HELP me pick out an AR

DelcoDave · August 9, 2010, 09:43 AM

I am interested in getting an AR style rifle in .223. I have been overwhelmed by the choices. My priorities are in order of importance as follows, Reliability, Accuracy, and price. With price I am looking for the best BANG! for my buck without sacrificing quality.

thesheepdog · August 9, 2010, 09:44 AM

What is your purpsose for the rifle (HD/SD, hunting, plinking, target?)

dsa1115 · August 9, 2010, 09:44 AM

Check out the Rock River AR's. I like mine.

5RWill · August 9, 2010, 09:55 AM

Best bang for the buck in my opinion as I've stated before in a recent thread is bcm without a doubt. Completely mil spec and quality and finnish is unmatched. They sell complete built rifles now. You could build one for around 900-1000+.

DelcoDave · August 9, 2010, 11:16 AM

I am interested for target shooting/ pinking fun

hooligan1 · August 9, 2010, 11:20 AM

Find yourself an old Colt!!

XD Gunner · August 9, 2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

I am interested in getting an AR style rifle in .223. I have been overwhelmed by the choices. My priorities are in order of importance as follows, Reliability, Accuracy, and price. With price I am looking for the best BANG! for my buck without sacrificing quality.

I built mine from a Doublestar Lower and a Upper kit from an online dealer. I have about $650.00 in the entire gun, including a Troy Industries Fixed Rear Sight, and 3 Magazines. Heavy Profile Barrel, midlength gas system, fixed A2 front sight, 4 position Carbine Stock. I haven't cleaned it, at all, or lubed it, at all, since I put it together. It's on 1500+ rounds without so much as having to use the forward assist. I am not going to clean or lube it until it malfunctions.

Reliable? Yes. Cheap? Yes. Fun with quality parts? Absolutely. I have zero complaints!

Did I mention it's a tack driver? Yeah. Tennis Balls at 100 yards sitting. Golf balls from a rest. The thing amazed me every time I take it out.

RT · August 9, 2010, 01:34 PM

Get a BCM lower and modify to your liking
Purchase BCM upper of your choice
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/
Add BCM BCG, sights and handguards of your choice
Assemble
Enjoy

thesheepdog · August 9, 2010, 01:35 PM

Building an AR is like making a sandwich, put on it what you like.

demigod · August 9, 2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Best bang for the buck in my opinion as I've stated before in a recent thread is bcm without a doubt.

No question. You can get whatever config you want from BCM too. BCM is competetively priced without any of the manufacturing short cuts that so many companies get away with.

tcox4freedom · August 9, 2010, 03:20 PM

Thanks for this thread.

I thought I had my mind set on a couple of used Stags or Double Stars. But, then I started hearing about the new piston AR's. (Now I'm confused again.)

Can some of you experienced guys give me a few Pros & Cons on piston vs gas ARs?

thesheepdog · August 9, 2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Can some of you experienced guys give me a few Pros & Cons on piston vs gas ARs?

The DI system will be less of a headache than the Piston. The only advantage the Piston has over the DI is for suppressor use. Other than that, you will find that the DI system is just as reliable, just runs a bit more dirty than a piston. The DI still holds the accuracy adavntage, unless you get a POF piston upper, which has the same accuracy as a DI system, and costs 3 times more.

MK11 · August 9, 2010, 03:28 PM

With the current deals on S&W, I think that's the best bang for the buck, even over a build (once the deals end, that may not be the case).

My FT is noticeably more accurate than my Colt.

Hoskins · August 9, 2010, 08:23 PM

Rock River Arms

briang2ad · August 9, 2010, 09:07 PM

I feel your pain. There ARE SOOOOOOOOO many choices. Its really too many, and every argument you'll hear is apples/oranges unless it is for some SPECIFIC purpose. I just got one ordered for my son, and we went S&W - why? I've heard good things all over, and their CS is the best in the gun business.

(ANd... SMith will send you a check for $100 right now if you buy one!)

But, at a shop today I picked up a Stag - beautifully finished, solid, very nice trigger.
Then, you'll have a bunch of folks jump in and tell you to build.

Then you'll get a bunch of arguments on milspec dimensions.

Then the mall ninja stuff to add.

It is an industry within itself. I think it is a great time now because of the expiration of the communist clintonban, then the dear leader coming on. ARs flew off the shelves. I had a buddy who ordered one, waited 7 months, and when he picked it up, a guy offered him over twice what he paid. That was about a year ago. Now there is a glut. Good time for buyers.

Maybe a better question is, "what should I avoid?"

