RECOMMENDATIONS - Looking to get my first AR. Chime in!
- Thread starter DjRedicc
- Start date
If you are planning on keeping your AR for a long time, you should take your time to research what you want. It took me a couple of months to learn enough to make some reasonable decisions about what I wanted. I agree with lots of others who suggest in NOT buying a complete new AR if you are just going to change a number of expensive parts on it as you learn what you like. If you really like the Daniel Defense AR, buy a used one off the EE as they come up often. I would suggest looking for good quality upper like a DD or VLTOR with the parts on that you like and building up or finding an inexpensive built up lower (Spikes etc.) as you will most likely want to change the trigger and stock any ways. Its a good learning experience.
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I've said this before in this forum but I believe people wanting to get into the AR game should look at their first AR as a rental.
You don't really know what you want and you don't really know what you don't want (yet). So buy an AR, any AR, and have some fun with it! Worst case scenario is you don't like it and decide to sell it a year later for a couple of hundred less than you paid for it. So you "rented" that AR for a couple hundred bucks for the year and in the process learned what you liked and didn't like. Money well spent imo.
You don't really know what you want and you don't really know what you don't want (yet). So buy an AR, any AR, and have some fun with it! Worst case scenario is you don't like it and decide to sell it a year later for a couple of hundred less than you paid for it. So you "rented" that AR for a couple hundred bucks for the year and in the process learned what you liked and didn't like. Money well spent imo.
Good deals are often scooped up quick in the EE. There was a great one for $1500 before it got scooped up, if you keep your eyes open and are quick you can get an AR at a good price.
Well.. when you consider saving $200 off the price on a new one plus another $240 in tax, it could be a good deal. It would also depend on whether both ARs are kitted out exactly the same and if you have to pay shipping. I don't see a point in buying new if you can find one that isn't abused (all scratched up).
P0WERWAGON
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- burnaby BC كافر
the EE is usually a waste of time. crack heads asking 98% of the NEW price, bumped 17 times, not realizing why it isnt selling
Lungorthin
Regular
- Location
- Calgary, AB
For people like me, paying the extra $200 for an unfired rifle and the peace of mind knowing I'm the first owner and no one has buggered it in some way is worth the extra cash. I generally like to inspect one in-store so I know exactly what I'm getting.
I agree to an extent. Saw a thread recently bumped about 19 times..
$2000 total eh? That's not a lot, I will explain why.
I'm hoping you want to enjoy getting good at running and gunning with your AR, that's how you enjoy an AR. Even though you said you just want to own one, it seems a pity to me for someone to treat an AR as a violin that one has no intention of learning to play. If you're really just planning on taking it out of the safe occasionally to admire and print some groups from the bench, ignore my advice.
If someone is starting from scratch in the AR hobby, I would advise them that there are 5 things to spend their budget on. In no particular order:
(1) Ammo - AR is a hungry pig, almost as bad as 22lr in round count but costs way more per round. Get at least a 500rd brick to start with.
(2) Training - if you happen to have a good buddy who's ex-special or ex-tac this and that, or if you have access to a well trained friends circle willing to dedicate their free time to train you, you might be in luck to save some money. If not, IMHO it's a must to go to at least a one day carbine course with someone reputable.
(3) Optics - More "mission" specific than the AR, but a reliable and suitable one is a must. I find the optics is going to affect your experience more than which specific starting AR you choose. There are budget options but will still cost you some cash.
(4) Gear - You can borrow some maybe, but soon you will realize the gear you put on your person will affect how you run the gun as much as the gun itself. Particularly true if you're interested in CQB. Mags are gear too, at least 5 to start.
(5) Gun - You said AR specifically, vast majority of them have identical manual of arms. As long as you don't get something that will likely come with many defects, like improperly staked gas key, firing accidental bursts, broken bolts etc. Without naming names I only know of one brand like that, and it is not Norinco.
