Might seem like a silly question, but it is a serious one

TXS

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
7   0   1
Always wanted an Ar. Really couldn't justify buying one before; the idea of lumping down almost $1500 is better spent on other things. Now that Wanstalls has financing, paying a little each month (even though it still ends up costing the same, if not a little more in the end), I'm seriously considering one. Probably the worst reasoning for buying something, but 10 payments of $150 are easier to swallow than one big one of $1500.

So, I'm not a total noob, but I'm not expert either. I know what an Ar 15 is, I know they are a modular rifle built in about a 1000 different configurations, by a lot of different companies, in several different ammo choices.

What I want (or at least what I think I want), is your standard, plain jane rifle. Something with an 16 or 18" barrel, carry handle, adjustable stock and rails to mount a red dot.


What I am the most uncertain on, is manufacture. I know really cheap Norico's can be had for about $800, but I've got a hate on for anything Chinese. I want to buy North America, but I don't want to spend $2000 grand to get it either.

So suggestions on brand (or anything else for that matter) would be appreciated.

Wanstalls has brands such as CORE, S+W, Christensen, couple others I think. Input appreciated.
 
Plane Jane US made, Wanstalls carry S&W Sport for $900. Other than that, you can't go wrong with Windham or Core15. I'm surprised they don't have the Ruger SR556E. If you really want a carry handle, you can pick one up off the EE for around $30.
 
100 posts will give 100 answers. If you are on a strict budget and hate Chinese, get a DPMS for about $800.

It has everything you want. Spend the rest on ammo
 
Don't get a carry handle model. I know you think thats what you want but it won't be in a short period of time and then it becomes a major hassle to switch over to a flat top. If you just have to have a carry handle, get a flat top with the removable carry handle. At least that way it is easy to convert to an optic at some time in the future.
 
I think it's worth mentioning that there are detachable carry handle/iron sights that you can get for a modern flat-top AR. Just so you don't feel like your options for having a carry handle are limited.

I just went to the Wanstall site, within ten seconds I saw the S&W M&P15 sport for $899. That'll do 90% of what you want right there, just need to buy a carry handle to attach.
http://www.wanstallsonline.com/model-m-p15-sport-.223-restricted.html

Not my picture, but this is what they tend to look like when mounted.
ch-handle--2.jpg
 
100 posts will give 100 answers. If you are on a strict budget and hate Chinese, get a DPMS for about $800.

It has everything you want. Spend the rest on ammo

second that. You don't need to spend $1500 if your looking for a restricted. The guys who spend $3000 can't do anything the $800 one cant. Ok maybe its 0.001" more accurate. But seriously you planning on entering any long range shooting comps with it? Likely not. DPMS makes reliable guns and for $800??? spend $200 on a tacticool sight. $500 left over to buy ammo and your wife something nice after she yells at you about the gun
 
Financing's going to cost you a LOT more money....

Always wanted an Ar. Really couldn't justify buying one before; the idea of lumping down almost $1500 is better spent on other things. Now that Wanstalls has financing, paying a little each month (even though it still ends up costing the same, if not a little more in the end), I'm seriously considering one. Probably the worst reasoning for buying something, but 10 payments of $150 are easier to swallow than one big one of $1500.....

i'm an AR owner and like the platform....

but i would STRONGLY suggest you go over the math before you finance one of these things.

based on the discussions in the wanstalls forums, i read it works out to MORE interest than they're telling you. 12% or more has been stated.

maybe you can get a line of credit? a low- interest credit card (they do exist)?

i'm all for AR ownership, but not if you have to finance it through the folks that wanstall's using.
 
and that being said, have a look at my posts regarding the rebates dpms and bushmaster are offering.
 
You can go for better quality and warranty if you get one of their Core15 AR's. I think they still come with 5 free p-mags from Wanstalls. That's the route I chose (well, also motivated by the light weight). Not carry handle, but if you really wanna stick with irons, decent BUIS are cheap to buy.
 
Wow, didn't expect so many answer so fast, thanks.

I'm not 100% sold on any configuration or setup; the handle idea seems like a good idea to me.

I do like the S+W MP, one for price, and it actually has the look I like.

I do want some ability to shoot at a distance, 150-200 yards. I have it in my head that if someday AR's (dreaming here) become unrestricted, it would be a good rifle for the bush/prairie dog/coyote hunting, so I want some accuracy.

No Norinco. Not a chance.
 
Read a lot of good things about SW's M&P15 as being a good entry level AR...
http://www.wanstallsonline.com/model-m-p15-sport-.223-restricted.html
SFRC has a SW promotion- $150 off for military/leo, either current or former.

however, even at $899.99 it's not too bad....

So let's finance it over a year at TactitcalCapital's website.

Sales tax is 12%.

So with no money down you'd be financing $1007.99

Over a year... the rate is 14.99%.

Sound's better than 15%, doesn't it.


CORRECTION- the calculator builds in sales tax. guess they don't think we're smart enough to figure it out on our own.

Or maybe that we'll read the fine print on the webpage. My bad. My very, very bad. I've had to revise the calculations below.


You may want to add the $25 admin fee... a total of $1033

So, financing $1033 over 12 months will actully result in monthly payments of $95.76... a total of $1149.12 over 12 months.

Or charges of approx $116.

So, have to own up to my mistake. Still seems like a lot to pay, but not as bad as I originally thought.
 
Last edited:
Wow, didn't expect so many answer so fast, thanks.

I'm not 100% sold on any configuration or setup; the handle idea seems like a good idea to me.

I do like the S+W MP, one for price, and it actually has the look I like.

I do want some ability to shoot at a distance, 150-200 yards. I have it in my head that if someday AR's (dreaming here) become unrestricted, it would be a good rifle for the bush/prairie dog/coyote hunting, so I want some accuracy.

No Norinco. Not a chance.

I'd like to have an AR too. The expense of the gun is the least of the concern in my opinion. Paying up to $500 per year just to keep a gun range membership current is the real downer. Followed closely by the fact that it can't be shot anywhere but the range. That cost is going to add up quickly.
 
Don't forget ammo.
Do not finance stuff that you don't need. Save up and get the M&P sport, its awesome.
Or go even more affordable - DA m4 at CanAm.
 
Was looking at the 6 month option, was substantially less.

Not really.... will correct my math once again.

I'd say you have to consider that you're financing $1033...resulting in a monthly payment of $182.02, a total of $1092.12.

So, you've paid approx $59 to finance this rifle over 6 months.
 
Last edited:
I'd like to have an AR too. The expense of the gun is the least of the concern in my opinion. Paying up to $500 per year just to keep a gun range membership current is the real downer. Followed closely by the fact that it can't be shot anywhere but the range. That cost is going to add up quickly.

agreed. pain in the @ss... the way the govt wants it to be.

a cmmg .22cal conversion kits helps with ammo costs, though. :)
 
Interesting.... on the front page of their site, tactical capital says that their 4.99% 6 month rate is actually 9.98% APR.You've got to love these people's math.

and note- $25 admin fee.
 
Last edited:
General rule of thumb : never finance your toys. Pay cash. Even if you have to go to the bank and create a new "toy savings account" that you stuff cash into as you get it is a much better idea. Once you start financing your toys it can be a hard habit to break and can lead you down a very bad road that can destroy your credit rating in the future. Something to think about. :)
 
Back
Top Bottom