Newbie AR15 Questions

[Lambo2936 297]

Hey all. Now that i picked a safe, i'm looking into specific gun's i'd like to purchase.
Top on my list is an AR, because, well, AR.. I'm trying to get a ballpark estimate as to the cost to purchase a NJ Compliant, ready to go AR at a firearms store. I am far from experienced and therefore am, for now, incapable of building my own. Can somebody give me an estimate? I Know they start at like 700$ or something but from what i understand those are basically naked gun's. I'd like something that has all the fancy stuff without breaking the bank. Any suggestions and what is the price range i would be looking at? It is just for shooting at the range/HD, not a big hunter or anything of the sort. Would like it to be a .223. Please chime in!
Thanks

[dajonga 396]

Define fancy stuff.

 

Usually, an off the shelf AR is going to come without many bells and whisltles. Maybe a few upgrades here and there are possible in higher end rifles, but the choices are so vast that you are best off buying one of those nekkid rifles and upgrading as you see fit. I would recommend shooting the rifle first to see what improvements you feel are needed for your shooting needs.

 

I am not super experienced in the world of AR, but the first choice you should make is if you want a fixed front sight.

[T Bill 649]

Fancy stuff without breaking the bank.  I would say that would be quite a feat in the AR platform.

 

Leading the pack in the lower end ready to go ARs are the S&W M&P 15 Sport II  and the Ruger AR-556, both list in the 700 range, street price mid 500's and up.

Both are basic carbine (16" barrel) with front sight post and a Magpul type rear sight.  Flat top Pic rail and a non-adjustable stock, pinned muzzle break (NJ compliant models). Both models have the port cover that everybody desires. Very simple dependable MSRs.

 

Just what do you want on your AR?  So many options and prices I could not even begin to cover them all.  Most people look at different stocks, pistol grips, fore arms (rails), scopes, and muzzle breaks.  Then they get involved with triggers, charging handles, bolts, etc!  Start changing these things around and you will be cheaper building your own.  It is really not that hard, and you will save money in the end, but you will be spending more in the beginning, sounds strange I know.

 

Start by looking at different AR configurations (there is a thread on this site with pics) and get a handle for what you would want.  Come back and ask us about them and you'll get more answers then you know what to do with.  Buying a basic AR and then changing part after part is NOT the way to go, big money waster (BMW,ha!).  I like to use this video just as reference to drive the point home to friends.

 

 

So get yourself a wish list, see what you can afford and go from there.  We're here to help, no charge.

 

FYI, let's get the 5.56 / 223 thing out of the way first.  A 5.56 cartridge and a 223 look exactly the same.  Difference is in how the cartridge is made.  Any BARREL (important point - the stamping on the barrel tells you what the gun can fire not the stamping on the lower!) stamped 5.56 will fire either cartridge.  A 223 can ONLY fire a 223, NOT a 5.56.  Every rule has an exception and this one does too, 223 WLYDE marked barrels can fire either. That's it. 5.56 is loaded to higher pressures (read "hotter") and require barrels marked as such.

 

Take you time, do your homework as questions and good luck with your project!

[siderman 1,136]

like said above the Ruger(model#8502) & Sport II(#10203) are the best factory compliant ones to get going with and can be had for $700  and are not naked, just good solid rifles. Only real dif between them afaik is the Ruger twist is 1/8 and the Sport 1/9 but shouldnt matter at 100 yds. The Sport II is fairly new but the original compliant Sport(811037) is the "naked" one w/o dust cover and forward assist, arguably not even needed especially for a range gun and a good bit cheaper cost wise.. My Sport is an earlier naked one with the1/8 twist and I'm very happy with it. I dont shoot it a lot but with the Nikon p223 scope I've put a 15 rd mag into a 2" group on the bullseye at 100yds. With more practice and good ammo I'm sure this cheap naked gun can do better.

[Lambo2936 297]

Like you guys pointed out, i would definitely want a dust cover and forward assist. Like i said, im a New to owning firearms but those are two things i most definitely want. I wasn't aware the S&W Sport II comes with those, i figured at that price range it would be basic.
I already learned about the difference between 223 and 556. If i have the choice i'll probably go with the 556 because i may as well. If not, i won't really mind.
What would i be looking at for a medium grade AR if i was to build it myself? I Would LIKE to stay at approximately $1,000-1250 or so, because i also want to purchase a few other firearms. Like i said, i'll only be shooting at the range, so i think something like the S&W for 700$ or so may just cut it. I just want it for recreational shooting purposes, and if need be, for Home Defense (which is a very unlikely situation, and if that is the case, i'll have a handgun locked up by my bed anyways).
 

