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I'm concerned that our current administration is going to start pushing for more gun-control measures, especially if Uncle Obama gets re-elected in 2012 (God forbid) and I'm wanting to pick up an AR-15/M4 type of rifle while it's still legal to do so.

I'm wanting to get something basic at first...I figure once I have the rifle I can gradually trick it out over time. (As discussed in another thread, it's easier to get the wife to approve buying parts for an existing firearm than it is to buy a whole new gun.) I am also fairly certain I want it chambered in 5.56mm NATO so I can shoot military ammo as well as .223 Remington. I'm fine with open sights at first...I can add optics and a bi-pod and other toys later.

Any suggestions on a good brand? I'm hoping to keep the cost under $1000 if possible. Right now I'm considering the S&W M&P's.

Thanks,
MojoTexas

Right now you should be able to get a quality AR under $1000 pretty easily. Just hit up the next gun show in your area or check out CDNN, Buds, Aimsurplus, etc online.

Somebodys got to say it...the only thing the dems hate worse than an AR-15 is the dreaded AK-47 AUTOMATIC BABY KILLING MACHINE.

Everybody needs at least one.

edit: Any chance to show off a gun, right?

jeeperbryan wrote:Right now you should be able to get a quality AR under $1000 pretty easily. Just hit up the next gun show in your area or check out CDNN, Buds, Aimsurplus, etc online.

CDNN was running M&P15 for under $800 new for a while (not sure if they still are). Seems to be the best deal going on a quality, name-brand AR in 5.56mm

Many of the USED ARs on places like TexasGunTrader.com are asking more than that, but occassionally you still see good deals.

Also is CMMG still running their "bargain bin" ARs for about $600? That's a GREAT deal.

If you want to customize a bit, you can pick up stripped lowers for about $100 most places .... some place called Plum Crazy Firearms apparently sells complete mil-spec basic lowers for less than $200 ..... then you can get really nice complete uppers at pkfirearms.net in a range of prices/styles. I LOVE my Sabre Defense stainless fluted 16-inch barreled upper I got from them ... sub-MOA accuracy with off-the-shelf 55-grain .223 if I do my part (which I rarely do )

Since you're in McKinney, stroll on over to Cheaper Than Dirt. They have a pretty good selection including lots for under $1000.

I picked up a Colt AR6520 there last month for less than that.

AndyC wrote:And of course, the ever-popular "build yer own" option - buy the lower receiver at a gun show, buy a lower parts kit (aka LPK - the internals ie. hammer, trigger, sear, safety, springs, etc, etc) then select your stock and the kind of upper you want.

Easy-peasy

Edit: Get a flat-top upper - a lot easier to add optics later.

I'm with Andy on this one. I bought my first AR already assembled. After having built my second one, I'll likely not buy another one whole. Even if you don't save any money by building your own (you will save money), doing so will make you intimately familiar with your weapon's inner workings. There is also a great deal of satisfaction in shooting something you built yourself.

Be that as it may, if you choose to buy one already assembled, be sure it has a flat top receiver. You'll need that for future upgrades.

They were thick at $700 at the last Ft Worth gun show.

But I've never bought a whole one.

Over on Texas Hunters Forum, a group buy just ended for complete kits (less bare lower) for $450 OTD.
And another thread has the lowers (group buy) for $48 each!


So, for $500 you can build an AR.
Best i've ever done was 4550, but that isn't very difficult to do

As several have mentioned, building your own is a good option. It also means that you become very familiar with the workings of your AR, as you put it all together.

I built my AR several months ago, over the period of a few months. This help spread out the cost, which was the only way I could justify the expense with my wife. I chronicled the build on my blog:

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My build ended up costing something like $1100 in all, as I ordered some non-standard parts to set up the gun like I wanted. I started out with a CMMG stripped lower purchased for $100. Everything else was ordered from Rock River Arms, with the exception of the rear sight.

I priced out the cost of a standard A2-spec 20" rifle build from RRA parts, starting with a $100 stripped lower, and the cost came out to $893.25. RRA will also sell you an assembled rifle to the same spec for $980. They also have customized carbine stuff on sale for $1000 even, if you wanted to go that route. They do not charge shipping (or at least didn't for me during my build), and they're out of state, so no tax.

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Pawpaw wrote:Since you're in McKinney, stroll on over to Cheaper Than Dirt. They have a pretty good selection including lots for under $1000.

I picked up a Colt AR6520 there last month for less than that.

I did exactly that yesterday afternoon. I'm still leaning towards the S&W M&P M-4...I think they want $979 and some change for it.

As far as building my own goes...since I've never had an AR before, I'd rather get an assembled one and then learn how to take it apart, than try to buy all the pieces and figure out how to put them together. I've heard it's rather easy with the right tools and know-how, but I don't have that knowledge yet.

Well, I thought that too, and now that I think about it, I did buy the first one.
But once you tinker with it for a few minutes and realize how simple it is, the mystery is gone.
They truly are simple mechanical devices. The precision comes from the original design and machining, which is all done before you get it.
Only two areas require detailed instructions:
1 - Installing the Lower parts kit into a bare receiver. Hand tools, 45 minutes first time. Pliers, tape, small hammer
2 - installing barrel to upper receiver. Special wrench ($20), torque wrench ($20)

Strictly kitchen-table stuff.
These and every other procedure is covered in illustrated detail on the AR15.com forum stickies.

Get someone familiar with the gun to show you how it comes apart, and look at the various subassemblies. Save yourself $200.

If you are short on cash, buy a cheap bare lower now, LPK next, then buttstock of choice.
If it needs to saw Smith & Wesson, you can find those occasionally at a good deal.
Then you can shop the group deals for a complete upper, or just go to the next big gun show and buy one from Model 1 Sales.
I've never found any money savings by building an upper rather than buying one. But if your money comes in small lots, or if you want a unique configuration then building your own might be the way to go.
Either way, I've never lost a dime on any AR when I decided to trade it off and build something different.

AndyC wrote:Edit: Get a flat-top upper - a lot easier to add optics later.

The rifle I'm leaning towards is the Smith&Wesson M&P15. It has a removable handle for the rear sight. It looks like when I'm ready to add optics I can just pull the handle off.

Here's a pic:

AndyC wrote:And of course, the ever-popular "build yer own" option - buy the lower receiver at a gun show, buy a lower parts kit (aka LPK - the internals ie. hammer, trigger, sear, safety, springs, etc, etc) then select your stock and the kind of upper you want.

ARRRGHHH...Andy you do realize that you are advocating the much-dreaded AR building addiction? I started the same way and now 13 AR's later look at me!

Also, what's y'all's opinion the EOTech? I saw them in the Cheaper Than Dirt catalog.