5RWill · August 9, 2010, 10:06 PM

Thing is once you get settled on what brand you want, then you have to figure out how you wanna customize it, which there are more ways to do that

. As for brands as others have stated i've also heard great things about S&W. The reason i will go with BCM more than likely for the rest of my life is because of price/performance. I haven't read up on S&W, but as i posted the chart on the other thread about which AR to get. Out of bcm, colt, noveske, and LMT. BCM beats every single one of them in Price/performance. And Completely and i mean to every single military spec. I put it above colt because of warranty, if you look BCM and colt are tied until it gets to warranty. BCM is lifetime. I'm going to post the link for you to read instead of posting the charts again they take up alot of the thread.
http://www.03designgroup.com/reviews...ower-receivers

briang2ad · August 10, 2010, 07:34 AM

Blockops: That's a nice chart. But, I'm such a novice I don't know that it is helpful to the average buyer. If you need to know the merits of a straight pin vs. tapered, why not build your own??? For the entry level, as long as you can change the furniture, use the mags, do a trigger job, etc., what difference does all this make? How about RRA and STAG? Does lifetime warranty include giving you a shipping label so you return from your doorstep on their dime?

Again, I think there are a TON of options out there, and it SEEMS there are plenty of good choices UNDER $1000 now which are good quality guns - and that is a good thing.

I think the best question is, what should I avoid?

gotigers · August 10, 2010, 07:46 AM

S&W's are very good and they are priced even better now.
Daniel Defense
BCM would be my next choice.

There are very nice AR's but you will pay for them. What is your budget?

thesheepdog · August 10, 2010, 08:13 AM

Daniel Defense are good. I own one.

XD Gunner · August 10, 2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Then, you'll have a bunch of folks jump in and tell you to build.

What happened to me. I wanted a S&W, but ended up building. I'm glad I did. Was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about the AR while I was putting it together. Good times.

briang2ad · August 10, 2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

What happened to me. I wanted a S&W, but ended up building.

XDgunner: What did you end up spending on the build?

I just figure also what a lifetime warranty is worth. I mean if you can build TOTAL for $500 and end up with a reliable and accurate gun - that's great.

It is time consuming enough JUST to look at options for guns, then for sights, then for accessories, etc.

zombieslayer · August 10, 2010, 10:11 AM

I own 2 Smith&Wesson PISTON AR's. Imo- they suck. I'd rather have a pair of CMMG bargain-bin rifles. Mine went back to Smith. They were there quite a while. They came back and function better, but not perfect. I'm going to put another 500 rounds through them and start looking for evidence of carrier tilt. The only info I did get out of s&w is that they had a bunch of bad uppers. Turns out they subcontract most of the work for the various assemblies and then throw them together in Mass. My chambers were out of spec, had to be machined, and not just polished. As an owner of 2 piston AR's, I'd say avoid the headache and get a DI gun. Just my experience.

5RWill · August 10, 2010, 11:24 AM

BCM would be my first choice. As for a "good" AR. There are tons of choices. I'm honestly not 100% positive what to stay away from, except for olympic arms. Of the ones i've seen they've all malfunctioned

madcratebuilder · August 10, 2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

I'm honestly not 100% positive what to stay away from, except for olympic arms. Of the ones i've seen they've all malfunctioned

That's another internet myth. Fifteen years ago Olympic made a econo AR that was a a jam'o'matic. They have never lost that reputation. They have been making a fine rifle for a long time.

zombieslayer · August 10, 2010, 12:18 PM

My girlfriend's dad has an Olympic rifle. It functions way better than my Smiths, has a better trigger, and even a nicer finish.

August 9, 2010, 09:43 AM	#1
DelcoDave Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Prospect Park PA Posts: 12	HELP me pick out an AR I am interested in getting an AR style rifle in .223. I have been overwhelmed by the choices. My priorities are in order of importance as follows, Reliability, Accuracy, and price. With price I am looking for the best BANG! for my buck without sacrificing quality.

August 9, 2010, 09:44 AM	#2
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	What is your purpsose for the rifle (HD/SD, hunting, plinking, target?) __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

August 9, 2010, 11:16 AM	#5
DelcoDave Junior Member Join Date: August 7, 2010 Location: Prospect Park PA Posts: 12	My purpose I am interested for target shooting/ pinking fun

August 9, 2010, 11:20 AM	#6
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,587	Find yourself an old Colt!! __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

August 9, 2010, 01:35 PM	#9
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	Building an AR is like making a sandwich, put on it what you like. __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

August 9, 2010, 09:44 AM	#3
dsa1115 Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 444	Check out the Rock River AR's. I like mine.

August 9, 2010, 09:55 AM	#4
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	Best bang for the buck in my opinion as I've stated before in a recent thread is bcm without a doubt. Completely mil spec and quality and finnish is unmatched. They sell complete built rifles now. You could build one for around 900-1000+.

