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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.
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.
AR-15
Competitive Shooting
Shooting (Sport)
Rifles
Firearms and Guns
Edited 5 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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Wives are funny like that. I'm tracking this conversation as I am in the same market right now.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SPC David S. - doesn't sound funny at all. I've been in the market for an M1A (civilian version of the M14) for a long time. Just can't bite the $1500 buy in, and $1 every time I pull the trigger.
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SPC David S.
Yes wife would gut me if I dropped $1000 on one of these - really great that I don't have any brothers as my sister isn't a collector they all came my way. One of the M1's needs some minor repairs to the buttstock but other than that they are in really great shape considering their age. I'm looking into getting a collector's federal firearms license (FFL) for these as I have questions/concerns about the AK. As well I might loan them to Cantigny - a fairly nice Big Red 1 museum that's in the area - as I'm not going to shoot them was thinking others should be able to enjoy them as well.
https://www.fdmuseum.org/
https://www.fdmuseum.org/
The First Division Museum shares and celebrates the continuing history of the longest continuously-serving division of the US Army. Visit, learn and enjoy!
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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.
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.
Complete AR-15 Firearms | USA Made | Palmetto State Armory
Our complete AR-15 firearms come fully assembled and ready to shoot. With a variety of models and features, find your right fit. Shop Today!
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SPC David S.
I do like most if not all mentioned. I'd would buy used if I could check it out however transfers I have a hard time with as parts can be switched out with God knows what as well round through a gun can be a factor as well.
As well I have checked Palmetto - everything I like - TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK.
As well I have checked Palmetto - everything I like - TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK.
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I bought a delton it sport in 5.56 it costs me$450 great shooting rifle love it
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SPC Gary Welch
SPC David S. it's a flattop but I'm kind of old school I like the sights on the carry handle. I thought I would show it to ya if your budget is a grand I would suggest either buying one like this or you can buy a lower PSA has a nice ar lower for $219 and then you could buy possibly two uppers in different calibers with your budget
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SPC Gary Welch
SPC David S. I just looked and you can get an ar-15 lower for $129 and a couple of uppers in different calibers for a a total of around $900 all in
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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.
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LTC (Join to see)
Protector Series AR Carbine - Wilson Combat
The PROTECTOR series AR carbine and pistols from Wilson Combat have been designed from the ground up to offer true rifle performance in a Tactical AR package. The heart of every PROTECTOR is our Wilson Combat Match-Grade precision button rifled barrel-renowned in the firearms community as one of the most accurate AR barrels on the market that is mated to a Black Nitride treated Mil-Spec bolt carrier group with MPI inspected Carpenter 158 bolt...
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
S&W has nice one also, if you have a Rural King near you,they have them on sale for$549.99.
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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.
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SPC David S.
Yes I am looking at the 556 - however leaning toward Aero Precision or the Sig Sauer M400 Elite as a lot of the stuff I'd want to do is already done. The Sig comes with a red dot - and is just a little over $1,000.
https://grabagun.com/sig-sauer-sauer-rm400-16b-e-ti-m400-5-56.html
https://grabagun.com/sig-sauer-sauer-rm400-16b-e-ti-m400-5-56.html
M400 Elite Ti 5.56 / .223 Rem 16 30 Round Titanium Sig Sauer RM40016BETI
Get the best deal on M400 Elite Ti 5.56 / .223 Rem 16 Modern Sporting Rifles at GrabAGun.com. Order the Sig Sauer M400 Elite Ti Titanium Cerakote 5.56 / .223 Rem 16-inch 30Rds online and save. Flat rate shipping on all guns and ammo with the best prices a
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TSgt Larry Johnson
Okay, I have a couple AR-15's. They all seem to work the same. I like my DPMS because it has the heavy barrel, but I did not like the weight. I bought the Ruger 556, but it was expensive back then, and you can buy one now for $499 at CDNN online. I then bought a Stag Retro 15 because I like the A2 Style and weight, and if you wait, you can get one on sale for under $600. With the savings on the Stag and Ruger, you can buy a Sig Romeo and mount it yourself. Just a few ideas from my experience. They are all minute of my eyeball at 100 yards.
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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).
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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
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
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SPC David S.
As I want to go 3 gun - this is the problem - build vs buy. If you go high end (what's needed for 3 gun) build is the way to go - low end to mid not so much. Thanks for the details - how is the wylde working out? The verdict seems to still be out on it but it seems like it shoots really good.
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SGT Richard H.
SPC David S. - I have two AR's with the Wylde barrel and I wouldn't go any other way. One is a 16" Seekins barrel and the other is an 18" Nordic (which is made from a Wilson blank) Now that I'm thinking about it, the build I listed above has the 16" seekins. The 18" Nordic is on a similar build, except with a Timney trigger and it's scoped with a Leupold Mark AR Mod 1. That one shoots sub MOA groups, but both are the most consistent, accurate barrels I've shot on an AR platform.
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