My first AR was a Eagle Arms kit gun I bought used from the local dealer at a good price.Up until that point I had no experience with the AR,much less what to look for.At the time no internet to read from either.Only semi auto weapon I had experience with was Remington 742's and Model 4's,Mini-14's,HK MP5's(as LEO),HK91,M14/M1A's and a tired old CMP IH M1 Grand.
Around 1999 I decided I wanted a new 20" AR for high power.Went to local shop once again and eye balled what was on the shelf in a NM platform...left with a Armalite M15A2NM and loved it.
So I'd have to say up until about 2007 my AR selection was based mainly on local availability and somewhat of a brand preference/experience as I have had several Armalites,to include AR10's since the first Eagle.Respectable service from the Armalite rifles as well as oustanding customer support caused me to build a somewhat brand preference in that regard.
In 2007 I discovered this forum and spent a few weeks of reading.After reading all I could here in my spare time I drank the LMT coolaid and upgraded all my remaining Armalite M15's with LMT parts(I call them LarMaliTes).Wanting my first carbine thanks to this site I went in search for LMT 16" upper and Defender lower assy.Later added a couple LMT Defender lowers,BCM upper's and recently landed in the Noveske pool and its nice and cool.Been down hill every since.
So yeah initially it was local availabilty,perty product and lack of knowledge in doing such shopping.In the end Ive kinda became part of the "tier one snobbery"....I still have my trusty old LarMaliTes.But my selection process has become much more tuned thanks to the fine folks and information provided here.
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