Best Budget AR style rifle.

[blary54]

Ive always wanted an AR style rifle. Can anyone recommend a quality AR rifle that is under $1000.00. I'm currently looking at the S&W M&P15 Sport (MSRP $739.00). http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y



I'm looking for a basic bare-bones model that I can upgrade over time. Any suggestions would be great. I plan on using this for recreational shooting...possibly hunting at some point, and home defense.

 

[P Funk]

Ive always wanted an AR style rifle. Can anyone recommend a quality AR rifle that is under $1000.00. I'm currently looking at the S&W M&P15 Sport (MSRP $739.00). http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57785_757784_757784_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y



I'm looking for a basic bare-bones model that I can upgrade over time. Any suggestions would be great. I plan on using this for recreational shooting...possibly hunting at some point, and home defense.

I'm sure you'll get a ton of different answers. Building your own is always a good way to learn the platform inside and out. That being said, I think the M&P Sport is a great deal. It's really one of the better firearm deals that I've come across. I really dig mine. You can use the lower w/ a different upper down the road. Or if by upgrade you mean furniture type like grips, stocks, etc - you can do that right away at relatively low cost.

I say pick it up, shoot 100s to 1000 rounds through it and then figure out what/if anything you want to upgrade. Maybe you'll want to change everything, or build one from scratch, or use your money on ammo.
I don't think you can go wrong with the Sport for the price. For ready built, Colt is nice but way above $1K. Sigs seem to be pretty nice but also much more expensive.

Hope that helps.

 

[Acmemfg]

Best deal on an AR15 I have ever seen. Mine is exactly what it appears. A well made, accurate rifle minus most of the tacticool gizmos that so many people bolt on but have no real idea how to use (or the real opportunity to use them either).

The important things (1 in 8 5R rifling, Melonite finish and barrel coating, Mag Pul accessories, quality manufacturer and lifetime warranty) are all to be had with this rifle for a most reasonable price. My opinion...this is the proper choice.

 

[blary54]

Hmm thanks guys...im kinda sold on this right now. I heard the worst part about this gun is finding one. They are selling out everywhere.

 

[LittleLebowski]

I think is a fine choice. I have an S&W 5.45 AR that I have had to use the warranty twice on (I simply wore out the barrel and fire control parts). Each time, S&W paid shipping both ways and replaced the parts no questions asked. Buy in confidence.

 

[GladiusGSF]

Save half your money and buy an AK....you can get an AK 74 that shoots the 5.45*39 round, the Afghanies called it the "poison bullet", and they are less than $200 for 1000 rounds. Either way, it's a more reliable platform and before any of yall slag me over this, I carried the AR/M-16 A2 in the service and am very familiar with it.

 

[LittleLebowski]

I'll put a quality, properly setup AR up against an AK any day. My 5.45x39mm AR is just as reliable as my Glocks. I do own an AK. I also carried the A2 and M4 in the service.

So, the AK is a great weapon. However, they've gotten more expensive for the quality ones unless you want a parts kit assembled gun of suspect quality. In fact, the quality AKs are more expensive than quality ARs. The 5.45x39mm cheap surplus ammo you speak of comes and goes as far as availability. It's also corrosive (something dealt with easily). Also, I'm going to make the assumption that the OP wants something accurate. That's a place the AR will always win against the AK. Also, given the AR's modular design, it's much easier to say build a long range upper for varmint shooting and also have a standard 16" for carbine training/home defense.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

I'm also a fan of the AR in 5.45x39

 

[vtguy22]

I built the lower and bought an upper. This allowed me to get the trigger/stock/controls I wanted from the start. It was a little more expensive than buying a ready gun, but cheaper than retrofitting a new gun. The lower is pretty trivial to assemble, and only requires one special tool if I recall.

 

[P Funk]

Hmm thanks guys...im kinda sold on this right now. I heard the worst part about this gun is finding one. They are selling out everywhere.

