2019 3:53 PM

2019-02-17T15:53:26-05:00

I built one, started with a 'naked' lower receiver and went from there, it was not at all difficult and I only had like $450-500 in it. Then I gave it away for Xmas. Long ago Uncle Sugar paid me to carry one, technically that one was an XM16E1. I wasn't that impressed with it. I'll stick with my Steyr AUG if I have to shoot 5.56 mm at anyone.

Response by SSG Terry Clay made May 12 at 2019 8:53 AM

2019-05-12T08:53:29-04:00

When I first began lookin to purchase my first AR I had less money to spend and there weren't as many options on the commercial market. I found the best way for my to comfortably purchase the one I wanted was to build my own a piece at a time, thus avoiding the financial strain of dropping 1500 dollars at one time. I found out very quickly how much fun I could have building and customizing my own weapons while learning basic gunsmithing along the way. My current cache includes a AR pistol (~550), a carbine (~325), and an AR 10 (~750) all built with my own hands. I think I enjoy shooting those more than any of the shelf weapons I've ever owned.