[SmittyMHS 603]

Like i said, i'll only be shooting at the range, so i think something like the S&W for 700$ or so may just cut it. I just want it for recreational shooting purposes, and if need be, for Home Defense

For that reason you don't need the forward assist or dust cover. Over rated and definitely not needed for a range toy. Don't let not having those options stop you from buying. 

[Lambo2936 297]

I Remember back when i used to airsoft a tech found a bunch of gravel and stuff that somehow got into my rifle and gearbox.
I can only imagine what would happen the rifle didn't at a minimum have a dust cover.

I Was looking into the forward assist the other day and the general consensus seems to be that its not necessary but it couldn't hurt to have it. From what i understand, if it gets to the point that you need to use it, there is something else wrong with the gun and forcing it may just do more damage. Is that about right or was i misinformed? 

[TokenEntry 293]

Here's something you can read about the AR15 platform and how much abuse it can take.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1118901

[Shocker 150]

...

What would i be looking at for a medium grade AR if i was to build it myself? I Would LIKE to stay at approximately $1,000-1250 or so,...

 

I built my piston gun with MAGPUL furniture, Geissele SSA, free float hand guard using a Spikes upper and Anderson lower for about $1000. Optics extra.

 

If I did it again i could shave 100 or so. Go with a mil spec trigger and shave another 150. DI gas system another 100 maybe.

[n4p226r 105]

for $1250 that is really easy for a "fancy" AR.   

 

lower $380

https://www.rainierarms.com/bcm-lower-group-no-stock 

 

Upper $830

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-14-5-Mid-Length-ENHANCED-Light-Weight-p/bcm-urg-mid-14bfh-elw-kmr-a-13.htm 

 

just pick that you want to add BCG and charging handle.  and a pinned BCM comp

 

 

$30

magpul fixed carbine stock

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319195903/magpul-stock-moe-fcs-fixed-carbine-ar-15-lr-308-carbine-synthetic

 

 

 

 

that should be around $1250.  you just need to add optics.  

[Lambo2936 297]

Hmm.
So whats a good place to start for a mid range rifle? I'd like something decent for optics so figure i want to stay at/under 1000$ for a ready to fire rifle, minus optic.
What do you guys suggest for a ready to go upper, lower, and then what other components would i need to finish the rifle? Does it come ready to go to stick a stock on there? Any other odds and ends that might be needed?

[Vlad G 345]

I know I'm late to this party, but for me forward assist are useless bits of gear that only make things worse. I can't imagine a circumstance in which a round not quite fitting in the chamber would be well served by pushing it harder. Get it out of there and move on. Every time I've used a forward assist, I've only made things worse.

 

I'm not saying you should avoid having one, all my guns do, I just don't treat them like they are a thing, I just never use them and I wouldn't feel worried about an upper with out it.

 

Dust covers are good, you don't only need them for end of the world scenarios or fighting in the middle east, I've used the dust cover quite a bit.

[Lambo2936 297]

I know I'm late to this party, but for me forward assist are useless bits of gear that only make things worse. I can't imagine a circumstance in which a round not quite fitting in the chamber would be well served by pushing it harder. Get it out of there and move on. Every time I've used a forward assist, I've only made things worse.

 

I'm not saying you should avoid having one, all my guns do, I just don't treat them like they are a thing, I just never use them and I wouldn't feel worried about an upper with out it.

 

Dust covers are good, you don't only need them for end of the world scenarios or fighting in the middle east, I've used the dust cover quite a bit.

Yeah, that is essentially what i had figured when it comes to the forward assist function on a rifle. 

I Most definitely want a Dust cover though. Now to look into Uppers and Lowers and see what i can get myself on a 1000$ budget, haha.

[Schrödinger's cat 87]

Just want to add that even if you don't want to build one you can get a fully assembled upper and a fully assembled lower and it's very easy to connect them and you'll save some money. Lots of these kits already have upgrades so you don't have to pay for grips and triggers and rails that you won't use. Check out PSA and joebobs.