August 9, 2010, 01:34 PM	#8
RT Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2000 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,194	Get a BCM lower and modify to your liking Purchase BCM upper of your choice http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ Add BCM BCG, sights and handguards of your choice Assemble Enjoy

August 9, 2010, 03:20 PM	#11
tcox4freedom Member Join Date: August 3, 2010 Posts: 27	Thanks for this thread. I thought I had my mind set on a couple of used Stags or Double Stars. But, then I started hearing about the new piston AR's. (Now I'm confused again.) Can some of you experienced guys give me a few Pros & Cons on piston vs gas ARs?

August 9, 2010, 03:28 PM	#13
MK11 Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2001 Posts: 577	With the current deals on S&W, I think that's the best bang for the buck, even over a build (once the deals end, that may not be the case). My FT is noticeably more accurate than my Colt.

August 9, 2010, 09:07 PM	#15
briang2ad Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Posts: 859	I feel your pain. There ARE SOOOOOOOOO many choices. Its really too many, and every argument you'll hear is apples/oranges unless it is for some SPECIFIC purpose. I just got one ordered for my son, and we went S&W - why? I've heard good things all over, and their CS is the best in the gun business. (ANd... SMith will send you a check for $100 right now if you buy one!) But, at a shop today I picked up a Stag - beautifully finished, solid, very nice trigger. Then, you'll have a bunch of folks jump in and tell you to build. Then you'll get a bunch of arguments on milspec dimensions. Then the mall ninja stuff to add. It is an industry within itself. I think it is a great time now because of the expiration of the communist clintonban, then the dear leader coming on. ARs flew off the shelves. I had a buddy who ordered one, waited 7 months, and when he picked it up, a guy offered him over twice what he paid. That was about a year ago. Now there is a glut. Good time for buyers. Maybe a better question is, "what should I avoid?" Last edited by briang2ad; August 9, 2010 at 09:14 PM.

August 9, 2010, 10:06 PM	#16
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	Thing is once you get settled on what brand you want, then you have to figure out how you wanna customize it, which there are more ways to do that . As for brands as others have stated i've also heard great things about S&W. The reason i will go with BCM more than likely for the rest of my life is because of price/performance. I haven't read up on S&W, but as i posted the chart on the other thread about which AR to get. Out of bcm, colt, noveske, and LMT. BCM beats every single one of them in Price/performance. And Completely and i mean to every single military spec. I put it above colt because of warranty, if you look BCM and colt are tied until it gets to warranty. BCM is lifetime. I'm going to post the link for you to read instead of posting the charts again they take up alot of the thread. http://www.03designgroup.com/reviews...ower-receivers Last edited by 5RWill; August 9, 2010 at 10:15 PM.

August 10, 2010, 07:34 AM	#17
briang2ad Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2004 Posts: 859	Blockops: That's a nice chart. But, I'm such a novice I don't know that it is helpful to the average buyer. If you need to know the merits of a straight pin vs. tapered, why not build your own??? For the entry level, as long as you can change the furniture, use the mags, do a trigger job, etc., what difference does all this make? How about RRA and STAG? Does lifetime warranty include giving you a shipping label so you return from your doorstep on their dime? Again, I think there are a TON of options out there, and it SEEMS there are plenty of good choices UNDER $1000 now which are good quality guns - and that is a good thing. I think the best question is, what should I avoid?

August 10, 2010, 07:46 AM	#18
gotigers Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2009 Location: Memphis Posts: 353	S&W's are very good and they are priced even better now. Daniel Defense BCM would be my next choice. There are very nice AR's but you will pay for them. What is your budget?

August 10, 2010, 08:13 AM	#19
thesheepdog Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 1,996	Daniel Defense are good. I own one. __________________ Krav Maga/Judo Qualified Rifleman/Marksmanship Instructor/Lic. Medic "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" Romans 8:1

August 10, 2010, 10:11 AM	#22
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	I own 2 Smith&Wesson PISTON AR's. Imo- they suck. I'd rather have a pair of CMMG bargain-bin rifles. Mine went back to Smith. They were there quite a while. They came back and function better, but not perfect. I'm going to put another 500 rounds through them and start looking for evidence of carrier tilt. The only info I did get out of s&w is that they had a bunch of bad uppers. Turns out they subcontract most of the work for the various assemblies and then throw them together in Mass. My chambers were out of spec, had to be machined, and not just polished. As an owner of 2 piston AR's, I'd say avoid the headache and get a DI gun. Just my experience. __________________ "An angry prophet, denouncing the hypocrisies of our time"

August 10, 2010, 11:24 AM	#23
5RWill Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,654	BCM would be my first choice. As for a "good" AR. There are tons of choices. I'm honestly not 100% positive what to stay away from, except for olympic arms. Of the ones i've seen they've all malfunctioned

August 10, 2010, 12:18 PM	#25
zombieslayer Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,198	My girlfriend's dad has an Olympic rifle. It functions way better than my Smiths, has a better trigger, and even a nicer finish. __________________ "An angry prophet, denouncing the hypocrisies of our time"