I didn't mention anything about club membership and maintenance tools because I hope they're so obvious that you have them already, you mentioned something about a local club. But ARs do have some unique odd tools.
I'm hoping you want to enjoy getting good at running and gunning with your AR, that's how you enjoy an AR. Even though you said you just want to own one, it seems a pity to me for someone to treat an AR as a violin that one has no intention of learning to play. If you're really just planning on taking it out of the safe occasionally to admire and print some groups from the bench, ignore my advice.
If someone is starting from scratch in the AR hobby, I would advise them that there are 5 things to spend their budget on. In no particular order:
(1) Ammo - AR is a hungry pig, almost as bad as 22lr in round count but costs way more per round. Get at least a 500rd brick to start with.
(2) Training - if you happen to have a good buddy who's ex-special or ex-tac this and that, or if you have access to a well trained friends circle willing to dedicate their free time to train you, you might be in luck to save some money. If not, IMHO it's a must to go to at least a one day carbine course with someone reputable.
(3) Optics - More "mission" specific than the AR, but a reliable and suitable one is a must. I find the optics is going to affect your experience more than which specific starting AR you choose. There are budget options but will still cost you some cash.
(4) Gear - You can borrow some maybe, but soon you will realize the gear you put on your person will affect how you run the gun as much as the gun itself. Particularly true if you're interested in CQB. Mags are gear too, at least 5 to start.
(5) Gun - You said AR specifically, vast majority of them have identical manual of arms. As long as you don't get something that will likely come with many defects, like improperly staked gas key, firing accidental bursts, broken bolts etc. Without naming names I only know of one brand like that, and it is not Norinco.
I didn't mention anything about club membership and maintenance tools because I hope they're so obvious that you have them already, you mentioned something about a local club. But ARs do have some unique odd tools.
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I certainly wouldn't have suggested a Norinco if I had known your budget. I said Norinco or Colt. If you had no money, a Norinco will run fine and be all most need for basic non-organized plinking fun. If you had money, most people seem to be happy with their Colt Canada guns. I ended up buying a Mossberg MMR 20" barrel and put a Sparc
2MOA red dot on it. I don't have more than a grand into the gun and it is as reliable and accurate as any semi-gun I've shot. Just look around, and with a 2K budget, I'm sure you'll be quite happy. Make sure to save a bit for an optic and ammo. (or at least good flip up open sites) and a couple of GOOD magazines. If you cheap out on the mags and get a good gun, it is not unlike buying a Ferrari and getting cheap Walmart tires for it. It just won't run well.
2MOA red dot on it. I don't have more than a grand into the gun and it is as reliable and accurate as any semi-gun I've shot. Just look around, and with a 2K budget, I'm sure you'll be quite happy. Make sure to save a bit for an optic and ammo. (or at least good flip up open sites) and a couple of GOOD magazines. If you cheap out on the mags and get a good gun, it is not unlike buying a Ferrari and getting cheap Walmart tires for it. It just won't run well.
People who are motivated to sell, put their firearms and parts up at a reasonable price. Popular items go quickly. Junk or over priced items sit around for a long time. Its a Buyer's market on the EE. The Canadian Government and Gun Shops thank you kindly for your business, when you buy new!
Thanks again for all the insights. I'm taking everyones advice into account and doing more research. I don't think i'm going for the "buy cheap first to learn option" simply because i've done that a lot of the time and regretted not just getting something nicer to begin with. I'll probably wait it out for a good deal on a colt, or DD on the EE and go from there.
good call
P0WERWAGON
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- burnaby BC كافر
please whever you do, look at the EE price, then search the retailers for the real world prices. right now there are people asking MORE money for used guns than what you can buy them for new.
I disagree there are good deals in the EE, As Sqr stated above me. You have to watch for those deals and their is a difference between getting something at a good price and robbing someone. Just because there isn't a DD for $500 in the EE doesn't mean a DD at $1300-1600 is a bad price.
