Most economical ar15

[jdb]

I’m close to buying my first ar, what’s the general consensus on the most economical entry level rifle?

[Cougartail]

I’m close to buying my first ar, what’s the general consensus on the most economical entry level rifle?

Ruger MPR is not the cheapest low end rifle but it is the best value by far.

[NRA4LIFE]

S&W M&P15 or Ruger AR-556 to buy.  Aero and/or PSA parts to build.

[Alchase]

S&W M&P15 or Ruger AR-556 to buy.  Aero and/or PSA parts to build.

 

or Colt LE6920

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/modern-sporting-rifles/colt-le6920-ar15-semi-automatic-rifle-91-rounds/p/p42029

[Russ McDonald]

Build your own maybe.  Other than my AR 10 I have kept most of mine under $700 and they all shoot good.  A mix of Bear Creek or PSA uppers.  Lowers have been Anderson, PSA and Areo Precision.  I haven't priced out parts latelybut looks like orices have gone up.  Just bought a stripped Areo lower for $129.

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[N7XW]

I'm a big fan of PSA.  Great quality for the price, stand behind their product and just can't beat them for a low cost.  Lots of options on their website, here are just a couple.  Brand new rifle for $500 or pistol for $460;

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-classic-mft-battlink-pistol-black.html

[bustedoldman]

Palmetto or Bear Creek….They are the cheapest but functional!

[N7XW]

I guess I’m too old to figure out how to order one online. Oh well

Pretty easy.  Just order and checkout like you would order anything else online.  Then get a copy of your FFL's license and send it to them (email).  Pretty good chance the place you order from will already have it on file.  Then you don't have to do anything.  Going thru the checkout process, most sites will walk you thru the process and tell you if they need the FFL or not.  Easy peasy.

[Damnimissed]

Build your own maybe.  Other than my AR 10 I have kept most of mine under $700 and they all shoot good.  A mix of Bear Creek or PSA uppers.  Lowers have been Anderson, PSA and Areo Precision.  I haven't priced out parts latelybut looks like orices have gone up.  Just bought a stripped Areo lower for $129.

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If you need another...
https://ar15discounts.com/products/aero-precision-m4e1-stripped-lower-receiver-blem/

[Katmai Guy]

Piece o cake, im almost 60 and eve i can do it in a couple hours.  Google is your friend.😁

[bustedoldman]

I guess I’m too old to figure out how to order one online. Oh well

Go into the local gun shop, tell them you want the cheapest complete lower and complete upper they have or can order…..

[Alchase]

Building seems complicated.I can’t even order a damned thing

JB, ordering a complete Lower and a complete Upper, leaves only two pins to put them together. Almost like Legos for big boys, 

It is that easy!

Still, if you would rather by a new complete rifle, a S&W M&P15 (I have two), Colt 6920 ( I have one), Ruger AR-556, or either of the PSA's listed, would serve you just fine. One of the PSA's " pistol for $460" is a great price, would be wise to understand the differences between the "Rifle" and the "Pistol" version, again fantastic price!
 

It is great to see AR prices coming back down to normal again!

[NRA4LIFE]

Building seems complicated.I can’t even order a damned thing

JB, ordering a complete Lower and a complete Upper, leaves only two pins to put them together. Almost like Legos for big boys, 

It is that easy!

Still, if you would rather by a new complete rifle, a S&W M&P15 (I have two), Colt 6920 ( I have one), Ruger AR-556, or either of the PSA's listed, would serve you just fine. One of the PSA's " pistol for $460" is a great price, would be wise to understand the differences between the "Rifle" and the "Pistol" version, again fantastic price!
 

It is great to see AR prices coming back down to normal again!

OK, I'm almost 60 And I built my first last year.  A couple of you tube videos and some internet searches was all I needed, it was pretty easy (except for one spring/pin detonation).  But when I loaded it up and started pulling the trigger it kept going boom.  Now my problem is keeping up with reloading for it.  They can eat a lot of ammo quickly.

[Russ McDonald]

Building seems complicated.I can’t even order a damned thing

JB, ordering a complete Lower and a complete Upper, leaves only two pins to put them together. Almost like Legos for big boys, 

It is that easy!

Still, if you would rather by a new complete rifle, a S&W M&P15 (I have two), Colt 6920 ( I have one), Ruger AR-556, or either of the PSA's listed, would serve you just fine. One of the PSA's " pistol for $460" is a great price, would be wise to understand the differences between the "Rifle" and the "Pistol" version, again fantastic price!
 

