You have 700 dollars to purchase an ar-15 chambered in .556. What are you going with?

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DefinitionResident@reddit

That is the exact rifle from PSA i’m looking at getting. This weekend or next weekend. Good rifle for you?

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Few-Wonder-5273@reddit

Darque Horse Munitions and Manufacturing.

That is all.

Have a very pleasant day,

Darque A. Merican

[-]

If this is your first AR, with that budget I would recommend either a complete rifle from Palmetto State Armory or a S&W M&P-15 Sport 2 if you can find it. S&W just released the Sport 3 but you can still find the older Sport 2 around for decent deals sometimes. Put whatever is left towards ammo.

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

I would much sooner go for a S&W over PSA, personally.

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spezeditedcomments@reddit

Fn psa says hi

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

FN's are in that price range?

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Far-Mathematician841@reddit

I was just curious if im unaware of a FN 5.56 for under $700? If yes please let me know where?

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

You can sometimes find FN complete uppers for under $700. Also police trade-in FN's are often a good buy for under $700. Complete new FN AR's are typically not less than $1k to my knowledge. If you are looking for an AR less than $1k new, I recommend a Rock River (not to be confused with Rock Island). Over $1k I think Sionics is your best bet. IMO- Rock River < BCM = FN < Sionics

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spezeditedcomments@reddit

Huh, seems it's been priced up, RIP. Used to get a complete upper for 450

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spezeditedcomments@reddit

Psa offers a chf fn barreled upper that would make the budget, yes

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

Why?

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Eric_A_K@reddit

S&W is going to have better qc and customer service if needed.

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GreatTea3@reddit

They also use worse barrels than the basic PSA guns.

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

Interesting. PSA seems to have stepped there game up the last couple years though. I’ve heard nothing but good things about their CS.

Of course, S&W is a staple though.

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blowgrass-smokeass@reddit

PSA customer service is top notch. PSA quality is also very solid for the price. It’s honestly hard to beat.

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

I agree with this. I have some decent stuff. Then, I have an 11.5 cheap-ass phosphate barrel that just shot a 10-round 2 MOA group at 100 yards(literally 2 hours ago) with that Scheels Fiocchi 55gr .223. I should have kept the target but I kept it up at the range so the other guy could keep using it when I left. They’ve really stepped it up over the years.

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messinurmouth@reddit

Did I read that rt? You shot a 2 inch group at 100 yards at 100 yards? (You shot a 2 MOA group)

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

Yeah, 2 MOA. 10-round group at 100 yards with a cheap phosphate FSB PSA. I know I sound like one of those PSA fanboys that say their PSA shoots sub-MOA…but it’s legit. With a 1-8x LPVO. That 11.5 outshot my Criterion 16” with the Scheels Fiocchi ammo.

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messinurmouth@reddit

No worries i was being cynical about the wording when you say MOA at 100 yards your saying at 100 yards twice as MOA is 1’ at 100 you dont need to say 2MOA at 100 just my own personal irritation

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

What? MOA is a unit of measurement. It’s not just at 100. You can shoot 2 MOA at 50 yards or 2 MOA at 1000 yards. Minute of Angle is the measurement. In this case 2 MOA at 100 yards is 2”. A 10” group at 500 yards is 2 MOA also.

MOA=an angular value at 1/60th of the degree.

Unless I’m really not understanding what you’re saying lol. It’s hard to judge tone through text.

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messinurmouth@reddit

Yes i understand that i also understand the angular measurement if you look at what you just wrote out explaining it though you can see that you could just say 2 MOA it would give you the same group size equation at any distance ( ie 10’ @500-2’@100) But like i said before no worries its my own personal irritation with the verbage

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Pliskin_Hayter@reddit

The only real mark people can give PSA is their QC is sometimes lacking.

But, given just how much more volume PSA puts out compared to the rest of the industry, it makes perfect sense. You see 100 BCM rifles, 1 has a defect. You see 10,000 PSA rifles. 100 have defects.

The rate of defect is the same between the two but when you go online, you just see the 100 different threads of defective PSAs with 1 from BCM buried so you would think "man, look at all these defective PSAs! These things are junk!"

You don't see the other 9,990 rifles that are perfectly fine.

