Ar-15...

madcap_magician

madcap_magician

Farts rainbows.
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So I'm Army ROTC, and I just got to go out and play with the M16A4 on the government's dime. I absolutely fell in love with this rifle design. It is the easiest weapon I have ever seen as far as learning to shoot and disassemble it. It took me about six minutes to learn to field strip and clean the thing, and I can do it in under three minutes now.

Since I'm nineteen and it suddenly occurred to me that I can actually legally purchase one, I was wondering if anyone knew a (relatively) cheap maker of AR-15s. I don't want any frills, essentially all I want is the semiauto version of the same rifle I check out from the armory. No frills, no accessories, just a flat-out bare-bones AR-15. M16A4 match barrel and A2 upper preferred.

Also, a cheap source for a .22 LR upper would be nice, I'm a college student, I can't afford to shoot 5.56mm NATO all the time.
 
I don't know what other states this applies to (or if it's Federal) but here in MD, you have to be 21 to purchase an AR type weapon. Double-check your local laws before you start saving and getting your hopes up.
 
99% sure that that is just a state law, on being 21. Far as I have seen, an AR is still just considered a rifle here in ohio and can be purchased at 18. There are other local regs in place though, columbus (Ohio) just passed its own little AWB for example :grumpy:

As far as getting one cheap, I don't know of any that are really considered cheap. There are less expensive brands, but to get one that seems to be known for good quality, it seems like you're still going to have to shell out quite a bit.
It does seem that you can save a couple hundred by building your own. You'll have to read up on the details (www.thehighroad.org is a good place to look) from someone more knowledgeable about it though.
Basically the AR is a standard design and its possible to buy a finished receiver by itself, and then buy an upper, barrel etc. and put it all together without too much difficulty. I think you would have to find a buddy at the armorer's to loan you a barrel wrench, and probably a head space gauge though.
 
legal in ohio...with a twenty round mag or under. do you go to medina gun show? I would go bushmaster or rock river. I have bushmaster and armalite. There is a couple that make the shows that do alot of ar stuff. They also extend the warranties. Frank is his name and he has a tall nice lookin wife that works the shows with him. I will try to get the name from his card later... They won't steer you wrong.As far as semi- the ar conversion kit would work but a 10/22 would be almost as good for shooting and cheaper to boot. Actually it depends on what you want the .22 for. Also check out www.ar15.com
 
skunked said:
I don't think AR-15 and cheap really go together in the same sentence.
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Yeah, I know... :grumpy:

ThinkOfTheChildren said:
I don't know what other states this applies to (or if it's Federal) but here in MD, you have to be 21 to purchase an AR type weapon. Double-check your local laws before you start saving and getting your hopes up.
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Yes, but look at it this way! Even if I hadn't already checked firearms laws here, it would probably take me the next two years until I'm 21 to save up the money for a good one anyway! :D :(
 
Matt Shade said:
99% sure that that is just a state law, on being 21. Far as I have seen, an AR is still just considered a rifle here in ohio and can be purchased at 18. There are other local regs in place though, columbus (Ohio) just passed its own little AWB for example :grumpy:

As far as getting one cheap, I don't know of any that are really considered cheap. There are less expensive brands, but to get one that seems to be known for good quality, it seems like you're still going to have to shell out quite a bit.
It does seem that you can save a couple hundred by building your own. You'll have to read up on the details (www.thehighroad.org is a good place to look) from someone more knowledgeable about it though.
Basically the AR is a standard design and its possible to buy a finished receiver by itself, and then buy an upper, barrel etc. and put it all together without too much difficulty. I think you would have to find a buddy at the armorer's to loan you a barrel wrench, and probably a head space gauge though.
Click to expand...


Hmm... never thought of it that way. 0.0 That's right, I CAN buy all the parts... where can I get the upper receiver, though? I could actually put it together myself, come to think of it. Sounds like lots of work, but yes, yes you're right... that would probably be a lot cheaper.

I was looking at Rock River Arms and they have one about within my reach if I save for a little bit.

The thing that was bothering me was that I'm having such a problem getting a simple, standard AR. And when I can find them, they're not any cheaper than the ones that have been modded to the point where they no longer resemble an AR-15.

