Looking for my first AR15
- Thread starter DocPeanut
- Start date
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Skipjacks
Ultimate Member
What do you want to do with it? That makes a huge difference in what the right gun is
Long range competition shooting?
Repelling hordes of alien Invaders?
Can plinking?
Home defense?
Pest control?
There are so many variables in AR 15's that you need to get one suited for your intended use
I wouldn't want to use a competition gun for home defense or vice versa. (And alien defense is useless without the plasma beam accessory that attaches to a bayonette lug)
Long range competition shooting?
Repelling hordes of alien Invaders?
Can plinking?
Home defense?
Pest control?
There are so many variables in AR 15's that you need to get one suited for your intended use
I wouldn't want to use a competition gun for home defense or vice versa. (And alien defense is useless without the plasma beam accessory that attaches to a bayonette lug)
- May 29, 2017
- 7,741
Do your research first: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/ or you will buy more than one AR because you realize you want something else better. Something else is always better when you have enough cash laying around.
I would approach this from a different standpoint; you probably don't know what you want, so buy something that is a good starting point and then you can evolve as you do more shooting at the range. You have two choices, buy a complete rifle or build one up from a stripped lower receiver. Right now, a complete rifle will cost a premium. The advantage of the complete rifle is that you get a rifle that you are 100% sure is MD compliant, because an FFL bears some responsibility in the process. Building up from a lower receiver will let you select premium parts and also lets you do this over time. But you have to make sure you build a legal rifle for the state of Maryland. When building up a rifle, if you buy a complete upper receiver, the build process is pretty simple.
Thanks for the input so far guys, I appreciate it. With the cost of ammo I’m not gonna be shooting it a lot. I think I more want it just to have it if that makes sense. I would definitely take it plinking at the range from time to time but I’m not a hunter
Windham weaponry is a good option and is one of a few company’s that makes a MD compliant rifle. They were recently in stock for roughly $1000, which is over priced, but everything is right now.
Personally I would avoid Delton and Ruger. I’ve seen enough first hand issues with two Ruger 556 AR’s that I’ll never consider one. I’d rather have a Palmetto State Armory rifle.
And speaking of PSA, this 18 inch HBAR upper is in stock. It’s got an FN cold hammer forged barrel, which is an excellent barrel. I’ve got one of these and so does a friend of mine. Granted, they were around $450 when I bought them in January.
It’s kind of a unicorn since FN really doesn’t have an 18 inch mid length barrel that they sell on their own. With a standard spring and H2 buffer it’s been a great shooter.
If you have someone willing to assemble a lower for you, this might be your best route to “something decent” for under $1000. I’ve had zero issues with the two I’ve handled, both have seen roughly 1k rounds.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...htweight-m-lok-upper-no-bcg-ch-516444448.html
Just make sure you grab a bolt carrier group and charging handle. ALG defense makes a great BCG for roughly $140.
I’ve got many a more expensive rifle but these have proven to be worth it, to me at least.
Personally I would avoid Delton and Ruger. I’ve seen enough first hand issues with two Ruger 556 AR’s that I’ll never consider one. I’d rather have a Palmetto State Armory rifle.
And speaking of PSA, this 18 inch HBAR upper is in stock. It’s got an FN cold hammer forged barrel, which is an excellent barrel. I’ve got one of these and so does a friend of mine. Granted, they were around $450 when I bought them in January.
It’s kind of a unicorn since FN really doesn’t have an 18 inch mid length barrel that they sell on their own. With a standard spring and H2 buffer it’s been a great shooter.
If you have someone willing to assemble a lower for you, this might be your best route to “something decent” for under $1000. I’ve had zero issues with the two I’ve handled, both have seen roughly 1k rounds.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...htweight-m-lok-upper-no-bcg-ch-516444448.html
Just make sure you grab a bolt carrier group and charging handle. ALG defense makes a great BCG for roughly $140.
I’ve got many a more expensive rifle but these have proven to be worth it, to me at least.
- May 29, 2017
- 7,741
"Personally I would avoid Delton and Ruger. I’ve seen enough first hand issues with two Ruger 556 AR’s that I’ll never consider one."
What was wrong with Ruger? Upper or lower?
What was wrong with Ruger? Upper or lower?
Maybe they’ve since changed it, but the lo profile gas blocks they use are pathetic. Approx half the size of a standard low profile gas block. I saw one cant nearly 90 degrees on the first mag, rendering it a bolt action until fixed.
