AR15 questions
Posted by TemperReformanda@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 29 comments
Im looking into AR15s and to be honest the main reason is seeing it suggested by some guys like Masaad Ayoob for home defense and also a good longarm for learning the ropes.
I am not a total noob to guns (own a Beretta 96 and a few standard length shotguns) but I know diddlyshit about AR15s aside from their higher magazine capacity, smaller caliber and highly variable and customizable form factor.
I am not on a budget to spend more than about $700 on a rifle right now and I definitely don't need something for competition shooting, but rather home defense and recreational range time.
What should I be looking for in a basic AR15? I am guessing I want it chambered .223-Remington, 16-20" barrel but beyond that I'm not sure what else to look for.
Thankfully I am surrounded by well stocked armories and shops.
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
Actually you want it chambered in 5.56, then you can shoot both 5.56 and .223 ammo with it. I would not build your first rifle, you're not going to get the best fit and finish. 16" is ideal, then you can suppress it if you want down the road and change up the flash hider, 20" is a tad bit too long for recreational range toy. Anything less than 16" has to be pin and welded and you loose that ability.
For budget, nothing wrong with PSA. I do not own one personally but I would if I wanted another AR. Made in the US and veteran owned, plus there is a fully transferable UNLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY. Anything were to go wrong, they fix or replace it. You don't need a $2500 AR for a range toy, I have one and its a drastic overkill for my purposes. Dont overlook the used market as well. There are plenty of good ARs on the market right now and you can find pretty good deals if you look.
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
Depends
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
There's one in every group. Found em
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
The guy that knows you can put a brace on, or SBR the gun (in almost every state)?... Were you leaving that part out in order to simplify the purchase for a new gun owner? Just say that next time.
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
Actually I was leaving that out because the purchaser specifically was asking about a 16-20" barrel. If you are unable to comprehend what people are asking, just say that next time, I can try and re-word tough words for you in simpler terms. What part confused you?........You're welcome.
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
Then why did you even mention a pin and weld? Lol 🤡
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
You mean offering suggestions on RIFLES and informing new buyers of RIFLES? That? Geez, its almost as if he specifically asked about rifles. Did you see the part of the post where he asked about SBRs? If you could point that out, I would appreciate it. Is there a language barrier you're struggling with? It sure seems that way.
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
DO YOU KNOW WHAT "SBR" STANDS FOR?
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
Do you understand what 16"-20" means? My God, is everything in life this complicated for you? This has to be satire at this point....am I being punked? How old are you, maybe that's the problem. That or a serious language barrier.
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
The R is for rifle. An SBR is a rifle...
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
I have never seen a more fitting screen name for someone than yours. Does your box hurt today or something. DO YOU know what an SBR is? Like what the length perimeters are to be qualified as an SBR? Let's figure that out first, then lets identify the length requests the OP posted. Can you do that, or are those too many steps to follow? If you need help, I can give you a hint........
Sensitive_Box_@reddit
You're the one crashing out. 🤣
TemperReformanda@reddit (OP)
Thank you for clarifying, I didn't realize the difference between the 5.56 and the .223. Much appreciated!
RandoAtReddit@reddit
While the person above you is completely correct, don't put too much stock in the difference between 5.56 and .223. There are approximately a hundred billion trillion (ok, I don't have numbers but it's a lot) rounds of either caliber fired from both chambers interchangeably every year. If people's guns were blowing up from it we'd be hearing about it weekly. Get either chamber, use either cartridge. It's fine.
Second the recommendation for PSA. I have a couple PSA upper receivers in the safe and have walked a couple people through assembling a PSA kit. Totally appropriate for what you're looking for. Welcome to the club. :)
islero_47@reddit
There is a specific chambering called ".223 Wylde" that takes into account the slight dimensional differences in case design between the .223 and 5.56
PSA has those as well
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
For chamberings in .223/5.56 you'll typically have the option of either .223 Wylde or 5.56 NATO, both can shoot anything but supposedly the Wylde chamber might be more accurate. Remington chamber cuts are rare, NATO tracer ammunition creates very high pressure spikes in them. This issue with specialty ammo along with difference in pressure testing between the US and CIP causes people to think it's dangerous to shoot NATO ammunition in a Remington chamber, but standard ball ammunition has the same pressure and does not have this issue. People also confuse "5.56 NATO" and "5.56"/M193, the latter being the military designation for standard .223 because we started using metric post WW2.
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
No problem! What state are you from
TemperReformanda@reddit (OP)
SC
Superb-Detective-838@reddit
Gotcha. We have a website called Michigan Gun Owners here that has an excellent classified section. I've purchased and sold many firearms on it
Tough-Artichoke-8541@reddit
My first AR is a sig m400 for 1050 and it has everything you want.
Kromulent@reddit
/r/ar15 has all the opinions
Check this out:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/lowers/complete-lowers/rifle-lowers.html?product_list_order=price_asc
"Freedom" lowers are lowest-cost, cheapest.
"Classic" and "Stealth" are both just fine, and the same, except that the stealth ones have fewer markings. "MOE" means magpul furniture. EPT means the trigger is a little nicer.
Now go here:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-10/ar-10-upper-assemblies.html?product_list_order=price_asc
Some are sold without a bcg (bolt carrier group) and charging handle. That's another $100 or so. Other include them.
Some have the folding magpul sights, which are like $90 a set, and nice. Some have red dots, $120 or so will get a nice one.
Figure $40 shipping, and $25 transfer fees.
SlicedBread1226@reddit
Ruger AR-556. Its right at the sweet spot of being better quality than a cheap budget rifle, but not being what id consider expensive to the point of overkill. You can probably find a used one for $400. Thats what I did and I havent regretted it at all. I have friends with rifles that cost twice as much and some of them still like to shoot my Ruger when we go to the range.
Big_Hat1751@reddit
Buy a kit and build it yourself. You learn a lot about how the gun works and with a little thinking you don’t need any gun specific tools.
In terms of a basic AR, just buy one off Palmetto State for $400. It’ll do what you need and you can decide if you want something nicer.
TemperReformanda@reddit (OP)
Ok, interesting. I'm a cabinet maker by trade so I'm pretty decent with my hands.
RandoAtReddit@reddit
Well, you can get by with a screwdriver and hammer tapping the castle nut on the buffer tube, but an armorer's wrench makes it easier and less likely to damage anything. As long as you're buying an assembled upper (like most kits come), the most exotic tool you'll need is a punch to help tap the pins into place.
If you can put together a Lego set, you can assemble an AR-15. Just follow along with Brownell's videos on YouTube step by step. Easy and fun.
nottatroll@reddit
Home defense:
20” barrel with bayonet.
Successful_Link4541@reddit
https://gun.deals/category/rifles?caliber=178
Try these: 1moa, great trigger, super reliable. Then compare to all others in the price range you are looking at .Then compare to others that cost more.
Ok_Crab_3522@reddit
700 can get like a used bcm maybe? Perfectly serviceable AR. Once upon a time Geissele used to sell their super duty blems for a out that much too but those days might be long gone. Maybe someone who has been in the AR market more recently than me would have more up to date pricing.
Independent_Bid_26@reddit
I would just look at PSA for a 16" Mid length gas system with an mlok handguard.