Budget AR15
- Thread starter Jscb1b
- Start date
There's a million. I'll start with big names-
Smith and Wesson M&P sport
Ruger AR556
Savage MSR 5.
Smith and Wesson M&P sport
Ruger AR556
Savage MSR 5.
Just buy a PSA kit. There's so many options.
Palmetto State Armory has a ton of good value AR's.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/pa-15-rifles.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/pa-15-rifles.html
Build your own from a PSA kit. My last build came in less than $500 including lower.
+1 for PSA, wait till they have a sale and try and get a CHF barrel.
Here is an option if you would like a short stroke gas piston.
So much fail in this thread......
Colt 6920’s are the standard for a hard use fighting rifle.
Milspec is more than just parts interchangeability.
OP, if you’re truly going to depend on this purchase for life or death situations, do some research. If you have to save a month longer to get a top quality rifle, you’ll be money ahead in the long run.
Colt 6920 OEM 1’s and 2’s can be had under $800
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com
These took 3 min to find
If you buy the rifle and can’t afford the factory hand guards, trigger guard, and stock, I’ll give you a set.
Colt 6920’s are the standard for a hard use fighting rifle.
Milspec is more than just parts interchangeability.
OP, if you’re truly going to depend on this purchase for life or death situations, do some research. If you have to save a month longer to get a top quality rifle, you’ll be money ahead in the long run.
Colt 6920 OEM 1’s and 2’s can be had under $800
Colt LE6920 5.56mm OEM2 Rifle
Colt: LE6920 5.56mm OEM2 Rifle for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
These took 3 min to find
If you buy the rifle and can’t afford the factory hand guards, trigger guard, and stock, I’ll give you a set.
Last edited:
PSA Daily Deals-
palmettostatearmory.com
palmettostatearmory.com
Those right there will cost you $319.99
You can upgrade to this for an extra $120
palmettostatearmory.com
Easy to assemble too.
PSA 16" M4 Carbine Length 5.56 NATO 1:7 Nitride Freedom Rifle Kit - 5165450351
Barrel: Chrome Moly steel barrel chambered in 5.56 NATO with a 1:7 twist rate, M4 barrel extension, and a carbine-length gas system. The barrel is finished off with a standard handguard, F-Marked gas
palmettostatearmory.com
PSA HBR-15 Stripped Lower Receiver
Palmetto State Armory’s limited-edition "HBR-15™" lower will only be available once. The "HBR-15™” lower comes from the most advanced aerospace m
palmettostatearmory.com
Those right there will cost you $319.99
You can upgrade to this for an extra $120
PSA 16" 5.56 NATO 1:7 Midlength Nitride 13.5" Lightweight M-Lok MOE EPT Rifle Kit w/ MBUS Sight Set
Barrel: 16" 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium steel Freedom barrel, chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1:7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a Mid-length gas system. The barrel is finished with with
palmettostatearmory.com
Easy to assemble too.
I put together LMT M4's using their M4 upper and Defender lowers. You just buy the two, a BCG and stick it all together, cheaper than buying it pre assembled and you'll be taking it down farther than that for cleaning so assembly is no big deal, stick the BCG in it and pop two pins and voila! An M4. They're a little more than you wanna spend but they're actually very good rifles and better than anything I ever saw issued (and I'm talking about the Colt M4's). I paid probably $1000 all said and done but this was years ago, probably $1100 or so now I'd guess.
But for an out of the box rifle these Colt 6920's are the ones everyone seems to swear by. And for the price, you can't really get a better rifle that can actually depend. Remember, if you can't depend on it, it's just a fucking toy. Given the prices I've heard these Colt rifles go for, I'd say you'd be hard pressed to do better. Shit, if I had it to do over, I may have just went that route.
The Colt M4 rifles average 2MOA plus whatever the ammo adds to that. Army minimum was 4MOA for the M4 and M855; most would do better. I imagine these 6920's are pretty much the same rifle so I'd expect something between 2-3MOA. That's not bad for a fighting rifle and the first SDM's were using these issue M4's like that and able to make hits on E type targets at 600m. And they're fairly reliable when kept clean. They're not as forgiving as the more expensive rifles, but hey, it's issue shit and it works.