“Always check new rifles before shooting”.... yeah yeah. But something from the factory shouldn’t be that messed up. Once we replaced with a standard gas block it’s run fine ever since.
Second one had an out of spec upper and the barrel was horribly misaligned with the upper m4 feed ramps, causing feeding issues. When I took it apart the upper was just all around junk. The barrel had what I consider way too much play in the upper. I replaced the upper with an Aero upper and all was fine.
The gas block they used was really what got to me though.
Ruger lowers are fine in my experience.
I’ve heard some reputable people on here praise the ruger 556, so this is just my experience.
Skipjacks
Ultimate Member
I have had feed issues with certain ammo on a 556
Winchester rounds had feed problems like crazy for me. 1 box...20 rounds...4 misfeeds
Federal....several boxes...no problems
It also cycled smoother after the first hundred or so rounds
Suggest going to a local shop and see some in person, just be aware availability may be sparse right now. When I jumped in for the first time I bought a basic complete built lower (Stag Arms), and a Stag M4 style upper and took it out to shoot. Over time I changed out stock pieces, handguards, rails, optics, and even the color combo changed. Then for my next one I built my first from a stripped lower and sought out an early Colt military upper to mirror the one in pictures of my Dad from Vietnam. I decked that one out with period surplus stock, handguards, grip. Built and sold a few others too, different variations.
It’s the Barbie of firearms, options are endless or just keep stock as you buy it.
![[Kev308]](/data/avatars/m/46/46803.jpg?1701385241){kind=avatar}
Vile Shadow
...
- Feb 28, 2013
- 28,953
Id start with just a basic A3 carbine so you can get a feel for the platform, and if ya find you dont like shootin with irons you can take off the carry handle and throw a red dot or sumptin fancy like that on it
- Jul 29, 2014
- 49,995
Windham carbine. This is THE all-around best bet
If you want to get something sooner rather than later, here is a Maryland-legal Windham dissipater carbine and for a reasonable price:
https://atlanticfirearms.com/products/windham-weaponry-r16da4t-848037036339
And if you decide you don't want the dissipater configuration you can easily change it. Honestly though, I have that same upper receiver group on one of my AR's and I really like it. You will not fond a better deal for $950 plus transfer and shipping.
https://atlanticfirearms.com/products/windham-weaponry-r16da4t-848037036339
And if you decide you don't want the dissipater configuration you can easily change it. Honestly though, I have that same upper receiver group on one of my AR's and I really like it. You will not fond a better deal for $950 plus transfer and shipping.
Virgil Co.C
Active Member
- Aug 10, 2018
- 615
Daniel defense guy myself ,seems you either like them or are a hater . Definitely pricy I personally never have had an issue with mine .Check out Hanover Armory they stand behind what they build/ sell and my understanding is they are reasonably priced . Don’t own theirs , know guys who do and are very happy with them. Think anything you an get your hands on under a grand is a deal nowadays.JMO
AliasNeo07
Ultimate Member
I don't know whether Daniel Defense or Bravo Company make Maryland compliant stuff but that would be sort of the best in terms of reliability, along with Colt. At least that's the common opinion.
You're not going to find anything reasonably priced right now. If you're desperate to get one now, call around and maybe look for LWRC DI rifle. Made in Maryland, and the fit and finish is EXCELLENT. Expect to pay 1550 but comes with a lot of stuff that you would upgrade anyway. Comes with a pretty good stock, a nice grip, enhanced trigger guard, a really awesome one stage trigger, ambi safety and bolt release, free float handguard, hand stop, qd sling mounts, etc.
Depending on how much you like to accessorize your rifle, the only thing you'll need for sure is sights or an optic.
I'm a fan. And hey, buy local lol.
I don't have any experience with their piston guns, but I have no interest in piston guns.
You're not going to find anything reasonably priced right now. If you're desperate to get one now, call around and maybe look for LWRC DI rifle. Made in Maryland, and the fit and finish is EXCELLENT. Expect to pay 1550 but comes with a lot of stuff that you would upgrade anyway. Comes with a pretty good stock, a nice grip, enhanced trigger guard, a really awesome one stage trigger, ambi safety and bolt release, free float handguard, hand stop, qd sling mounts, etc.
Depending on how much you like to accessorize your rifle, the only thing you'll need for sure is sights or an optic.
I'm a fan. And hey, buy local lol.
I don't have any experience with their piston guns, but I have no interest in piston guns.
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