Keep an eye out on Bud's, Gunbroker and the like. They do seem to move fast but stock is also refreshed pretty quickly as well.

Save half your money and buy an AK....you can get an AK 74 that shoots the 5.45*39 round, the Afghanies called it the "poison bullet", and they are less than $200 for 1000 rounds. Either way, it's a more reliable platform and before any of yall slag me over this, I carried the AR/M-16 A2 in the service and am very familiar with it.

I've heard this many times as well. I don't have any experience with an AK but it is at the top of my list for future purchases. From what I understand, you are sacrificing a bit of accuracy for more reliability. FWIW, my Sport has been reliable to this point; I am just using it for recreation and as part of the HD arsenal. I am not training with it nor have ever taken it on a hunt. And I've really only used 2-3 different kinds of ammo so I may have been lucky in finding rounds that it likes.

 

[garyg]

I have to ask - what would one use either the AK or the AR for - ? I understand the military uses, but aside from that I can't figure out why? Before the.223s start flying, I joined the NRA circa 1959, and like I said understand the military use. But neither is a decent hunting round in that rifle. And either is way outclassed by cheaper & more effective weapons for home defense.

If it is just playing soldier, I understand, beyond that ?

 

[LittleLebowski]

I have to ask - what would one use either the AK or the AR for - ? I understand the military uses, but aside from that I can't figure out why? Before the.223s start flying, I joined the NRA circa 1959, and like I said understand the military use. But neither is a decent hunting round in that rifle. And either is way outclassed by cheaper & more effective weapons for home defense.

If it is just playing soldier, I understand, beyond that ?

I will attempt to answer your question within the bounds of this subforum. If you want to get into "sporting purpose" and the Constitution; I will not reply but I would hope that you save that discussion for the Barber Shop.

The AR is fantastically versatile due to its modularity. Using one lower, you can range from the below calibers (and others) using different uppers:

-.204 Ruger
-.223/5.56mm
-6.5mm Grendel
-.300 Blackout
-6.8mm

The AR is easily capable of 1 MOA groups at 100 yards using the right configuration and ammo (2MOA is a more realistic number though). Due to the past 10 years of combat, the platform has made huge strides in reliability. I've gone over 2k rounds without cleaning and do so regularly. It's accurate, reliable, durable, easily adjusted (weight, length of pull, trigger pull, you name it) to any shooter. The gas system coupled with the buffer spring makes for a soft shooting weapon. The weapon can run in configurations from a 5.56mm 10.5" SBR (short barrel rifle) to a .308 24" sniper rifle. Heck, you can drop a .22LR conversion kit into your .223/5.56mm gun and shoot .22 all day long with permanent modifications. The ease of maintenance cannot be over stressed. You don't have to laboriously hand fit parts to make it work or to accurize it. Every part can be user replaced with great ease. No bedding, no blueprinting of parts, you can do it all at home.

The AK in stock configuration is roughly akin ballistically to a 30-30 ( one of America's favorite calibers). It can be a zero maintenance rifle, suitable for any clime. With a little work and judicious choice of ammo, it can be very accurate compared to stock (maybe between 1.5 and 2.5 MOA). The aftermarket regarding optics mounts is really starting to take off.

Both weapons systems are reliable, durable, easy to shoot, and fun to shoot.

With the huge amount of combat vets here in America, one shouldn't be surprised at the interest in these weapons platforms. Remember the popularity of the Garand and M1Carbine a few generations ago.......

Also, "playing soldier" is not anywhere near what the carbine classes teach. My blog (http://rationalgun.com) has a few reviews of these classes. Think self defense and general skillset improvement.

Please let me know I can clarify or expound upon anything without getting into a political discussion in this subforum.

 

[25or6to4]

don't forget about the 5.7 and even 50 cal uppers too!

 

[LittleLebowski]

don't forget about the 5.7 and even 50 cal uppers too!

Indeed! The versatiity of the AR platform cannot be overstated.

