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I need advise on purchasing an AR

4K views 30 replies 15 participants last post by  jpdusn 
#1 ·
As a man of my mid-forties, I have owned as well as fired many handguns of nearly every type at one time or another. When I was much younger, My family spent a lot of time hand loading 22/250's and shooting ground hogs for the ranchers in Colorado to keep the cattle from snapping a heel in their holes. We had several Mauser action rifles, a pair of octagonal barrel Haenel drop block 22lr's that were about as accurate as a gun can be. All that was great, but the gun that I have zero experience with is the AR types. A situation has arisen in my family where the need for a self defense rifle may be a real necessity. I am a handicapped man and on a fixed income (a relatively new twist in my life that is taking some getting used to) so I am going to be on a very tight budget ,which from the looks of things, may be a huge problem. I've been checking several web sites regularly but everything that looks even relatively decent is just through the roof expensive. So, to my point, I need some recommendations on good places to look for that specific type of firearm, brands to stay away from, Maybe some entry level AR platforms that are still reliable, just don't come with all of the bells and whistles something like a Sig would. Honestly, any help on the platform and more specifically, on buying one, I'd love to hear. Sorry for the book. Thanks in advance.
 
#3 · (Edited)
How'd you know my Nickname in College? I'll take a look.

Follow up..Did you read my post? Those guns are some of the most expensive I've looked at yet! They are right up there with Sig. I can easily just look through catalogs of brands myself. I need help with the fiduciary aspect of this whole thing.
 
#4 ·
To start with, welcome to the forum Peter. I have eight AR's from 4 or 5 different companies, the last two, I built myself using Anderson lower receivers. Anderson sells complete guns also, you might try them. Here a some links to give you a place to start.

Anderson - http://www.andersonrifles.com/
Del-ton - http://www.del-ton.com/default.asp
Palmetto State Armory - http://palmettostatearmory.com/

I have bought from these companies, they have quality rifles and reasonable prices, with Palmetto usually having the better prices. Another place to look would be right here on TFF in the TFF sponsor storefronts, the one, slickguns.com, has all kind of items that they put up and that includes guns.

If you look at 20 different AR's, you find that they are all pretty much the same.
 
#6 ·
If you are even a little bit handy you can build your own and save some money. Midway has an AR kit that includes every thing but the stripped lower for $429. You can buy an Anderson stripped lower for $40. So you could have a fairly decent AR for right at $500 and they are fun to build.
 
#7 ·
REALLY? That sounds like the way to go. I'm by no means an expert but I have done two trigger jobs on a glock 17 and a taurus pt92. I understand how firearms basically work. Is this a put together kind of job or will I need to get involved in filing and fitting etc? Gunsmithing and such I don't think I'm ready to tackle. Could you post a link to exactly which midway kit you are referring to?
 
#15 ·
Im in Denver, CO. All kinds of gun shops here. I actually had thought about going the used route but that scares me with an AR. I tend to think of them kind of like buying a sports car or a hotrod. Don't buy one from a jackass or a kid. I'm just a little worried that it may have not been well maintained.
 
#16 ·
Peter, welcome aboard!
I put two of mine together from bits bought from Palmetto State Armory. They have (or used to) a selection of different trigger groups, BCG's, uppers, lowers, etc so you can pick what best fits your budget... a majority of their barrels are from FN.
Brownells has some great video instructions on how to build one.
 
#18 ·
I just got an email from grab-a-gun and it had this "special" in the email. I have an ATI 1911 that is a great little gun!

http://grabagun.com/american-tactical-imports-tactical-imports-19.html?trk_msg=AD06POKPLC5KHBLH6DA89CLPV0&trk_contact=OO4QA0A837U3RG159MNAFLPH28&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http://grabagun.com/american-tactical-imports-tactical-imports-19.html&utm_campaign=Fantastic Friday Firearm Frenzy! - Glock 43 May Giveway!

As far as you building one, if you get that parts kit and a lower receiver, there are literally dozens of how to videos on you-tube.

The last AR that I built cost more than $600 with me buying parts/pieces from everywhere including eBay.
 
#19 ·
Peter, I have not used any Del-ton parts, so I cannot answer that. Maybe one of the other guys here can though... Lots of experience and knowledge on this site...
One great thing about the AR platform is you can change things around later if you don't like what you did... and sell/swap what you remove.... always someone looking for what you discard...
 
#22 ·
I put together a DelTon kit for a friend-total cost 510$ ,I liked it because it didn't have that stupid m4 barrel.It's a mid length gas system with 16"hbarrel.Shoots real good-you need a rear sight as one isn't included,but he scoped it for varmints,so that didn't matter.What drives cost up is all the optional crap-like a railed forearm,so you can hang all kinds of crap on it and end up with 10-12lb rifle-silly.
 
