Looking to buy an AR

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wolfe 21

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I've decided I need a centerfire (223) AR for my collection. It will have no practical defensive, LE or hunting purpose. Merely to look cool and punch holes in paper at the range. I would also like to familiarize myself with the platform as I the economic situation has made military service a viable option. That said, I would like to know what is the recommendation for a sub $800 AR. I would like a flat top with iron sights, and a railed forend would be nice, but I can add that myself later. Used inside 200yds, red dot optic/maybe a low magnification scope. Also, I've heard mid-length is the way to go with the 16" barrels uncle sam says I have to have. Is there a good mid-length carbine in my price range? I'm basically looking for a good entry level AR to test the platform before dropping megabucks on it (once I find one I like I tend to stick with it; why I have so many ruger SAA's and 1911's). I didn't want to buy a Ferrari for my first car so to speak.
Any recommendations based on first hand experience appreciated.

MY LGS has a Bushmaster wearing MOE furniture and MBUS sights on the used rack for $850. I know there is a general stigma with used guns, but is this something I should be looking at? I think it's carbine length.
 
for $860, you can get a pretty amazing ar-15...one you can add stuff later but you'd still be happy with it even if you didn't "upgrade"
 
$850 is way too much for a used Bushmaster, even if it's wearing Magpul furniture. That's a price for a new one.

IMO, if you're wanting a decent quality AR, you can get a decent rifle for a not frightening price from Bushmaster, Rock River, S&W, and a few others. If you really just want a budget rifle to learn the platform and plink or punch paper, a S&W M&P Sport or DPMS Sportical would suffice.

You can upgrade either of those down the road if you so choose, but serious upgrades would probably be behind a new upper for those entry level rifles. That said, they're great places to start if you don't want to sink too much into it.
 
Ok, what is the price I should be looking to offer then? My guess is that is close to what the new one would run and that's why it's priced as it is. Small shop, doesn't do alot of black guns, allows room to haggle.
 
That said, I would like to know what is the recommendation for a sub $800 AR. I would like a flat top with iron sights, and a railed forend would be nice, but I can add that myself later. Used inside 200yds, red dot optic/maybe a low magnification scope. Also, I've heard mid-length is the way to go with the 16" barrels uncle sam says I have to have. Is there a good mid-length carbine in my price range?
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Get this. Probably cheapest one for a complete mid-length rifle.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/8925.php
 
ok, let me put it this way. Is mid length the preferred setup or are the carbine guys doin something right. Just need a good recomendation for a budget AR with Irons and a good reputatioin for reliability. I've looked at the palmetto armory guns, just prefer to go thru my ffl, not order online. I realize this will cost a little more $, but for right now I'm ok with that.
 
Mid length, carbine or rifle length, for me it does not make a difference.

My carbine length gas set up are just fine.

If you want to go through your local gun shop, then I guess you would have to buy what's available through them.
 
I think the S&W MP16 Sport might fit your need.

Not sure on price, but its in that range. Certainly one of their models would suit, well done gun in that price ragne and a lifetime warranty.
 
I've looked at the palmetto armory guns, just prefer to go thru my ffl, not order online.
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Talk to your FFL, then. If he is a decent guy and good at his job (to service your gun habit!), he will listen to what it is you want, and your budget, tell you "I think I can do that. Give me a day or two.", whereupon he will make some calls, call you to let you know if he got it done, do the online ordering, and call you to let you know the deal is done...... and when it is expected to arrive. He's in the service business...... you will pay more for the service, but if he does it right, you'll have no hassles.

If, OTH, he insists on selling you the used gun he has on hand for the price of a new gun, then he is not in the service business, he's in the used gun business (with severely limited inventory), and he is not looking out for you- he's looking out for him.
 
he's not insisting on the used gun, in fact said very little about it. I just prefer to deal with them for most of my purchases. My problem is, they are a smaller shop that sells mainly sporting rifles and shotguns, recently expanding their CCW handgun business, but no inventory of black/tactical guns of any kind. Another local dealer has many black guns, but the sales staff has tried to F me over a time or two and I really just don't like dealin with them. SO, if anyone can recommend another brand, I will fondle and test at the Black gun dealer and order from the smaller shop if I find something I like. Plus, the guy I normally deal with has a better pricing due to less overhead.

Yes, I realize I could order the PSA gun and ship to them, but I honestly have never heard of Palmetto State Armory. I was hoping to get a recognized brand, but if my budget is limiting that then I guess they will move quickly up my list.
 
Ask your local shop what they charge for transfers. Then buy the EXACT gun you desire online, pay shipping (but no tax) to your shop. After that just pay the small transfer fee, fill out your 4473, and go home with the exact rifle you want instead of settling on what they have for inventory.
 
$860 does seem a little steep but then the local market determines the price. I would consider a Rock River AR platform for that money. Their Entry Carbine is priced at the point you mention. I hold the opinion that RRA is the best value out there in AR platforms. Not to mention the best out-of-the-box trigger. The PSA choice is also hard to beat in value.
 
alright, this totally voids my budget constraints and probably seems stupid for a first AR. But, since I have a tendency to jump in the deep end head first on things (first car was a 5spd, first atv was 400ex, first shotgun was ithaca 12ga @ 13), here's my question. Most of the decent AR's im finding are in the 750+ range. I just found a Ruger SR556E for $950, so I'm considering this now. Piston driven, Ruger built like a tank quality, has full length rail and additional side & bottom rails. Doesn't have Irons and is nearly $1k, but my budget was purely self imposed anyway. So, would this be a good starter or should I get something a little less advanced for my first time out.
 
$860 does seem a little steep but then the local market determines the price. I would consider a Rock River AR platform for that money. Their Entry Carbine is priced at the point you mention. I hold the opinion that RRA is the best value out there in AR platforms. Not to mention the best out-of-the-box trigger. The PSA choice is also hard to beat in value.
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While i can't deny they have a good factory trigger for 860 BCM will fit the build, which IMO are above RRA. Nothing against RRA i shoot my friends all the time when we go out with our AR's it's a very solid rifle. But for the money you could get better. His entry carbine costed him 1200$ couple years ago, i haven't been in the market for one in a while so i'm not sure of prices on fully assembled rifles.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 bfh.htm

Find a cheap lower by shopping around, use your current, or build one. There you have it a sub 900$ damn fine AR.

Also it's to note usually the M&P15 can be found for sub 800.
 
My choice if building getting an AR now:
- Palmetto armory 16" mid-length complete upper including BCG.
- Lower with Magpul MOE stock, Spike's ST-T3 buffer, and Gissele SSA or SSA-E trigger. More expensive at start but better to get it now, than start less expensive and spend more to replace later. Spike's Tactical can build it for you, DIY, or have local shop build it. If you build it yourself, you can save some here.
- Optional (Nikon African 1-4x or other similar Nikon + mount --- approx $300). I started out with iron sights but have cut off the sights on one AR and plan to do the same on another. (My 2 ARs, S&W 5.45x39 and SS midweight midlength SS BCM are primarily for range fun).
- Magpul MOE vertical grip - $20

Bedlamite's -- palmetto recommendations is very tempting.
 
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