Newbie AR15 questions!!

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Scarculture

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So a few of my buddies recently picked up their first AR15's.
I have been peeking around at a few entry level AR platforms like the S&W 15 and the Ruger AR556 ...
I am having a hard time coming up with an idea of where to start, and why?
Can anyone make a suggestion for a guy, who's hell bent on getting my hands on one before the government tries blocking their purchase.
What should I look for and what should I look to avoid??
In time I want to get into shooting 3 gun.
Toss me some opinions!!!

Thanks, Eric
 
The AR's burgeoning popularity in the States has resulted in significantly lower prices for us than even just a few years ago. For me, at the low prices they're available now, there's no reason to get anything other than a US-made model, like the two you mentioned. For me, I'd also go for DI vs. gas piston operation...lighter weight, added simplicity, plus it's the way ARs were meant to be. Pick your price point, look at what's available, and make your purchase.
 
That was going to be another question I had. Should I completely avoid the cheaper off shore makes like Norinco or something along those lines? And to be totally honest, I had no idea there was any other operation other than piston. Im oblivious to what a DI system is. How so does it make an AR the way they were meant to be?? Care to shed some light?? Also, thanks for all your help!!
 
With the offerings like the S&W's there is virtually no reason to buy norinco or other off made brands. Norinco was fine back in the day when the next best priced rifle was well over 1500 but now that you can get a made to spec rifle for under 700 bucks, why bother?

Plus with the S&W, when you want to change up some parts you won't have the added stress of "maybe it fits, maybe it don't" that you get with norinco.
 
Thats a good point man thanks. I was leaning towards more of a popular US made model rather than something off shore. Im just trying to get some understanding from dudes who know more than I do, that way Im not stressing on the "will it fit, hopefully so". So S&W or Ruger have the edge.
 
Went over the same hurdle few years ago.
Tried Norinco, Ruger and S&W.
Ended up buying S&W mp15 for $660 tax in.
Installed Bushnell TRS25 $80 on a medium riser $10 to co-witness stock sights
Installed a bipod $40 on stock foregrip

Love it
 
Scarculture said:
That was going to be another question I had. Should I completely avoid the cheaper off shore makes like Norinco or something along those lines? And to be totally honest, I had no idea there was any other operation other than piston. Im oblivious to what a DI system is. How so does it make an AR the way they were meant to be?? Care to shed some light?? Also, thanks for all your help!!
Click to expand...
Sorry! DI=direct impingement. As Deckard mentions upthread it's the standard gas system that most ARs use.
 
I picked up a dpms panther oracle cheap on EE. Hand guard and barrel are a future upgrade but a cheap entry level. 100% reliable so far.
 
I built one; had a ball! Shoots great too.

Not a cheap rifle, but now I have a beautiful, accurate and fun rifle! It is not that difficult!
 
Meroh said:
I built one; had a ball! Shoots great too.

Not a cheap rifle, but now I have a beautiful, accurate and fun rifle! It is not that difficult!
Click to expand...

So true. In reality the OP can just buy a strippèd lower for 99 bucks and he has an AR15. He can build in his own time then if he wanted to.
 
Meroh said:
I built one; had a ball! Shoots great too.

Not a cheap rifle, but now I have a beautiful, accurate and fun rifle! It is not that difficult!
Click to expand...

If you shop around and wait for the deals, you could build a better looking, better performing and less expensive AR then the m&p15. Just did an expensive build for around $3500 and a cheap sister build for around $600. It's how I roll.lol. If I went super cheap, I bet I could do a build for under $500.

Come to think of it, I still have a BCL lower and upper combo that I picked up a couple of months back for $89 and BCG for $100 and an extra Norc 14.5 that cost me like $90. That's like 80% of the rifle and It's under $300. Add the cheapest components you can find like the $35 magpul stock that the s&w uses and you will have a new rifle for under $500. Go with used parts and it will be even cheaper although I have been seeing Norc ARs in the used section of a couple of stores for $450 and that is pretty hard to beat for an already assembled gun despite being used. The thought did cross my mind to pick one up but that only lasted for a minute.
 
try to get one with free float handguard and low profile gas block because you will do it very soon
My suggestion is D&D, or just get a complete lower and build a upper yourself, it is wayyyyy easier than you think

I got my MP15 as my first AR, as I heard many said the SR556 is not a great host for aftermarket part as many are not compatible
 
Scarculture said:
So a few of my buddies recently picked up their first AR15's.
I have been peeking around at a few entry level AR platforms like the S&W 15 and the Ruger AR556 ...
I am having a hard time coming up with an idea of where to start, and why?
Can anyone make a suggestion for a guy, who's hell bent on getting my hands on one before the government tries blocking their purchase.
What should I look for and what should I look to avoid??
In time I want to get into shooting 3 gun.
Toss me some opinions!!!

Thanks, Eric
Click to expand...

As others have said- go with the M&PII sport. It gets you in the game at a low price with decent quality and easier access to warranty (try to get that with Norinco). Throw a $200-300 Vortex (again decent red dot with great warranty) and then shoot the crap out of it. See what you like and don't, then change minor things to make the gun yours (ie furniture). A buddy did this with his rifle- put a Vortex red dot, Magpul SL stock, SL handguard, MOE vertical grip and BCM grip was about $1100-1200 all in. He loves it and hasn't spent a fortune getting into the AR game.
 
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