Also this rifle isn't gonna require any fucking with to make it work, and it's not gonna be something you'll regret buying or wanna sell off if you find yourself later on looking at custom shit, it'll always be a great defensive rifle, period. Buy cases of M855 and call it a day. if you want a rail I'd suggest finding a used KAC carbine length non-FF rail --RAS I think it's called. By far best bang for the buck at $100 or so used. And I'd personally put an Acog or MRO on it, depending, but you can still hit those 600m targets with issue iron sights if you know what you're doing and practice it. So it's really all up to you, and you don't need to do it all at once.
So if you wanna keep the cost low and get something reliable and "accurate enough" I'd say go with the Colt I guess. Sure, there's cheaper, but there likely isn't a better one close to the price. And the 3 round burst version has been issued to everyone from cooks to delta operators so I'm guessing it'll be good enough for a budget option for sure.
Good luck!
But for an out of the box rifle these Colt 6920's are the ones everyone seems to swear by. And for the price, you can't really get a better rifle that can actually depend. Remember, if you can't depend on it, it's just a fucking toy. Given the prices I've heard these Colt rifles go for, I'd say you'd be hard pressed to do better. Shit, if I had it to do over, I may have just went that route.
The Colt M4 rifles average 2MOA plus whatever the ammo adds to that. Army minimum was 4MOA for the M4 and M855; most would do better. I imagine these 6920's are pretty much the same rifle so I'd expect something between 2-3MOA. That's not bad for a fighting rifle and the first SDM's were using these issue M4's like that and able to make hits on E type targets at 600m. And they're fairly reliable when kept clean. They're not as forgiving as the more expensive rifles, but hey, it's issue shit and it works.
Also this rifle isn't gonna require any fucking with to make it work, and it's not gonna be something you'll regret buying or wanna sell off if you find yourself later on looking at custom shit, it'll always be a great defensive rifle, period. Buy cases of M855 and call it a day. if you want a rail I'd suggest finding a used KAC carbine length non-FF rail --RAS I think it's called. By far best bang for the buck at $100 or so used. And I'd personally put an Acog or MRO on it, depending, but you can still hit those 600m targets with issue iron sights if you know what you're doing and practice it. So it's really all up to you, and you don't need to do it all at once.
So if you wanna keep the cost low and get something reliable and "accurate enough" I'd say go with the Colt I guess. Sure, there's cheaper, but there likely isn't a better one close to the price. And the 3 round burst version has been issued to everyone from cooks to delta operators so I'm guessing it'll be good enough for a budget option for sure.
Good luck!
Well for shits and giggles I have decide to build a budget M4A1 build. Here's the list-
PSA 16" carbine kit $279
PSA 2 stage trigger $69
Aero Precision M4A1 lower $69
KAC RAS covers $30
Midwest Industries MCTAR-17G2-BLK $124.95
Stag Arms sling mount $27
MaTech BUIS $120.99
Vortex Strike fire (had one I had laying around, don't remember the price) est. price $130
Cheap sling $11.95
KAC vertical grip (ebay knock off) $18.95
For a total of $755.89
Just put this together a lunch.
Note: This will probably never be my goto rifle I just want to see how it might compare to my $1500-$2000 set ups. Will follow up with a range report too.
PSA 16" carbine kit $279
PSA 2 stage trigger $69
Aero Precision M4A1 lower $69
KAC RAS covers $30
Midwest Industries MCTAR-17G2-BLK $124.95
Stag Arms sling mount $27
MaTech BUIS $120.99
Vortex Strike fire (had one I had laying around, don't remember the price) est. price $130
Cheap sling $11.95
KAC vertical grip (ebay knock off) $18.95
For a total of $755.89
Just put this together a lunch.
Note: This will probably never be my goto rifle I just want to see how it might compare to my $1500-$2000 set ups. Will follow up with a range report too.
Attachments
Last edited:
PSA and a mountain of ammo. Strongly consider a SBA3 pistol for shorter range work.
This seems like a really good budget rifle-
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com
Ruger AR-556 MPR 5.56mm with Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Riflescope
Ruger: AR-556 MPR 5.56mm with Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24mm Riflescope for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
Get a basic PSA and ammo. Shoot it and then find out what you like and don't like before spending money on upgrades/a better rifle
Go 6920 for something to just throw in the closet. PSA if you intend to go beyond one gun in the AR15 platform.
A good friend of mine is looking for his first ar. I think I might recommend this one. What do you guys think? https://grabagun.com/ruger-ar-556-mpr-5-56mm-blk-18-30rd.html
Wow!!! tons of bad advice!!
