The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Art of the Rifle: Semi-automatics

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old August 13, 2017, 12:31 PM   #1
Model12Win
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2012
Posts: 5,854
Best AR under $600?

Can anyone recommend the best (most reliable and good quality) AR for under $600? I am not an AR guy so have no idea what is currently offered, other than there are a ton of companies making them now and prices have fallen dramatically on them.

Looking for a home defense gun and plan to add an AimPoint PRO or other quality red dot, BUIS, and a good flashlight such as a Surefire or Elzetta. I plan to add nothing else, trying to keep it simple.

So whats the most dependable and best for under $600 in the AR world?

PS: No I don't want to build the damn thing, just buy it.
Model12Win is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 01:20 PM   #2
wild cat mccane
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2011
Posts: 3,592
PSA.

Built at 450 right now. Better metal than the Ruger or S&W M&PII and mid length vs their carbine.
wild cat mccane is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 01:25 PM   #3
turtlehead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,203
Might as well get this out of the way. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...38-174289.aspx

Add an ALG Defense rail and the butt stock of your choice and you're golden. A touch over your budget...
turtlehead is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 01:38 PM   #4
BumbleBug
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 11, 2013
Location: Near Heart of Texas
Posts: 870
+1 ...PSA
__________________
Visit my fictional blog "The dr Chronicles" about a laid-back Texan named dr - Enjoy!
BumbleBug is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 03:15 PM   #5
O4L
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 16, 2015
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by turtlehead View Post
Might as well get this out of the way. http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...38-174289.aspx

Add an ALG Defense rail and the butt stock of your choice and you're golden. A touch over your budget...
And there is this option for $550.


http://www.brownells.com/firearms/ri...RO%2bPRECISION

O4L is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 04:30 PM   #6
Grumpy_Bottom
Member
 
Join Date: January 30, 2014
Posts: 75
You can put a blem CHF 1:7 PSA together (fully assembled upper and lower no tools needed) with nickle boron bcg for under $500...to me that's the best deal going by a long shot

Sent from my KFFOWI using Tapatalk

Last edited by Grumpy_Bottom; August 13, 2017 at 04:43 PM.
Grumpy_Bottom is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 04:49 PM   #7
shootbrownelk
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 27, 2013
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 329
Check out Palmetto State Armory. They have some smoking hot deals.
shootbrownelk is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 05:02 PM   #8
Independent George
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 7, 2013
Posts: 573
Smith & Wesson M&P 15. They're crazy accurate, durable, and have an excellent warranty.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Independent George is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 08:19 PM   #9
ed308
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 5, 2016
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 1,147
PSA. Enough said.
ed308 is offline  
Old August 13, 2017, 09:02 PM   #10
marine6680
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
The basic Aero Precision midlength is around $550 at Brownells... I would say it is the best rifle at the sub $600 price point.

Currently PSA has what is basically the same rifle as the Aero, but with magpul furniture... For $450...

Both are using proper alloys and steels in the right places... I believe both have MP/HP tested bolts as well. The barrels are Nitrided, not chrome lined, but that isn't a bad thing... Some prefer nitrided.


While I would argue that the Aero is overall a better made rifle than the PSA... And if they were the same price, to choose the Aero... The difference isn't that large, and $450 is a dang good price, making it a better buy overall, more so with the magpul furniture thrown in with the price.
marine6680 is offline  
Old August 14, 2017, 08:43 PM   #11
osbornk
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 11, 2012
Location: Mountains of Appalachia
Posts: 1,598
I bought the S&W M & P 15 Sport II for $559 with a lifetime warranty. I like it a lot and I have seen in cheaper since I bought mine. I would buy it again as it is accurate and has performed flawlessly.
osbornk is offline  
Old August 14, 2017, 10:54 PM   #12
O4L
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 16, 2015
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by osbornk View Post
I bought the S&W M & P 15 Sport II for $559 with a lifetime warranty. I like it a lot and I have seen in cheaper since I bought mine. I would buy it again as it is accurate and has performed flawlessly.
$430 here!

http://www.combatarmory.com/smith-an...free-shipping/
O4L is offline  
Old August 15, 2017, 12:18 AM   #13
Model12Win
Junior member
 
Join Date: October 20, 2012
Posts: 5,854


VERY COOL!!!!!!!

Are the Smith & Wesson M&P-15 IIs good guns? Seems like a good price!!
Model12Win is offline  
Old August 15, 2017, 01:01 AM   #14
DaleA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 12, 2002
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 5,289
Disclaimer: I do NOT own an S&W AR but folks I know that do have them have been generally pleased.

If you want to go to a store like Cabelas or Fleet Farm and just pick one up I've seen the following name brands in your price range.

Ruger AR-556 ($550)
Bushmaster ($500)
DPMS ($500)

That Brownells Aero Precision sure looks good though...
DaleA is offline  
Old August 15, 2017, 07:40 PM   #15
DubC-Hicks
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2009
Location: Backwoods, Northern MI
Posts: 1,031
I'd definitely choose the Aero over the Smith, Bushy, or DMPS. Aero stuff is finished very nicely, I love their receivers and barrels.

