Simple AR-15

[Abraham]

At some point I may buy an AR-15.

I've seen them advertised in G&A and other places and man oh man they look like something out of a science fiction movie. Overly technical to say the least... High tech geegaws and whatchamacallits seem to adorn every model I've come across. I'm sure some models only have bottle openers and nail clippers on them, but I've yet to see one.

So, is there a simple, reliable AR model made?

You know, one that you load, shoot and clean without having to be a gunsmith or master hobbyist?

I seem to be the only guy that isn't interested building my own rifle. I'd rather keep it simple and buy one off the shelf.

Or, perhaps I should scrap the whole idea and stay with my original plan to one day buy a Ruger mini-14?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

[anygunanywhere]

At some point I may buy an AR-15.

I've seen them advertised in G&A and other places and man oh man they look like something out of a science fiction movie. Overly technical to say the least... High tech geegaws and whatchamacallits seem to adorn every model I've come across. I'm sure some models only have bottle openers and nail clippers on them, but I've yet to see one.

So, is there a simple, reliable AR model made?

You know, one that you load, shoot and clean without having to be a gunsmith or master hobbyist?

I seem to be the only guy that isn't interested building my own rifle. I'd rather keep it simple and buy one off the shelf.

Or, perhaps I should scrap the whole idea and stay with my original plan to one day buy a Ruger mini-14?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

I built three. They are all flat tops with standard foregrips - no front rails. Iron sights only, although I will soon upgrade to some optics. The Stag lowers cost me $55.00 way back when. Standard parts kits except one has a Timney trigger and one has a Rock River National Match trigger. I have one Stag upper, one Bushmaster upper (used for $350.00), and one Rock River upper. I did not pay more than $400.00 for the other two uppers. Pretty simple rifles and as of now they have appreciated in value.

Maybe one day I'll trick one out. Maybe. Simpler is better.

I also have a tricked out Mini-14 stainless that I had rebarreled, pinned, trigger job, adjustable gas block. Shoots great but is still not sub-MOA. Mini-14s have a place in my arsenal, but so do the ARs. Different rifles for different use.

Both are great orc medicine.

Good luck.

Anygunanywhere

[Heartland Patriot]

The general current shortage of ARs notwithstanding, most of the ARs I've seen for sale are pretty plain. I think that the gun magazines and ads in them put all sorts of gadgets and accessories on them to increase the "cool factor" to sell said magazines. I have a basic 16 inch carbine. I pulled the collapsible stock off and put on a standard A2 style for better cheekweld. The only add-on I did was to take off the "carry handle" and put on a simple folding rear sight of decent quality. That is the great thing about an AR...you can make it the way YOU want it to be.

[w squared]

Is this what you're looking for?



Many AR's end up dressed up in fancier and more expensive clothes that their owners. I can't say that I've never been guilty of that...

I'll also admit to being a bit of an AR junkie. The ergonomics just plian work for me, I like the adjustable length of pull, and the fact that the barrel and stock are in line decreases the felt recoil to a miniscule level. I like my other rifles, but if I could only own one rifle, it'd be an AR (with a half-dozen uppers to go on it)

I learned about the AR platform on a Canadian-Army-Issued C7....which is a whole lot like an M16A1. Fixed carry handle, fixed stock, iron sights, 20" barrel, DI gas system...and that rifle just plain worked. No lights, no lasers, no scope, and the fanciest thing about it was the cleaning kit in the butt. There are still manufacturers turning out pretty much the same thing, although most of the carry handles are now detachable instead of fixed.

There are a pile of AR manufacturers out there, and I'm not the subject matter expert to tell you what's great and what's not (I only own three AR's). I will say that the reading I've done and my personal experience with AR's suggest hat the following manufacturers turn out good quality, reliable products:

Noveske
Colt
Bravo Company
Daniel Defense

I will not badmouth any manufacturers that don't happen to appear on that short list, because I honestly don't have first-hand experience or facts to back it up. All I will say is that with the small amount of education that I got myself on the topic, those are the manufacturers that I would choose to purchase from.

One other unfortunate point (as I'm sure you're aware)....the timing for an AR purchase right now is horrible. I'm travelling out of the country at the moment, but everything I've seen suggests that it's worse than 2008 in terms of what's left on the shelf. Lots of panic buying.

[GrillKing]

I bought a New Frontier Armory polymer lower from OldCannon Armory (forum member/FFL) for $118 including tax, a flat top/gas block rail DPMS upper from Midway USA on sale for $374, and iron sights for the rear rail and gas block for $56 delivered for a total $548. Is it an Afghanistan ready Colt? No. But it is an inexpensive plinker, late addition to the inventory. Just 'assembled' it about a month ago. All four parts!

[Abraham]

Thanks guys!

