Ar 15 - 101

[TexasVert]

I wanted to see if I could get the more knowledgable here to outline the ins and outs of the AR 15. Just the basics. Who the various makers are and which are the high end and which the low end. What sort of configurations people usually find in already built rifles. Like close range or long range or sniper??? That was just a suggestion since I really don't know what configurations are common for that rifle. Like I noticed on a Colt I saw online that it had a rail all along the top so that scopes and other optics could be mounted and removed and it said they would not lose zero in the process but I have not seen many AR like that. Also what are the "to die for" ready made models. Although I don't guess many of us are interested too much in rifles much over $2000.....

So learn me the details of the AR 15.

Thanks,
Mike

[CJ]

I'm pretty sure I've built/shot/configured just about every variety. Ask some of your more specific questions, it would be a novel to cover it front to back.

[TexasVert]

I'm pretty sure I've built/shot/configured just about every variety. Ask some of your more specific questions, it would be a novel to cover it front to back.

Ok So what brands are the best in already built rifles? I know Colt is the high end in most places they chose to compete but I think they are really only just now getting back into this area.

What things would you look for in your first already built AR? It will be my first but I don't really want anything all that introductory. I have a tendancy to keep my guns and not trade a lot so I want to buy for keeps.

There are so many ARs when I look at the gun show and I just want to know what the major feature differences are and what accounts for the price differences.

Thanks
Mike

[GT Dan]

Read this...

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

[CJ]

Ok So what brands are the best in already built rifles? I know Colt is the high end in most places they chose to compete but I think they are really only just now getting back into this area.

What things would you look for in your first already built AR? It will be my first but I don't really want anything all that introductory. I have a tendancy to keep my guns and not trade a lot so I want to buy for keeps.

There are so many ARs when I look at the gun show and I just want to know what the major feature differences are and what accounts for the price differences.

Thanks
Mike

Colt is the quintessential AR-15 manufacturer. Armalite designed it, Colt perfected it. It is for all intents and purposes their weapon, they made it what it is today. In my humble opinion there is no manufacturer of higher regard, and their prices will reflect this.

As for pre-built, I've never found one aftermarket AR-15 manufacturer that was crap, they are all built on just about the same tooling, and same specifications. Some have nifty little features and other material marketing points, but for all intents and purposes all AR variants are good. You might wonder why I can't name any manufacturers that make junk Ar-15's... that's because it's really hard to screw one up. I always joke that AR-15's are skill level 1 - snap together. Everything screws together, snaps on, or automatically indexes itself - it couldn't be easier. The engineering behind the AR-15 is the reason it's still the best battle rifle in my opinion.

the top turn key rifles in my opinion would be Colt, Larue, and LMT. All of which are probably going to be outside of what you will want to spend.

Mike, I know you don't want to hear this, but it's the truth - you shouldn't purchase an "already built" AR-15. You need to build one yourself so you go from being in the dark, to being completely experienced with all of it's functions. Now, when people say to build an AR-15, most of them mean assemble a stripped Ar-15 lower, throw a stock on it, and buy a complete upper. I'm referring to buying a barrel, assembling the upper received, BCG, lower, everything. However, both approaches will benefit you. It's cheaper, you learn everything you will ever need to know, and you will always understand the weapon.

[propellerhead]

Here's another approach... Buy a pre-built one like a Delton and start shooting it. As you find out more about it, you'll either upgrade parts or build your own. If it turns out you're not into the whole AR-15 thing, then sell it and you're not out a while lot of money and time.

[TexasVert]

Colt is the quintessential AR-15 manufacturer. Armalite designed it, Colt perfected it. It is for all intents and purposes their weapon, they made it what it is today. In my humble opinion there is no manufacturer of higher regard, and their prices will reflect this.

