Who makes a good budget AR15?

[Defaultmp3]

I've not heard too much about it, positive or negative, but the IWI Zion-15 is 720 USD for first responders and military, including retired, and is a middy. Being from a relatively large manufacturer, I'd imagine they would at least get you taken care of if you have issues.

That being said, meh, why go budget? I personally would rather scrimp some more to get a known quantity, or give up on the middy and get the Colt, even if it is a carbine.

[BobinNC]

This would be my choice as well. IWI makes some nice stuff for the price. The below price is without MIL discount.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/iwi-...to-30rd-black/

[Rifleman_04]

6920.

Not midlength but it’s ready to go right out of the box

[3 AE]

https://www.guns.com/firearms/rifles...m_medium=df_NA

Colt CR6960 is a midlength gas system. This site has them for $1,000.

That is a really good deal. OP only has to com up with an extra dollar!

[LoboTBL]

Forget Radical, don't even consider it. I'd say the same about the S&W and the PSA as well. Here is a good option that just needs a decent adjustable stock (Magpul CTR would fit the bill nicely) and the handguard of your choice. These are the two most commonly replaced parts on any factory built AR15.

https://www.primaryarms.com/colt-le6...ard-stock-16in and PA offers a 10% mil discount

[MistoGators]

BCM barreled upper for $510 with free BCM BCG right now ($190 value).
Aero complete lower for around $200.
MOE handguard for around $35.
MBUS rear sight for around $50.
generic charging handle for around $20.

[MistWolf]

A question for those who think Colt is over rated-

Do you know enough about the failure points of the AR (particularly the "under rated" brands) to walk a new shooter through good troubleshooting steps? Can you identify the source of malfunctions without the usual "out-running the magazine" bullshit? Do you know the difference between "over gassed" and "under buffered"?

Not many do and that's why Colt's are not over rated.

zsnowman, get yourself a Colt 6920 or 6960.

[henri]

Good and budget seem a bit contradictory....

[One More Time]

A buddy picked up a Sig M400 a couple months ago for about $800
Mid length with a pinned gas block.
Seemed to run well and be fairly accurate with a red dot.

[Animalhd1]

You could get a BCM with the current free BCG deal and come in just under or right at the $1000. Complete BCM lowers are just under $400 and a basic upper will be around $510, with free BCG, you will have to add a charging handle and rear sight if you get a front sight base model. The only middy I own is a BCM 14.5” with the PW A2X FH and it is a soft shooter no doubt but I can honestly say that my 4 Colts with carbine gas shoot just as soft if not softer with the smoothest being a 14.5” SOCOM. I really wouldn’t get hung up on the middy over carbine thing, a properly built/gassed carbine is more than fine and Colt does it right. S&W builds over gassed guns in my first hand experience, not saying they’re junk because I think they’re decent but for the minimal savings, not worth it. Sure you’re gonna get more recommendations for Colt, BCM etc. on this site than other sites but consider the source.