What 3 Gun AR would you build on a $3000 budget?

the_klenzer

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After shooting my friend Silveragent's custom built 3 gun AR this weekend when my Noveske N4 went down, I'm ready to jump in to my own. I thought about buying the Stag 3G but I'm hoping to get something with a shorter barrel as most of my competition shooting is tactical rifle at sub 50yd ranges.

I'd love to get an idea of what you serious AR guys would do with a $3k budget. Here's my list of criteria:
1 - 110% reliable. light strikes and feed or extraction issues have plagued me over various platforms. All I really care about is that it goes bang every time.
2 - trigger, I already bought a Geiselle superdynamic 3 gun trigger for my other AR, so will port that to the new platform.
3 - recoil. The thing I was most impressed with was how little the sight picture moved every time I shot my friends' gun. With mine I basically had to re-aim every shot. I imagine this is a combination of barrel choice, compensator, buffer, etc, but whatever it takes to get my new gun feeling like I'm shooting a .22, I want it!
4 - barrel length. I like shorter barrel rifles but I'd do 14" or even 16" if there was an optimal setup.
5 - I need a longer stock as I've got long arms (have UBR and A2, both which I could keep)
6 - Needs at least one point to attach a flashlight for night competitions, so if it's a carbon fiber handguard it has to be a keymod one.
7 - Bonus if it looks awesome.

I'm currently using a Trijicon 1-4x optic so I'll probably move that over to the new gun as well, though a Razor 1-6x could be in the works.

Looking forward to build ideas, thanks guys!
 
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If all you are doing is shooting under 50 yards, I can't imagine running anything but a red dot. For a proper 3 gun setup, use the longest gas system you can get away with. That pretty much rules out a 12" gun right there.
 
I said -most- of the shooting is under 50yds. :) Plus, my eyesight isn't great, without magnification I'm not hitting steel at 100yds (without some cursing).

The Noveske has been having issues with light strikes for a while, I've been troubleshooting it without success, will post a thread on it soon.

So, sounds like I should just aim for a 16" barrel then?
 
the_klenzer, if I had to do it all over again I would not have bought a heavy profile barrel. It caused me problems earlier with my chosen handguard and had to replace it with a lighter one. My heavy might be good long range but where we shoot that isn't that important. I'm pretty happy with where I am now, though.
 
With long arms and tactical style shooting I recommend a longer rail so you can have the off arm straighter.
For recoil management I recommend the SJC Titan, it's loud but no recoil and no muzzle flash.
Make sure to buy a nice grip and magpul bad lever.

As for actual gun , I run a DD , but with your budget you could get a Knights ?

And for optics hands down aimpoint pro or micro, maybe a elcan if you have the cash.
 
Honestly keep the Stag 3G, if you want it to run smoother get the JP captured spring and low mass BCG system. If you can find it a SJC Titan comp and keep the 1-4.

It's not like the extra velocity you get out of the longer barrel will hinder you, spend the money you saved on ammo and practice your a$$ off. I've learned this the hard way and my boutique AR is about to go on the market replaced with a Stag that cost lots less an works just as well.

Be honest with yourself if you want the high end gun I say give'r, but if you think your scores will improve along with the price point you are only fooling yourself.
 
Go with the Stag 3G and use the other half of your budget for practice ammo. Put <$100 aside for a better comp for the 3G. The factory one tends to over compensate and push down a little. The 18" with long gas tube is soft.
 
The gun doesnt really matters, its the number of rounds you put down range. A pro with a norinco will outshoot a noob with noveske.

1-4x scope is almost a must. use a brake to be in open class. Use a ambi charging handle if you are lefty. And beowulf mags. any 16+ barrel will do.
 
I appreciate the advice on practicing... but I already am. I have a good 4-5 crates of CanadaAmmo .223 in my storage room put aside for practicing. There are several weak links in my chain, the gun is one of them, I'm working on all of them.

Stag G3 vs building... I honestly don't mind spending the extra bucks to do a custom build, partly because I've never built an AR from the ground up and everyone has told me I should at least once. :)
 
I totally support building your own AR. It's a great rainy day project and the satisfaction you get after being able to shoot it is great.

Alsi I have that nice Troy Alpha 15" handguard for sale ;)
 
...... . light strikes and feed or extraction issues have plagued me over various platforms..

..... I have a good 4-5 crates of CanadaAmmo .223 in my storage room put aside for practicing.......

Just reading in between the lines here, Norico ammo are mil spec 5.56, so it could be harder than normal primer casing that causing the problem, also not having the whole history of your Noveske like what internal upgrades has been done to it. I would start with restoring your Noveske back to OEM specifications instead of abandoning it completely.

Good luck!
 
Considered the ammo but I've put at least 1000 rounds through it with nary a hiccup, the issues showed up about 200 rounds ago and got worse fast... actually I'll just start a new thread. I do want to solve it because I really like the gun, but am still building a dedicated 3 gun AR anyway. :)
 
kac 18 inch lpr
saving my money for one
gotta upgrade the wife's diamond ring first though
so probably only looking at next year for that...
thats why i went with the colt m4 and decked it out for 3 gun and courses till i get the knights
I also expect ZERO reliability and durability issues when purchasing a firearm, I've been disappointed with a few purchases so far...
 
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