Looking for my first AR!

sphen

sphen

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So I'm still waiting for the RPAL to go through and in the meantime I figured I should start my AR research. My first restricted purchase will be a handgun, then the AR (budget depending) so there is no hurry. My non-restricted collection is about as full as it's going to get at this point. I may try and pick up an 858, just depends how long the range application goes on for and how long it takes before the rpal goes through. I may have a scratch to itch before my paper work is finalized.

So with that said I'm looking and reading, there is an info overload on this subject so I'm looking for recommendations to narrow the search down a bit.

I don't really have a budget, I don't mind waiting and saving for better quality. I guess we could start with around $2000 for now (glass not included). I could go higher if it's worth it, or lower if $2k isn't getting me anything extra over a $1.5k purchase. I'm also ok with waiting and parusing the EEs for a used one on the cheap(er).

With that all said, let's keep in mind I'm an amateur shooter and my skill level will be the limiting factor on pretty much any gun I pick up. However, once in the club I do plan on getting instruction, so hopefully the skill with grow relatively quickly. For function this would be my primary 200+ yards shooter, I have an m14 for that range as well but it's a project gun and I know I can't expect the same accuracy without a lot of tweaking and even then....

My top priorities in the AR:
1) Fun to shoot
2) Accurate
3) Low or simple maintenance (my knowledge in this area is limited, but I'm all for learning)
4) Affordable

I don't have any high end glass for it, I do have some mid range 3x9s that I could use to hold me over for a bit while I generate more funds for a nice scope later on.

Lastly, I'm not a big gun flipper, I prefer to save up for quality and then really just keep what I buy. I currently own a cz452, a400, and an m14. The handgun and the ar seemed to be the next gaps to fill. All help is appreciated! Thanks!
 
In your $ range, if you pick Daniel Defense, Colt Canada, Colt USA, LMT, Knight's ( pricier), Noveske, or VLTOR, you will not be faulted.
In fact, if you limit your search to the DD or Colt rifles, you will have a great gun.
If you really want to scope the AR and run it as a DMR, think about a 18-20" barrel. Most of us run and gun with the AR so a Aimpoint, Trijicon or ( gasp!) EOTech will work ( You can add a magnifier for longer shots). These are usually 12-16" guns.
ARs are super easy to maintain. Ammo cost is climbing. Hard to find .223 at $0.50 anymore. Definitely accurate enough and fun to shoot and chicks dig them!
 
Still alive said:
In your $ range, if you pick Daniel Defense, Colt Canada, Colt USA, LMT, Knight's ( pricier), Noveske, or VLTOR, you will not be faulted.
In fact, if you limit your search to the DD or Colt rifles, you will have a great gun.
If you really want to scope the AR and run it as a DMR, think about a 18-20" barrel. Most of us run and gun with the AR so a Aimpoint, Trijicon or ( gasp!) EOTech will work ( You can add a magnifier for longer shots). These are usually 12-16" guns.
ARs are super easy to maintain. Ammo cost is climbing. Hard to find .223 at $0.50 anymore. Definitely accurate enough and fun to shoot and chicks dig them!
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Only ammo I can find at 50 cents or cheaper is 55 gr bulk packs like remington freedom bucket (300 rounds), or non-reloadable brass. I couldn't find anything heavier than 62 gr in lower mainland.

I recently bought a CC IUR rifle, got a damn good deal. I think some sponsors still have em for 1599 w/ free shipping. Pretty damn good deal w/ CC f/a bcg and CC CF charging handle... It seriously is one nice piece of kit... I love it.
 
2gs will get you a brand new DD which you can not go wrong with.
2gs will also get you a colt Canada IUR. A few nice 6920s on the EE for 1200-1400 range.
Windham weaponry is also worth a look if your intrested in saving a little cash
 
bsand said:
I recently bought a CC IUR rifle, got a damn good deal. I think some sponsors still have em for 1599 w/ free shipping. Pretty damn good deal w/ CC f/a bcg and CC CF charging handle... It seriously is one nice piece of kit... I love it.
Click to expand...

The newest ones are shipping with FA CC BCGs?? Really?? If so, nice.
 
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Ok, so a lot of info I need to google here!

j2kool said:
i did the reverse ...bought AR first ( sig m400 enhanced ) then pistol ....lol
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With the dollar plunging I'm trying for both asap! Hence why I'm doing the research now, don't want to waste any time when it goes through.

Phat Eagle said:
Don't delay as prices are climbing due to our shyte dollar...
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Just waiting on the paperwork....not sure how long it takes the rpal paperwork to go through.

Thanks guys, lets keep the conversation going, you've brought up more questions:

Still alive said:
If you really want to scope the AR and run it as a DMR, think about a 18-20" barrel. Most of us run and gun with the AR so a Aimpoint, Trijicon or ( gasp!) EOTech will work ( You can add a magnifier for longer shots). These are usually 12-16" guns.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should re-think this a bit. I could always go with another non-restricted later for longer range, and go with the AR for more run and gun stuff. Just hard to know without trying first. Also with budget restrictions I'm maybe making the mistake of looking for multi purpose firearms, covering too much territory with one gun. Opinions?

My mindset right now is to just get some restricteds into the safe, just in case the libs start making things prohibited again. No chance at getting anything grandfathered if I don't own one.

CobraGT said:
The newest ones are shipping with FA CC BCGs?? Really?? If so, nice.
Click to expand...

At the local Toronto shop here with the CC BCG and charge handle it's on sale right now for $1599. From you guys going back and forth it sounds like a good deal...what would be a comparative setup worth looking at? Basically $2000 after taxes.

Worth it on EE? I bought my a400 and m14 off the EE and no regrets, both were good deals. Should I forget new and look for one on the EE instead? Thanks guys!
 
$1599 is a good price for Colt Canada, and it is a quality set up. I didn't think they were shipping with CC BCGs (ENVIOUS); I thought they were FA BCGs made by High Standard, but they work fine too...

If you're stretched for $ right now you could always buy the pistol now, and pick up a stripped AR lower to build upon later. Questar has some good quality Spikes Tactical lowers for $179, and that gets your foot in the door if you think we're headed for grandfathering. That said, prices are only going to go UP, UP and UP thanks to the falling value of the Canadian Peso.

In my experience you'll want a red dot if you're competing in CQB and "running and gunning". They're way faster, and are fine (even without a magnifier) for hits out to 300m or so. You just need to konw it's not a precision rifle... The closest "compromise" might be a 1-4x scope like the Bushnell AR223 1-4x I'm running on one of my ARs. As a true 1x the reticle works like a RDS, but can dial up to 4x for precision at longer range. That said, it is certainly fussier about eye relief and parallax than my EoTech with a 3x magnifier. You really need to look at what you're doing with it and make the hard decisions from there.

Hopefully your paperwork gets finished soon!
 
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I was wondering about doing a build myself, just not sure it's the best way to start out. Was thinking I might be biting off more than I can chew.
 
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