My First AR15

[Thetoulman]

I've been granted approval from the oversight committee (my Wife), to purchase an AR for myself. I need to keep it <$1000 out the door.

I am looking for suggestions.

I want a starter that will leave some money for upgrades, such as a trigger, red-dot type sight systems, etc. I am not interested in lights, cameras, lasers, or anything like that hanging off the gun. I do prefer the rail on the upper opposed to the handle, as i can add a carry handle to the rail if desired.

I intend to poke .223" holes in paper, and have it on hand for a SHTF situation.

I went to my LGS today and fondled a few different models, but the one that stuck out as the best price to feature/fit+finish ratio was the M&P for $699.

Do ya'll have any suggestions on how to better spend that 699?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Rollo]

700.00 out the door for the M&P will give you a good rifle without dropping a ton of cash. The only downside is I don't think they come with a chrome lined barrel which IMO is worth the extra $. Last year when I had 1000.00 budget for my first AR I picked a RRA lower up on sale at my LGS and ordered a complete upper kit from Model 1 sales. The kit was around 500 with the chrome lined barrel if I remember correctly. I had a buddy of mine put it together and it has ran like the wind. 5000+ rounds through it without a hic-up and the most accurate non match grade rifle I have ever shot When it comes to optics I would suggest checking out a red dot from primary arms. They are budget priced but high quality optics and will leave you enough of your 1000 budget left to get a nice trigger setup, stock and grip and if you go with a flat top a set of back up irons.

[atctimmy]

That is a good rifle at a great price. Jump on it!

[sgb]

Which model for $699? if it's the M&P 15 Sport it's not a chrome lined barrel. The standard M&P 15, M&P 15 MOE & M&P 15 X all come with chrome lined barrels.

Stag Arms model 2 & Spike ST-15 M4 LE Carbine are also great bang for the buck AR's

[atctimmy]

Which model for $699? if it's the M&P 15 Sport it's not a chrome lined barrel. The standard M&P 15, M&P 15 MOE & M&P 15 X all come with chrome lined barrels.

Stag Arms model 2 & Spike ST-15 M4 LE Carbine are also great bang for the buck AR's

I just went to the S&W web sight because I thought you might be wrong. I hadn't heard of this before, but you are dang right.

OP, I'd stay away from the sport model. All the others are quite nice.

[Thetoulman]

It was the sport model. Hmm... I'll have to check out their prices on chrome lined models

[alachner]

I would check out Bushmaster rifles since you can get several of their models for less than $1,000. Another option is to build your own AR-15 from Spike's Tactical or Brownells.

• Bushmaster Superlight Carbine with Red Dot $820.00
• Bushmaster Carbon 15 M4 "Flat Top" Carbine $905.00
• Bushmaster Carbon 15 M4 Carbine $905.00
• Bushmaster Carbon 15 R97F Rifle $925.00
• Bushmaster Carbon 15 "Top Loader" Carbine $905.00
• Bushmaster O.R.C.© (Optics Ready Carbine) $1,068.00

[jwhite75]

I was gonna suggest S&W before I finished reading your post.

This would be a second suggestion.

Rock River 16" CAR A4 5.56 223 NEW : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com

[atctimmy]

CDNN has the good M&P 15s for $850. It comes with the handle too.

[MinistrMalic]

For me and for mine, if you're not going to get NFA-style I would go with a direct impingement system instead of a piston system. That's cheaper too. Don't get the sport M&P because the chrome lined barrel is a big deal. If I were you I would get a flat top upper with some flip up iron sights and spend a little more for a nice rifle. Then save awhile and add some optics of your choice.

Beware, ARs are like grown up Lego's. It's a disease to continually tweak and add and replace parts and monkey around with your AR.