First AR recomendations

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maka

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Hi All

I am soon going to purchase an AR. I am curious what is a good place to start. I am finding it very confusing with all the abbreviations and what not. I would like to get in around the $1000 mark or a little more if need be. Flat top for sure. Is there a good web site that explains how disassemble and basically how a AR works. I have shot them before but other than that I am pretty ignorant on them.

I would love to build one from the bottom up. If I had a better understanding of them. My end goal will be using it for 3 gun competitions.

Thanks all
 
At around $1000 the Windham Weaponry brand is probably a good choice.

Youtube is your friend. There are too many excellent videos to list, just search "AR15 disassembly" and you'll probably get a good one in the first five results. However, as it is youtube...it's usually best to watch at least 3 videos because sometimes people do some silly things.

Building an AR is good fun, but it's so easy to go over budget ;). I think I ended up spending almost $3000 building my AR. $200 here and there doesn't seem like much but it adds up. You can certainly build a lot cheaper but I wanted to get a bit fancy.

Keep in mind that any part of an AR has at least a dozen alternatives that can usually be switched out in only a few minutes. It's pretty easy to customize your rifle to be exactly what you want.

I do believe that Brownells has a good video series on building an AR from the ground up.
 
The Sig M400 and M400 Enhanced are pretty damn fine rifles. I think the Enhanced can be had for just shy of $1300. I shot Tetra's this past weekend and was quite impressed with the finish, the tight fitting upper/lower receivers, nice flared magwell and ergonomics (ambi mag release) and the accuracy as well. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up one of those puppies.
 
Stevebot-7 said:
At around $1000 the Windham Weaponry brand is probably a good choice.

Youtube is your friend. There are too many excellent videos to list, just search "AR15 disassembly" and you'll probably get a good one in the first five results. However, as it is youtube...it's usually best to watch at least 3 videos because sometimes people do some silly things.

Building an AR is good fun, but it's so easy to go over budget ;). I think I ended up spending almost $3000 building my AR. $200 here and there doesn't seem like much but it adds up. You can certainly build a lot cheaper but I wanted to get a bit fancy.

Keep in mind that any part of an AR has at least a dozen alternatives that can usually be switched out in only a few minutes. It's pretty easy to customize your rifle to be exactly what you want.

I do believe that Brownells has a good video series on building an AR from the ground up.
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+1 for the Windham, have one and love it. Paid around 1k for it from irunguns but that was with removable carry handle. Also just finished a 10.5" upper and it was pretty easy to build, but I'd recommend spending 50 bucks for the upper vise block and decent punches. Very true that the mods and upgrades blow your budget quick, but hiding your cc from the wife is part of the fun!
 
I think a lot of it is your own preference. I know a lot of guys like the Norinco offering at the price point. Myself, I didn't like the finish of my last one, but that was purely cosmetic, the thing shot great. So if it's all about function over form and bang for the buck, I think it'd be a great starting point.

I own a Stag Arms 3R, all flat top and ready for optics. I'd recommended any of the Stag line to anyone, treated me great, and the dealer here in Canada is great to deal with as well. I got into mine for 1300 or so, so it's near your price point. Fit and finish is great, and of course no hiccups in operation.
 
Trinimon said:
The Sig M400 and M400 Enhanced are pretty damn fine rifles. I think the Enhanced can be had for just shy of $1300. I shot Tetra's this past weekend and was quite impressed with the finish, the tight fitting upper/lower receivers, nice flared magwell and ergonomics (ambi mag release) and the accuracy as well. I wouldn't hesitate to pick up one of those puppies.
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Yep, I'm enjoying it so far. It's pretty accurate right out of the box. It's Sig, they won't put their name on crap :)
 
I was in the same boat as the OP only a year ago and after looking and looking and watching everything I could find I settled on a Ruger SR-556. The whole cleaning regiment of a Direct Impingement AR got me a little concerned. Its not that I can't do it, but it was alot to learn right away.

The SR-556 is a piston operated, 16 inch AR with included flip up sights and a full quad rail hand guard. Its a very well built, high quality gun AND you can get one for about $1100 lightly used (I now a guy... Cough). Hard to beat for the money. Only down side is its a little heavy. But thats not a big issue for 3 gun... may even be a benefit.
 
pavmentsurfer said:
I was in the same boat as the OP only a year ago and after looking and looking and watching everything I could find I settled on a Ruger SR-556. The whole cleaning regiment of a Direct Impingement AR got me a little concerned. Its not that I can't do it, but it was alot to learn right away.

The SR-556 is a piston operated, 16 inch AR with included flip up sights and a full quad rail hand guard. Its a very well built, high quality gun AND you can get one for about $1100 lightly used (I now a guy... Cough). Hard to beat for the money. Only down side is its a little heavy. But thats not a big issue for 3 gun... may even be a benefit.
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x2 on the Ruger SR556E.
 
If I was spending my money today (I'm not , I already have) I would buy either the Sig or the Ruger. The quality of either for the money spent is above average. Decide which system you like and enjoy your purchase.
 
I started with a Stag model 3 available from Arms East. Add an optic and you are GTG until you start making changes which I did to get my competition gun. It was a lot of fun buying and installing the components. I changed the trigger to a Geiselle 3G, the handguard and lots more in many steps until it looks like this:

 
I will be in the market soon too, I think. I was leaning towards the Norinco, mainly due to price point, but I was reminded that if I ever wanted to go to the US with the rifle, I could not bring a Norinco. Barrel length can be a concern when going to the US too (or so I have been told), but that is easily fixed with a different upper.
 
berger said:
I will be in the market soon too, I think. I was leaning towards the Norinco, mainly due to price point, but I was reminded that if I ever wanted to go to the US with the rifle, I could not bring a Norinco. Barrel length can be a concern when going to the US too (or so I have been told), but that is easily fixed with a different upper.
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True and true. I come to the US every year so it's important that the rifle comes too. A second upper is fast and easy to do but depending on the quality and features you are looking at $$$$$$$ and it will still be a Norinco. Everyone starts somewhere but looking ahead can change the longer term economics considerably. Ammo costs alone can outstrip the value of your entry level gun very quickly.
 
Brordo said:
This one right here...best bang for the buck...found here: http://www.irunguns.ca/store/rifles-for-sale-canada?product_id=413
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Looks good if you want out of the box. However the first thing I would want is install a free floating longer tube. That means a low profile gas block and a new front sight arrangement if you want one at all. With good optics, the irons become pretty useless to many people. The gas block sight rail on the Stag 3 was OK but I wanted a longer handguard so that went too. You can play with these rifles forever which is one of the reasons the AR is so much fun to own and shoot.
 
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