First Time AR-15 Buyer Help

Just for fun

  • Stag

    Votes: 45 26.6%

  • Spikes

    Votes: 9 5.3%

  • LMT

    Votes: 49 29.0%

  • NEA

    Votes: 43 25.4%

  • CORE15

    Votes: 23 13.6%
  • Total voters
    169
My advice is don't spend a small fortune on your first AR. Any AR on the market is more than sufficient for the average shooter. Just pick a few features that you want and go from there.
 
I voted spikes because I have one, as a first ar I would go with an lmt. Super reliable, well made. You can own it for a long time, add things as you go and you won't have to worry about it breaking.
 
Of the choices shown, I'd look at Stag, lots of high volume AR shooters use Stag rifles and I've rarely seen a complaint (which is nothing short of a miracle here). Armseast is routinely praised for their good service, and the rifle will have a lifetime warranty.
 
OK, here's the un-biased, no BS answer.

I don't think you could go wrong wit hANY of the rifles listed, except possibly the Core15. The Core might be great, but I haven't seen one in the flesh yet, so cannot personally endorse it. Maybe it's great, but I'm not qualified to say so.

The others are either widely considered bomb-proof and/or backed by amazing warranty service. Buy any of those with confidence.

I had to pick something in the poll, so I picked stag. I like it's price point more than the LMT. The NEA doesn't ship with sights and has features a second or third time AR buyer would appreciate more. I believe a first AR, for some folks, is better if it's a basis M4-pattern with iron sights. If you know you like FF quad rails and rail-mounted optics, the NEA is a fine choice as well. Given the OP wants a free-float navy bbl and under $1300, he SHOULD buy an NEA - I think it's the only option listed that fits that definition.

Practise with whatever you buy and worry about accessorizing it AFTER you have enough trigger time to know what works for YOU.
 
Claven2 said:
OK, here's the un-biased, no BS answer.

I don't think you could go wrong wit hANY of the rifles listed, except possibly the Core15. The Core might be great, but I haven't seen one in the flesh yet, so cannot personally endorse it. Maybe it's great, but I'm not qualified to say so.

The others are either widely considered bomb-proof and/or backed by amazing warranty service. Buy any of those with confidence.

I had to pick something in the poll, so I picked stag. I like it's price point more than the LMT. The NEA doesn't ship with sights and has features a second or third time AR buyer would appreciate more. I believe a first AR, for some folks, is better if it's a basis M4-pattern with iron sights. If you know you like FF quad rails and rail-mounted optics, the NEA is a fine choice as well. Given the OP wants a free-float navy bbl and under $1300, he SHOULD buy an NEA - I think it's the only option listed that fits that definition.

Practise with whatever you buy and worry about accessorizing it AFTER you have enough trigger time to know what works for YOU.
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Great response, I really appreciate people taking their time to post a well written and thought out answer.
 
I would pick any one of these Ar15 rifles except the NEA . Way too many issues out of the gate for my money.
 
NEA, price is right and comes with rails for accessories. May be some recalls out there, but thats expected. Save up your money and buy something with proven time quality down the road. (Not saying NEA isn't good quality, just that it's a new gun) You will be more experienced by then to better determine what characteristics of the gun you like/dislike and have a toll on what you may choose to buy next. Just my opinion, I am by no means an expert with AR's.
 
Get this:

www.armseast.com/store/right_hand_rifles/stag_arms_2r_le_16_cdn_le_carbine/

Or the 1R with rear iron sight carry handle... Depends on what you plan putting on as an optic. If you want to go with an optic right away I suggest you grab the 2R. Worst scenario buy the 2R and get a cheap Magpul rear BUIS to start then you will still be able to add your favorite optic after.

I say that because I have 3 carry handle irons sitting here in my safe. Never really used them. I use optics and BUIS.

Simple, quality, all you need if you want to upgrade in the future and it fits your budget.

Stag is probably the best bang for your buck at that price point.
I own 2 Stag uppers and they rock. Very good quality.

Otherwise I would go LMT.. But they are more expensive.


Cheers.
 
You will be alright with any of the brands listed - I would probably go NEA for the price vs what you get - but the Norc is a great gun for the price as well.

-or - if yo're not in a rush -

watch the EE and you'll find something at a decent price, whether its a complete gun or something you put together - basic AR builds are not rocket science -

If you are patient you can find brand name complete or partial lowers & uppers and build a good quality rifle at a good price. Its fun & you really end up knowing your rifle inside & out.
 
