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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.
Edited 5 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 20
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.
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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
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2016/11/1/springfield-armory-saint-ar-15/?NRARelatedContent=true
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SPC David S.
Yes I do like the Edge as well as the Savage Recon and both are about the same price - Like you not sure/set on all the low profile rails and light fluted barrels. While good I'm sure for 3 gun not so much for a mad minute. As well don't think a few extra oz's are going impact my shooting other than the harmonics - can't be any harder than lugging a Bravo 240 around.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MAJ Matthew Arnold
I think you're right, unless you want a specific special rifle buying a complete rifle may be the best way to go. Several under $1000 come to mind: Springfield, Rock River, Anderson, Smith & Wesson, etc. I would spend the money on a light pull trigger, it makes a big difference over the GI spec trigger.
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Build your own the way you want it. Start with a stripped lower and go from there.
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Bushmaster makes a very affordable AR in rifle and carbine models. Good firearm for the price!
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SFC Jim Ruether
I bought a Bushmaster carbine for $449.00 last year shoots like a dream and came with a nice holographic site.
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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.
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SPC David S.
I know some of the price is in the name - but man there are a ton of options. Things I'm looking for - I'm a south paw - so ambi controls would be nice, 5.56 .233, 16" to 18" barrel with free float, barrel stainless would be nice but cold hammered would work as well and an adjustable gas block to fine tune. I feel with good ammo and good glass I can shoot sub MOA with any AR so really is just about wanting to get the best bang for my buck.
I feel the more I learn the more the reality of a build is what is really needed to entertain 3 gun - which is fine.
I feel the more I learn the more the reality of a build is what is really needed to entertain 3 gun - which is fine.
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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.
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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).
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