New to ARs, what should I get?

PSA has a visual blemish AR for $470.00 buy that and upgrade the trigger. You can get a huge upgrade in trigger for around $100 vs milspec junk. What ever optic you want and go hunt. Try a few different types of varmint ammo to see what shoots best.
I built my own lower, assembled buttstock onto lower etc. Sorry but for $470 complete gun for a basic varmint close range nothing special application, imo, don't bother yourself with piecing together a rifle. Buy it shoot it...like it and want better, start updating parts or start putting together a whole new rifle "custom".

But I will reiterate upgrade the trigger ASAP.
 
Set a budget and buy the best you can get. Yes any AR will work. As the guy that has 2 cheap guns with mediocre accuracy they just arent that fun to shoot or talk about it. Life’s too short to shoot inaccurate rifles.
 
flyfisher117 said:
Set a budget and buy the best you can get. Yes any AR will work. As the guy that has 2 cheap guns with mediocre accuracy they just arent that fun to shoot or talk about it. Life’s too short to shoot inaccurate rifles.
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Unfortunately you can get expensive ARs that aren't accurate as well.. Seems to be a lot of focus of reliability over accuracy on many of them. I have a "mid grade" BCM that is a fine example. Not remotely accurate. Had a cheap DPMS upper that shoots tighter but doesn't run as well.
 
wind gypsy said:
Unfortunately you can get expensive ARs that aren't accurate as well.. Seems to be a lot of focus of reliability over accuracy on many of them. I have a "mid grade" BCM that is a fine example. Not remotely accurate. Had a cheap DPMS upper that shoots tighter but doesn't run as well.
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That’s true and I’m not only advocating to buy expensive. Just advocating for a budget and then researching within that budget.
 
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 said:
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 ...
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That sucks.

Sadly, I dont think we are all that far behind yall
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Patrickjr said:
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.
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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
 
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).
 
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.

 
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.
 
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?
 
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