Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles What is a good AR for under $600?

See Rockchucker's post above. He knows his stuff and is a straight shooter.

I'd go with the Anderson. And though I have more than I need, I might pull the trigger on one for fun, too.

go to palmetto state and buy one of their blem complete lowers for $149.95 on sale.
go to primary arms or delta tactical and buy the best complete upper in your price range.
i have 4 now in different calibers i have done that way and none have cost me over 600. and all will shoot 1.5 or less at 100.
the palmetto triggers can use a little polish but aren't terrible.
over time you can upgrade the fire control group.

Dave's right on this one. Expect to see this stuff go up after the election.

This goes without saying, but the OP did set a budget of $600.00. In stead of grilling him for that, why not make a meaningful contribution here? If you don't have experience with AR's in the $600.00 price range that's fine, but then don't comment on it.

You are both right, but at $600, the OP is already acknowledging that he may be getting into an accuracy issue that he doesn't want. I've owned several DPMS rifle that shot, and some that didn't, and very little idea which one was which until I got them on the range.

To the OP, at $600, you are going to get a functioning rifle. If you are comfortable with potentially wanting to swap out parts later, at more cost and some basic tools, then the Oracle will do. It may shoot just fine, and your are happy with it. If it doesn't, you are in for more money later, and that may fit in the budget better.

Remember, the AR is two halves, upper and lower. If the upper doesn't do what you want, sell it, and roll the money towards an upper that meets your needs.

But De-Flave pointed out, they are probably not getting any cheaper this year, and most likely going up in demand and price in the next 90 days.

I don't know what your target group size is for a group of <1.5".

If you're happy with 3 shots, then that's probably doable with FMJ, commercial, everyday ammo, some of the time

If you require 5 shot groups, every day all day, if you do your part, to be happy, then it gets a bit harder & the requirements for the equipment & the ammo go up.

If you need 10 shot groups, all day, every day, if you do your part, to be happy, it's doubtful than just any ole off the shelf gun and any ole off the shelf ammo will get you there, all of the time.

The point being, as AH64guy implied, in that $600 price range, uniformity & consistency from gun to gun to gun, gets a little iffy.

That's part of what you will get more of, generally, as the price goes up, especially in the consistency of the barrels..........fact of life is that the barrel is the heart of the rifle for accuracy & better, more consistent barrels cost more money than what is generally found on bottom end guns.

But every once in a while, you find a nugget........., more likely you don't

Probably more likely to get to where you want to be accuracy wise, by building a gun & using a more or less known source for the barrel/upper, than just buying a complete off the shelf low end gun.

JMHO, YMMV.

MM

Anderson or S&W M&P Sport II are the 2 I would recommend.........

Another firm vote for Smith & Wesson

Larry's Pawn online shop had DPMS Oracle's on sale for $488 yesterday. Not sure if they will be that price on Monday. I know it's not top of the line, but for the price, awful hard to beat.

Eddie

rost495, you seem to be one of the more credible sources on ARs and shooting them. I was just curious as to your experience with Ruger. I own one 77 and one AR of theirs, but never had to deal with their customer service.

Del-Ton

Save a little more and buy a good one, you will not be happy with something cheap. Just my opinion.

I have an Oracle that I really like. I have a low power scope on it so I'm not sure what kind of groups it is capable of. It seems to shoot as well as my Dad's Colt does. It would certainly buy another of I were in the market for one.

I heard the PSA Freedom Rifle uses FN barrels


budsgunshop

palmettostatearmory

I am looking at a Davidson Defense upper, 16" 5.56 Match Stainless HBar Barrel 1-7 416R Stainless 10" Keymod Handguard Upper.

This is a match chamber? What is the pro and con on this chamber?

Just checked... PSA- out of stock across the board for lowers of any kind. Kinda frustrating but that is the game these days... get in line and wait.

556 is the chamber, (not match)
Match would be their description of their barrel. (I assume)

I think a 556 chamber is the best way to go.

A Wylde chamber is mo tighter for accuracy.

A 223 chamber closes the door to cheap military ammunition like the 55 grain XM193, so I would skip that option.

I just ordered a lower from them:

PSA AR-15 BLEM Complete Lower Magpul MOE Edition - Olive Drab Green, No Magazine 77932130 1 $169.99

I put it in my cart a few days ago and it was still there, now I need to get the Assembled Upper Receiver

I just received a PA midlength, nitrided pencil barrel, m lock floated forearm upper for $369. Put it on a RRA lower, it is not as smooth as my RRA upper, the kids have been playing and I have not benched it yet. It does seem to be accurate enough for my needs, a pencil barrel carbine is probably not gonna set records. As soon as they have the MOE enhanced lowers available, I will buy two.

Are the PSA barrels nitrided on the inside of the bore also, or only the outside finish?