I’m thinking about getting one.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Marlin Fan,

I’m partial to BCM and Daniel Defense.

Thank you, anybody else?

Personally, I think Geissele makes the overall best AR pattern rifle. They aren’t cheap but they’re far from the most expensive either. Their barrels are incredibly durable, yet also seem to maintain a high degree of accuracy. I also like their rails the best out of all of them as a general rule. They are now my first choice in the AR game, and I really think they are potentially the best value as well.

I have been very impressed with the Sons of Liberty Gun Works products that I’ve owned and/or used. If you’re building a gun instead of just buying a complete rifle, I think their bolt carrier groups are the overall Best Buy in the industry right now, even surpassing BCM. Their lifetime warranty is legit and they are serious about taking care of their customers. The only thing I managed to break of theirs was a punch. I didn’t really expect it to be covered by their lifetime warranty, but it was and the replacement process couldn’t have been easier.

BCM is also terrific, as is Daniel Defense. I don’t really care as much for BCM’s free float hand guards/ rails/ whatever you want to refer to them as, so I don’t own one of their complete rifles. But that’s as much a matter of personal preference as anything as their products are solid! My only real gripe with Daniel Defense is they are really in love with carbine length has systems instead of mid length, as well as their adherence to government profile barrels, which are both just not as high in order of preference for me. Their barrels do shoot excellently though and their rifles are high quality, reliable products that anyone should be happy to own. They also aren’t quite as great of a value as they once were as their prices seem to have gone up a bit more in relation to their competitors.

Historically, I’ve been a huge fan of Colt and LMT as well. While I think Colt has largely got their quality control back to where it was during the height of the GWOT, they definitely had a few years in the past 10 that were troublesome. LMT still makes a great product but their prices have gone sky high while their availability has definitely seemed to decline. I don’t think they’re as good a value as they once were.

There’s undoubtedly lots of great product out there now, but those are companies that I have experience with. I think they deliver consistently good products and I think the first 4 I mentioned are also pretty good values as well.

Thank you, anybody else?

LMT MRP

Depends partly on your budget.

If you're on a tight budget ($600 or less): Palmetto State Armory. Decent and workable for a low budget build, especially if you piece it together yourself. The sweet spot is to buy a stripped lower, a lower parts kit, and a complete upper. You can assemble the lower yourself at home in <30 minutes with some basic tools using online tutorials, and then just slap the more complex upper that PSA assembled for you onto your finished lower. This few minutes of tinkering saves you ~25% over simply buying a complete PSA rifle.

If you have a bit more to spend and just want a slightly nicer complete basic rifle with factory warranty support ($700-$1100): Your big name gun manufacturer of choice - Springfield, S&W, Ruger, Sig, Colt etc. Decent base rifles with a few nice features backed by a big company's customer service and warranty.

Or if you've got some additional money to spend and are looking for high quality but without breaking the bank ($1200-$1500): BCM or Daniel Defense

Your question as worded is pretty vague. How much do you want to spend? I’m a big fan of DD and BCM. Above that, anything Geissele or KAC. Bottom rung, Smith and Wesson has it figured out.

Unless you live on Gilligans Island in 2026, asking for advice on buying an AR is a popularity contest. You can buy a $350 gun to begin and have a $6000 gun a couple years later. Having a decent lower is probably the most important part.

I plan on spending at least 2K.

Is that rifle only, or your total budget for rifle + accessories?

You can get a nice BCM/DD rifle plus a decent optic, some additional mags, some defensive and training ammo, a white light, and a sling for ~$2.5k.

That will cover all your bases for a defensive AR.

Daniel Defense or BCM (BCM standard rifle can be had for well under 2k$). Leaving plenty for an optic, sling, light, etc.

My original SBR from nearly 15 years ago is a BCM. Still works perfectly with quite a few rounds though it.

I think I got my last 12.5” BCM upper for 700$. Throw in a complete BCM upper for <$400 and you’ve got a grand for everything else.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Your question as worded is pretty vague. How much do you want to spend? I’m a big fan of DD and BCM. Above that, anything Geissele or KAC. Bottom rung, Smith and Wesson has it figured out.

Unless you live on Gilligans Island in 2026, asking for advice on buying an AR is a popularity contest. You can buy a $350 gun to begin and have a $6000 gun a couple years later. Having a decent lower is probably the most important part.

KAC definitely makes quality stuff. But the fanboy prices on their guns and accessories is ridiculous. 625$ for offset BUIS. Rails, VFG, it’s crazy.

Nothing to do with the thread. Sorry.

I figure at least another $600 for accessories.

quote:

Originally posted by Marlin Fan:
I figure at least another $600 for accessories.

This is 100% subjective. But I can’t do anything with a brand more expensive than BCM to justify the money. It’s gonna do everything I need and CAN do. For ME, going towards Noveske, POF, KAC, or similar is just superfluous. I’d get the BCM or DD and configure it to your hearts desire. LPVO would be my recommendation if it’s your only one, or an Aimpoint micro.

Perhaps some insight - what will you "do" with it?
- Caliber?
- Purpose? - plinker - home defense - Target
- Budget as noted above....................

The choices are numerous

5.56 and defense.

Say less, fam, I gotchu.

Are they even legal where you live?

I would feel plenty fine with a Colt 6920, BCM or a Daniel Defense rifle and have a couple of them. Save the extra for mags and ammo. Any one of these will serve you well for many years and many rounds.

If you want to get a different trigger, whether standard or drop-in, you have plenty to choose from. The same with charging handles, safeties, etc..

Optics are a personal choice and I would look around for one that fits your needs/wants.

quote:

Originally posted by xmod:
LMT MRP

^^^^^
Arguably better than the HK 416.

lowers are lowers,
all are built to the same standard,
so decide if one has a bell or whistle you like,

then invest in a good trigger
then decide what you want to do with it,

then invest in a good barrel,


once that is decided, invest in some ammo and range time,