AR-15 Questions

D

Dergasmash

New member
So I have decided that I want to get some kind of AR-15. I'd really like a mid-length carbine. I know what features are must haves for me, and what features I would like to have. I do have a few questions though.

Are there any brands/manufacturers that I should absolutely avoid?

Is buying a used one a bad idea?

I've been serving in the active Army for 4 years now, so I know the weapon pretty well. At the same time, I am definitely no gunsmith. I am not sure if I could put together a the lower. I just want a decent carbine, that shoots well, is reliable, and pretty basic. I'm looking to keep it around $800. Is this possible??


Thanks in advance.

George
 
If putting together the lower is daunting, just remember a squid with no idea on the ar15 put the lower together. Instructions about online. As for manufacturers, Im of the mindset that they learned a long time ago to either make quality products, or get out of the buisness all together. As for getting one for $800, there are a few auction sites like gunbroker and buds gun shop that have a few for around what your willing to pay. You would be better off building your own though, buying used can be a crap shoot. The gun you get may have been a safe queen or a torture tested weapon. Good luck to you either way you go.
 
Buying used is OK, just do homework first and be picky. After some looking and picking through some, I came across a pre-ban Colt (sold new in 1993) that was test fired only! I traded some non firearms related items for it and a Colt Officers ACP in very good condition. Take your time and do lots of research. Try not to settle for it because it fits your price...

Don't dismiss building one, it's the best way to become comfortable with them and learn how they function. As indicated by previous poster lots of information on "how to do it" is out there.

$800.00 for new will be a tall order. It will limit you on features, but it's not impossible to find one that will fit your needs or desires in that range.

Del Ton Inc. has some offerings in the $750.00 and most of the reviews are good. They also sell kits that allow you to build your own... It's worth the experience.

Review: List

Good luck...
 
I've been looking around and reading articles, reviews, and various forums about these rifles. I am very familiar with the function, except for putting together a lower. I have been looking at Del-Ton, and most of the reviews I have read have been pretty good if not sparkling. I am also looking at a Florida based company called Spike's Tactical. THey have gotten some great reviews, and guarantee their rifles for a lifetime. Their customer serivice is top notch. They have a mid-length M4 carbine, built to order, for $809. I am going to give them a call just to ask a few questions.

Thanks for your responses. I figured buying a used one would be iffy and really hadn't planned to go with that option unless I found a gem at a gun show or pawn shop with a decent price.
 
Branch Custom Weaponry

There is also a company here in Minnesota the manufactures AR-15s, and does a great job of it. They machine their own components and custom build the firearm for you. The exclusive distributor is Bullseye Shooting Range in North Branch, MN. I own 3 of them in different configurations and I love each of them. I think I have some pictures posted here somewhere. Also, he does make some that are in your price range. I thought I saw one in OD green going for about $775.00. I should be at the range this weekend. Let me know if you want me to check into it, or snap a picture for you.

Found the pictures here:
Link Removed

The one in the center is chambered in 6.8 SPC. The other two are 5.56 NATO. The one on the left has a piston conversion.
 
Ahh, good old Minnesota. I am from the north metro area. I went to high school in Fridley. I am leaning big time into buying a Spike's but I appreciate it. When I come home on leave I will have to go to North Branch and check those out however.
 
You can get a brand new Stag for about 1,100 with a life time guarantee, made in USA, and they even make lefties, and upgrade calibers. There are a few other RECENT AR threads going here you should check out.
 
Buy once cry once?

I just picked this up, but it was more than twice your budget. However, saving a little longer and getting one of the top tier guns could make you very happy. This one is especially enjoyable when it's time to clean, since it's a gas piston (2-minute cleanup).

M6A2S.jpg


There are a lot of safe queens available for good pricing, so used is a good option. Best to get on the boards, learn about the members, and buy from someone respected on the boards.
 
Islander said:
I just picked this up, but it was more than twice your budget. However, saving a little longer and getting one of the top tier guns could make you very happy. This one is especially enjoyable when it's time to clean, since it's a gas piston (2-minute cleanup).

M6A2S.jpg


There are a lot of safe queens available for good pricing, so used is a good option. Best to get on the boards, learn about the members, and buy from someone respected on the boards.
Click to expand...

