my first ar15

[jakeman234]

i want a good first AR-15 for no more than 1000 dollers i have looked at Arma light,Bushmasters,Dmps and Stag.  But im like a kid in a candy store and cant make up my mine on what brand/series of AR i want, Nor do i have the knowledge about AR's. What should i do thanks.

[cookie62]

Don't forget the Smith and Wesson M&P line. They have several. If you have friends with them, borrow or go out with them and try as many different brands as possible. there are so many varieties and options, it all depends on what you want and can afford.

[jakeman234]

Don't forget the Smith and Wesson M&P line. They have several. If you have friends with them, borrow or go out with them and try as many different brands as possible. there are so many varieties and options, it all depends on what you want and can afford.

thare more than 1000 dollers. but thanks

[fightingquaker13]

There are a thousand threads on this. They are all the same. I say we start a new one, because its one of the questions that brings folks here. So, instead of repeating ourselves and drifting (who, us ), I'd suggest the following:
 What questions do you wish you'd asked before you bought your first rig?
What mistakes did you make?
Were you able to fix it, or did you replace it/buy a second?
That way, we might get some new ideas, and avoid old arguments. Just a thought.

Me:
1) Why do you want an AR vs say an AK, AR-10 or M1A?
2) What do you want to do with it? Varmints, range toy, SHTF 200-300 yard carbine?
3) Do you want the tacticool stuff? (Be honest, there's no shame in wanting the GI look. Its like porn, if it were just you, there wouldn't be websites devoted to your particular kink ).
4) How fat is your wallet? Budget in mags and ammo, and don't assume upgrades are going to be cheap. I still can't find decent BUIS or a front sling mount for my Sportical at a reasonable price. I should have researched it.

Let us know your specs. I hope others have questions as well.
FQ13
PS Welcome aboard. As for your question, I love my sportical as a shooter. At the $675 or so I paid, it shoots great. The lack of realeastate for buis and no easy front mount is annoying, but it is a very good shooting rifle. I would reccomend it with those caveats. The problems are easily, but not cheaply fixed. For the price of a new front rail system, I could have upgraded a model and saved $$$$, still, I like DPMS a lot.

[MikeBjerum]

All the name brands are good.  Talk to your friends or the guys at the range that shoot them, and take their advice.  Nothing worse than listening to a fat old dude from Minnesota that has drunk the DPMS kool-aid when you live in Rock River country of Arizona!

Any good gun shop will have a selection of AR-15's in the $800 to $1,000 range.

Don't go to the used rack!!!  The used ones will only save you $50, and when you are spending $800 what's another $50 for that new in the box factory oil smell 

[Sponsor]

[JC5123]

thare more than 1000 dollers. but thanks

Actually keep a look out. I just saw an M&P at one of my local shops for a little over $850. Prices are starting to come down since the recession and also being past the panic of the last couple of years. The market is flooded with weapons now, but no one has the cash.

[ratcatcher55]

Jakeman234,

It's America, you can save your money and buy as many as you want.

You should get a M&P15 for less than a $1,000 these days. I'm happy it with it as well as with my Bushmaster Shorty and a Stag/Sabre Frankengun.

I would like a 20" A3 but the Straw Boss has cut my budget for the time being

[fightingquaker13]

All the name brands are good.  Talk to your friends or the guys at the range that shoot them, and take their advice.  Nothing worse than listening to a fat old dude from Minnesota that has drunk the DPMS kool-aid when you live in Rock River country of Arizona!

Any good gun shop will have a selection of AR-15's in the $800 to $1,000 range.

Don't go to the used rack!!!  The used ones will only save you $50, and when you are spending $800 what's another $50 for that new in the box factory oil smell 

I disagree with the last half of M58s post. A lot of folks bought ARs out of panic. They didn't really want or need them, just thought "now or never". Now that the panic is over and the economy has tanked? I'd bet there are some sweet deals out there. Who cares if it has a couple of thousand rounds though it? If its a good brand (Bushmaster/remington, Smith, DPMS Rock River, Stag, etc.)  that has been well maintained,well that's just getting broken in. I wouldn't buy a beater, but a like new gun that you can look at at your local dealer might save you a lot more than $50. I'd look at that used rack.
FQ13

[mkm]

I am very happy to see this thread get started.  I basically had the same question as jakeman; however, I might could be talked into spending a little more when I finally break down and buy one.

I'm looking for something simple that would make a good truck/range gun, but could be used for more if necessary.  I realize that an AK would probably be better for me, but I’ve always wanted an AR, even before the panic.

By the way, I just a few hours ago saw a M&P priced in the mid to high $800 range.

[GASPASSERDELUXE]

Cheaper than dirt has armalight and bushmaster starting at around $830 up to the high $900.