Ya'll want to recommend to this dude that his very first AR15 is one that he pieces together himself. Holy fuckballs!!
The guy that said 6920 pretty much nailed it. not expensive, not cheap, no extra bullshit on it that you don't need anyhow, and definitely not pieced together by someone with no experience.
All this extra crap guys put on their AR's doesn't make them a better shooter 95% of the time. Because it isn't something you can just throw money at.
If you pay 450 for your AR there is a problem. and no, it is not reliable.
Good advice:
Get a basic ass 6920 then go to a reputable school for a class on how to use it.
Ya'll want to recommend to this dude that his very first AR15 is one that he pieces together himself. Holy fuckballs!!
The guy that said 6920 pretty much nailed it. not expensive, not cheap, no extra bullshit on it that you don't need anyhow, and definitely not pieced together by someone with no experience.
All this extra crap guys put on their AR's doesn't make them a better shooter 95% of the time. Because it isn't something you can just throw money at.
If you pay 450 for your AR there is a problem. and no, it is not reliable.
Good advice:
Get a basic ass 6920 then go to a reputable school for a class on how to use it.
Last edited:
Generally "piecing one together" consists of basic function and cleaning breakdown. Meaning, you purchase a complete lower (BG check), buy a complete upper, which may or may not include a BCG, if not, purchase a BCG. You're basically done. Putting it together is stupid simple and if you can't handle that, you may not be qualified to handle guns in general. It's about the easiest rifle system out there and why it's so popular.
Also, there's and added cost in the form of a Federal tax on all complete rifles. You can avoid this tax by piecing it together. And I agree about the 6920. It's a good complete rifle. Still gonna need to take it apart and put it together in order to properly clean it at some point in time.
Also, there's and added cost in the form of a Federal tax on all complete rifles. You can avoid this tax by piecing it together. And I agree about the 6920. It's a good complete rifle. Still gonna need to take it apart and put it together in order to properly clean it at some point in time.
Colt CCU uppers $549. Pin it to a quality in spec lower . https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ccu-upper-receiver-5-56-m-lok-prod120469.aspx
Last time I was there, Clyde Armory had large pin Colt lowers for less than $300. Geissele makes SSA & SSA-E triggers for the large pin lowers if you decide to upgrade.
Last time I was there, Clyde Armory had large pin Colt lowers for less than $300. Geissele makes SSA & SSA-E triggers for the large pin lowers if you decide to upgrade.
Y’all are really hung up on Colts. Last Hbar that I had was a total piece of shit. Won’t give them any more of my money.
A guy on my squad last weekend had one. I handled it a bit, it was an AR, it went bang and the bullets went the right way. Which isn't saying much but nothing negative to say either.
D
Deleted member 113831
Guest
The reason so many recommend PSA, is because most of us have multiple copies.
They run just fine, or we wouldn't have bought the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th one.
They run just fine, or we wouldn't have bought the 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th one.
But they don't sell a billet skull lower.?
PSA functions fine. If you 'need' more, then buy 'more'. It's like anything else. You want a sub MOA gun, you're gonna need to buy a barrel from a reputable barrel maker. You're gonna run surpassed, you'll need to consider that.
I have several Noveskes, an LMT, and bunch of low end PSA rifles I built. They all run. I like my Noveskes and LMT. Other than some aesthetics, there's not a whole lot different. Unless you're buying Gucci parts, they are likely from the same several manufactures that manufacture that particular part. You can get a approx. $300 rifle and go from there. Piece by piece, part by part until you've spend $3000 on replacement parts.
On a side note about PSA. I purchased a Gen 1 AR10 upper of theirs from ANOTHER distributer as they were impossible to find at the time. I could not get it to run reliably. I contacted PSA and they asked me find the distributer I bought it form and we'd go from there. I lost interest and put it on the back burner for at least 6-9 months. I contacted them again, they were able to find my original complaint. Asked for the original receipt/invoice. I was able to provide it to them once I found my seller. I expected a replacement upper. I received a check from PSA for the full amount I paid the SELLER, not them. They took a big hit on that. They didn't have to do it. I turned around and bought a Gen 2 AR10 upper from them almost immediately for less than ½ what I paid for the original and what I was refunded. The upper runs like a champ. Zero malfunctions. Ran it supressed. No issues. So, while I'm sure someone, somewhere gets junk from time to time, most of their shit is GTG and they will stand behind their products. Don't want a PSA, don't buy one. Easy as that. Not sure why it triggers some so much.?
