NEA or Core 15?

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Stokesey

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Hi all - I'm in the process of purchasing my first AR, I've ruled out the Norinco CQ-A due to the finish (appreciate its reliable but finish is important to me). I have a 10.5" NEA on pre-order that I should get next week, however I looked at the Entry level Core15 today which looks real nice!!

My budget has gone from $699 for the Norc, to $1000 for the NEA, now considering $1200 for the Core15!! I always do this to myself and end up spending twice what I initially thought!!

Any comments on NEA vs Core15?

Also any comments on the Vortex sparc?

Thanks.
 
I have seen a few guys running he NEA's at 3 gun matches and they seem to like them. Dont know anyone with a CORE.
 
I haven't heard of any issue's with the CORE 15 AR's on the forum so far and it still comes with a lifetime warranty. IMO the CORE 15 is the better built rifle between the two at the moment. The CORE 15 only comes with a 16" barrel so that might be a factor in what length you want. Give Spike's Tactical a look too. Questar sells them.
 
The answer is pretty much the same as when you asked what is better Norc or NEA a week ago.

At the price range you are considering here there is no difference between the two than your personal preference, frankly for just another $200 to 300 might as well step up to a Stag or a LMT entry model.
 
Pistolwhiptricks said:
I haven't heard of any issue's with the CORE 15 AR's on the forum so far and it still comes with a lifetime warranty. IMO the CORE 15 is the better built rifle between the two at the moment. The CORE 15 only comes with a 16" barrel so that might be a factor in what length you want. Give Spike's Tactical a look too. Questar sells them.
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:agree:
Although different barrel length's are coming soon ;)
 
Basic core 15 DI model of ar15 is only $1099 from wanstall.
I have the basic Di ar15 from core15. So far I shot 300 rounds through them... No FTF or FTE at all.
The finish is nice and it is very easy to accessorize.
 
hbean said:
The answer is pretty much the same as when you asked what is better Norc or NEA a week ago.

At the price range you are considering here there is no difference between the two than your personal preference, frankly for just another $200 to 300 might as well step up to a Stag or a LMT entry model.
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Appreciate the reply, however another $200 to $300 dollars is increasing my budget further, the wife's expecting a $699 spend, so whatever way i'm in trouble!!

I would have gone for the Norc if the finish was better, when I looked at the Core15 earlier the finish was immaculate and worlds apart from the Norc. The only NEA I've seen in the flesh is a range gun so hasn't seen much love in it's life.

I'm new to this game so was interested to know if there was something in particular that made one or the other any better.

I appreciate the NEA's have had a bit of bad press but from what I've read they're quick to resolve any issues and don't make the same mistake twice.

I'm also happy to support a Canadian manufacturer.

Thanks for the responses guys.
 
It sounds like you can barely afford an AR. How are you going to buy all the extras AND Feed it????

Your gun will end up in the EE in 2 months when you realize how much it costs to own one or your Wife does :)
Unless you plan to shoot 30 rounds once a month??
 
He'll do what most of us do, wait for the sh!tstorm to settle after purchasing the rifle, then try and sneak a 1000 rounds into the house without his wife seeing him.
 
rivetc78 said:
It sounds like you can barely afford an AR. How are you going to buy all the extras AND Feed it????

Your gun will end up in the EE in 2 months when you realize how much it costs to own one or your Wife does :)
Unless you plan to shoot 30 rounds once a month??
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Maybe the $699 is just the budget for the gun. I told my wife what my budget was for my rifle, and then I told her it didn't include feeding it. But it was the sh!@storm, and then when it was clear I bought 1000 rounds
 
rivetc78 said:
It sounds like you can barely afford an AR. How are you going to buy all the extras AND Feed it????

Your gun will end up in the EE in 2 months when you realize how much it costs to own one or your Wife does :)
Unless you plan to shoot 30 rounds once a month??
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Not a case of 'barely afford it' at all, and no worries about it ending up in EE anytime soon! I'll feed it as I do my M&P, whenever and how many I feel like....
 
Sounds like your always going to "one up" whatever you think you want.

Pick one, buy it, shoot it, accessorize it, feed it and just enjoy what you have.
 
I was going to buy an nea a while ago to replace a shorty i sold to a friend, however i ditched that idea after the threads that kept popping up.