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Eric_A_K@reddit

Even my DD came with some blems. But it only took 2 weeks from the day I emailed them to the day I had a new one in my hands. Every company is susceptible to qc issues. I'm always more concerned with how they handle it. From what people are saying though, PSA CS isn't the shit show it used to be tho.

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Pliskin_Hayter@reddit

I had a bad PA10 upper. Wouldn't even chamber. Sent it back to them, about a month later they reached out and confirmed my suspicion of an out of spec barrel and sent me a replacement.

The damn thing averaged 1 MOA with factory Hornady Black ammo.

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Eric_A_K@reddit

That's good to hear. I just got back into guns again and thinking about picking up one of their ak's for fun.

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RyAllDaddy69@reddit

PSA has stepped it up. I have Geissele and Criterion and BCM but I have a PSA 11.5 I always end up behind more than anything else.

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

Psa has a lifetime warranty that transfer among owners.

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AM-64@reddit

I've never had S&W decline fixing something even if I wasn't the original owner (only once did I need help with something).

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

OK

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Eric_A_K@reddit

It's not hard to find nightmare stories of people dealing with psa customer service. Don't see that often with S&W. I have no personal experience with AR's from either, so just going off what I see on forums and stuff.

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

OK.

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Snuggles5000@reddit

Likelihood of having to use it also higher…pros and cons. I had to use a warranty claim for two separate PSA rifles. They made it right in the end but would only get a 6/10 as far as customer service goes.

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

How long ago? I have a pa15 and have close to 1000 rounds thru it with 0 issues.

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Measurex2@reddit

Is that not common? I've only ever had to reach out to a manufacturer once when I bought a used Ruger PCC9. I felt I could have found a gun in a ditch somewhere and they would have helped me.

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JohnHammerfall@reddit

Nah, S&W uses outdated twist rates and carbine length gas systems, and they just barely started making MLOK rails on the Sports in the year of our Lord 2024. S&W handguns are great, The ARs are stuck in 2004

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Jakebsorensen@reddit

Is it worth the extra $200?

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Plutosonn@reddit

It is. I would sleep a little better knowing I bought a better quality rifle. Though go back and buy the PSA when you have extra cash in the future.

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WestSide75@reddit

Agreed, though I love that PSA does at their price point.

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Icy_Lecture_2237@reddit

Agreed. I got one as a starter AR and it’s performed so well that I just upgraded the furniture and trigger when it was time for an upgrade. It’s been fantastic.

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gore_taco@reddit

Ruger AR556. Doesn't have all the tac rail crap, but it runs.

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boneheded@reddit

I got a Radical. No problems.

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Itz_Boaty_Boiz@reddit

absolutely nothing because i live in new zealand and i couldn’t get a decent rimfire bolt for 700 :((

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

God bless the USA, sorry for your luck mate

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General_Tsao_Knee_Ma@reddit

Two of these complete Anderson lowers ($200) and two of these BCA uppers ($403). Boom, you've got two working ARs and enough money left over to buy a Sig Romeo

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JelCapitan@reddit

PSA special

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Extension-Mall-7292@reddit

With that budget I'd get a PSA complete rifle and put the rest towards ammo. Something like this https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set.html

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TheSaucyGoon@reddit

It’s often cheaper to buy the upper and lower separately at PSA so check that but otherwise, this is a good buy

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runway31@reddit

Facts

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P40dimepiece@reddit

This is the way.

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lefthandb1ack@reddit

THE REST you say?!?

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VortexFalcon50@reddit

cries in california

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Sawblade10@reddit

I would personally recommend this rifle from PSA. It's pretty much the exact same from what I can tell but slightly cheaper and imo, a better handguard. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-hex-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set.html

My PSA upper has that handguard and I'm waiting for this handguard to go back in stock to swap out

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

This

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Darkhalo314@reddit

I bought this exact rifle last month, and it's been a fantastic rifle so far.

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runway31@reddit

Psa freedom 15, use the rest on ammo, range bag, cleaning tools, earpro

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antariusz@reddit

Buy your upper and lower separate, save 10% in federal tax.