It is great to see AR prices coming back down to normal again!

OK, I'm almost 60 And I built my first last year.  A couple of you tube videos and some internet searches was all I needed, it was pretty easy (except for one spring/pin detonation).  But when I loaded it up and started pulling the trigger it kept going boom.  Now my problem is keeping up with reloading for it.  They can eat a lot of ammo quickly.

Yeah they detent and spring for the front keeper pin sucks.  Put my pistol back together and flung that detent across the room a couple time.  Another pin or punch the size of the hole is your friend.  Yes even complete uppers and lowers are not that bad in price.  Now putting on the fun extra jewelry on the pew pew that is where it gets expensive

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[jdb]

I thought when everyone said “build” they meant like buy everything separate. I didn’t realize you just bought a separate Lower and upper

[hunter399]

I thought when everyone said “build” they meant like buy everything separate. I didn’t realize you just bought a separate Lower and upper

Ya ,you can do it that way ,just two little pins hold it together and snap in place by hand.
Nice to have different calibers in different uppers,snaps together in a half a second.

[bearhunter99]

I thought when everyone said “build” they meant like buy everything separate. I didn’t realize you just bought a separate Lower and upper

You can do it either way.  I typically buy the stripped lowers and then build them because I like the drop in triggers and other mods when building the lower.  The other benefit to building the lower is a stripped lower is considered "other" not a rife or a pistol until you build it so you don't have to deal with the semi-auto BS.  They really aren't hard to build, especially with the drop in triggers.  I have about 5 oops kits on hand because when you lose the detent and spring, which you are bound to occasionally, they are gooonnnnne...  Having a tool like this pretty much eliminates that problem:
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/pin-tools/ar-15-pivot-pin-tool-prod137500.aspx

I usually buy complete uppers and then upgrade them if I feel I need to.  I have had pretty good accuracy out of the box with the complete uppers from Bear Creek Arsenal and from PSA.

[Alchase]

Building seems complicated.I can’t even order a damned thing

JB, ordering a complete Lower and a complete Upper, leaves only two pins to put them together. Almost like Legos for big boys, 

It is that easy!

Still, if you would rather by a new complete rifle, a S&W M&P15 (I have two), Colt 6920 ( I have one), Ruger AR-556, or either of the PSA's listed, would serve you just fine. One of the PSA's " pistol for $460" is a great price, would be wise to understand the differences between the "Rifle" and the "Pistol" version, again fantastic price!
 

It is great to see AR prices coming back down to normal again!

OK, I'm almost 60 And I built my first last year.  A couple of you tube videos and some internet searches was all I needed, it was pretty easy (except for one spring/pin detonation).  But when I loaded it up and started pulling the trigger it kept going boom.  Now my problem is keeping up with reloading for it.  They can eat a lot of ammo quickly.

Yeah they detent and spring for the front keeper pin sucks.  Put my pistol back together and flung that detent across the room a couple time.  Another pin or punch the size of the hole is your friend.  Yes even complete uppers and lowers are not that bad in price.  Now putting on the fun extra jewelry on the pew pew that is where it gets expensive

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Especially, if you can't make-up your mind!

LPVO or Red-dot, LPVO W/Red Dot, Red Dot with Magnifier, Prism, Prism with Magnifier?

Options get expensive 

At least ammo is getting cheaper.

[mcrawfordaf]

I'm a big fan of PSA.  Great quality for the price, stand behind their product and just can't beat them for a low cost.  Lots of options on their website, here are just a couple.  Brand new rifle for $500 or pistol for $460;

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-classic-mft-battlink-pistol-black.html

PSA is definitely the way to go as far as entry into ARs. They've come leaps and bounds from where they started.

[NRA4LIFE]

If you build, shop around a bit.  I got an Aero stripped lower cheaper from Brownells than from Aero's website.  I bought the assembled upper from PSA as I was a bit timid on the barrel mating and didn't have the tools either.

[Buck Rub Jr]

I got my aero with a really good deal but that was cause I had some connections. But even without getting a deal it seemed like you could put one together for a very comparable price to more entry level built AR’s. I haven’t shot mine yet but it seems solid and it looks pretty slick which is the important part right??

