Graduation Starter

[berwak]

I am graduating from college in December of this year and I was thinking of buying myself an AR as a reward. I am just looking for any advice you nice folks could give me as far as what I should get and where to get it from. Here are a few things to consider if you would like to answer:
--I don't need anything fancy for right now and my budget will be about $1200 or less. I just want a model to start with and build on later.
--I spent 6 years in the Air Force so I became fairly comfortable with the M16A2. Should I stick with that barrel length or go shorter?
--I am not really concerned with optics right away as I will put some cash into a nice one later.
--My main purpose is for target practice and home defense so I am considering getting a light for it. Which one is fair priced and reliable?
--I have already been told to stay away from Rock River and Bushmaster (I'm not sure why...).
Any advice you could give me is much appreciated. Thanks a lot everyone!

[obucina]

How 'bouts a DD XV? Ive seen them go for under 1k on gunbroker.

[PlatoCATM]

Start by reading the stickies, you can get a quality rifle for $1200. For your first and possibly only carbine I would buy an M4 pattern with 16" barrel and collapsible stock. Flat top upper with quality back up iron sight so you can add a red dot sight in the future. Look into buying a BCM, LMT, or Colt. Use any savings to take some real training because what you got in the service was only a baseline. Forget SPORTS.

[Wiggity]

vvvvv

[Wiggity]

Well I just graduated from college in May and bought myself a Daniel Defense. I got it for $1200 and it has been absolutely awesome. I also got a streamlight for $100 and it's really bright.

[CarlosLehder]

Gt distributors has the colt 6920 for $995.

I'd get that and some bullets, or a lazer for home defense.

You'll probably end up spending way more than you plan down the road. That is what happened to me. You may have greater self control.

[Stan9106]

Palmetto is still advertising the Colt SP6920 in stock for $1049 + $15 shipping. With you local FFL fees that should bring you in very close to '$1100, leaving you $100 for ammo!

[rob_s]

Alpha and Omega (http://www.policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=16_236&products_id=6615&osCsid=qn0b8f89uqnhfrct06mu4p8qs6)

Since you've offered up a very good budget, my advice would be to get a shooter's gun. While I am sure you have some familiarity with the platform now, you really have no way of knowing what it is that you want or need, or even really how you will employ the gun once you have it. I can't tell you the number of times people have said "I want a gun for X" and then later wind up doing way more Y. Also, keep in mind that you may buy a gun for "home defense" and NEVER use it for that, but use it once a month or more for training, plinking, competing, etc.

The 6720 will give you a starter carbine that is both reliable (the likelihood that it will go bang) and long-lived (the number of times it will go bang) in a light, handy, compact, package that is also easily modified later on as you get time with it and determine shortcomings based on your actual use.

Resist the urge to assemble or buy something tricked out. What seems like a money-saving prospect is in fact simply more money to be wasted as you ultimately wind up discarding expensive parts rather than inexpensive ones.

I don't own a 6720, but when I was seriously getting started I bought two 6520s (because they didn't make the 6720 at the time) and converted one to a flattop.

[John_Burns]

I would go with a 16 inch barrel with a mid length gas system.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=MID-750-C

That looks right in your price range after you add hand guard and stock.

Give you a chance to do a little customizing without worry too much or having to throw anything away.

[fdxpilot]

One of these three

Daniels DDXV $999 (for Clyde Armory, check the discount above the "Add to Cart" button to get real price)

http://www.policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=16_327&products_id=6495

Colt 6720 $1079

http://www.policeguns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=16_236&products_id=6615

Or the Classic - Colt 6920 $1049

http://palmettostatearmory.com/2240.php

[Velcro]

unless you are in a rush to buy one, I personally recommend doing more research and getting the questions that you may have...answered, but not by the first salesman at the local shop. Get multiple opinions. The right answer will show it's self quick.

"I" am always looking on Gunbroker, personally, because I think its a good way to see what the midline price is on a certain system, and if a great deal pops up on what I want, it will be there. Plus, there are SOOO many shops that do buisness on GB, that they almost have to fight to give the best price or something to get you to shop there store...

...just my opinion.

p.s. ...with that budget, I would put one together myself, weighing out what was most important first, then what I want. For a out of the box AR, I would go Colt (6920) or an extra $250, Colt (6940)



Velcro

[Shiz]

consider a mid-length gas system

[ReaperAZ]

Best advice would certainly be to research a bunch. By coming here you are one step up on the game. The stickies have more information then any one person could need. But if you do have questions on something you may not see the search button works great on this site. Good luck!

[bakercountyboy]

my gun shop as this one for $999. i looked at it yesterday, its sweet
http://www.shootersjax.com/danieldefensedd-xvcarbine1622330rd.aspx

[tnt1106]

my gun shop as this one for $999. i looked at it yesterday, its sweet
http://www.shootersjax.com/danieldefensedd-xvcarbine1622330rd.aspx

As many others have said, look for a quality gun such as above. I have this same gun linked here and after 18months of use and ~5k rounds it performs flawlessly.

[Facejackets]

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M16-A4-AR15-Bravo-Company-carbine-EAG-Pat-Rogers-s/151.htm

[berwak]

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M16-A4-AR15-Bravo-Company-carbine-EAG-Pat-Rogers-s/151.htm

That is a sexy rifle and I would love to have one, but it is almost twice the price I am looking for. Thanks for the link to the eye candy though!