For a first time buyer of a AR-15, what should one look for?
- Thread starter Ir0nSpIkE
- Start date
Budget is a huge consideration, beyond that, just about any of the big names are a solid choice. Generally speaking Windham ones are pretty good buys.
Norinco ones are usually the cheapest, but they have hit or miss quality. NEA likewise has had some spotty quality control issues.
Beyond that, avoid super short barrels. 7" ones and whatnot have been known to have cycling issues or be very picky about what conditions they operate under. Also, short barrels are louder. Some people like to be that obnoxious guy deafening everyone else nearby, but that's not going to make you many friends.
For the mid-range ones, Daniel Defence are always crowd favourites. They're good stuff.
Keep in mind that any part of the AR can be changed, so if you see one that you really like other than a few parts, you can change it to suit you. Many parts only take a few minutes to swap out. It's not like other rifle platforms where you run into issues of having to completely sell the rifle and start over.
Norinco ones are usually the cheapest, but they have hit or miss quality. NEA likewise has had some spotty quality control issues.
Beyond that, avoid super short barrels. 7" ones and whatnot have been known to have cycling issues or be very picky about what conditions they operate under. Also, short barrels are louder. Some people like to be that obnoxious guy deafening everyone else nearby, but that's not going to make you many friends.
For the mid-range ones, Daniel Defence are always crowd favourites. They're good stuff.
Keep in mind that any part of the AR can be changed, so if you see one that you really like other than a few parts, you can change it to suit you. Many parts only take a few minutes to swap out. It's not like other rifle platforms where you run into issues of having to completely sell the rifle and start over.
I love mine, it's works great.
Decide on a budget.
Any DI over $1000 will be fine but spending more does get you more. If you want a piston rifle then Core offers some pretty good deals. I own 2 PWS piston AR's and love them, I also own an 18 inch DI rifle and they are all reliable and accurate. I've owned 5 DI rifles ranging from $1000-$2000 over the years and every one of them was reliable and accurate.
Piston guns are typically less accurate but run cleaner, DI rifles are more accurate and require a little more cleaning but the difference is hardly noticeable to the average shooter. Not many people will run enough ammo through an AR in an afternoon to get it so dirty it won't function any more, usually a couple drops of oil every few hundred rounds is all any AR will need.
When it comes to accuracy it depends more on the quality of the barrel than the operating system but with 2 equal barrels one in a piston rifle and one in a DI the DI will probably shoot a tiny bit better.
We also need to know what you plan to do with it to help give you better advice. Just a fun range toy? 3-gun? Play GiJoe running around your house? Long range? 50-100 yards or less?
What do you like the looks of better? A 10 inch? a 14.5 inch? or a 18-20 inch?
Any DI over $1000 will be fine but spending more does get you more. If you want a piston rifle then Core offers some pretty good deals. I own 2 PWS piston AR's and love them, I also own an 18 inch DI rifle and they are all reliable and accurate. I've owned 5 DI rifles ranging from $1000-$2000 over the years and every one of them was reliable and accurate.
Piston guns are typically less accurate but run cleaner, DI rifles are more accurate and require a little more cleaning but the difference is hardly noticeable to the average shooter. Not many people will run enough ammo through an AR in an afternoon to get it so dirty it won't function any more, usually a couple drops of oil every few hundred rounds is all any AR will need.
When it comes to accuracy it depends more on the quality of the barrel than the operating system but with 2 equal barrels one in a piston rifle and one in a DI the DI will probably shoot a tiny bit better.
We also need to know what you plan to do with it to help give you better advice. Just a fun range toy? 3-gun? Play GiJoe running around your house? Long range? 50-100 yards or less?
What do you like the looks of better? A 10 inch? a 14.5 inch? or a 18-20 inch?
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MIRAMICHIER
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Miramichi,Nb
Just bought one 999.00 by one of our sponsors.Windham Weaponary lifetime guarantee whatever that means.Good luck in your Quest for the many options out there.
I bought the Windham Weaponry flat top for $1200.00 and put a Burris Fast fire and MTAC scope on it, another $575.00. It is a DI gun. I am very impressed with the quality and couldn't ask for better accuracy as I wouldn't know what to ask for! American made firearm.
Stag and Spikes are two of my favorites in the $1500+/- a couple hundred price range.