LMT likely has the best rep in the industry among actual operators. NOT internet soldiers of fortune. I really wanted to know the difference between a PSA, LMT, and Noveske BCG. LMT is considered THE top mil spec. BCG.
I couldn't find any differences worth noting. These are just a few of the many pics I took while inspecting all of them. And no I was not able to MPI test etc as I do not have access to that type of equipment. So what I guess what you're really paying for is a "known source". I can tell you that PSA is a "known source". They've been around long enough and likely sold more AR15s than anyone in that time due to price and availability alone. I hear a lot of belly aching about PSA but I have yet to see any actual evidence their shit sucks.
I've got a couple too.
I couldn't find any differences worth noting. These are just a few of the many pics I took while inspecting all of them. And no I was not able to MPI test etc as I do not have access to that type of equipment. So what I guess what you're really paying for is a "known source". I can tell you that PSA is a "known source". They've been around long enough and likely sold more AR15s than anyone in that time due to price and availability alone. I hear a lot of belly aching about PSA but I have yet to see any actual evidence their shit sucks.
I've got a couple too.
I recently put together a psa rifle. Complete upper m-lok rifle length, toolcraft nib bcg, mbus sights for $340. Then I assembled a Anderson lower $50 with a psa moe ept gray lower parts kit for $90. So for $480 it shoots under Moa at 100 yards.
Colt is a baseline and generally makes the cheapest acceptable AR. Next up the line would be LMT. Next up is DD. After that you get to BCM. Finally the Pinnacle of a factory ARs, the SR15.
BCM is by far the best value for a quality rifle that just plain works and will last a lifetime of hard use. The SR15 is close behind in value, despite it's price it's actually a great deal when you break down the features and system as a whole.
PSA, Ruger, s&w, kit guns ext are all all range toys made with substandard parts and QC. They are fun for hunting or plinkers , or even arming the neighborhood on the cheap, but they should not be used as a primary. Anyone who says different is a moron.
Best advice so far is buy a colt (6720) factory gun or piece together a BCM from parts. If you go the BCM route, go with elw midlength gas system 16" It's cheaper to slap 2 halves together becuase it avoids the 11% FET built into complete rifles.
I have not personally put enough rounds in anything except a glock 17 to say it can hold up over tens of thousands of rounds
But the reason my first AR 15 was a PSA was the abuse stories I have read from others. Instead of linking to other forums
google up
how durable are psa ar-15
and see the sorts of things that come up, yes all could be faked and internet legend, but whatever
Buy a PSA completed lower off one of their daily deals (this one is $129 right now)
palmettostatearmory.com
Then buy a PSA completed upper off one of their daily deals (this one is $299 with BCG)
palmettostatearmory.com
combine and you are done. If you are really new to this, don't build the upper or lower from a bag of parts, you can make mistakes
Yes the colt might be a little better (but we would need to define better) I doubt the PSA will let you down.
But the reason my first AR 15 was a PSA was the abuse stories I have read from others. Instead of linking to other forums
google up
how durable are psa ar-15
and see the sorts of things that come up, yes all could be faked and internet legend, but whatever
Buy a PSA completed lower off one of their daily deals (this one is $129 right now)
PSA AR-15 Complete Classic Lower - No Magazine - 7244
This Complete Palmetto State Armory lower is fully assembled and ready for your complete Upper!Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6Hardcoat Anodizing: MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2Milspec diameter
palmettostatearmory.com
- Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6
Then buy a PSA completed upper off one of their daily deals (this one is $299 with BCG)
PSA 16" Mid-Length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Nitride 15" Lightweight M-lok Upper - With BCG, & CH - 5165449907
Barrel: 16" barrel length Chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1:7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a mid-length gas system. The A2 profile barrel is finished with Melonite. Barrel is finished off with
palmettostatearmory.com
combine and you are done. If you are really new to this, don't build the upper or lower from a bag of parts, you can make mistakes
Yes the colt might be a little better (but we would need to define better) I doubt the PSA will let you down.
