Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles NEW TO AR PLATFORM - A LITTLE PURCHASE ADVISE

I know there a probably a million opinions out there, but i'm gonna buy myself a birthday present and dive into the AR community. Problem is I am completely ignorant to what I need so i'm looking for some help. I'll be mainly either hunting coyotes with it or just general recreational shooting. I'm thinking .223 with shots possible to 350 yards and higher capacity magazine friendly. Budget in the ballpark of $650 - $1000 give or take.

I don't think a lot except DPMS is going to fit into sub $850 money. Your best bet out of the box is a RRA gun with a decent stainless barrel from the factory.

Upped the top end money to $1000

You can put together a nice Palmetto State Armory AR in that price range.

^^^^this^^^^

get a 20" quality barrel and a good, aftermarket trigger. gonna need to add some more $ for a scope

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Be aware of weight and barrel length. Many folks end up with a shorter barrel and heavier rifle. Later they realize they went wrong and are not happy. I was warned but knew what I wanted I thought. My free floated, quad rail, heavier barreled RRA carbine shoots well and is a nice gun, however......

I was doin a little web surfin and the Remington R-15 caught my eye. It comes in the 18" carbine version or the 22" one and can pick it up for around $800. Anybody have any thoughts on these.

Don't dismiss the new Ruger AR556. It's a basic AR in M4 configuration. THe barrel is NOT chromed for better accuracy adn does NOT have the M4 cuts (only for a gernade launcher) so you have a medium weight barrel.
There is nothing about it out of the ordinary (ie: specific to Ruger only). So as you us it and learn more about ARs and what direction you want to go in or upgrades you want to invest in, there's nothing holding you back. It's just a good solid AR all around. List is $750 but street is $650 and some guys are doing better than that and like all Rugers you certainly get a high value product. With your budget you'll have money left over for optics.
My second suggestion would be a Stag. Notice how there's no weird stories about Stag guns? Note too that Stag has been supplying parts to Colt for years.
I have both a Ruger SR556 and a Stag8 and I've never looked back.

I have one. Bought it during the crazy years when prices were high. Paid $1550 for it. With MOST off the shelf guns like the R15 or Ruger, you will need to add in the cost of a replacement trigger, especially if you want to use it for hunting. A Giessele SSA-E (2-stage) or a Timney (single stage). Either will set you back about $225. It's an easy install. Yes, you can BUILD a nice AR but you will most likely spend $1,000-$1,500 and want (not need) around $100 in tools to do it. For a little over your budget, you'd have a decent AR ($800 gun + $225 trigger). Then all you need is a scope and mounts.

Be patient and shop deals. I am buying some stuff from http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/.They have deals and free shipping. If you are going to use PSA, have money in hand.Their specials are usually pretty good go but go fast. They do sell LPK without the FCG so you can add the trigger of your choice. Lowers can be had easily from under $100. The upper I am building now will have a Black Hole Weaponry Weaponry barrel and fancy hand guard. The whole gun will come in under $1000 and I paid "panic price" for the lower and bcg.

the Ruger is probably a good gun, I have the SR-762 bigger model, very accurate, the piston does not seem to effect the accuracy.

I have no use for Bushmaster or Remington, nor a non stainless barrel that is not nitrided or chromed.

http://www.customar15.net/shop/barr...rrel-wylde-chamber-5r-18-twist-5-56-223/
This looks good for a budget build. They also have a fluted barrel.

Just flip a coin and buy one. It probably won't be the only one you buy or build. Hell, I don't even like ARs and there are 5 completed rifles and almost enough parts to build #6 here.

Accuracy led me to RRA, trigger sold me. Not that there arent better triggers, just that the RRA trigger is good enough that I did not feel the need to change it. There are better guns for more money than I wanted to spend. There are cheaper guns that may work for you. I found buying an AR a b---h because they are all the same yet different, it is hard to find the difference between models of the same make sometimes. Look at a lot of different makes, then narrow down the model. The more you handle them the easier it is to decide what you like.

I saw a report the other day that Smith & Wesson was offering good prices. Check around. I have not seen any reviews.

The M%P15 Sport is in the $600s but lacks a forward assist and chamber cover. Armalite DEF15 has those items and is in the high $600 to low $700 range.

If you're not clearing houses, there is a lot to gain in a 20 inch barrel. A little more velocity, a bit more weight up front, etc. Make sure you get yours twisted to shoot the ammo you prefer. Standard is 1 in 9. I have a 1 in 8 RRA that I use to shoot handloaded 68gr BTHP. You'll also find 1 in 7s out there for folks who shoot the 77 to 80gr stuff.

They have the best deals going on AR's now for about anything other than a match grade set up.