#23 ·
I opened a thread on this but no one must have one yet.
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/threads/ruger-ar-556-autoloading-rifle.147563/
Firearm Gun Trigger Assault rifle Rifle

Its the new Ruger. $699.00 at Cabela's right now.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Firearms/Centerfire-Rifles/Semiautomatic-Centerfire-Rifles|/pc/104792580/c/553829580/sc/105522480/i/105524280/Ruger174-AR-5568482-Semiautomatic-Tactical-Rifle/1932150.uts?destination=/catalog/browse/semiautomatic-centerfire-rifles/_/N-1114861/Ns-MIN_SALE_PRICE?WTz_stype=GNU
Ruger® AR-556™ Semiautomatic Tactical Rifle
    • 16" medium-contour cold-hammer-forged barrel
    • Durable synthetic stock and glass-filled nylon handguards
    • Milled gas block for improved balance and handling
    • Ergonomic pistol grip and telescoping buttstock
Ruger's AR-556 Semiautomatic Tactical Rifles boast a matte-black 16" medium-contour cold-hammer-forged barrel with ultraprecise rifling that delivers exceptional accuracy, longevity and corrosion resistance. Durable synthetic stock and heat-resistant, glass-filled nylon handguards withstand wear and tear for long-lasting performance. Ergonomic pistol grip and six-position, telescoping M4-style buttstock provide an excellent hold. Low-glare milled gas block located at a carbine-length (M4) position offers improved balance and handling. Flat-top upper receiver with forward assist, dust cover and brass deflector. Also features matte-black oxide bolt carrier with staked gas key. Elevation-adjustable front sight and Rapid Deploy folding rear sight. Multiple adjustment points for many sling and accessory options. Includes one 30-round Magpul® PMAG® magazine and front-sight tool.
 
#25 ·
want to build your own? I have some extras I most likely won't use. Stripped upper, DPMS trigger with springs (no pins though), carbine length gas block and tube, and 2 piece plastic hand guard with barrel nut and all associated parts to install. That leaves you with ejection port cover (with pin and spring), forward assist, bolt carrier group, barrel, buffer tube with spring and stock, carbine buffer, and pistol grip. Oh, don't forget the stripped lower receiver. Brownells has them for less than $50.

Mods, please don't flame me. I am not trying to sell these parts. It would be a free will donation if the guy wants to go this way. Heck, I'll even throw in a 30 round magazine.
 
#26 ·
Mods, please don't flame me. I am not trying to sell these parts. It would be a free will donation if the guy wants to go this way. Heck, I'll even throw in a 30 round magazine.
I won't say a thing. For that matter, if he commits to building his own, I think I have a few, heck, I know I have a few of parts that 68c15 mentioned that I can donate, too. I don't ever expect to build another one.
 
#27 ·
Peter Hinkle:

I have a S&W M&P in 308 (7.62x51 NATO) that is excellent. If the AR15 version does not have the forward assist that is no big deal. The prototype of the gun did not either and the Military made them add it. In all the years I have had my AR's I have never had to use the forward assist. It is stupid for a commercial gun not intended for combat. It is meant to force a cartridge into an extremely dirty chamber like you might have during a fire fight for your life in Vietnam. It really has no use in a commercial firearm for play.


I also just built a AR15, mid-length gas pickoff, 16 inch barrel DPMS complete upper on a Palmetto lower using a High Standard lower parts kit. Both are closer to econo parts then premium parts. I invested over $800. I could have bought the gun as all loose parts and saved a bit but the upper was complete and test fired. First trip to the range was excellent.

Shop around but you are better off not buying a complete off-brand. While all the "Mil-Spec" AR's are suppose to have interchangeable parts not requiring fitting, that may not be the case with off-brand guns.

Finally, I'd not buy a used AR. Many who buy and use these guns abuse them with long strings of shots, thermally stressing the guns and wearing out the barrels by getting them way too hot. I no longer buy someone else's hot rod vehicle (been there, done that) and I don't buy used AR's.

LDBennett
 
#30 ·
If you plan on buying a small prism red dot, I'd avoid an attached front iron post that holds the front sight. The post blocks the red dot view unless you spend some larger change and get the larger red dot system. The detachable front/rear sights are nice. Botach.com has a CRT tool that you will appreciate when you clean your bolt group. This next comment may raise some hackles, but (ssshhhhhhhh) I like the frog lube paste. If used correctly, it works great, not used correctly and it is your enemy. It also makes for cleaning easier. When finished shooting, gently place (so as not to crack the plastic bottle) the bolt system inside a large open mouth vitamin pill bottle filled with Hoppes #9 solvent cleaner and let soak for a day. The next day, it will clean easier and make your new CRT tool do a quick job. Both ends of the tool are used. Wipe off completely, heat with hot air gun or hair dryer, brush on the paste and let COOL. Then wipe 100% of the cooled wax. It will bleed it's lube as you shoot and helps making cleaning easier. It stays looking super clean until next use. Long pipe cleaner for the gas tube if you have that variety (hopes and then dry). I like clp for the lower. Use air compressor with rags to control the blow off. Then wipe completely with those blue auto paper shop towels. Then repeat once again and you are more/less done. No drainage or dripping via gravity later. While the bolt only needs lube where it actually touches, I frog lube the upper bolt area anyway as it makes wiping off easier when cleaning. If you mount a tripod and buy an attachment for the molding to attach a tripod, remember your air flow is what keeps the barrel cooler and some of those mounts for the tripod block the venting. Most important is not to follow suit and pull the trigger as fast as you can cause if you squib, you lose.
 
#31 · (Edited)
I just purchased (A week ago) a DPMS Sportical 5.56/223 At Academy Sports for $499 for a lot of the same reasons you listed. It comes with no sights and slick sided. I posted a thread on here just a couple days ago describing it. The title was Dang It because I wasn't planning on buying one at the time but the price was good for what I wanted.
Today I'm going back to check out a couple Red Dot sights. There're both made by Vortex and under $200. One is called Sparc 2 and the other is called Strikefire 2. Both have great reviews all over the old innerweb thing.
So for $700 I figure I end up with a rifle that meets my needs and a sight that I would rate at upper middle class.
Give it a look. you can order it all.
Good luck and have fun with whatever you choose.
 
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