Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Which AR? Advice please...

I am new to the AR scene and am looking to purchase one in the near future. A friend of mine has a DPMS that he really likes,b ut it appears that most name brands around now are pretty good. I will probably use it mainly for plinking and varmints, so super great accuracy isn't mandatory (but nice). MOA would be great. I am thinking of a 20" barrel since that seems to be a happy medium, probably a flat top and my budget is going to be in the neighborhood of $800, but less is good. Any suggestions?

For $800, you'll be able to find a LNIB to NIB AR-15 from most of the major mfg'rs. I've had Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, and Rock River Arms. They're all good but I think out of those, the Colt isn't worth the cost. I've heard good things about DPMS so I think they're getting better. You might study the classifieds on AR15.com for awhile to see what different guns with different options are going for so you can recognize a good deal when it comes along.

I will have to give DPMS a good thought too, used to be they were not the best, but they have come a long way.

I have not dealt with a lot of brands, but I'd look at RRA first, and then DPMS, Armalite, and Bushy are generally good these days. Some of their triggers suck really bad.

Past that I can't comment on brands.

Jeff

OK, after looking around a bit, I am wondering if I can up my quality and stay within my budget if I go for a kit. It seems I can get a stripped lower for around $130, then a kit and I would have pretty much everything I need, right?

I am thinking of a flat top Wilson SS HBAR barreled upper in a kit from J&T distributing. Anyone have any comments, positive or negative about this configuration or dealer? Any major variations in lowers that I need to be aware of? Is this a good idea at all or would I be better off just buying the complete rifle? Thanks.

I had several different Colt AR's in various configurations over the years. When I wanted to get an accurate one for varmint shooting, etc. I called a couple of wholesaler's who sold various brands of AR type rifles. 3 out of 4 without hesitation told me Armalite (I had been looking at the Colt Accurized version). I bought the Armalite M15A4T. It shoots one ragged hole at 100 yds with Hornady TAP ammo. Just my opinion but I would go with Armalite.

I like the DPMS had a good experience with one of their 16 inch versions. No problems, shoots 1.5 @ 100 yards using 55 grain Winchester White Box 55 grain FMJ. I would like to see what it would do with Black Hills ammo or handloads. Esox357.

Thanks for the replies. Am I missing anything by building one where I would be better off buying a complete rifle?

If you don't shoot it well, who's to blame!?!?!?

lol, ok that actually took me a second... Had to re-read my post.

FWIW - I just read some negative comments on Stag barrels on another forum so that's one kit I'd avoid for sure. Also, I have my 2nd RRA floating its way here and will be buying a RRA 14.5" fixed-FH model when it arrives at the distributor (in honor of the Z ) if that tells you anything about my preferences nowdays....

I've shot a bunch of different ar's over the years. I really love my RRA. Had it a little over a year and have 3000+ rounds through it. That sucker is a feeding machine. It's incredibly tight. It's even shot a few 2 inch 100m groups with an EOTech and its stubby 16inch barrel. Couldn't ask for more.