For the $450 price tag for PSA rifles right now, they're the best bang for the buck.
__________________
”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown
DubC-Hicks is offline  
Old August 15, 2017, 08:24 PM   #16
marine6680
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2012
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 4,594
The S&W is a good rifle... But the BCG is a bit lower end... Its also a carbine length gas.

The PSA for $450 is the best deal going ATM, and the Aero is the best made under $600... The particular PSA model they have on sale is close though.
marine6680 is offline  
Old August 15, 2017, 10:38 PM   #17
2ndtimer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 9, 2004
Location: Kennewick, WA
Posts: 292
Krikey! If those things drop to $399, I might have to order another one! (Four is a nice round number. One for me, one for my wife and one for each of he dogs, I guess.)
__________________
NRA Endowment Member
2ndtimer is offline  
Old August 16, 2017, 07:53 PM   #18
jcolon95
Member
 
Join Date: December 17, 2016
Location: Florida
Posts: 53
Try CDNN sports website. I believe they have an AR for about $450.00.
jcolon95 is offline  
Old August 17, 2017, 09:56 AM   #19
COSteve
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 6, 2009
Posts: 1,344
First, understand that 'BEST' and 'Under $600' are mutually exclusive as the cheap bottom end ARs are made up of . . . . . . . . . . . you guessed it, cheap and bottom end parts using cheap and bottom end labor.
COSteve is offline  
Old August 17, 2017, 01:06 PM   #20
DubC-Hicks
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2009
Location: Backwoods, Northern MI
Posts: 1,031
^I'd assume that's why he said "best under $600". As in what is the best rifle under $600. Not "what is the best rifle".

Rifles under $600 can fully functional and nice rifles. Ever seen one of the Aero's? Very nice fit and finish.
__________________
”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown
DubC-Hicks is offline  
Old August 17, 2017, 03:37 PM   #21
Independent George
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 7, 2013
Posts: 573
Quote:
Originally Posted by COSteve View Post
First, understand that 'BEST' and 'Under $600' are mutually exclusive as the cheap bottom end ARs are made up of . . . . . . . . . . . you guessed it, cheap and bottom end parts using cheap and bottom end labor.
I disagree. The $600 rifles are more than serviceable for the vast majority of shooters. What separates a $1,200 rifle from a $600 rifle usually comes down to the barrel, a free float handguard, furniture, mid-length gas (on a 16" barrel), and possibly (but not always) an upgraded trigger.

While all of those are great features, none of them are at all necessary.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
Independent George is offline  
Old August 17, 2017, 05:33 PM   #22
WVsig
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 30, 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 5,309
If you want a carbine gas with M4 unlined handguards and you are going to shoot mainly 55gr and 62gr 556/223 then you cannot go wrong with a S&W M&P Sport II. They are available for $429-$469 online with free shipping so you can get out the door for under $450 depending on what you pay for transfers.

It is not the best rifle but unless you are planning on shooting 10,000 rounds out of your budget carbine, which most people are not, then it should serve you well. Its downside is the A2 front post so if you want to swap the handguard for a FF rail later you will need to redo the gas block.

If you want to do a Semi build I really recommend the Areo OEM rifles. You can get one for $499 + $10 FFL fee - $30 coupon from Brownells.



http://www.brownells.com/firearms/ri...RO%2bPRECISION

From there you can add whatever rail you want. A great 12" keymod or M-Lok will set you back $85 from Aero. Magpul MBUS will cost you $75. So for a little over your budget will have solid gun. Better on paper than the Sport II and a bit more customized.
__________________
-The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis
-Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin
-It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle
WVsig is offline  
Old August 18, 2017, 01:21 AM   #23
armoredman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 22, 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,295
The prices are so good nowadays I've even been tempted...especially the PSA setups. Very tempted to just buy an MORE lower from PSA, which is going blemished for $150...then finding the upper I want later.
armoredman is offline  
Old August 18, 2017, 04:18 AM   #24
Ibmikey
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 1, 2013
Location: Now relocated to Texas
Posts: 2,943
None of the lesser priced AR's by major companies are produced of inferior parts or cheap labor, the differences as mentioned above come in the absence of free floating rails, barrel finish (phosphate vs melonite/chrome bore) GI stock etc. The Sport, Ruger, Delton and the like are all nice rifles and if you look deeply some offer mid length gas (PSA, Aero, Delton) M-16 carrier group etc.
Today your purchase price is dependent upon your good shopping skills as the merchandise is available and priced right.
Ibmikey is offline  
Old August 18, 2017, 12:25 PM   #25
Eazyeach
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 14, 2014
Posts: 706
The last thing I need is another 16" AR-15 but palmetto keeps sending me the email with the $449 mid length with magpul furniture. I don't know if I can resist much longer.
Eazyeach is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.12468 seconds with 10 queries