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AR15 type rifles..which one to buy?

rd400racerrd400racer Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
edited January 2007 in Ask the Experts
I have been out of the game for many years. I didn't quit shooting, I
just didn't take it too seriously. Mainly plinking .22's at the farm
and a Romanian AK47 to make some noise. Last week I went to the range
with a friend and his new toy; a S&W M&P15T with all the goodies
attached. I had a blast so of course I want one myself. The last AR I
shot was an actual M16 in basic training back in the 80's. Today,
there are so many variations I don't know where to start. I do know
that I can spend up to $1500. I have looked at Armalite, DPMS, Rock
River, S&W, Bushmaster and my favorite, the new SIG556. Can any of
you all lead me in some type of direction. I want pure opinions,
likes and dislikes, whatever will help me make at least a semi-
qualified decision here. I also like the G3 and FN-FAL copies for
sale, but don't know if I want to deal with .308 ammo. Thanks for
the info.
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Comments

  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have had several, no reason to spend more than $700-800 if you don't want to
    Out of the box, Rock river, DPMS will be same quality as your GI m-16 was. If you want something specialized, then cost will go up as far as you want
    Only options I prefer are RRA 2 stage match trigger(std on their "match model) and flattop uppper with (backup)flip up sites make scope mounting and use earier
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  • nards444nards444 Member Posts: 3,994 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldnt spend over 1000. You can look at building one, which will run 600-700. Remember spending if you spenf 1500 bucks on an AR all you can really do with it is plink
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  • Wehrmacht_45Wehrmacht_45 Member Posts: 3,377
    edited November -1
    Built an A1 style for 550. Love it.
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  • RobinRobin Member Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello,
    I went down this same road last month. I narrowed my selection down to the DPMS or RRA AR-15 A2 type and settled on the DPMS because it was in stock at my local dealer and was a couple of bucks cheaper. I like the adjustable stock and 16" barrel for the intended purpose of having an accurate iron sighted plinker. At 100 yards it is a much better gun than I am a shooter. I toyed with the idea of building an AR -15 but decided I wasn't comfortable dealing with a bunch of springs and parts that I didn't know anything about. After I learn with this one I may try it on the next one. I think the DPMS model I bought was $714 including tax, NICS and extra 30 round mag. I shot a friends S&W M&P AR-15 clone a couple of weeks ago. I was nice but I didn't see the reason for spending another $250.00 or so.
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buy a complete upper and completed lower separately and you ought to be able to assemble 1 for under $750.

    Assembly is a matter of pushing in / out 2 captive take down pins & putting the upper on the lower.

    I assemble this one for $725:
    22925AR.jpg

    just posted this over in the general discussion forum but you can assemble a full size chrome lined barrel AR for $645.

    Complete DPMS lower -- $199:
    http://www.rguns.net/009_page6.html

    Complete Delton chrome lined upper -- $445
    http://www.del-ton.com/AR_15_Barrel_Assembly_p/dt1012.htm


    You can save $45 to $50 if you don't get chrome lining.
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  • rd400racerrd400racer Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks for all the info. I went out today and gave a hard look at
    the DPMS, S&W, Bushmaster and Rock River. I think I'm going to go
    with the RRA....mainly because of the fact that they won the DEA
    contract after a grueling test. It just felt tighter than the others
    and the 2 stage trigger is great. But one day soon I may try to build
    my own for my son. Thanks again
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  • PC800PC800 Member Posts: 1,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My good friend here in Virginia is a hard core Marine. He has been to Iraq twice now. For his home protection he chose the RRA. That would be good enough for me to buy one.
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  • moreammoplzmoreammoplz Member Posts: 463 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should be able to get a nice AR for $700 - $800 and some used even less. Look around.

    I saw several Bushmasters and Olympic arms yesterday for around $650.

    I have a 16 inch Double Star Flat top with a Holosite that works great for plinking. I also have a Bushmaster target 20 inch model w/ 8 x 24 optics for long range plinking.
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  • gap1916gap1916 Member Posts: 4,977
    edited November -1
    I am an AR180 fan. Take a look at one and you might change your mind about the AR15 type of rifles. My 2 cents. [8D]
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  • mg42sart3mg42sart3 Member Posts: 24 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Before you make any final decision check out CMMG out of Feyette, MO.
    I've seen many iterations of AR's and M-16's but this company truly puts out a beautiful machine. All that I looked at (in person) were mil-spec and true quality. If you go to their website you can pull up prices & stats. Of interest, when I last examined them last summer, they had an M-4 that had arabic writing on the magazine-well...translation of the writing was "infidel"! How kool!
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