Virginia is about to make buying and selling an AR illegal, so I figure it's time to give the General Assembly the middle finger and buy one before their grabby fingers come after it.

I've been doing a lot of research on getting my first AR, and talking with my son-in-law (who builds his own), I'm getting closer to finding one that suits both my needs and budget.

I looked at the S&W M&P Sport 15, but a lot of people have suggested Rock River. RRA has a bunch of build-your-own options, which intrigues me, but I'm not quite sure on all the components that make a difference. The AR-15 is probably the most popular firearm in America these days, and the people of SIGForum are not shy with their opinions. So, I'm waiting to read yours...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: fpuhan,

many to choose from

Smith and Wesson would be fine

I would also recommend Windham Weaponry

https://www.windhamweaponry.co...3-556-caliber-rifle/


Armalite is having a sale:

https://www.armalite.com/produ...b1ccbb4121-441346365

also check out Palmetto State Armory


you should have bought several by now

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I'd think a S&W M&P Sport II would be readily available. LGS near my house had them on sale with a Vortex RDS for $675.

Palmetto

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/rifle-kits.html

All you need is a stripped lower

Complete rifles
https://palmettostatearmory.co...te-ar-15-rifles.html

quote:

Originally posted by Sig209:
many to choose from

Smith and Wesson would be fine

I would also recommend Windham Weaponry

https://www.windhamweaponry.co...3-556-caliber-rifle/


Armalite is having a sale:

https://www.armalite.com/produ...b1ccbb4121-441346365

also check out Palmetto State Armory


you should have bought several by now

--------------------------------------

Maybe, but I've been a handgun guy all this time.

PSA was the first place I saw a long gun that triggered my GAS, the AKV-9 (OK, technically it's a pistol, but I like the looks).

There are lot of great options on the market right now. I am looking to buy one before VA passes the ignorant laws.

I have been looking at the S&W M&P Sport II, plus the Ruger AR556.

I would love to get an FN like the one the Army issued me but the prices are a little steep for me right now.

I do like the Eagle-15 16″ Mission First Tactical Edition – 15EAMFT.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs issues Rock River Arms the LAR 15 and the agency I was with before I went to work for the Government bought RRA LAR 15.

I would like to get an M4 variant but also a M16A2/M16A4 equivalent like I had back in the old days (1992ish) and this time around in basic (2010)

As your first, and maybe only, I’d suggest the venerable 6920

First, this is the “basic” AR in anyone’s stable. Secondly, like me, shooting an AR, apparently, hasn’t been your standard shooting instrument, so you don’t want to spend a ton of money initially. And when Va. stops being a leftist state and you’ve decided you no longer want to give them teh finger it will be easier to sell. Or, you can continue to keep it and stil have one of the best basic AR’s available.

Just my opine.

Considering you haven't bought one until now, it's likely going to spend most of it's time in a closet or safe.

So I'd suggest S&W MP Sport or PSA.

get an assortment,colt,R R psa.Get purpose ones,rifles carbines and pistols ones.
My itch started about forty years back,I up armed my kids and grandkids and still have a few in the safe and as house guns for handy use.

FWIW, Armalite's having a flash sale.

I’ve never owned a Colt, but there are many here that recommend them and I trust their expertise. I however have the SW Sport, first and second generation. They are a great purchase for the money. I also have several from Palmetto and never had a problem with them either.

It is a great time to be in the market for America’s rifle.

Given that this may be the ONLY AR 15 you can buy and own, I'd buy a Colt 6920 and not consider anything else.....The Colt will also have the highest resale, especially if they do what they say they're going to do and it's grandfathered in, in VA.

If I were starting from scratch and looking to jump into the AR game, I would go with a Ruger AR 556:

https://www.ruger.com/products...specSheets/8515.html

Ruger's excellent customer service, easily removable forend, ( just unscrew the delta ring ) front and rear sights and a cold hammer forged barrel make for one solid AR for anyone.

S&W
Ruger
PSA
Del Ton

All will do what you need to do, cheap, reliable.

quote:

Originally posted by fpuhan:
Virginia is about to make buying and selling an AR illegal...

Which likely means that resale value of an AR means nothing. You're buying an AR for you, for your needs and wants, and for nobody else. If you have experience with other rifles, you should be able to narrow the scope of your AR purchase. If you don't have previous rifle experience, consider buying an AR that's easily adaptable to future use.

Some basics, without considering brands or models:
- Assuming you're looking for a 16" barrel AR15 in 223/5.56, look for a mid-length gas system. Carbine-length gas systems need to go the way of the dodo.
- Look for a free-floated barrel. Rifles that don't have free floated barrels need to go away.
- With your free-floated barrel, look for a modern rail system. Quad rails need to go away. Mlok systems work.
- Go with a barrel that has a 1:8 or 1:7 twist rate. Don't even consider a 1:9 twist barrel.
- Consider if you want to use iron sights, a red dot, or some form of a low powered variable zoom optic. Consider the cost of the optic in your budget.
- Budget for a reasonable supply of good mags. They can be aluminum or polymer. It's OK to try a few different types or brands, but keep the majority of your mags in one brand/type.
- Budget for the possibility of upgrading a stock trigger.

Barrels can be made of chromoly or stainless steel. I prefer stainless, but both types work. If feel you must have a chrome-lined barrel, so be it -- I wouldn't own one. If you're really concerned about barrel life, consider a nitride/melonite treated barrel. Chrome-lined barrels last longer than untreated steel barrels, but they're not as accurate.

****
Consider the above before buying any brand.
IMO, Colt makes good ARs, but at a price point that doesn't justify its components. A common recommendation is a Colt 6930 -- which has a carbine-length gas system, non-free-floated barrel, chrome lined barrel, and no rail system.

This may be your only chance to purchase an AR legally in Virginia. I would recommend something mid length gas in 16" Bbl, free floated. High QC because parts may also be an issue.

BCM is a nice place to look.

I have a Ruger purchased two years ago that has been satisfactory, i.e., it has fed, fired and shucked everything. The delta ring (which you seldom have to remove anyway) is threaded and pretty much needs a strap wrench to take it off.

CT did the same thing several years ago, banned AR's .
There was a huge run on AR's prior to the law going into effect. The safest "bet" would be to buy AR lowers--register the lower with the ability to have an AR in the future.
Buy a quality lower(s)--securing the option for a future build(s).

Plenty of good options above. Just buy one.
Then buy a few stripped lowers. They can be had for $40 now. No reason to not put some away for a rainy day that, in your state's case, is definitely coming.

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by SIGfourme:
CT did the same thing several years ago, banned AR's .
There was a huge run on AR's prior to the law going into effect. The safest "bet" would be to buy AR lowers--register the lower with the ability to have an AR in the future.
Buy a quality lower(s)--securing the option for a future build(s).

This is likely a wise suggestion.

The only full factory built AR I have is a RRA and it has been running like a top for well over a decade now.

If I was in your shoes I’d be buying 3 S&W M&P Sports and likely 5–10 striped lowers.

My LGS has the S&Ws currently for $539 with a CT red dot and $549 with a fixed front sight post and a rear Magpul BUIS.
You’ll be hard pressed to be S&Ws at their current prices.