I agree w/ above. Buying used is no sin. Lots of good people who may be down on luck and need cash therefor willing to sell really good guns etc...

You can and will find good deals on clean and well maintained used guns, you just need to be picky and research as I indicated before. I took my time and found a Colt pre-ban that was test fired only.
and an owner willing to make a trade for it.

Good luck and keep us posted on progress.
 
If you want a powerful and reliable battle rifle, buy a high quality AK, Russian, Bulgarian or MAK and save the money you'd waste on an AR.

Anyone who wants to talk accuracy, I offer for you to stand 300 yards downrange and let me take a shot at you. You want to shoot further than 300 accurately, get one with a longer barrel then 16.5"

If you want to shoot further with dead on accuracy and the same ballistics of a 30-06, get a Romanian PSL. Confirmed kills out to 1300 yards (or meters, forget which). Centerfire systems has them for about 500.00

If you just want to target shoot, get a .22 rifle.
 
Unfettered Might said:
If you want a powerful and reliable battle rifle, buy a high quality AK, Russian, Bulgarian or MAK and save the money you'd waste on an AR.

.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ, but .308 WIN comes in an AR platform and outperforms the 7.62 and you can carry twice as much ammo.
 
Unfettered Might said:
If you want a powerful and reliable battle rifle, buy a high quality AK, Russian, Bulgarian or MAK and save the money you'd waste on an AR.

Anyone who wants to talk accuracy, I offer for you to stand 300 yards downrange and let me take a shot at you. You want to shoot further than 300 accurately, get one with a longer barrel then 16.5"

If you want to shoot further with dead on accuracy and the same ballistics of a 30-06, get a Romanian PSL. Confirmed kills out to 1300 yards (or meters, forget which). Centerfire systems has them for about 500.00

If you just want to target shoot, get a .22 rifle.
Click to expand...

In my neck of the woods, if you can get a clear shot at someone 100 yards away (much less 300), it means your opponent is a fool.

I love the AK platform, but mine is chambered 5.56.
 
Unfettered Might said:
If you want a powerful and reliable battle rifle, buy a high quality AK, Russian, Bulgarian or MAK and save the money you'd waste on an AR.

Anyone who wants to talk accuracy, I offer for you to stand 300 yards downrange and let me take a shot at you. You want to shoot further than 300 accurately, get one with a longer barrel then 16.5"

If you want to shoot further with dead on accuracy and the same ballistics of a 30-06, get a Romanian PSL. Confirmed kills out to 1300 yards (or meters, forget which). Centerfire systems has them for about 500.00

If you just want to target shoot, get a .22 rifle.
Click to expand...

My AR-15 is a S&W M&P 15T
My AK47 is a Norinco MAK90

I love them both but they're entirely different weapons with different purposes. I'm a solid marksman but I think I'd have serious trouble hitting center-of-mass on a man-sized target at 300 yds with my AK. I have no problem doing it with my AR. Admittedly I've never shot my AK at that range but I know what it's like at 100 yds and I just don't think I could do it with much consistency at 300 yds.

A good friend of mine is (IMO) a weapons expert and tested veteran of civilian security work in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said that they'd always keep a couple of AKs in the SUV for "spray and pray" purposes but it was always an AR of some sort that they'd carry on their persons.

I now have an M1A if I want to "reach out and touch" something!
 
I'm a big fan of the AR15, I enjoy building my own, but becareful cause once you start its really easy to catch BRD.

My next build is going to be an AR10 in .308 setup for long range shooting.
 
OldOwl said:
I beg to differ, but .308 WIN comes in an AR platform and outperforms the 7.62 and you can carry twice as much ammo.
Click to expand...
Help me understand what you're saying here. Did you mean to say the .308WIN outperforms the 7.62X51 NATO? You can carry twice as much of what as opposed to what else? I don't doubt that what you meant to say is true, I just can't get there from what you wrote.
 
Last edited:
new ar

I bought my stag for 720.00 brand new out the door. I'm also building one right now that should come in around 600 to 650.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 177 (members: 0, guests: 177)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
49,525
Messages
610,668
Members
74,995
Latest member
tripguru365

Share this page

Back
Top