First AR

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Rockstar81

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Well, with Black Friday quickly approtching and an itch for a new rifle hitting hard, I think I have decided that it is time to get my first AR. I have been doing some online window shopping, as well as a little in store touching, and think I have landed on a NEA 15, 14.5' in burnt bronze, in 5.56.

In terms of what I have set as requirements for this buy, it would like:

to spend between $1000 - $1300 + optic
reliable
out of the box usable. I don't want a rifle that i will need to dump a bunch of upgrades into, particularly to make it reliable. Optic being the exception to this.
Decent finish
something that I can use for entry level 3 gun for the next few years.

So after all that, my question to the CGN masses are;

Given that I would be buying a latest generation rifle new, is the NEA a good way to go, or is there something else I should be considering quality wise in the price range?

Given the price difference of ammo, should 7.63x39 be a consideration over the 5.56?

Is there anything else a first time AR buyer should be considering before jumping in?


Thanks in advance everyone.
 
As you know, NEA is a controversial subject. Some people have not forgotten nor forgiven their past bolt QC issues. To be fair, comments on their current Gen products are favorable and their warranty support is good. Would I buy one with my own coin? No. The AR market is competitive and there are nice ones out there without the stigma of being a NEA.
The Colt Expanse is an econo model. Doesn't have all the features of the NEA. S&W M&P15, Windham Weaponry, RRA, Bushmaster and STAG are close to your range.
Personally, with the effort you have put in and your desire to shoot 3G down the road, I would suggest upping your budget and go for a Daniel Defense or a Colt LE model. Save a bit more and buy a good gun so you'll never have to second guess yourself.

As for .223 vs. x39, the x39 out of the AR platform will kick a bit more, so a good brake is necessary for quick follow up shots as per 3G. Also, remember most surplus x39 is corrosive so you'll be cleaning your rifle more. I could be wrong but I think only NEA, Windham and PGW has x39 uppers(?) so your selection for x39 may be limited as is. I've also seen issues with light primer strikes on the harder surplus primers on x39 ammo so upgraded FP and springs may be in order for a reliable x39 AR.
 
Rockstar81 said:
Well, with Black Friday quickly approtching and an itch for a new rifle hitting hard, I think I have decided that it is time to get my first AR. I have been doing some online window shopping, as well as a little in store touching, and think I have landed on a NEA 15, 14.5' in burnt bronze, in 5.56.

In terms of what I have set as requirements for this buy, it would like:

to spend between $1000 - $1300 + optic
reliable
out of the box usable. I don't want a rifle that i will need to dump a bunch of upgrades into, particularly to make it reliable. Optic being the exception to this.
Decent finish
something that I can use for entry level 3 gun for the next few years.

So after all that, my question to the CGN masses are;

Given that I would be buying a latest generation rifle new, is the NEA a good way to go, or is there something else I should be considering quality wise in the price range?

Given the price difference of ammo, should 7.63x39 be a consideration over the 5.56?

Is there anything else a first time AR buyer should be considering before jumping in?


Thanks in advance everyone.
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Buy cheap buy twice, my first AR was a 1st GEN Norinco, quickly upgrade to a Knights after the lower on the NORC cracked within less than 500rnds, tried the NEA with quite a few failures on the bolt got rid of it like a creepy clingy girlfriend, looked into a Noveske and VLTOR and never looked back. I'm currently very satisfied with my VLTOR and Noveske.
 
Thanks for the feed back guys. I have been drooling over the Daniel Defence for a while. Keep thinking it may be worth a few more months of penny saving. Will definitely take a closer look at the other suggestions as well. Im not a huge fan of the large front sight on the S&W but other then that it seems like a solid option.

Any thoughts or comments on the barrel length? I really like the look of a 10.5', but from what i have been reading, that it could limit the longer range accuracy?
 
Rockstar81 said:
Any thoughts or comments on the barrel length? I really like the look of a 10.5', but from what i have been reading, that it could limit the longer range accuracy?
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10.5" is a blast ( literally!) esp with a muzzle brake! But not the best choice for your first AR. Esp for 3G. Get a minimum 16" barrel length. As long as it's not a Norc, that will get you into the States if you want to compete over there or take courses.
Accuracy and velocity loss is minimal and negligible between a 16 and 18" rifle.
 
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I don't compete so this advice is worth what you paid for it; but not knowing much about the AR platform I went with a DD Mk12. Knowing my knowledge to fix issues was limited, and time on the range is rare (life gets in the way!) I couldn't imagine anything more frustrating than a rare trip to the range being cut short by a malfunction or failure of some sort. Plus, I'm not really a tinkerer.

Just my opinion, but knowing my time on the line is spent shooting and not worrying about cracks, jams or imploding BCGs is worth the extra $$$. It makes the shooting fun too!

(Before everyone piles on; yes DDs fail too I'm sure but I found less examples with higher end ARs than with NEA or Norcs etc. If your budget AR goes bang and brings a smile to your face then it's smiles all round!)
 
Hi Rockstar and welcome to the club.
the choices seem to be daunting dont they! i dont know what your previous shooting experience is but one thing you might want to look into is how much you really want to shoot your new AR. everyone here will have their own preference on what they think is the best set up. here is my suggestions for what you might want to look for.

if you have your heart set on shooting 3 gun an 16-18" bbl with a mid length or rifle gas system ( only gas tube length difference) to slightly reduce the recoil impulse though a carbine system will work just fine.

go for a rifle chambered in 5.56 or 223 wylde this will allow you to run both mil spec 556 ammo and factory 223. trust me i shot around 350 rounds of corrosive 762 through my CZ today and cleaning is a PITA

as for finish ceracote is nice but any receiver (which i cant think of a brand outside of old school norinco that isnt) finished with the standard type 3 mil spec anodizing will be fine. its aluminum remember it wont rust;)

personally i would recommend putting aside 250-350 for a aftermarket trigger (trigger tech, geissele ssa-e etc) because it doesnt matter how much you spend for the most part a milspec trigger sucks and another 75-175 for a new muzzle break (surefire or lantac) plus optics at 500ish (rds hws or 1-4x) you are almost at the cost of your factory rifle right there.

one last recomendation is if you do buy a AR with a free float hand guard get it in either keymod or Mlok Quad rails are heavy asf. i regret selling my aero precision with 15" kmr now

hope some of this info is helpfull!

Cheers!
 
I would vote for the Ruger AR-556 or the Smith and Wesson M&P15 sport (new gen).
They are out of the box ready to shoot, reliable, and overall excellent quality.
My Ruger has been especially accurate.
The new gen Nea imo is also equal and great quality. I have personally used and witnessed 4 friends with them up to 1000 rds with zero issues.
If you have the funds for a DD then by all means it's the excellent quality standard.
I don't shoot rifle competitive and I personally don't have funds to put 10k rounds down the pipe, but I do consider myself experienced.
As for optics I have a holosun red dot and I like the vortex micro red dots. From a price/quality perspective as a hobby shooter these are nice.

In any case, welcome to the club (soon) and happy shooting :)
 
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