As for pre-built, I've never found one aftermarket AR-15 manufacturer that was crap, they are all built on just about the same tooling, and same specifications. Some have nifty little features and other material marketing points, but for all intents and purposes all AR variants are good. You might wonder why I can't name any manufacturers that make junk Ar-15's... that's because it's really hard to screw one up. I always joke that AR-15's are skill level 1 - snap together. Everything screws together, snaps on, or automatically indexes itself - it couldn't be easier. The engineering behind the AR-15 is the reason it's still the best battle rifle in my opinion.

the top turn key rifles in my opinion would be Colt, Larue, and LMT. All of which are probably going to be outside of what you will want to spend.

Mike, I know you don't want to hear this, but it's the truth - you shouldn't purchase an "already built" AR-15. You need to build one yourself so you go from being in the dark, to being completely experienced with all of it's functions. Now, when people say to build an AR-15, most of them mean assemble a stripped Ar-15 lower, throw a stock on it, and buy a complete upper. I'm referring to buying a barrel, assembling the upper received, BCG, lower, everything. However, both approaches will benefit you. It's cheaper, you learn everything you will ever need to know, and you will always understand the weapon.

That seems sort of like a catch 22. I want to build an AR15 to learn all about them but I need to know all about them to build one???? How will I pick all those parts out? Is there a book or a website that covers this stuff well?

[jwalk]

AR15.com is your web resource. Buy a lower parts kit. You dont need to know all about them first. First you need to decide what kind of shooting you are going to be doing.

I built my first stripped lower yesterday and it went great. Looks awesome with my 50 cal upper on it. I have 4 more stripped lowers that I bought before the new regime took over. Different brands to check fit and function and see which I like. One is going to turn into a SBR and one will be long varmint gun. Others will probably sell. I have been shooting them for years but these are first attempts at building.

[Stephen]

AR15.com is your web resource. Buy a lower parts kit. You dont need to know all about them first. First you need to decide what kind of shooting you are going to be doing.

I built my first stripped lower yesterday and it went great. Looks awesome with my 50 cal upper on it. I have 4 more stripped lowers that I bought before the new regime took over. Different brands to check fit and function and see which I like. One is going to turn into a SBR and one will be long varmint gun. Others will probably sell. I have been shooting them for years but these are first attempts at building.

pm me a price if you want to get rid of one..

[chevyhater01]

pm me a price if you want to get rid of one..

x2

[TexasVert]

AR15.com is your web resource. Buy a lower parts kit. You dont need to know all about them first. First you need to decide what kind of shooting you are going to be doing.

I built my first stripped lower yesterday and it went great. Looks awesome with my 50 cal upper on it. I have 4 more stripped lowers that I bought before the new regime took over. Different brands to check fit and function and see which I like. One is going to turn into a SBR and one will be long varmint gun. Others will probably sell. I have been shooting them for years but these are first attempts at building.

Question: So in building one yourself, can you consistantly select the highest end or high performance parts and in the end make one more valuable than you can buy already built? Some of these guns go into the $3000 range and up. What would it cost to build one like that? Will you be able to sell the home built rifles for more than what you have in them?

Also, does the building of an AR require any special tools or skills? Or is it all screw together type stuff?

Thanks,
Mike

[YALE]

If you're going to build an upper, you should buy an armorer's wrench, but nothing about them is that challenging. Watch all the videos you can on youtube, and check out the how-to's on arfcom. You can do it.

[Stephen]

Ok.. So can someone point me in the right direction for the AR i want?

Here is what i want..

stock that will collapse
handle
cheap but decent sights (good to 100 yards ISH) no scope at this time
light laser combo

Is that do-able under 900 bucks or am i crazy?

[motoman]

Ok.. So can someone point me in the right direction for the AR i want?

Here is what i want..

stock that will collapse
handle
cheap but decent sights (good to 100 yards ISH) no scope at this time
light laser combo

Is that do-able under 900 bucks or am i crazy?

Very do-able, you'll just get crappy sights though.

[Stephen]

Very do-able, you'll just get crappy sights though.

so what do you recommend i purchase?