First AR

[cmmoore628]

Little help guys. Looking to pick up my first AR. Here's what I'm looking for:
-something of reputable brand and quality (company with honorable warranty)
-16" barrel (not sweating lining too much) 1/9 twist
-flat top receiver
-front and rear flip sights
-suited for 5.56
-quad-rail (but can get later if need be)
-tactical stock
-just for plinking on the weekends and home defence 24/7
-looking to spend ~$1000 out the door (or just a shade over)

I've been eyeing RRA and just recently got their catalog. They've got a nice set up for their CAR A4. Their lifetime warranty is a major plus.

I'm all ears...
Thanks

[cpekz]

Rock River Arms would be a really good choice. I have the Tacital CAR A4 and have put over 1000 rounds through it with no problems. Very good for range use and it feels pretty balanced. Impressive accuracy, just like any AR that's worth a damn. I can usually hit a clay pigeon at 100 yards with one shot using irons, stationary of course :D

For around the same price/quality you could pick up a Stag as well, I've never shot one but have heard really good things about them. Some people say they are better quality than RRA. I have no idea if that's true though.

[AMMOTECH]

I've gotten good service from my Bushmaster. If you can't find the configuartion you that you want at the local gun shop just have them order the lower for you then you can contact BM and have them set-up the upper just the way you want it.
I would look at YHM for rails. They are the same ones that BM sells but they are cheaper at the HYM site.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/

http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/forearms.html

[Robb Jensen]

Look at a Stag Arms rifle.

[rob_s]

Look at a Stag Arms rifle.

I agree.

They even make a Model 2T (http://www.stagarms.com/rightrifles.htm) that has the rail and backup sights for $1125 MSRP. I bet you could get it for even less, actual street price. Should be right at your budget for exactly what you want.

[AR-15A3]

+1 Stag Arms

Reasons:

Stag Arms is the most reliable brand in your price range per carbine class instructors like Pat Rogers, read what they say in www.10-8Forums.com .

They have a better lighter barrel which is more prefered in home defense while RRA have a heavy barrel.

Stag barrels are also chrome lined which are standard while the RRA chrome lining are an extra cost option.

Stag's carbine buffer tube (lower receiver extension) is Mil-spec size, RRA have commercial larger outer diameter tube.

The Mil-spec tubes are stronger and better because it's the correct size if you want to upgrade later on to better stocks such as Vltor, Magpul or SOPMOD.


For drop in rails a good value is the Midwest Industries (MI) (http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/), next better more cost would be the Samson MRFS-DI (http://www.samson-mfg.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SM&Product_Code=MRFS-DI&Category_Code=AR-15_Rail_Systems) and the top of the line is the Knight's Armament M4 RAS (http://www.knightarmco.com/).


Currently I'm building my Stag Arms SPR rifle (I'm using all Stag parts except barrel and rails) and I also have a Colt 20" A2 rifle, Colt carbine, LMT carbine and RRA A4 9mm carbine.

[Soulrack223]

IMO if you're potentially going to only have 1 AR, you should get a 16" chrome-lined barrel with mid-length gas system. If you have the opportunity to shoot a few, I bet you'll like it the best. Better recoil than a carbine gas system and so much lighter than an 18" or 20" barrel. Even if you think the chrome lining isn't important for reliability issues, it does make cleaning so much quicker and easier it's worth the $30-$50 extra bucks.

ETA I think that will limit you to Rock River Arms and CMMG. Colt, Bushmaster, LMT and Stag don't do midlength gas systems as far as I know.

[rob_s]

ETA I think that will limit you to Rock River Arms and CMMG. Colt, Bushmaster, LMT and Stag don't do midlength gas systems as far as I know.

Don't forget the company that's been doing "midlength" the longest; Armalite.

[Greenbean]

IMO if you're potentially going to only have 1 AR, you should get a 16" chrome-lined barrel with mid-length gas system. Colt, Bushmaster, LMT and Stag don't do midlength gas systems as far as I know.

Can someone enlighten me on this, I am learning and saving for my first AR purchase and am really drawn to the Colt 6920.