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Author Topic: ar question  (Read 5288 times)

Offline abbafandr

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ar question
« on: October 17, 2013, 08:31:11 AM »
I'm thinking of venturing into AR land.  Any thoughts on a decent starter weapon or would I be better building my own.  My only preconceived notions are a right handed gun and 5.56 for ammo.

Offline Neeco

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Re: ar question
« Reply #1 on: October 17, 2013, 08:59:46 AM »
Colt 6920.

Offline Waltherfan

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Re: ar question
« Reply #2 on: October 17, 2013, 09:04:30 AM »
What are you wanting to do with it? Home defense, target, varmints, just to listen to it go "bang"?  Do you want to make it tacticool (hang all kinds of crap on it)? All those could affect recommendations.

Actually, your timing is good as they are getting to be plentiful and no longer outrageously priced.

A lot of it is ford vs chevy. I'm not aware of any really bad ones out there. Some are really good but cost a lot more.

Offline gsd

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Re: ar question
« Reply #3 on: October 17, 2013, 09:12:23 AM »
It really varies. Like waltherfan said, if you have a specific idea of how you want it to look, build one. A lot of people I know who "buy then modify" always grump a bit on how they spent so much money. I have yet to spend over 1k on an 5.56 platform, and a lot of times it's less then $750.
It is highly likely the above post may offend you. I'm fine with that.

Offline bkoenig

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Re: ar question
« Reply #4 on: October 17, 2013, 09:28:27 AM »
Palmetto State Armory.  They are pretty much always the best price for an affordable but still good quality AR.  You can buy a complete build kit from them with an assembled upper, stock, lower parts kit, etc (everything except the lower receiver) and have it shipped right to your door.  The lower takes maybe an hour to assemble if you really take your time.

Offline David Hineline

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Re: ar question
« Reply #5 on: October 17, 2013, 10:28:02 AM »
If you have to ask the question should I build my own, or should I reload ammunition. Then the answer is no, no you shouldn't build your own.

Once you are familiar with the subject enough that you don't have to ask that question, then yes, you should do it yourself.

Rock River Arms rifles are the best value in my opinion.

Cheapest does not always mean best value.
Machinegun owners blow thier load with one pull of the trigger

Offline RobertH

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Re: ar question
« Reply #6 on: October 17, 2013, 12:10:30 PM »
if you want to build...keep an eye out for PSA sales.  they will have an entire build kit (everything minus the receiver) for sale.  in fact, the MOE is on sale now.  buy that, ship it to your house.  then go find a $99 lower.  DE had Spike's lowers for $99 last time i checked.

or just buy a complete AR and upgrade as you see fit.

in the end, do what you think is best for you and what will fit your needs/wants.  but building is fun.
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Offline 00BUCK

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Re: ar question
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2013, 01:37:40 PM »
You can buy a complete left handed upper half with BCG from Stag Arms if that is what you want.
The biggest thing people mess up when building a lower is when they are tapping the forward pin in for the trigger guard they don't support the lower lobe properly and end up busting it off. make sure you only use a pin in the front of the trigger guard not the rear. There are plenty of really good youtube videos on how to assemble a lower.

Offline abbafandr

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Re: ar question
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2013, 09:41:38 PM »
Thanks for the input

Offline bkoenig

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Re: ar question
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2013, 09:47:19 PM »
You know when you get an AR built you have to start shooting Multigun, right?

Multigun is even more fun than USPSA.

Offline OnTheFly

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Re: ar question
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2013, 10:53:35 PM »
+1 for Palmetto State Armory

Fly
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Offline Wildgoose

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Re: ar question
« Reply #11 on: October 18, 2013, 06:31:29 AM »
Palmetto State Armory.  They are pretty much always the best price for an affordable but still good quality AR.  You can buy a complete build kit from them with an assembled upper, stock, lower parts kit, etc (everything except the lower receiver) and have it shipped right to your door.  The lower takes maybe an hour to assemble if you really take your time.
I still have a rec on hand I haven't built yet. Noticed this post and thought I would take a look and see if anything has changed with availability but have not found much. PSA is "temporarily out of stock" on just about everything except the most expensive items and not many of those. Seems things at least in the do it yourself category are still hard to come by off the shelf. No big deal as I am in no rush and have plenty of other projects to chase after.

Offline FarmerRick

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Re: ar question
« Reply #12 on: October 18, 2013, 07:41:45 AM »
I still have a rec on hand I haven't built yet. Noticed this post and thought I would take a look and see if anything has changed with availability but have not found much. PSA is "temporarily out of stock" on just about everything except the most expensive items and not many of those. Seems things at least in the do it yourself category are still hard to come by off the shelf. No big deal as I am in no rush and have plenty of other projects to chase after.

Keep an eye on their website, the availability of many items(especially complete uppers) change from day to day and sometimes hour to hour.
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Offline abbafandr

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Re: ar question
« Reply #13 on: October 18, 2013, 10:06:09 AM »

You know when you get an AR built you have to start shooting Multigun, right?

Multigun is even more fun than USPSA.

Man, I knew there was a catch :o  Then for a decent shotgun :P

Offline 00BUCK

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Re: ar question
« Reply #14 on: October 18, 2013, 10:44:51 PM »
Joe Bob Outfitters usually has things in stock and if you are former military or LEO you get a 5% discount. Use discount code THANKYOU at checkout.

Offline HuskerXDM

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Re: ar question
« Reply #15 on: October 20, 2013, 09:28:48 AM »
Keep an eye on their website, the availability of many items(especially complete uppers) change from day to day and sometimes hour to hour.

I also watch slickguns.com... lots of PSA stuff posted when it comes available on there, along with many other sites.
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Offline RightWingGunNut

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Re: ar question
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2013, 07:16:06 PM »
I'm thinking of venturing into AR land.  Any thoughts on a decent starter weapon or would I be better building my own.  My only preconceived notions are a right handed gun and 5.56 for ammo.



Colt is regarded by many as the gold standard of AR's and they do make excellent ones if you want a top tier gun for about $1,100. Some Wal-Marts even sell them now.

If you want a solid mid tier AR look at Armalite. If you look around you can find many in the $8-900 range and they come with a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.

Avoid Doublestar, Olympic Arms and Delton like the plauge. Far too many QC issues and they cut far too many corners. Sadly, Bushmaster also seems to have really fallen in quality since they moved production to New York from Maine.
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Offline OnTheFly

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Re: ar question
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2013, 12:53:12 AM »
A good starting point would be to buy one of the Palmetto State Armory blemished lowers + LPK.  They are on sale right now for $99 with free shipping.  You would just have to pay the transfer fee to a local FFL.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-safe-fire-lower-moe-black-lower-parts-kit.html

You have until the end of today (October 30th) to make a decision.  ;D

Fly
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Offline CitizenClark

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Re: ar question
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2013, 12:46:24 PM »
A good starting point would be to buy one of the Palmetto State Armory blemished lowers + LPK.  They are on sale right now for $99 with free shipping.  You would just have to pay the transfer fee to a local FFL.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-safe-fire-lower-moe-black-lower-parts-kit.html

You have until the end of today (October 30th) to make a decision.  ;D

Fly

Wow that, is a great deal.

Offline on the fritz

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Re: ar question
« Reply #19 on: October 30, 2013, 02:47:34 PM »
PSA is moving warehouses, and they are having some really killer deals lately.  Keep a close eye on the sales.  They have stripped blem uppers for $40 right now. 

Just one of many deals/sales.