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Swimming_Schedule_49@reddit

I’d troll the geissele website looking for blemishes uppers and purchase a lower later. That or wait until you can save more like $1400 and get a BCM. You’ll be disappointed and buy another down the road to replace it if you cheap out now.

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Chopchopstixx@reddit

I’d buy an aero precision upper and lower

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PooC-Masta@reddit

Build your own

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Driven2b@reddit

M&P Sport 2 all day every day.

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FuckJoeBiden86@reddit

If you have to get permission from your wife then you are actually the wife

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

Or, and here me out, we dont just spend a lot of money all the time and both agreed to ask the other for permission on large purchases to help us stay on budget. No need to be a dick about it bud.

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SokkaHaikuBot@reddit

^Sokka-Haiku ^by ^FuckJoeBiden86:

If you have to get

Permission from your wife then

You are actually the wife

^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.

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RedneckOnline@reddit

See your not thinking outside the box. Buy a hi point, then use that to rob a gun store for any AR you want!

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AccountantWeak1695@reddit

Gafs and some patience will get u alot.

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elevenpointf1veguy@reddit

Homie, don't listen to anyone telling you to get a complete PSA rifle - hopefully you haven't ordered the one you posted already.

I'm not here to shit talk on PSA, they're fine, BUT you can 100% shop around and score a used BCM upper with BCG for $400-$500, a complete PSA lower for $100-$150, and have a few bucks left over for irons, and be much better set.

You can shop around on r/gunaccessoriesforsale and usually can find something pretty easy - you're not looking for anything uncommon.

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jorkmypeantis@reddit

I swear I’m the only other one that tells people to get a good first rifle and not a PSA😂

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jorkmypeantis@reddit

I’d save $400 more because $1100ish is where you can start putting together a rifle that’s actually decent. If you like guns and buy more, you’re going to realize you want something like a DD or geissele, sell the $700 AR you bought for a loss and buy a nice rifle with the money. Just skip the first part all together and save up 1000-1200 for a rifle that you’ll keep forever.

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IWriteShit345@reddit

Buy a glock or save up (yes I read the question)

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Netan_MalDoran@reddit

PSA build, and where the two of us live, a good pair of gloves so you don't burn the fuck outta your hands if you leave the gun in the sun for 2 minutes x.x

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Just_A_Little_ThRAWy@reddit

PSA lower on sale

Aero Precision Upper or a higher end PSA upper on sale, 4th of july is coming up, if you can save another couple hundo, wait until labor day and get in addition:

Sling/QD sockets/sling mount (figure $120 for all 3 parts)

Optic (red dot or variable optic or fixed prism) determine your use for the rifle, you environment and go from there.

Weapon light (Streamlight is a popular budget brand, Modlight, Arasaka, or Cloud Defensive if you want higher end)

Mags (at least 10 to 20)

Ammo (save up and just buy 1k rounds off the bat)

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No-Enthusiasm9619@reddit

Palmetto State Arms. Light, optic, mags, and ammo

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tacticalDildos@reddit

PSA and 200 worth of ammo

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milkyvapes@reddit

Build an aero precision. Might need to check for sales but I think it's doable. Putting it together yourself is very easy and will give you a better understanding of the platform. I personally found it fun and educational.

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Limited_opsec@reddit

First one ever?

$400 AR15 or similar price upper+lower combo and $300 of mags & ammo.

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gdmfsobtc@reddit

IWI Zion-15

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Southern_Elk_8656@reddit

that’s $900+

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gdmfsobtc@reddit

For real? I scored mine for a bit over 700.

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BetterStartNow1@reddit

Cannot believe the amount of Palmetto votes instead of this.

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MonthElectronic9466@reddit

Keep an eye out for Father’s Day sales. Particularly on PSA. There is a good chance you can pick up a decent rifle and have some left over for ammo or optics. Are they JuSt As GoOd? No. Are they good enough for 99% of people? Yes. Are they priced right and backed by a solid company? Absolutely.

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SunsetAbydos@reddit

IWI Zion is the best at the price point.

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GreatTea3@reddit

I don’t think you’re gonna find one at $700 anymore.

