Point Me In A Direction (AR Newbie)

Skaufma0

Skaufma0

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Okay, I'll take all the advice I can get. I'm not new to rifles at all, or AR's for that matter when it comes to operation and shooting. I AM however a newbie when it comes to buying one. I'd love to build one but I'm not at that stage yet.

I've gotten support from the ball & chain on the purchase of an AR given everything going on, and I'd be looking for something I can pick up for around $500 or less. I'd be looking for it to be chambered in 5.56 and something that I can upgrade different parts and swap things out as I go. I'm looking at it as a "shoot-ready budget-builder" if that makes any sense.

Primary use will be range and home defense, max intended range maybe 80 yards.

I know just enough to be dangerous but there are so many options and conflicting opinions out there, I'm getting lost in the muck. For example:
1st post - PSA is a great budget rifle and modular and upgradable.
2nd post - PSA is garbage and avoid at all costs.
3rd post - Save up for a DD!
 
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It depends on your use and your intended purpose of the rifle. If you want a blaster PSA runs great, some parts may not be "duty" grade by some peoples standard.

My advise build a lower how you like, and then buy an assembled upper.

For complete rifles in $500 range you will see brands like PSA, Delton, Anderson, Radical, Bear creek arsenal.
S&W M&P Sport line also runs around that price and is a good option.
 
chrishf12 said:
It depends on your use and your intended purpose of the rifle. If you want a blaster PSA runs great, some parts may not be "duty" grade by some peoples standard.

My advise build a lower how you like, and then buy an assembled upper.

For complete rifles in $500 range you will see brands like PSA, Delton, Anderson, Radical, Bear creek arsenal.
S&W M&P Sport line also runs around that price and is a good option.
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Ah good point, added intended use to the original post.

Any of those brands something to stay away from or lend themselves more towards what I'm trying to accomplish?
 
I built the first AR I owned. It was a great way to get to know the machine inside and out. PSA has kits for $450 + a lower.
 
Combat Armory has great deals on uppers, but they’re currently OOS. Something to keep an eye on.

Mas Defense also has some decent deals.

I run a lot of PSA uppers on a variety of uppers. Almost all my build kits are from there.
 
These prices are high compared to what they "normally" are, but such is the market:

Rifle Kit:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...de-moe-ept-rifle-kit-rear-mbus-516447449.html

Lower:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-lower-safe-fire-1728.html

After taxes, transfer, shipping (on the lower) you will be right around $600

For a bit more:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-moe-ar15-rifle-black.html

If you shop around to some other places, you may find cheaper. Or pick up a MP Sport for around this. But this is a decent "base point" to research what normal "entry level" ARs are going for.
 
Doesn’t seem like you are going to war with it so my vote is a PSA. I have both an AR-9 and an AR-15. Both were bought in pieces and both for about the money you are talking. I have had zero issues with either. If you want to go to war then save more money and buy something better.
 
I had a similar issue, I just wanted a basic AR at a good price. I ended up with a Ruger AR 556 at about 450$ at the time. I have about 1K rounds thru it now and it works just fine, just a basic serviceable rifle.
 
Ikarus1 said:
at current prices if I weren't building one from scratch I'd go with something like this and add furniture of choice:

https://www.brownells.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/oem-mid-length-16-rifle-prod81838.aspx

XAC code gets you $20 off 200 and free shipping.
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That doesn't look bad, from what I understand Aero is really good stuff right?


B00ger said:
These prices are high compared to what they "normally" are, but such is the market:

Rifle Kit:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...de-moe-ept-rifle-kit-rear-mbus-516447449.html

Lower:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-lower-safe-fire-1728.html

After taxes, transfer, shipping (on the lower) you will be right around $600

For a bit more:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-moe-ar15-rifle-black.html

If you shop around to some other places, you may find cheaper. Or pick up a MP Sport for around this. But this is a decent "base point" to research what normal "entry level" ARs are going for.
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Thanks for the info! Yeah it does seem prices have gone up lately, although I don't think they're insane like they've gotten in the past.


Amps 13 said:
Doesn’t seem like you are going to war with it so my vote is a PSA. I have both an AR-9 and an AR-15. Both were bought in pieces and both for about the money you are talking. I have had zero issues with either. If you want to go to war then save more money and buy something better.
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No, no war here, but I would like something that is going to at least be able to withstand a little roughness if needed.

I know it's the typical "I want cheap AND tough" thing, but I'd like to find a good median, best I can get without breaking the bank.
 
Don't know what they're going for but the Rugers are pretty good.

CDNN keeps blowing out Remington/DPMS parts and rifles, I don't think Rem's poor QC ever took hold on the line. I have a DPMS barrel that's a great shooter.

Personal preference, don't get carbine gas, it cuts the choices some but much smoother. Forget a fixed front sight post, at some point they almost always become dumb. Since there's little/no premium I'd get a free floated rail right off the bat. And while not really a deal breaker lightweight barrels are nicer than "M4" or "socom" profiles to handle.
 