In place i grabbed a spike upper from questar ($665) a spikes lower from questar (149) a lower parts kit (100) and a magpul ctr stock and tube from brownells (100ish). So for roughly a thousand bucks i put together a 10.5" gun with quality parts from good companies. Something to think about....
 
cp220 said:
I was going to buy an nea a while ago to replace a shorty i sold to a friend, however i ditched that idea after the threads that kept popping up.

In place i grabbed a spike upper from questar ($665) a spikes lower from questar (149) a lower parts kit (100) and a magpul ctr stock and tube from brownells (100ish). So for roughly a thousand bucks i put together a 10.5" gun with quality parts from good companies. Something to think about....
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Sounds good although I'm new to the AR world so not sure how easy this would be?
 
Stokesey said:
Sounds good although I'm new to the AR world so not sure how easy this would be?
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If one of your concerns is budget, stick with the NEA. Minor issues aside, the barrel on these are apparently just amazing (and the new BCG sounds impressive as well). Don't forget that you're getting a matching full length top rail, lower rail and 2 small side rails.

It's not that hard to put a stripped lower together (all you really need for tools is a rubber mallet). Although when cp220 says "for roughly a thousand bucks" what he really means is "roughly $1,200" - because he forgot to add the other parts you'll need to complete a stripped lower: mil-spec assembly (+$70, because the CTR is "100ish" just by itself), pistol grip (+$30-$45), buffer and spring (+$75-$100).

The only thing I'd do with your NEA when you get it is swap out the stock and pistol grip. I'd recommend a Magpul MOE stock and MOE+ (rubberized) grip.
 
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I have an NEA, chose between that a core 15 and a spikes, it was the cheapest one out of the lot, and had way more features and the barrel is definitely better then other entry level priced guns. not to mention NEA doesnt charge out the ass just because you want a short barreled rifle.

at just past 1k rounds through it, and lord knows how much .22 lr i put through it, the only maintenance I have have to use an allen key on it once to tighten a glas block screw after I burnt off the lock tight with some rapid fire strings.

this gun is higher then entry level standards, with a lower price.

and a griffin and ### on the lower never hurt :D
 
easysauce said:
I have an NEA, chose between that a core 15 and a spikes, it was the cheapest one out of the lot, and had way more features and the barrel is definitely better then other entry level priced guns.
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I agree. Out of the three, it would probably be NEA, Spikes and then the Core15 - although at this price point we're really splitting hairs...
 
blaxsun said:
If one of your concerns is budget, stick with the NEA. Minor issues aside, the barrel on these are apparently just amazing (and the new BCG sounds impressive as well). Don't forget that you're getting a matching full length top rail, lower rail and 2 small side rails.

Fair enough. I wouldn't call some of the problems reported as "minor" though. But there's already enough threads on that. The rail system is a nice touch.

It's not that hard to put a stripped lower together (all you really need for tools is a rubber mallet). Although when cp220 says "for roughly a thousand bucks" what he really means is "roughly $1,200" - because he forgot to add the other parts you'll need to complete a stripped lower: mil-spec assembly (+$70, because the CTR is "100ish" just by itself), pistol grip (+$30-$45), buffer and spring (+$75-$100).

I pay police pricing at brownells and I got a milspec CTR and tube for about $100, maybe $110 tops. Pistol grip was included with the lower parts kit (like in most parts kits), and I had a spring/buffer laying around. You can get a commercial 6 position stock (like those on NEA guns) for about $80 in Canada (including all hardware and spring/buffer). A buffer and spring can be had from brownells for $15 if you get a ctr/str/whatever.

The only thing I'd do with your NEA when you get it is swap out the stock and pistol grip. I'd recommend a Magpul MOE stock and MOE+ (rubberized) grip.
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Let's be honest, there's a reason I went with a spikes. I've run spikes guns hard before without any problems, and I have lots of friends stateside who run them hard. No problems to date from them.

As a first time user I would suggest the OP do a lot of research into the brands he mentioned and make an informed decision. There's a reason I went the route I did.....
 
Ill echo what Ive been saying lately.

If not NEA, then pay a few bucks more and get the Spike's ST-15 from Questar.

CORE, I cannot offer anything on them.

Spike's is proven, is rock solid, and their prices right now are awesome.
 
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