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North-One8187@reddit

I’d get the PSA MOE lower and a nicer PSA upper which is what I did for my first. Got it all for around $500. Spend the rest on ammo and maybe an optic

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Apprehensive-Gas2314@reddit

M&P

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pirate_12@reddit

I bought a Radical Firearms completed AR and have been very happy with it

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MArkansas-254@reddit

Something that costs 500 and a bunch of ammo

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jsmoovewhoru@reddit

PSA .. I love mine

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raddu1012@reddit

Shame dpms went out of business. You coulda had one for 420 with a full auto bolt carrier group back in 19

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raddu1012@reddit

Wayment just googled they back in business go check em out prices may be higher because fucking everything is these days but they’re a good budget company

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Admirable-Mango-1987@reddit

Black rain ordinance spec 15 or ruger 556

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treebeard120@reddit

Probably a PSA freedom kit on sale. Leaves you a few hundred to spend on an optic or some upgraded furniture.

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Bob_knots@reddit

Psa, and $350 worth of ammo

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doogie_hazard@reddit

An AK.

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CaptainCruch18@reddit

Mossberg MMR

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AimTrueFirearms79@reddit

For $700, I can make you a list as long as my leg as viable options. So many pretty decent options. PSA had a crazy selection that meets your needs.

You can also find dozens of other brands that fill in your budget. I agree with many of the other posters above. But Father’s days sales is the time to strike while the iron is hot. Find a PSA dealer and you won’t have to pay a transfer fee. Hell, a lightly used rifle might get you into the upper mid tier. I have seen consignments that are like 50% of original cost.

But decide in the next week while the sales are hot. I sell piles of many brands. But as much firearm as you can afford and then upgrade the rest as you can afford it.

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thricedipped@reddit

Ruger MPR. Hands down.

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Ridge_Hunter@reddit

Some of the Diamondback AR's are pretty nice for the money. I've shot a few Radical Arms ones that were well under $700 that ran just fine.

What I would say is, why 5.56 these days?. Why not 223 Wylde? You'll get more flexibility and accuracy out of it than standard 5.56.

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LegendActual@reddit

Probably an IWI Zion

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foundonthetracks@reddit

I'd keep my eyes peeled for an LE trade in of some kind. Old school bushmaster or something.

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Spicy_Abortions@reddit

I’m saving more money

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DontBelieveTheirHype@reddit

Good luck finding an AR chambered in anything .55

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disturbed286@reddit

Don't be ridiculous, it's .556mm

Makes up for size with an absolutely insane magazine capacity.

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hitemlow@reddit

If you had a tungsten projectile that small with a standard powder load behind it, Level 4 plates would be a concern of the past.

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disturbed286@reddit

What's smaller than hornet. Sweat bee?

.556 mm sweat bee AP rounds.

Eat shit, 5.7.

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DontBelieveTheirHype@reddit

The magazine probably holds one round lol

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disturbed286@reddit

One round of .55"

Thousands of .556mm

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

BCM or S&W

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tjcarbon9@reddit

You likely won’t get a BCM for 700.

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elevenpointf1veguy@reddit

You can 100% get a used BCM upper, PSA lower for 700.

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craigeeeeeeeeee@reddit

Might be able to get a BCM upper without the BCG….maybe…

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tjcarbon9@reddit

They’re free with the upper on BCM site. Since BCM BCG’s are well trusted, I’d go that route personally.

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

True I just looked and they seem to have increased in price since I last looked at them specifically.

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

Do you have links to specific products by chance?

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GatEnthusiast@reddit

Not a link but- S&W M&P Sport II or III (you can find these everywhere so shop around for the best price online)

BCM usually costs a little more and might be out of that price range.

Basically you want a 16" barrel with a mid-length gas system on milspec receivers. A free-float handguard/rail is nice to have but not necessary. Stock and grip don't really matter and are cheap and swappable/replaceable so don't make your decision based on that. Ignore people yapping about fancy upgraded triggers. Don't go for proprietary designs starting out. Milspec only

Rock River (not Rock Island) are great. Ruger MPR is also a great choice.

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Pale_Studio4660@reddit

Delton dissipator a2 upper, with a PSA complete lower.

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RR50@reddit

Ruger

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PelvisEsley1@reddit

S&w M&p sport 3 $699

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jehjeh3711@reddit

You mean 5.56?