I've built 2 PSAs from kits -- one 5.56 and one 7.62 -- and both were highly functional and well-fit. I can't speak to long life because I sold both of them for reasons other than dissatisfaction. I'm still in quest of the perfect AR after 30+ years, so just realize that you'll be "lost in the muck" for a long time. Once you own one, you'll start seeking features to suit you better, and that muck is quite thick! Enjoy the journey!
 
SPST said:
I like the S&W M&P. If you buy it new, it has a lifetime warranty. Mine has worked well even though I haven't done any "operating" with it.
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I like lifetime warranties! Good to know!

Beef15 said:
Don't know what they're going for but the Rugers are pretty good.

CDNN keeps blowing out Remington/DPMS parts and rifles, I don't think Rem's poor QC ever took hold on the line. I have a DPMS barrel that's a great shooter.

Personal preference, don't get carbine gas, it cuts the choices some but much smoother. Forget a fixed front sight post, at some point they almost always become dumb. Since there's little/no premium I'd get a free floated rail right off the bat. And while not really a deal breaker lightweight barrels are nicer than "M4" or "socom" profiles to handle.
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I had a few Ruger pistols when I was younger, they make pretty solid stuff as far as I know. Just never thought much about them when it comes to rifles.
I'll keep that in mind. I've never been a fan of the fixed sights to begin with, but I'll add free-floating rail to the list.

JT said:
I've built 2 PSAs from kits -- one 5.56 and one 7.62 -- and both were highly functional and well-fit. I can't speak to long life because I sold both of them for reasons other than dissatisfaction. I'm still in quest of the perfect AR after 30+ years, so just realize that you'll be "lost in the muck" for a long time. Once you own one, you'll start seeking features to suit you better, and that muck is quite thick! Enjoy the journey!
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It seems the opinion on PSA is split depending on who you ask. I've heard they're great for the money, and I've also heard they're trash and not to bother.
Oh I'm perfectly okay joining in that quest! Just need a good starting point to sink my teeth into and go from there. Thanks for the advice!
 
Mission drives gear. What is the purpose? Expected round count? Need to take hard use?

You say range use and HD, range 80 yards. So you don't need a precision rifle. That saves you some money.

Buy vs build? I have 10 thumbs; I do not build anything. That said, I have purchased Mutts, home-builds with decent parts that have been fine.

I am not a fan of PSA after being soured in their early days. To me, the best "entry" is the S&W M&P. But there's also "buy once, cry once," so there is validity in spending more $ up front for a high-quality rifle.
 
Skaufma0 said:
Follow up to clarify; instead of gas-piston, go for direct impingement? Or am I missing the mark on this one?
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He is speaking to the length of the gas system, not the type of gas system. Its basically the distance from the gas port to the chamber

ARS generally have:
Pistol Length: 3-4 inches
Cabine Length: 7.5 inches
Mid Length: 8.5-9inches
Rifle Length: 11.5-12

On shorter length systems there is more gas being blown back through the tube, so it has a more "violent" action and is what is referred to as being "overgassed" at times.
 
B00ger said:
He is speaking to the length of the gas system, not the type of gas system. Its basically the distance from the gas port to the chamber

ARS generally have:
Pistol Length: 3-4 inches
Cabine Length: 7.5 inches
Mid Length: 8.5-9inches
Rifle Length: 11.5-12

On shorter length systems there is more gas being blown back through the tube, so it has a more "violent" action and is what is referred to as being "overgassed" at times.
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Oh okay, that makes more sense. I'm leaning towards a 16" barrel for my purposes, which would still classify it as a rifle if I have that right. So for something like that a 'rifle length' gas system would be appropriate? Or is it all personal preference and you can use any of them on anything?
 
Skaufma0 said:
Follow up to clarify; instead of gas-piston, go for direct impingement? Or am I missing the mark on this one?
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the Stoner AR gas system isn't true direct impingement anyhow. It has a piston type system (with gas rings) inside the BCG. But yeah.......DI guns for simplicity and less weight if you can managed to spray out your rifle every 2000 rounds or so.

FWIW I have just as many PSA ARs as I do other brands and I find them to be high value for the quality that you get. I prefer Aero since they do the nice little touches (like threaded TD pin spring holes and rubber tipped upper tension screw in their basic stripped Gen 2 lower) without much extra cost. They also have invested in good companies in their expansion like Ballistic Advantage and VG6 which are excellent companies in their own right. PSA also likes to play fluctuation-pricing games which have grown old.
 
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Skaufma0 said:
Oh okay, that makes more sense. I'm leaning towards a 16" barrel for my purposes, which would still classify it as a rifle if I have that right. So for something like that a 'rifle length' gas system would be appropriate? Or is it all personal preference and you can use any of them on anything?
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16" is legally a rifle, but gas system would be either carbine or mid-length (same for 14.5" pinned). Some swear by mid-length but I have found no long-term appreciable difference in either.

Don't get gas-length and barrel length mixed up; they are not synonymous.
 
