First buy.... Which one to get?

AlexV

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
45   0   0
Location
Canada
Hello!

I'm currenlty looking to buy my first rifle. I would like a modern military like rifle. Restricted or non-restricted, I don't care (I have my PAL for restricted already). I'm willing to pay up to 2000 CAN$.

Which one should I get? Currently my choice is pointing to an AR-15 by Bushmaster, but I would like to have suggestion from you guys since I'm new to this. I'm looking for quality and ideally mil specs too...

Which AR/rifle should I get and from which maker?

I only plan to use for target shooting for the moment...

Many thanks all!
 
Last edited:
I am certainly no expert when it comes to AR's but you can't really go wrong choosing any of the most popular makes out there. Personally, I went with a Stag 16 inch from Arms East and I am more than happy with it. If you want decent quality, an excellent warranty and a great dealer, then talk to Walt at Arms East. You will not be disappointed.
 
Well, if you are set on an AR, I would browse the EE forums for the best deals. It really depends on what you want as far as specific features the rifle will have and that will determine the price and availability.

For example a 14.5" barreled LMT rifle with a threaded flash hider and 5.56mm stamped on it will be fairly hard to find and now a days the price is gonna be steep (due to the refusal of export by the US state department) whereas a 16" barreled Bushmaster with a permanently attached compensator and .223 on the side of it will be cheaper cause they are still coming into the country.

As well, every manufacturer makes them different and some are not made to spec (mil spec). This doesn't mean the rifle is not a good rifle, just that the process used to make certain components or the dimension of some parts or finish may not be what the US military is using.

From my experiance, I'd opt for a Colt rifle....the price is high but they do make a nice rifle. Second and third choice would be LMT and Stag. All of these will shoot great right outta the box and are very well made. That being said, Bushmaster, Armalite, DPMS (any big name brand) will all be fine for 99% of the Canadian shooters needs.
 
Sabre Defense also make some spectacular rifles, but they are $1995. That would eat up your entire budget and leave little left over for optics and accessories.

There are some great deals on the EE at the moment. You may want to check those out.
 
I'm not totally set on an AR-15... I just want a good mil spec rifle :) So far the AR-15 is the only military type rifle that I know is available in Canada.

If theres other alternatives, I would like to know them too.
 
I'm not totally set on an AR-15... I just want a good mil spec rifle :) So far the AR-15 is the only military type rifle that I know is available in Canada.

If theres other alternatives, I would like to know them too.

If that is the case, the SL8-4 from H&K is around $2000. The SL8 owners here on CGN swear by them.

2763007.IMG_4832.jpg


Be warned that aftermarket H&K parts are pretty expensive, but thankfully it is an outstanding rifle right out of the box. Down the road you can eventually dress it up like the G36 rifle it derived from, but that isn't a cheap project.
 
how about the tavor at canadian ammo?

norinco type 97A is also a bulpup if you're into it

For 2000, I'd probably get an sl8 if i had to get a black rifle and had to spend 2 grand. If you don't know what a SL8 is, it's essentially a civilian G36 so an aftermarket stock...well you get the picture.
 
I'm not totally set on an AR-15... I just want a good mil spec rifle :) So far the AR-15 is the only military type rifle that I know is available in Canada.

If theres other alternatives, I would like to know them too.

cz858 is the best of all worlds IMHO. But you would have to leave these gun snobs and head over to the red rifles section. You could buy 2 for the price of one AR, run cheeper ammo (by about half) and get simular performance. There are a ton of aftermarket parts coming online for them as well.
 
cz858 is the best of all worlds IMHO. But you would have to leave these gun snobs and head over to the red rifles section. You could buy 2 for the price of one AR, run cheeper ammo (by about half) and get simular performance. There are a ton of aftermarket parts coming online for them as well.

and non-restricted to boot!
 
swiss arms.....black rifle.....with sights or flat-top for optics....non-restricted, so you can shoot it anytime. The falcon menace 1.5-5x30 is a good combination for the flat-top optics.
 
swiss arms.....black rifle.....with sights or flat-top for optics....non-restricted, so you can shoot it anytime. The falcon menace 1.5-5x30 is a good combination for the flat-top optics.

Don't forget to tell him the price.

Just uder $3k
 
Yeah, I like the Swiss Arms ones but a little bit too pricey for me...

After much deliberation, I think I'll go with a Heckler & Koch SL8 since it's non-restricted (will be easier move for a first firearm)... But my next one will probably be an AR-15...
 
Back
Top Bottom