[bigdub257]

I'm a big fan of PSA.  Great quality for the price, stand behind their product and just can't beat them for a low cost.  Lots of options on their website, here are just a couple.  Brand new rifle for $500 or pistol for $460;

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-classic-mft-battlink-pistol-black.html

PSA is definitely the way to go as far as entry into ARs. They've come leaps and bounds from where they started.

That's a pretty attractive price for a new AR!

[Alchase]

I'm a big fan of PSA.  Great quality for the price, stand behind their product and just can't beat them for a low cost.  Lots of options on their website, here are just a couple.  Brand new rifle for $500 or pistol for $460;

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-classic-mft-battlink-pistol-black.html

PSA is definitely the way to go as far as entry into ARs. They've come leaps and bounds from where they started.

That's a pretty attractive price for a new AR!

Especially for the Pistol 

[N7XW]

I'm a big fan of PSA.  Great quality for the price, stand behind their product and just can't beat them for a low cost.  Lots of options on their website, here are just a couple.  Brand new rifle for $500 or pistol for $460;

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-10-5-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-classic-mft-battlink-pistol-black.html

PSA is definitely the way to go as far as entry into ARs. They've come leaps and bounds from where they started.

That's a pretty attractive price for a new AR!

Especially for the Pistol 

.....it's soooooo tempting 

[Special T]

Imo with the way winds blow politically buying a stripped lower empty and then an upper and or parts is the way to go. If they want to screw you and take your stuff, give them the lower back.

 

[Alchase]

Imo with the way winds blow politically buying a stripped lower empty and then an upper and or parts is the way to go. If they want to screw you and take your stuff, give them the lower back.

 

Good idea!

[N7XW]

This is my most recent 5.56 PSA purchase and I love it.  Just too much fun.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psa-pa-15-11-5-carbine-length-5-56-nato-1-7-phosphate-btr-classic-stealth-pistol-w-carry-handle.html

[bigdub257]

Temptation got to me.  Just ordered one of these. 
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-556-nato-classic-ar15-rifle-fde.html

Now I need a holographic or red dot sight.  Any suggestions?

[MADMAX]

I saw a sig red dot on their site

I may or may not have had temptation as well

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set3.html

[Alchase]

I saw a sig red dot on their site

I may or may not have had temptation as well

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set3.html

They have a Sig Sauer MCX Rattler 300BLK Pistol w/ ROMEO4T Red Dot Optic, Coyote Tan, but Out of stock!

https://palmettostatearmory.com/sig-sauer-mcx-rattler-300blk-pistol-w-romeo4t-red-dot-optic-coyote-tan-pmcx-300b-5b-tap-coy-rx.html

But that $2400+ Pistol (love the MCX) needs a Eotech EXPS3

https://www.opticsplanet.com/eotech-exps3-extreme-xps-red-dot-sight-with-side-button-qd-lever.html

[bigdub257]

I'm kind of leaning towards the Holosun 510C with the 3x magnifier.  Anybody have any experience with this setup? It gets great reviews on several sites.

[Alchase]

I'm kind of leaning towards the Holosun 510C with the 3x magnifier.  Anybody have any experience with this setup? It gets great reviews on several sites.

I have the Holosun HS512C, I put a review of it in the Optics section. I love the reticle!
Would be nice behind a magnifier.

[bigdub257]

Thanks for the review.  I read it and sounds you're just as happy with it as many others are.  I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the 510c and 3X magnifier package.  Pretty good price point for what you get.

[Alchase]

Thanks for the review.  I read it and sounds you're just as happy with it as many others are.  I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on the 510c and 3X magnifier package.  Pretty good price point for what you get.

Please reply back with which Magnifier you decide to go with, and how you like it!

As my eyes get older I find that typical Red Dots just are not what I need anymore.
I have a Steiner P4XI 1x4x24 on a different rifle, love that scope. It is fantastic for these tired eyes!

[bigdub257]

I'm going to get the Holosun 3X magnifier.  Will definitely report back.  My eyes are getting a little tired also.  Holosun also makes one with a green reticle.  Maybe this would be better for older eyes?  Think I'll try to find someone local that carries them and check out the red vs green. 

[Alchase]

Green vs Red, this one is a mystery to me.
I prefer red, but my shooting buddy says green he can see better. When I shoot his green I have a harder time seeing the reticule with a dark background. He says the same thing about my red.