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Skaufma0 said:
Oh okay, that makes more sense. I'm leaning towards a 16" barrel for my purposes, which would still classify it as a rifle if I have that right. So for something like that a 'rifle length' gas system would be appropriate? Or is it all personal preference and you can use any of them on anything?
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Yup! Anything less than 16 inches would either need a tax stamp, or be built as a pistol. In that length a mid length would be preferable, in my opinion. As Chuckman said, either length would be fine though. For most of us it really mainly comes into play when we start changing out hand guards.
 
Chuckman said:
16" is legally a rifle, but gas system would be either carbine or mid-length (same for 14.5" pinned). Some swear by mid-length but I have found no long-term appreciable difference in either.

Don't get gas-length and barrel length mixed up; they are not synonymous.
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Okay cool, yeah that's what my brain automatically did was pair a rifle length barrel with a rifle length system.
Thanks for breaking it down for me, I know it is probably annoying for the simple questions but I'm trying to get drunk on this topic at this point.

B00ger said:
Yup! Anything less than 16 inches would either need a tax stamp, or be built as a pistol. In that length a mid length would be preferable, in my opinion. As Chuckman said, either length would be fine though. For most of us it really mainly comes into play when we start changing out hand guards.
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Good to know! So if I built it myself the only thing I couldn't get shipped to the house is the lower correct?
 
B00ger said:
Yup! Anything less than 16 inches would either need a tax stamp, or be built as a pistol.
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...or a perm attached muzzle device. Lots of those in the 13.7-14.7” length available as well.
 
Skaufma0 said:
Good to know! So if I built it myself the only thing I couldn't get shipped to the house is the lower correct?
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Yup! My only experience with building has been with using PSA kits, so they all come in one box, everything but the lower. Those can be ordered shipped to your FFL, or some gun stores carry them. Or, post up in the "wanted' section and someone in your area may have an extra laying around. They can be had from $50ish for an Anderson lower, all the way up to hundreds depending on the bells and whistles you want. That is a whole other discussion.
 
Skaufma0 said:
Oh okay, that makes more sense. I'm leaning towards a 16" barrel for my purposes, which would still classify it as a rifle if I have that right. So for something like that a 'rifle length' gas system would be appropriate? Or is it all personal preference and you can use any of them on anything?
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Both of these are less than 16", but one is a rifle and one is a pistol. Too soon?

20191201_094638.jpg

20190311_161827.jpg
 
B00ger said:
Yup! My only experience with building has been with using PSA kits, so they all come in one box, everything but the lower. Those can be ordered shipped to your FFL, or some gun stores carry them. Or, post up in the "wanted' section and someone in your area may have an extra laying around. They can be had from $50ish for an Anderson lower, all the way up to hundreds depending on the bells and whistles you want. That is a whole other discussion.
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So something like this, and then a lower, and then I'm good to go? (minus any extras or upgrades or accessories)

upload_2020-4-23_11-52-34.png
 
Skaufma0 said:
So something like this, and then a lower, and then I'm good to go? (minus any extras or upgrades or accessories)

View attachment 207166
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Yup! That would do the trick! There are literally hundreds of videos on YouTube on assembling one. Nothing a little patience and a few basic tools cant cover. Also teaches you a lot about the internal workings. And the link BigWaylon is a big help.
 
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So I'm leaning towards just a PSA lower or going with an Aero lower. Anyone have a preference or does it really matter in the end? I seem to see a lot of pictures on here of you guys having the Aero's.
 
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Skaufma0 said:
So I'm leaning towards just a PSA lower or going with an Aero lower. Anyone have a preference or does it really matter in the end?
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If it is mil-spec (in that everything fits inside like it should), then it doesn't matter. Only a small handful of companies make almost every brand of receiver. More important is the quality of what goes inside.
 
Skaufma0 said:
So I'm leaning towards just a PSA lower or going with an Aero lower. Anyone have a preference or does it really matter in the end? I seem to see a lot of pictures on here of you guys having the Aero's.
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Chuckman said:
If it is mil-spec (in that everything fits inside like it should), then it doesn't matter. Only a small handful of companies make almost every brand of receiver. More important is the quality of what goes inside.
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Yep...

Pick the picture on the side you like the best. :D
 
Skaufma0 said:
So I'm leaning towards just a PSA lower or going with an Aero lower. Anyone have a preference or does it really matter in the end? I seem to see a lot of pictures on here of you guys having the Aero's.
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I’ve got three PSA marked lowers that were built by Aero. They have the tensioning screw hole drilled and tapped, but don’t come with the screw. Nothing wrong with PSA made lowers either, I’ve got quite a few.

PSA nitride barrels are GTG. I’ve got a 7.62x39 mid gas 16” that shoots 125 grain Wolf soft point @ 1.25”. It does slightly less than 1” with my hand loads. Also have a PSA nitride 5.56 that shoots under 1”.

When you buy from a company that has budget choices, they are budget priced for a reason. Don’t buy the cheapest products PSA has to offer, study their offerings, and buy the upgraded packages.
 
If you're still in the market for a S&W, here's a good video. This guy does A LOT of reviews and is a NC resident. Enjoy, see you next year....after you start watching videos you may not ever leave..LOL.



 
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