Looking for my first AR under 700

[Turban cowboy]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

[Nuts]

Look at radical firearms. They have one with a free float hand guard for $560 and they are in houston.

I have one of their uppers in 7.62x39 and I couldn't be happier with it.

[atx2a]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

I've been VERY pleased thus far with my Ruger AR556. Check out this recent post: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=84531

[Turban cowboy]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

I've been VERY pleased thus far with my Ruger AR556. Check out this recent post: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=84531

Hey! Thanks for the reply. That Ruger looks mighty fine. How much did the upgrades run you?

[atx2a]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

I've been VERY pleased thus far with my Ruger AR556. Check out this recent post: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=84531

Hey! Thanks for the reply. That Ruger looks mighty fine. How much did the upgrades run you?

New rails, handle, sling, take-down pins, dust cover, and light all together less than $150. And thanks!

[Turban cowboy]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

I've been VERY pleased thus far with my Ruger AR556. Check out this recent post: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=84531

Hey! Thanks for the reply. That Ruger looks mighty fine. How much did the upgrades run you?

New rails, handle, sling, take-down pins, dust cover, and light all together less than $150. And thanks!

Oh wow that's a great price! What brand/model is all of your add ons?

[Weg]

I have an Eagle 15, not sure if that is what they called them back in 99 when I bought it, but it says Eagle / division of Armalite on it. Anyhow, it's been a great gun, no issues with a couple thousand rounds of all kinds of ammo. Mine has a 1/9" twist and shoots good 55 grain loads in a 1.5" group at 100 yds. still. Really like that gun.

[The Annoyed Man]

Hey! I'm looking to buy an AR platform .223/5.56 rifle for under 700. I would like:
1/7 twist (preferable not necessary)
forward assist
heat shield
Floating barrel (for the quad rail upgrade)

So far I'm looking at:
Armalite eagle 15
S&W MP15 sport 2
Windham SRC
Ruger AR556

Which do you prefer? Is there another brand that you prefer?

Thank you in advance

An AR15, by definition, has a floated barrel. It's the addition of a given handguard and/or rail that attaches to the barrel downstream from the receiver that "unfloats" it. If you want the best price up front, get one regardless of what kind of handguard/rail it has from the factory, and replace that handguard/rail with one that floats the barrel if the original did not. Just know that the AR15 design floats the barrel by default, and it is the addition certain types of a handguards and/or rails that unfloats it.

[RogueUSMC]

If you are going to freefloat the handguard on one that has drop=in handguards, you usually need to change out whatever gas block is on it though...

[The Annoyed Man]

If you are going to freefloat the handguard on one that has drop=in handguards, you usually need to change out whatever gas block is on it though...

Yep.

By the way, I don't know where the OP is located, but there's a gunstore on highway 26 near me called Kentucky Windage, and I just got an email from them this morning offering a Bushmaster for $645 and a S&W M&P for $649 (see attached image).

[RPBrown]

You might want to look at the Mossberg MMR. I just got one for a truck gun and it has eaten everything I have fed it and shoots 2.5-3" at 75 yards (my longest place to shoot.

[HadEmAll]

Just bought a M&P Sport 2 at Academy for $649 (reduced from $699). But it has a 1:9 twist.

It's my first AR, been a Mini-14 owner for 40 years. I think the 1:9 will be fine for my preferred 55 grain loads.

[Jusme]

+1 on the Ruger. with everything going on recently I have only had one chance to actually shoot it, just enough to get it sighted in, but so far I am sold on it.
Here's how I got mine: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=83635

My wife bought it at CDNN Sports with bipod, scope, sling and bag for $699.00 . The add-ons that came with it are not top quality, but, they had just the rifle for $599.00 when she bought mine. So far all I have added to it is a drop in Troy industries quad rail, and a hogue grip. I have a angled foregrip ordered, and will be adding a light mount and light.

This is my first AR so I don't have anything to compare to it.

Good Luck in your search. If your like me, I don't rush into buying something I'm not real familiar with. They will still have them later, I think the last Senate vote will help dispel the fears of a massive gun grab, or a panic about shortages, etc..

[jb2012]

For what you want, you could buy the anderson rifle that comes without a grip, hand guard, or stock and then add what you want to it. I believe they are $399 right now.

[The Annoyed Man]

Just bought a M&P Sport 2 at Academy for $649 (reduced from $699). But it has a 1:9 twist.

It's my first AR, been a Mini-14 owner for 40 years. I think the 1:9 will be fine for my preferred 55 grain loads.

1:9 will shoot up to 68/69 grain loads well. It's not a bad choice of twist for an AR at all.