[haertig]

It looks like an AR has been added to our famiy Wish List by my wife. But I admit to not knowing anything about them at all. I've never even fired one.

Are there any good newbie "starting places" to learn this farily massive world of AR's? Good brands vs. marginal brands? Features to look for? Things to watch out for? Buy vs. build? If build,what are good brands to use for various items? Stuff like that. I'm hoping there's some kind of "Idiots Guide to AR's" out there, so I can do some learning before I start to ask stupid questions here.

Thanks!

 

[KelTekCajun]

Gun enthusiasts used to be able to build an AR out of quality parts at a discount compared to purchasing a completed rifle. However, times have changed in that regard. Now a days the cost is about the same, or slightly in favor of building. But, depending on the manufacturer of a complete AR, you get the support of warranty services for buying a completed rifle. That is the route I took with my AR. I felt much safer buying a new complete gun with a warranty.

I've had my Bushmaster M4 Type Patrolman model for about 4 years without any problems at all. There are many manufacturers out there now, but generally the ones with good track records are Colt, S&W, Bushmaster, DPMS, & Rock River. There are a few other quality AR gunmakers, but these are the ones I would purchase.

Other than home built or which brand to purchase built, your next question would be which type of upper would you want? This is dependant on the purpose of your AR, such as home defense or hunting. An A2 top has the traditional carry handle with the incorporated rear site while an A3 style upper has a picatinny rail with the removalble carry handle. After that's decided upon, then you would look into which barrel lengths you are interested in.

The cool thing about an AR is there are so many mods available out there for you to chose from. The hard thing is actually choosing.

Check out AR15.com if you would like some additional help or research, but also check out the websites of the gun manufacturers. You might see something that you like.

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.ar15.com/ is about the goto place online.

There is also some very good books available.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gun-Digest-Book-AR-15/dp/0873499476
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/14...rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_i=0873499476

Guns & Ammo comes out with an annual "Book of the AR-15" every year that is also pretty interesting.

Brownells has some great videos online.
http://www.ar15builder.com/

As far as "good brands"?
Colt is the gold standard everything else is judged by.

rc

 

[Stryker medic]

You can also go to www.weaponevolution.com. Im a member on this forum too basically for AR and all kinds of weapons and updates. You can check the Shot Show 2012 thread which will blow you away.

As far as building one, I think its the way to go unless youre not comfortable with it but building one is just easy as long as you have the right tools. The lower receiver is so simple that you can assemble and dissamble it in no time. The upper receiver on the other hand is the one that takes a lot of time and setting.

If you decide to build one, theres plenty of sources out there where you can buy your parts. And as soon as you get your lower receiver from you FFL dealer, you can pretty much go shopping spree and have it shipped directly to your doorstep. For me, its a lot less expensive since youre buying the best parts at good prices.

AR15 stores where I got some good deals are:
www.Vtsupply.com
www.rainierarms.com
www.cheaperthandirt.com
www.bravocompanyusa.com
www.midwayusa.com

 

[DARTHPAUL]

Unless you're dead set on building one I'd go with Cajun's advice. I jingled the idea and after all was said and done I didn't see a vast difference between what I wanted one to look like and what was already fully available. +1 with warranty through a dealer.

 

[jonnin]

the s&w M&P guns are very, very good unless you had something specific in mind. Inexpensive and great quality. The scout has a good rep.

 

[HardShell]

http://www.ar15.com/ is about the goto place online...

Yes, but stay in the tech forums and don't get sucked into the abyss that is General Discussion.

ARFCOM is a great resource (I spend more time there than all other websites combined, and have done so for years), but the signal-to-noise ratio drops drastically outside of the tech forums (and, on some topics, even within them).

 

[Spikejerk]

http://forums.officer.com/t81462/

http://www.m4carbine.net/forum.php

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=82739

Short answer: Colt, BCM, LMT, Daniel Defense, and maybe S&W or PSA.

Long answer: Message me. I'll bring a couple over for you to look at.

 

[Kent1955]

Windam Weaponry is also good. Used to be Bushmaster owner and sold to New York company. Came out of retirement under Windam Weaponry. I shot along side a guy that had one last time at the range. Nice looking AR's and priced right.
http://www.windhamweaponry.com/