Options for quality Sub $2k AR style 7.62X51 rifle
Give me your suggestions. ThanksThis message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
January 29, 2026, 05:17 PM
tenmm
Ruger SFAR?
_______________________________________ Do you only play? Or can you shoot too?
January 30, 2026, 03:49 AM
Todd Huffman
I picked up a PSA lower a while back, put a LaRue trigger in it, and waited till I saw a upper that I liked go on sale. Topped it with a Nikon scope and I've got a little less than 1k in it.
Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago.
January 30, 2026, 08:26 AM
patw
I've heard nothing but good things about CMMG or even the PSA carbines.
January 30, 2026, 12:06 PM
KSGM
x51 or x39?
If x39, I think it's important to prioritize AK magazine compatibility. I think CMMG is well-regarded.
If x51, I think Springfield, Sig, and S&W all have offerings under $2K. Despite its more low-key outward appearance, I've always thought the ambi controls on the S&W were nice for the money. I always thought the Sig 716i seemed really nice, but there are a concerning amount of negative reviews online.
I know it's not a good reason, but the SFAR has never appealed to me for aesthetic reasons. I don't like how it looks and feels.
January 30, 2026, 12:14 PM
xmod
Ruger sfar
January 30, 2026, 12:21 PM
RogueJSK
It's bumping right at the top of your price range, but the POF Rogue 7.62 can be had for ~$1700, or the slightly nicer POF Revolution 7.62 can be had for ~$2100.
I picked up a Revolution last year and am quite pleased with it.
Otherwise, the Ruger SFAR comes in well under your budget at ~$1100, leaving room for an optic and even some mags and ammo. It had some teething problems when first introduced several years ago, but Ruger seems to have worked most of the kinks out.
January 30, 2026, 01:13 PM
HRK
PSA has the Sig MCX Spear LT on sale, $1000 off at $1,869.00
Thanks guys. The Ruger is not an option for me. I like Ruger and have hunting rifles that are great.
The POF is a good option. These $4000+ rifles are crazy. LaRue for example. I am a huge LaRue fan but not going to even consider it at that ridicules price, Noveske is another and there are others. I might consider a LaRue upper and pair it with a different lower. Who's lower could one pair with the LaRue upper? Lmt went by the wayside when they went all in, in govt. contracts and gave up on the civilian market.
Update. I do see a few older used LMT's that come in close to the $2k mark. The newer LMT is $listed at around $3k which is considerable cheaper than the others mentioned. Who else?This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
January 30, 2026, 02:27 PM
KSGM
How is a Larue upper on an LMT (or LMT derivative) lower going to come in at less than 2k? That'd be the deal of the decade.
January 30, 2026, 02:50 PM
sprg03-A3
I own a Black Rain Ordnance Fall-out 10 that I am very happy with. Billet upper and lower. A bit of bling at times but it is currently on sale at Bass Pro/Cabela’s for $1250!
January 30, 2026, 03:23 PM
old rugged cross
quote:
Originally posted by KSGM: How is a Larue upper on an LMT (or LMT derivative) lower going to come in at less than 2k? That'd be the deal of the decade.
a few days ago a LaRue upper was $1899 and figured a lower could be had for $300-$400. Which would be over $2k, but not significantly. Now the upper is listed at $2k.
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
January 30, 2026, 06:13 PM
JonDaddy82
I've been amping up my .308 collection over the last few years myself. Have a SCAR 17 that I love with a VCOG on it, but I wanted something cheaper with cheap mags I wouldn't be upset about spray painting and beating up. The M1A isn't something I'd consider for serious use with it's ergonomic issues, so I settled on an IWI Galil in .308. I have others in 7.62x39 and 5.56 and they've all been solid so I said why not. I'm not an AR or AR-10 person honestly, so all those were out.
Think I picked up in the $1,500's at the time. Swapped the stock for a KNS adapter and skeleton setup, way more correct looking and feeling but not needed:
Put a PA 2x prism optic on it with an offest Holosun 509T and it's a tough setup. Man sized targets to 400, and the up close stuff with the offset red dot.
IDPA ESP SS
February 10, 2026, 08:52 AM
Zacsquatch
I have two PSA Sabre-10's that have been phenomenal, a 12.5" and 20". Shot several run and guns with the 12.5" and its been 100% with my 168gr loads.
_________________________
Trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up
February 10, 2026, 12:16 PM
old rugged cross
That is great to hear Zacs. Is the 12" a pistol or sbr. Using a can? What about the optic you are using?
"Practice like you want to play in the game"
February 10, 2026, 04:56 PM
KMitch200
PSA has a DPMS on closeout - $899. I don’t know if this is like mine or a different model, mine has an A2 stock and didn’t come with an adjustable gas block. It’s heavy but a joy to shoot.
If I were to buy one now it would be a 6.5 creedmore or 7mm08.
-------- After the game, the King and the pawn go into the same box.
February 10, 2026, 05:16 PM
Voshterkoff
Daniel Defense are running under $2,400 at EuroOptic.
Springfield rifles can be bought for around $1,500 and are below 8 pounds, but there are quite a few reports of poor accuracy.
quote:
Originally posted by RogueJSK: I picked up a Revolution last year and am quite pleased with it.
Otherwise, the Ruger SFAR comes in well under your budget at ~$1100, leaving room for an optic and even some mags and ammo. It had some teething problems when first introduced several years ago, but Ruger seems to have worked most of the kinks out.
The Revolution DI has interested me. I greatly prefer a more standardized platform that I can stack spare parts for, but it looks like a great package.
The SFAR is no longer on the Ruger website, hopefully just being moved to Anderson production. The SFAR really needs a version 2 priced at $2k with actual quality control.