First AR-15 (budget)
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter

I own plenty of guns, but not an AR-15.. Made a commitment to get one before this election. I'm not looking to do any crazy builds or anything like I see people doing. I just want a decent one that shoots .223/5.56 NATO. Have my eye on the S&W M&P15. Opinions? Wanna stay under $1000. Thanks
#2
Senior Member

Problem is finding one without a long wait.
#3
Senior Member


The S&W is fine or a Palmetto State Armory either one...Not a Fan of Ruger or Sigs as they tend to do proprietary stuff to their rifle, making some of the weapon not standard mil spec and easily fixed by the owner..
#4
Senior Member

I own plenty of guns, but not an AR-15.. Made a commitment to get one before this election. I'm not looking to do any crazy builds or anything like I see people doing. I just want a decent one that shoots .223/5.56 NATO. Have my eye on the S&W M&P15. Opinions? Wanna stay under $1000. Thanks
#5
Senior Member

Totally agree. Get a basic rifle that roughly conforms to the original design and rock on.
#6
Senior Member

Windham Weaponry.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#10
Senior Member




PSA has a few of em on their site as of now. A few are pistols. They are PSA builds. They are out of stock on Colts as is Bud's Guns.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/ar15-guns.html
https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/ar15-guns.html
#11
Senior Member

#12
Admirals Club

#13
Senior Member

I've got a PSA and a Savage Patrol...PSA has fluted match barrel that adds a good bit of weight to the gun. It's a good gun, but I'm surprised at how much I like the Savage. I did luck up and get it for sub $400, IIRC, when Gander had a few ARs left when they finally got to the 40% off firearms part of the store closing sale. That was a good month for gun purchases for me 
Just looked at the receipt...$377

Just looked at the receipt...$377
#14
Senior Member


i currently have a PSA and it is pretty nice gun, looks good and have not had a malfunction yet.
however, i find that i just dont use it. maybe its just the old farm boy coming out in me, but id rather have my Remington 223 or my savage 22-250! obviously the AR is going to have a larger mag capacity, other than that, those are my comfort guns. and yes the AR can be in 223 caliber, but your not going to reach out and touch with a STANDARD off the shelf AR like a redneck and his hunting rifle!
i thought i would like the AR for coyotes, i found i do not!
however, i find that i just dont use it. maybe its just the old farm boy coming out in me, but id rather have my Remington 223 or my savage 22-250! obviously the AR is going to have a larger mag capacity, other than that, those are my comfort guns. and yes the AR can be in 223 caliber, but your not going to reach out and touch with a STANDARD off the shelf AR like a redneck and his hunting rifle!
i thought i would like the AR for coyotes, i found i do not!
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter

i currently have a PSA and it is pretty nice gun, looks good and have not had a malfunction yet.
however, i find that i just dont use it. maybe its just the old farm boy coming out in me, but id rather have my Remington 223 or my savage 22-250! obviously the AR is going to have a larger mag capacity, other than that, those are my comfort guns. and yes the AR can be in 223 caliber, but your not going to reach out and touch with a STANDARD off the shelf AR like a redneck and his hunting rifle!
i thought i would like the AR for coyotes, i found i do not!
however, i find that i just dont use it. maybe its just the old farm boy coming out in me, but id rather have my Remington 223 or my savage 22-250! obviously the AR is going to have a larger mag capacity, other than that, those are my comfort guns. and yes the AR can be in 223 caliber, but your not going to reach out and touch with a STANDARD off the shelf AR like a redneck and his hunting rifle!
i thought i would like the AR for coyotes, i found i do not!
Again, wanting to buy one before this election ought to show why I want one!
#19
Senior Member

Go with the suggestions above. For under 1K you can get a version with free float rail (no A2 sight). It makes a big difference in accuracy and will be optics ready. You will want red dot and/or scope eventually.
#20
Admirals Club 


PSA Builds a budget AR. That’s why they are cheap. Standard barrel, standard bolt, Gas block has no loctite, the barrel is not dimpled and has a standard trigger with 6lb+ of pull. Their guns will work and go bang every time you pull the trigger, but they are budget guns. Buy once, cry once.