Ok AR Newbie

1st question is what kind of money are you talking.

You can pick up a S&W M&P or a STAG for around $1000 (or under).

Or you can buy a Les Baer for $2500 to $3000.

http://www.lesbaer.com/

http://www.stagarms.com/

You can get a quality off the shelf AR for $640
http://www.fsguns.com/fsg_new_lg.html

You would have a hard time building one with new parts for less than that. Building an AR is all about customizing it the way you want it. Being your first, you may not know what you want, but you can always add or change things later on.

Originally Posted by Boman

My budget will be from 800 to 1200 or there about. Not sure I want to take on the building aspect. While I am sure it is really rewarding to accomplish and fire a gun you built I am not sure I am qualified enough and have a good enough understanding of all parts needed and such.



Thanks for the replies.

"Building" it is easy. Assuming you buy the upper complete, all you are really doing is putting it together. Building it is probably not going to save you as much money as you think. It just allow's you the extra pride of ownership and custom components. With your budget you've got a lot to choose from. Check out http://www.windhamweaponry.com/ Don't know where you are located, but GFA ARMS TEC in Natick has them. Solid gun w/good re-sale if need be..... Good luck

another option: http://www.ar15sales.com Stag will make it MA compliant for NO up-charge....

In the past six years I been all over the place with ARs. Knowing what I know nowxand where I have ended up I would recommend a few things.
1. For just under 1000.00 you can get a rock river national match rifle. Great range gun and you could show up for cmp/nra service rifle shoots with a rifle that's ready to go.
Has more than enough accuracy. If you get the ar bug and or competition bug this will still be a great gun.....but guarenty if you get bitten you will end up with many variety.
2. If you like optics a flat top is a good start. Other than red dot and quick action type shooting I find scopes on carbines a little silly......that's just me.
3. If your just looking for range blasting bang bang there are plenty of standard run of the mill ARs out there for under 1000.00 you cant really go wrong with any ar of decent manufacture. You will always find a use for any ar or part as you move forward...I acumilated a bunch of the standard pistol grips over the years. My paintball friend seen the box and said those fit his paintmaker. He gave me 10.00 ea for them. Most came in the " kits". I'm not a big fan of the standard grip. Only have one on my service rifle.
Below is a list of ARs I have. I'm not defending life or liberty with these and am not a big time competitor.
RRA national match purchased through ar15sales.com I'm not sure what can really beat this complete rifle for under 1k shipped and transfer fee( Nov 2011 prices)
RRA regular A2 uppper traded for a stag h2 upper.....both where collecting dust. The swap was a benefit to both parties.
Stag h2 complete carbine this is my range gun. For all who want to try it. It gets fed a poor diet of cheap steel......I stop keeping track of round count at 3k. It gets a quick clean and bore snake at each use. Has been great.
parts gun.......put together with accumalated parts. Also a range beater. Also will be my 3 gun rifle if I ever get around to it.
Last is my target ar. Has 24" bull barrel. Full lenth tube bi pod. Has leopould mark ar scope on top. This gun gets little use as its big and heavy and almost pointless to shoot @ 100 yards....when I do get chances to shoot beyound 100 I most likely will shoot a service rifle match.........all things to think about.
If I where to do it again....rra national match 1st or simular armalite,bushmaster,colt ect ect.

Originally Posted by Boman

My budget will be from 800 to 1200 or there about. Not sure I want to take on the building aspect. While I am sure it is really rewarding to accomplish and fire a gun you built I am not sure I am qualified enough and have a good enough understanding of all parts needed and such.



Thanks for the replies.

You will be able to buy a nice AR for that kind of money.