EDIT: Hey, if I buy the upper and lower receivers separately, I can cut the price down to $745... :D
 
I think thats part of the big draw to building your own. The lower receiver is the serial numbered part that requires an FFL IIRC. So beyond that, you're sort of buying aftermarket parts. With a little looking you should be able to find flat top, carry handle or whatever type of upper you want. Barrels shouldn't be too difficult either, and then on to a trigger group and all that.
I think you can even get kits that have a receiver with some parts already installed, trigger group etc.
There's a lot more and a lot better information than I can give you over at www.thehighroad.org. I think there is also a forum at www.ar15.com where you can probably find enough to make your head spin :eek: :D
 
No kidding! I nearly shat myself reading some of them. There's like a seventy page illustrated thread on how to build an AR-15 from parts! I mean, I can field strip it just fine, but I wouldn't want to take down the extractor pin assembly or the lower receiver... I think I'll save myself some hassle and buy the lower and upper when I can afford it... anyone know any stores in SE MN that carry AR-15 parts?
 
I think you will be most satisified with the complete RRA rifle. They are widely considered the most affordable, quality AR15s available.

While AR15 parts guns in theory are relatively simple to put together, in practice I've seen a number of Frankenguns with "issues".

This is not to say that you cannot build a reliable AR15 from parts, but its probably not realistic to think you're going to get it done without considerable tinkering to get it to run as well as an all up, delivered complete rifle.

And I would not recommend it for a first time AR15 buyer with limited experience. JMO, but save and buy the complete rifle. Down the road, if you want to built a parts gun, you will have learned more about how to proceed through your experience with the factory gun.
 
Ive had a couple of DPMS rifles and they provided excellent bang for the buck. My first AR was a DPMS about 6 years ago, and it was a little rough in the fit and finish, but functionally perfect. My latese M4 clone was built on a basic DPMS carbine (about $700) and the quality of the fit has improved dramatically. I would put this rifle up against any Colt, Bushmaster, or Armalite out there. Good brands that I have had experience with are DPMS, Rock River Arms, and Bushmaster (although I've seen a couple of rough ones lately). Be careful, ARs are a sickness. I have probably $1300 tied up in that 700 dollar rifle in assorted doo dads and gizmos. Definately buy one before you build. You can always build new uppers for the lower you already have and mix and match as required.
 
xsrdx said:
I think you will be most satisified with the complete RRA rifle. They are widely considered the most affordable, quality AR15s available.

While AR15 parts guns in theory are relatively simple to put together, in practice I've seen a number of Frankenguns with "issues".

This is not to say that you cannot build a reliable AR15 from parts, but its probably not realistic to think you're going to get it done without considerable tinkering to get it to run as well as an all up, delivered complete rifle.

And I would not recommend it for a first time AR15 buyer with limited experience. JMO, but save and buy the complete rifle. Down the road, if you want to built a parts gun, you will have learned more about how to proceed through your experience with the factory gun.
Click to expand...

Oh, I wouldn't be building it completely from scratch. I'd just buy the upper and lower receivers separate. If you can field strip an AR15, you can put the upper and lower receivers together just fine, not so? Especially if they're from the same company.

EDIT: Hmm... I like the DPMS pricing, and I know that they have a pretty good reputation... but I really want the full 20" match barrel... I wish they'd let you just build your own.
 
I was doing my comparison shopping online... but another guy I know said he got his Bushmaster with a 20" match barrel and A2 mountings from his local gun store for under $800... which is, um, rather less than MSRP on the Bushmaster site... anyone know of any gun stores in SE MN, and how prices are looking retail?
 
I "built" my RRA 16" midlength A2 for about $650 - locally bought the lower for about $240, bought the upper from ADCO firearms for about $400. My next step is to have the barrel reprofiled to a slimmer profile (it's a little on the front-heavy side w/ the HBAR barrel)

Sam
 
RRA offers their 20" A4 upper, 1:9 chromoly, for $445. The A2 lower is $270, that gets you the basic rifle for $715, and should fit together just fine.
 
Where can I buy the lower? Can I order them from RRA and take delivery through a store with an FFL?
 
In my far from humble opinion, I think you probably should get something other than a squirt gun. Military troops must make due with what they are given, but I can't imagine why you would want a 5-10 shot stopper spray and pray rifle. I fired my friends AR once, and I don't understand the logic behind such a bb gun for anti-personel use.

I am also a 19 year old college student, and I have a 10/22 for cheap practice. My "social workers" are a DSA Fal, a 12 gauge Remington 870, a Sig 220 and a 1911. I also have an 8mm mauser and several other 12 gauges.

Just my Gene Stoner hating input.
 
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