New to ARs, what should I get?

[Cdnance]

I’ll second the trigger. I personally think LaRue has a great trigger that is way better than its price point.
From what you are describing though, I would get a good beginner AR but pay attention to the barrel and weight. There are lots out there that are inexpensive but can outperform 80% of AR users.

 

[medvedyt]

Canadia

Banned? What do you mean?

our wonderful and clever leaders decided that ar15 were bad and banned them in a short vision that attacking legal gun owners will stop the shootings in big cities ...

later on they did the same with handguns ...

 

[Cdnance]

That is a nice trigger. Think I was up to 6 or 8 of the things before I decided that I dont like a 2 stage

I’ve got three of them. I don’t like them in any of my “hunting” guns, but prefer them in some of my other rifles.

 

[rookieforever33]

Hopefully you have some stores you can feel a few. The amount of options is crazy on these. The weights can start kinda heavy and go up fast. Most people dont find them comfy to carry either. Mine with a thermal stays in the house most times while I hunt coyotes and coons with my ruger american 223 and a flashlight.

 

[Cdnance]

I’ve got a couple setups. One is a Springfield that I use during the day and keep in the Kubota when I’m on the farm. I use it when I’m looking for sheds or working/walking the woods. I’ve just got a cheap LVPO on it. Shoots really well and I haven’t been very nice to it over the years.

The other is a build I put together for my thermal. It’s not heavy, but it’s not light. It’s set up for a tripod with an arca mount so it stays there most of the time.

 

[Drenalin]

I picked up a Sig Tread AR pistol maybe a couple of months ago. All my previous experience was with issued M16s almost 20 years ago. Anyway, this little 11.5-inch barrel thing with a crappy brace on it holds 1.5 MOA at 100 yards with AAC 77 TMKs. Holdovers in the PA SLX 3x are dead on at 200 and an inch high at 300. For a little under $1400 for the AR, optic, and a few 10-round mags, I’m pretty happy with it and will probably carry it most of this hunting season. I’m only at around 400 rounds, but haven’t had any issues, and it handles nicely with a fatass suppressor hanging off the end of it.

OP, for what you described, you can get there pretty easily for quite a bit less money. This is just one way to go.

 

[CJ_BG]

I'd suggest building your own lower, then buying an assembled upper, BCG and bolt handle. Lowers are easy to put together and buying an assembled upper avoids any issues with the gas system and barrel install. To assemble your lower, you'll need an armorer wrench, punches, soft face hammer, and a takedown pin tool.

What that would look like is....an Aero M4E1 lower, Geissele SSA-E trigger, and Battle Arms Development Ambi Safety. A lower parts kit (no FCG) from Aero that has the threaded screws for the rear takedown spring and bolt catch, or a CMMG/other lower parts kit and get the screws from Aero. A BCM/B5 stock and Magpul Grip of your choice, Geissele super 42 buffer and a quality buffer tube (with castle nut). If you're lefty, there are some cool mag releases that make it nice for a lefty to drop mags with theit left hand.

An upper from Aero would work and I have two myself that would great. If i were to get another, I'd look toward BCM or Geissele for a complete upper or I'll just get a new barrel for my current upper. Get a Geiselle charging handle and a good BCG from Aero or BCM. Nitrided bolts are nice, I wouldn't pay extra for a Nickel boron one unless it was on sale. 16" is a good go-to. Later on i got a 12.5" to make an AR pistol but I'm not a fan of the brace in general. The 12.5 is very handy with a suppressor though

All the parts mentioned above can be found on sale through the manufacturer and Primary Arms regularaly, don't pay full price for anything except the actual assembled upper. You may have to pay full price for the upper you want, if you get set on something

Cool thing about ARs is you can switch out and upgrade almost anything as you learn what you like.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Like I said, pretty much brand new to the platform and didn't know if there was anything to actively stay away from. I am also a lefty so I appreciate the add-ons for us southpaws

 

[Stache Attack]

Aero lower, spend the money on an upper.

Primary arms has a 16” bcm for a great price right now. I run a larue upper and have loved it

 

[TylerDurden3]

I have a few Larue rifles/uppers and they are great. As others have said any lower will do( Anderson etc..) a lower parts kit and a good trigger( again Larue trigger is hard to beat for the money).

 

[mustelid_master]

Spend the money and get a BCM, you won't regret it

 

[TaperPin]

Anyone new to ARs has to wonder what makes some rifles feed better, or the gas system work better, or what clearances make a difference. Not everyone is a fan, but I find School of the American Rifle videos informative.

 

[Cdnance]

I’m gonna disagree with some on here. I wouldn’t go and get the best you can afford. I personally would get a decent beginner rifle, keep in mind the weight and barrel. Use it and see what you like don’t like.
Save for a little bit and then get what you “want”. And if you can’t afford what you want get something that will be a good basis for building. Lots of options out there.

 

[Tiger243]

OP did u put an optic on your AR? Anyone put a 1-4.5x24 or 3.5-10x40 on an AR with front A2 sight?

 

[919]

Aero or PSA, both are reasonably priced and solid quality

 

[Luked]

I have a few.
A PSA upper on my daughters 300 BLK that she deer hunts with. Its a 1-1.2 MOA for 10 at 100 yards with 125gr Sierra Pro Hunters.
Have a 223, that at this point is torn apart waiting on some parts. But it was a 1.5" gun with factory loads. But then figured out it was a 1-7 twist barrel that I was shooting light stuff through I think it didn't like (got the gun on a trade)
Also have a 6Arc that I built from scratch and still need to work up loads on it with the new barrel I just got. Hoping its going to be my deer/Coyote gun.

I Think any AR will do what you need. With the 5.56 you could probably search around any pawn or local gun shop and pick one up pretty reasonable then build from there.
That's what I did for my first one. They are a pretty reliable system and really easy to work on with just a few tools you probably already have