As the tone of my thread probably indicates, I'm a bit techno-phobic. Heck, I was still using a bow saw until just a few years ago and finally got around to buying a chainsaw. I still don't particularly like it - and many times prefer the bow saw even now, but I digress...

I trained with an M-14. At the very end of my time in the Army M-16's made an appearance. I shot a few of them, but never really learned much about them. However, I really appreciated the lack of recoil in comparison to the M-14, their light weight, and the potential to carry a lot more ammo.

I'm more comfortable with shovels, post hole diggers, axes, sledge hammers and so on. Yes, I'm sort of a cave man...or maybe just kind of a dumbo when it comes to technical things, with no interest (read: lack of aptitude) in learning how to custom assemble an AR.

I now realize what I'm asking for is a brand, model recommendation.

I almost posted this when the next two responses came in - thanks, (I'm too lazy to go back and reword this whole post)

[Abraham]

Oh, I won't be panic buying.

I can wait until craziness passes...

[Ericstac]

Oh, I won't be panic buying.

I can wait until craziness passes...

smart move.


its really about how much you are wanting to spend on this Evil Black Rifle.. I'm finding good quality ones starting at $600.00.. precrazy prices..

[anygunanywhere]

Thanks guys!

As the tone of my thread probably indicates, I'm a bit techno-phobic. Heck, I was still using a bow saw until just a few years ago and finally got around to buying a chainsaw. I still don't particularly like it - and many times prefer the bow saw even now, but I digress...

I trained with an M-14. At the very end of my time in the Army M-16's made an appearance. I shot a few of them, but never really learned much about them. However, I really appreciated the lack of recoil in comparison to the M-14, their light weight, and the potential to carry a lot more ammo.

I'm more comfortable with shovels, post hole diggers, axes, sledge hammers and so on. Yes, I'm sort of a cave man...or maybe just kind of a dumbo when it comes to technical things, with no interest (read: lack of aptitude) in learning how to custom assemble an AR.

I now realize what I'm asking for is a brand, model recommendation.

I almost posted this when the next two responses came in - thanks, (I'm too lazy to go back and reword this whole post)

Abe, just an FYI...I am far and away not even close to being a gunsmith. I can ruin an anvil with a bag of feathers.

These ARs are the easiest things in the world to assemble from parts. The internet is loaded with how to assemble videos and diagrams. Keep looking for reasonably priced parts and when you find what you want snatch it up.

Try AR15 dot com.

Anygunanywhere

Anygunanywhere

[gigag04]

Oh, I won't be panic buying.

I can wait until craziness passes...

smart move.


its really about how much you are wanting to spend on this Evil Black Rifle.. I'm finding good quality ones starting at $600.00.. precrazy prices..

Link?


To the OP - the Colt 6920 is considered by many the go to simple modern sporting rifle. It is a basic civilian model of the current military's M4 patterned rifle. Normal price should be just under $1k

[Heartland Patriot]

One thing I would like to add is just go with a name brand and you'll be fine if you want a preassembled rifle. It doesn't have to be any specific brand compared to another as long as the manufacturer is reputable. IMHO, of course. Others opinions will vary.

[remington79]

Another one for the Colt LE6920. You can get them with a detachable carry handle and it comes with 2 20 round Colt mags. Or you can do what I did and bought it with Magpul funiture, no carry handle (back up iron sights came with it) and 2 30 round PMags. This also comes from Colt this way. Both are plain Jane no frills and are affordable. I haven't looked at prices recently but I got mine for $1050 even. Until earlier this month you could find them in price ranging from 900 and change to 1150.

[Abraham]

Thanks everyone.

Your help is much valued and appreciated.

Once the foot is let up on the media accelerator and a bit of time passes, I'll be begin looking in earnest.

The information I've garnered here will serve as my basis in obtaining a good, reasonably priced, basic EVB.

Thanks again.

[Ericstac]

Oh, I won't be panic buying.

I can wait until craziness passes...

smart move.


its really about how much you are wanting to spend on this Evil Black Rifle.. I'm finding good quality ones starting at $600.00.. precrazy prices..

Link?


To the OP - the Colt 6920 is considered by many the go to simple modern sporting rifle. It is a basic civilian model of the current military's M4 patterned rifle. Normal price should be just under $1k

Link? Yeah right... Not in today's mess.. I'm talking about pre shooting you could get the smith and Wesson m&p 15 sport for a low cost and has been solid for many people..

[srothstein]

I am partial to a Bushmaster brand rifle myself, and I generally prefer the M16A1 configuration (i even like the triangular handguards). The closest generally made now that I know of is their A2 with a fixed handle and 20 inch barrel. You can see one at http://www.bushmaster.com/firearms/competition.asp and scroll down to the A2.

No one used to sell at those recommended prices, but I doubt you could get one that cheap right now. Good thing you have decided to wait.