I know there have been issues with the NEA, understandable. Yet I'm still leaning towards one.. The price, barrel, and rails really impress me on paper so I'm probably gonna try to track one down to check it out in person. Even if there are some problems, I heard that the gun comes with a lifetime warranty. Can anyone verify that is true? A lifetime warranty with service in Canada is ideal for any of us.
 
Stag Arms 8R CDN LE Piston Carbine.

majorca said:
Stag Arms - milspec, lifetime warranty, super fast shipping, amazingly effective muzzle break. I bought mine just before xmas and am more than pleased with it. $1285 at Arms East.
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Look at the Stag Arms 8R CDN LE Piston Carbine.
Tack driver, clean and reliable.
GOTO http://www.armseast.com/store/right_hand_rifles/stag_arms_8r_1/7_cdn_le_piston_carbine/
 
I only have limited experience with the Stag so far, but I will say Arms East customer service was absolutely top notch. From what I have read NEA has been excellent as well. That went a long way for me in my decision making process. I had had some experiences with other dealers that had no time to answer questions or treated me like an idiot because I wasn't a "serious operator". Maybe it's just me but when a dealer tells me "well it's not like you are heading to the sand box. You're just using it for the range so if it fails it's no big deal" in a condescending manner, about their product, it doesn't really make me feel like pealing out my credit card. I realize that the dealer is not responsible for the manufacturer's product but for me the service sold me on the brand, if that makes sense. That being said, I have a lot respect for the folks at NEA and few dealers here that have no problems corresponding with their consumers and addressing issues.
 
KO said:
I when a dealer tells me "well it's not like you are heading to the sand box. You're just using it for the range so if it fails it's no big deal" in a condescending manner, about their product, it doesn't really make me feel like pealing out my credit card.
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F***ing LOL! Literally laugh out loud.

If someone ever dropped that bomb on me when i'm looking at their products, they would never ever get a cent of my money.
 
BioPace said:
F***ing LOL! Literally laugh out loud.

If someone ever dropped that bomb on me when i'm looking at their products, they would never ever get a cent of my money.
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Yea who says something like that? And how the hell does he know what we do with our weapons anyways? Doubling as a psycic/gun dealer? Seriously just raged hard.
 
PrimeWelder said:
Yea who says something like that? And how the hell does he know what we do with our weapons anyways? Doubling as a psycic/gun dealer? Seriously just raged hard.
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Haha, well the wife and I had a little chuckle when we left the store and I explained what I thought he meant. My understanding was I'm not in the military or LE, my life does not depend on the equipment, so don't bother him with questions on reliability or warranty. LOl. Maybe he was having a bad day, who knows.

Anyway, I find that this industry is not short on folks that are annoyed with answering questions. On the other hand I have had the pleasure of dealing with some of the CGN sponsoring dealers who have been more than happy to help.
 
I don't have any personal experience with Spikes, but I do with with LMT,and can recomend them for sure. On the other hand Core 15 rifles are well reviewed, with Guns and Weapon of L.E. magazine just finishing one. There are no reviews of an NEA,other than here. When you read"sure 6061 is almost as good as 7075 T6 aluminium" or "well to a civillian taget shooter it shouldn't matter,it's not like you're military" bells start to ring,that coupled with warranty and QC issues,I'd let somebody else go that down road first.
 
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Bias opinions welcome. I'm not looking to spend any more than $1300 on my first one and wouldn't mind a heavy FF barrel, preferably under 16".. Dealers more than welcome to use persuasion haha
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OK Then!

Stag Arms, World-Wide Leader In M16/AR15 Manufacturing. New Britain, Hartford Cty, CT, USA.

Stag Arms/Continental Machine Tool, US Dept of Defense Approved Supplier of M16/M4 Parts and Assemblies since 1973.

Stag Arms, all major components built in house to exacting milspec standards and better. Building them right with data, skill and know-how, for over 35 Years. No Excuses. Just right. US Standard Right.

Big Factory, Experienced Machinists, totally specialized in M16 FOW Manufacture. The brand is the manufacturer equaling more value for less money and a massive attention to detail and accuracy.

Since 2005 Stag Arms have consistently gone out of their way to supply Canadian Shooters with quality AR15s, in the face of at times, punishing US Export policies. When other companies couldn't be bothered to supply Canadian Shooters, Stag Arms did.

Lifetime Warranty backed in Canada.

And, they shoot "like a house on fire".

Biasedly, but thanks for the opportunity. :)
DT
 
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