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MoneyKeyPennyKiss@reddit

It's 5.56, not .556.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56%C3%9745mm_NATO

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SnooCheesecakes2465@reddit

Psa and ammo

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Danmarmir@reddit

I'd save up more tbh and get something better

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The_OsoGato@reddit

Like many have said before. PSA complete but I would spend the extra $ on a nice optic.

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

My buddy is actually going to be giving me an optic. Think it is a holosun

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The_OsoGato@reddit

Then yes. Extra ammo lol

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BetterStartNow1@reddit

iwi

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-WinterBeard-@reddit

Dude, Congrats. And good call on a PSA. If you are looking for a red dot you can’t go wrong with any of the Holosun offerings.

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

Thanks man! I appreciate it

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UnlikelyOcelot@reddit

I was looking at Windham right when Sandy Hook happened, so I lost my opportunity here in CT. But if we move I’d again look at Windham.

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GalvanizedNipples@reddit

I have been trying to sell my Ruger MPR with a scope for 750 and I haven’t been getting any takers

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Ach3r0n-@reddit

IWI Zion-15, hands down.

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Inviction_@reddit

End of school year bonus? What the hell?

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

I am a music teacher and I get a stipend for doing concerts because they are technically outside of contract time.

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Inviction_@reddit

Nice!

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baronanders110@reddit

Gotta say, after that most recent Kentucky Ballistics video my opinion on the quality of Diamondback Firearms AR-15 has become very favorable.

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Price-x-Field@reddit

Pony lower with $40 parts kit and pray for a good deal on r/gafs on a good deal on an BCM upper. If I have $100 left, I’d get an sig Romeo 5.

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Pliskin_Hayter@reddit

Aero M4 if you can find one on sale. Their fit and finish is outright better than PSA and quality is roughly the same.

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

Their website is showing it at 1400ish. Little out of my price range.

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HK_Mercenary@reddit

Just firearm, I'd vote IWI Zion 15.

Including optic, S&W M&P-15

Primary Arms / Holosun / Vortex red dot sight.

Don't be seduced by the silly Amazon cheap-o sights. Get one of those three brands, and you'll be good for a budget dot.

Iron sights are also an option if you prefer. Fixed or flip up is up to you, but I would go fixed if you're using them as your primary aiming function.

I would also recommend a weapon light if you're potentially using this for home defense. Positive target identification is important when using lethal force.

Once you have your weapon set up, zero your sight(s) at an appropriate distance for your usage (ask range staff for help if need be) and then practice. Once you feel confident in your level of skill, practice a shit load more.

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Worldly-House7731@reddit

Palmetto State Armory bro, trust.

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ervin_pervin@reddit

Be patient for the July 4th sales. Follow r/gundeals at the peril of your wallet... and marriage.

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GoldenAura16@reddit

Making my own.

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Ok_Masterpiece5050@reddit

Anything but PSA

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Tactical_solutions44@reddit

The psa with light Weight mlok and enhanced polished trigger for 579

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True-Grapefruit4042@reddit

PSA has probably the best budget guns in the game. You can get a complete rifle for $500 or less AND they have a warranty on their stuff. Get that, a cheap but decent optic and spend the rest on ammo.

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Asocwarrior@reddit (OP)

As an additional, I just found this on PSA’s website. Anyone have experience with these?

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-nitride-m4-carbine-5-56-b5-systems-rifle-fde.html

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Hot-Opportunity8786@reddit

A lunch box to keep my $700 in until I have $1000 saved.

[-]

drakorzzz@reddit

Ruger

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Highlander_16@reddit

16" Aero uppwt in 5.56, PSA lower, then whatever your heart desires with the remainder (aka mags and ammo)

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SmoothSlavperator@reddit

Build one from scratch with premium parts off a $30 PSA lower.

$700 will get you a top quality gun with a chromed CHF barrel sans optic.

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paper-money_and_gats@reddit

Bkings

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monkey_juicer@reddit

I can't speak for all the ARs they make, I could have just not got a lemon, but my Radical Firearms AR works like a dream. Got damn near 6k rounds through it without any malfunction. Got it for under 400 when it was on sale.

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