Just curious as to what people's opinions & preferences are. When someone asks me which AR they should get, I typically respond with Colt, BCM, or Daniel Defense & to top it with an Aimpoint PRO. I recently just picked up a DDM4V5 & and am really digging that rifle.
What are they gonna do with it? The AR I would suggest to the guy who has a budget of $650 and wants to shoot a box of ammo a year will be different from what I tell the guy who has $3000 and wants to Larp in a shemagh class.
Think for yourself. Question authority.
Me personally, I don't really care what they're gonna do with it. I don't recommend guns I wouldn't own myself. I see no reason to drop $700 on a bushmaster or Windham and not $800-$900 on a new Colt. I also see no point in spending $3000 on an AR, when a DD or BCM is available for $1k and will accomplish 99% of what a higher end gun will.
What they will do with it matters a lot. They can spend $700 on an M&P that will likely be fine or they can decide to shoot CMP/High Power and their $1000 BCM won't shoot nearly as well for that purpose as a cheaper gun will. Purpose matters. If one has no defined purpose and the budget for it a BCM or Colt seems just fine.
Think for yourself. Question authority.
I get purpose matters, but 99% of folks have no purpose. If they do, it's usually training/defensive in nature. I'm just a proponent of the quality, all around carbine that will fill most roles well, but not necessarily expertly, like a G17/34...not the best, not the worst, but definitely good enough.
Actually get this question a lot from co-workers.
All depends on budget and intended usage.
For those who are wanting to get into one for as little as possible, I suggest the M&P sport which despite having some drawbacks has a good reputation, a solid company backing it up and a good barrel. It'll do 99% of what most buyers of a MSR want.
For those wanting more but still keeping it sub $1000 - I recommend a used upper level gun or any of the M&P or Sig M400 guns. Or alternately talking about building a lower and using a quality upper or sourcing mo-better parts.
For those wanting/willing to spend more that $1000 - I recommend the usual suspects, BCM, Colt, DD, Novesky.
Those wanting a piston gun I tell them to buy a DI gun. If they still have to have a piston gun, I recommend the Sig516 as it is fairly inexpensive and is the only one I have much experience with (and that experience has been very positive).
Optics - again it depends on their needs, but I caution against cheap Chinese crap.
People listen to me about 25-50% of the time(
I recently "adopted" a DD mid length and a NIB Smith M&P10T which I look forward to running once I'm done with my 516.
Last edited by Suvorov; 09-07-2014 at 11:12 AM. Reason: make mo better
The good thing about the post panic AR market is that high quality guns are available for low low prices. I got my DDM4V5 new, out the door for $1k...a normally $1,500 rifle. 6920's are everywhere for under $900 & M&P's are easily obtainable for $800 & less.
I love my Barnes Precision Machine AR. It's not one of the big names at the moment, but it's a fine rifle.
Added bonus is that it's made in my home state, and an hour away.
I get this question all the time from non-shooters or new shooters - I recommend the S&W M&P AR as a starter AR. Unfortunately, they then either buy a "cheaper" AR that they are not satisfied with or a much more expensive rifle that just sits in the safe (or closet). However, sometimes I get a chance at a deal on the more expensive AR (or pistol or shotgun) when they get tired of the pricey toy in the safe (or closet) and sell at a much lower price.
I'd recommend this.Originally Posted by WDW
I'd also recommend this . . .
. . . and this.
Or this . . .
. . . or this . . .
. . . or this . . .
. . . or this.
As orionz06 stated, "purpose matters." One of the great things about the AR-15 platform is that it is easily configured to suit a variety of roles.
...
Reply With Quote