 

[garyg]

Little - I wasn't meaning to call up the sporting use vs non-sporting use, guess I didn't state that so well.

Sorry but I didn't become a fanboy of the Garand either, nor the Carcano that in my youth Klein's was selling for about 13 bucks. Don't get me wrong, I wanted one, just couldn't get up enough scratch. If I was into collecting them either would be a prize

But I think that some of the military (as opposed to sporting) arms tend to create a certain feeling in the general public, the vast majority of whom are not combat veterans. Most of the guys that I was in country with don't hunt. Were you in the Nam?

Not convinced that if my villa needs protecting more than a .40 USP, J-Frame & a short 12 G Rem 870 can do mebbe I am hosed anyway. I can't conceive of needing a longer range weapon for personal defense, but if the miscreant has had time to run a hundred yards away I've had time to break out the .270 ..

Nothing in the above post has convinced me that either platform is a worthwhile sporting or self-defence weapon. Softening the recoil on a .223? Please spare my shoulder from a .223? . Barking the AK as ballistically the same as the Thutty-Thutty? Both are iconic rifles, used worldwide for both good & evil. All of the factual points regarding reliability, especially with the AK are accurate. But what I failed to state clearly was I didn't get their utility beyond military. I'm sure they both are great varmint rifles, as long as the varmint's kill zone fits within the spray & pray .. here I use a .22 air rifle on the chucks, quieter, cheaper, and kicks less too

YMMV

But, if you just are playing then whatever floats your boat, shoot chucks with a .50 BMG, as long as I can't hear the report. If you like transformer rifles, fine.

For me if the game is just to send lead a .22 does it with more class than military surplus & with a whole lot less cost.

Just my humble 2 cents,

 

[Cochese2323]

Build one. I put a target quality gun together with a match trigger and a bull barrel for less that $800. Minimal difficulty, maximum satisfaction.

 

[LittleLebowski]

I say all of this with complete respect and a care for politeness.....

Garyg, if you want to approach the discussion with an informed mind, know that the 5.56 is not "just a .22".

I know the standard AR15 has a .224 caliber bullet. However, advances in bullet technology (particularly the new Marine Corps issue SOST and several commercial loads) make this a capable caliber for creatures on four and two legs. I can point you to any number of scientific ballistic studies that you can access online and any number of reports from combat on the effectiveness of this caliber. Calling it "just a .22" is showing a lack of information.

Also, you missed my points on the 6.8mm, .300 Blackout, and 6.5mm Grendel, not to mention the .308 and beyond offerings.

When training with a rifle as a martial skill, recoil reduction is desirable in order to put shots on target as quickly and effectively as possible. Of course, dedicated varmint hunters value reduced recoil in order that they may track their shots. Muzzle brakes may also be used to achieve this goal.

The AR15 and AK47 have advanced to beyond just for military use. It's not a largest stretch to apply your way of thinking to the M1Garand, M1Carbine, 1911A1, or even smokeless powder. All of these were used first by the military.

I have served. Not in Vietnam.

 

[MASSDRIVER]

It is a general misconception that the M-4 in 5.56 is not good for home defense. For those interested, you will find the platform to be superior in every category of home defense, including the feared "over-penetration".
A rifle is more accurate to use, even to contact distances, less random than a shotgun, and the round penetrates walls less than almost all handgun rounds.
Brent.

 

[LittleLebowski]

It is a general misconception that the M-4 in 5.56 is not good for home defense. For those interested, you will find the platform to be superior in every category of home defense, including the feared "over-penetration".
A rifle is more accurate to use, even to contact distances, less random than a shotgun, and the round penetrates walls less than almost all handgun rounds.
Brent.

Well said. I forgot to mention the drywall testing.

 

[packersfan117]

I recommend Doublestar, they're listed for $648 on budsgunshop.com. I've shot them (my friend Mark owns one) and they are wonderfully accurate guns, and he's never had issues with it jamming or anything like that.