It doesn't matter if it was machined out of titanium, if it's not built to spec and QC/QA checked including all small parts then it doesn't mean shit. The reason a colt or BCM costs more is not because they are more expensive to make. It's becuase they reject anything that doesn't meet a tight spec. When you buy a psa or other cheap mass produced shit, your playing the lottery. Not only are the specs not tightly held, but there is hardly any QA. The top tier manufactures reject who batches of parts or anything that doesn't meet spec. COLT and PSA may order bolt carriers from the same shop. Colt may reject 60% of them for failing to meet spec. The supplier knows colt has higher standards and since machine time, labor and materials aren't free, they have to put more time and effort into making parts for them, so they don't lose their ass when half the shitment gets rejected.
PSA, Bushmaster, dsa, s&w don't give a fuck. They will take anything that physically fits , put it together and sell it. Most buyers are dumb fucks who don't actually shoot so they don't even know they have shit. Those that do, are the minority and even after paying for customer service and RMA, they still make more money then properly speced parts would cost from a vendor.
In the machine world the same part made to different tollerences can cost magnitudes more.higher Tollerences take more time, better machines, more post inspection, more skilled programers/machinists and increase likely hood of a out of spec part, driving costs up.
Just because you can mash parts together and get it to fire doesn't mean it's not defective, won't develop uneven wear, shit the bed once it gets dirty,ect.
And it's been reported more than once rejected parts just get resold on the market to wholesalers and budget outfits. Those lower parts kits and cheap shit u see are most likely from rejected lots or someone's scrap bin.
This is why you don't cheap out on ARs. For a plinker or 25th gun they are fine. For something you will trust your life to they not to be trusted. Would you use a parachute from a budget outfit that costs half what a proven one would? Sure it will probally work, but then again it may not.
PSA, Bushmaster, dsa, s&w don't give a fuck. They will take anything that physically fits , put it together and sell it. Most buyers are dumb fucks who don't actually shoot so they don't even know they have shit. Those that do, are the minority and even after paying for customer service and RMA, they still make more money then properly speced parts would cost from a vendor.
In the machine world the same part made to different tollerences can cost magnitudes more.higher Tollerences take more time, better machines, more post inspection, more skilled programers/machinists and increase likely hood of a out of spec part, driving costs up.
Just because you can mash parts together and get it to fire doesn't mean it's not defective, won't develop uneven wear, shit the bed once it gets dirty,ect.
And it's been reported more than once rejected parts just get resold on the market to wholesalers and budget outfits. Those lower parts kits and cheap shit u see are most likely from rejected lots or someone's scrap bin.
This is why you don't cheap out on ARs. For a plinker or 25th gun they are fine. For something you will trust your life to they not to be trusted. Would you use a parachute from a budget outfit that costs half what a proven one would? Sure it will probally work, but then again it may not.
So you have almost no experience with ARs but are confident that PSA won't let him down? That's a pretty bold statement from someone who should do more reading and listening than giving piss poor advice to someone with even less knowledge and experience.I have not personally put enough rounds in anything except a glock 17 to say it can hold up over tens of thousands of rounds
But the reason my first AR 15 was a PSA was the abuse stories I have read from others. Instead of linking to other forums
google up
how durable are psa ar-15
and see the sorts of things that come up, yes all could be faked and internet legend, but whatever
Buy a PSA completed lower off one of their daily deals (this one is $129 right now)
PSA AR-15 Complete Classic Lower - No Magazine - 7244
This Complete Palmetto State Armory lower is fully assembled and ready for your complete Upper!Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6Hardcoat Anodizing: MIL-A-8625F, Type III, Class 2Milspec diameter
- Machined from Aluminum Forgings 7075-T6
Then buy a PSA completed upper off one of their daily deals (this one is $299 with BCG)
PSA 16" Mid-Length 5.56 NATO 1/7 Nitride 15" Lightweight M-lok Upper - With BCG, & CH - 5165449907
Barrel: 16" barrel length Chambered in 5.56 NATO, with a 1:7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a mid-length gas system. The A2 profile barrel is finished with Melonite. Barrel is finished off with
combine and you are done. If you are really new to this, don't build the upper or lower from a bag of parts, you can make mistakes
Yes the colt might be a little better (but we would need to define better) I doubt the PSA will let you down.
Sometimes it's like the blind leading the blind.
I am pretty sure I said to google a phrase and search what more experienced people than I have posted
I have seen posts pictures etc of tortured PSA ARs, ah nevermind, you are right I a just a dumbass that can't use google
I have seen posts pictures etc of tortured PSA ARs, ah nevermind, you are right I a just a dumbass that can't use google
Maybe someone needs to re read the OPs thread title. ? It's starting to sound like barfcom 2010 in here.
