First AR15? Just too many choices...

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pilot_dc

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Ok, so I'm looking to aquire an AR-15 (new or used). I've got very limited experience with the type. Most of my limited experince is with the C7A1.

I need help to sift through the variety of options. I'd like to buy an off the shelf, ready to shoot solution +/- sights which I can figure out.

I'm looking for a practical/tactical model. I intend to use it for 3 gun and against zombies when the world ends in a week :p

Most if not all of my shooting will be at or inside 100m.

Low maintenance and reliability trump accuracy greater than about 2" at 100m. I do need it to consistently be capable of sub 5" groups at 100m shooting prone (assuming I do my part) and using standard factory ammo/milsurp.

I want to spend less than $1500.

I want a carbine with an adjustable/collapsable stock (M4 Style).
I'd prefer 5.56 or 223 Wylde but would settle for 223 Rem if it was love at first sight apart from that fact.
I won't be turning it in to "Battlestar Galactica" but I would like to be able to attach a vertical grip and possibly a light.
I'm a fan of simple and hard to break, so iron sights or a very tough low magnification scope.
I'm right handed and don't care about ambi.
I don't want a fixed carry handle (needs to be flat top so I have some flexibility wrt sights, in case I decide I want better optics).
I want to keep the weight under 7 lbs unloaded.

Sooooo, what's good? I've read through various threads and of course opinion is everything and very taste dependant. For that reason, I listed all my requirements above, in hopes of getting some of the experts out there to chime in with that wish list in mind. Hopefully in a year, I'll have a safe full of ARs and have shot 1000s of rounds through them and be in your shoes and able to help the guy in my shoes :D

I realize everything is a compromise, I'm hoping the wealth of knowledge out there will help provide some recommendations. I am keeping an eye on the EE, but again, I don't really know exactly what to look for or what is a good deal. I'll keep reading what I can on my own, but CGN tends to provide info that is otherwise very hard to find. Thanks ladies and gents!
 
John_in_BC said:
I agree, good post. For newbies.
Click to expand...

This board has guided me well in the past. I've avoided MANY bad purchases. The firearms learning curve can be steep and expensive, and the guys at the range/LGS aren't always the best source of reliable info. Not that CGN is infalible, but with such a big community, at least you get a ton of opinions and can sort general consensus.
 
Get a 6920 from Irunguns (aprox 1450ish after all said and done) or a Windham Wep Ar15 ($1.2kish) locally or if you want a shorty those DDs are coming at like 1650ish.
 
I've had my 6920 since 2003 fired tons through it. I cleaned it once when it was new. Once after first range trip. And final time 3 months ago when the firing pin was doing light strikes... Shot easily 5k without any problems 100m red dot I can do 3" with american eagle black boxes easy.

I've only handled the Windham so I can't say much about it.. Reviews online are good..

My dd mk18 hasn't arrived yet so I can't rate it...

But you cannot go wrong with the 6920 if you are looking for a 16"
 
I've had some past bad experiences with Norinco pistols, but I've been reading/watching an impossible-to-ignore number of positive reviews on their AR-15s. Should I bother? Are they Milspec enough to build up from?
 
I think Bravo Company Manufacturing has some good entry level models. Take a peek at their M4 Mod2 carbine


m_spec_bcmm4_mod2.jpg
 
You're SOL for the Zombies next week, though. Unless you find one locally from a reputable dealer who can arrange a fast transfer, you won't get it on time :p
 
pilot_dc said:
I've had some past bad experiences with Norinco pistols, but I've been reading/watching an impossible-to-ignore number of positive reviews on their AR-15s. Should I bother? Are they Milspec enough to build up from?
Click to expand...

Norinco are hit and miss. They are a distributor not a manufacturer. Norinco HP9 870 clone is decent, Norinco 780 Homeland security is awful.

Now for the AR-15 I have two. One an older one works great. I bought a new 10.5 this summer and there was an issue with the bolt so I sent it back for repair or replacement. They have a warranty so if you do pick up a lemon you are not completely out of luck.
 
I think that if I was in the market again, I'd take a hard look at the CORE product. For range work, the piston is low maintenance and the performance is the same as a DI rifle. Just my $.02
 
I just purchased my first AR. Smith & Wesson M&P 15. Unbeatable at $933 to my door. 1:8 twist, chambered in 5.56, non-pinned flash hider, quality coating, Magpul rear sight included.

It seems to have all the features necessary for a quality paper puncher.
 
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Oh, and factor in 6-10 mags if you are going to do some moving range sessions, box of ammo, and rear sight.

Save next and get an Aimpoint (my preference) for a red dot and you are good to go in the next few months.
 
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