That’s the question.

Additional considerations:

Carbine length suitable for personal defense or law enforcement patrol use.
No need to be capable of using ammunition suitable for long range (>600 yard) target games.
Good overall quality, not necessarily finest precision, but I assume that anything in that price range should put bullets close to where they’re aimed with good ammunition.

Asking for a friend (yes, really ).
I have already recommended looking at Wilson Combat offerings because that’s what I purchased for myself most recently, but I’d like to suggest others if appropriate.

I'd buy the FN 15 Military Collector M4

Awfully pricey for an M4 variant, but it would be my choice.

The Daniel Defense rifles are great as well, but the FN M4 appeals to me in a big way.

There's the SIG M400 as well, but I like milspec (or milspec-type, to be precise) rifles.

One brand I would absolutely not consider these days is Colt, which is a real shame, since their 6920 was the gold standard of M4-type rifles for years. Well, not anymore.

It's close to the top of that budget, but I'd go with a JP-15. For the quality of what you're getting, I don't think there is anything better in terms of rifle only.

$2000 for the gun or $2000 for everything?

LMT, LWRC, Knights Presision, Daniel Defense, and 2k might not be enough... Those are a little more pricey.

Bravo Co, Palmetto State, FN, LaRue Tactical, Armalight, Gissele, DSArms-
All under the $2000 mark, and solid quality weapons that will accurately put that round where you want it. Tell your "friend" (you know we don't believe you... This is landing up in YOUR safe ) that if he gets a $1200 Bravo, that's $800 on an optic and light.

Theres also nothing wrong with doing a custom build from someone that knows what they are doing. $1500-2000 and you can piece together a pretty damn good and ultra reliable gun.

Ruger AR-556

Will leave them about $1300 for ammo!

The FN FN15 tac3 is at the top of my list for a factory rifle.
https://fnamerica.com/products/rifles/fn-15-tac3/
Has everything I would want on it.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Ruger AR-556

Will leave them about $1300 for ammo!

I'd buy 3 Ruger AR556s.

father in-law got a Geissele super duty 16. i think recent sales had it closer to $1,800 depending. i considered it pretty high quality AR with a nice handguard and comes SSA-E trigger.
there are a few other "enhacements" you can see, but for the most part, i thought it was well worth the price.
https://www.brownells.com/fire...2-137308-250576.aspx

$2000 for the rifle itself.
Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

LWRC, Daniel Defense...

No experience with either.

It's Daniel Defense for my vote too. I love my M4V4.

Probably LWRC. At around the $1700 mark you can get an LWRC with a slight edge in features over a comparable DD rifle. Just going by what's on the shelf at the local store, of course.

In that price range, though, there's not really anything you can go wrong with.

I am biased, and would say LMT for the win. This is my go to rifle, if I am in deep doodoo. It was the Defender line when I got mine, but think they are the Standard Patrol line now. Also have a Sig 516 to round out the top shelf. Both are put together like a swiss watch, and run exactly like you would expect.

The rest are Aero lowers with PSA uppers. They get the job done, but without the style and panache of the top tier makers.

Pick the logo you like the best from the top manufacturers and run with it. Once you are at that level they are so close together in quality, it does come down to logos and or DI vs Piston.

I’d spend 1200.00 on a gun and 800.00 on an optic. But that’s because I don’t see as well as I did years ago

Wilson Combat
LaRue
FN

If he is LE Wilson Combat offers a very generous LE discount.

If I ever buy another factory AR it will likely be an FN.
I checked the LaRue box last year and Wilson Combat this year.
So I don’t really see me buying another AR.

Bravo Company / BCM. Bullet proof professional working man's gun without the fluff.

https://www.bravocompanymfg.co...on_systems/index.php

If it was me I would go with the FN Military Collector M16.

I am a huge FN fanatic, and I carried an FN M16A4 with the adjustable stock and Knight rails until Uncle Sam took it and issued me an M4.

With the adjustable stock you have the best of both worlds: M4 and M16A4.

POF

Noveske, Geiselle. Some good suggestions. LMT or FN would also be right there.

I would buy a POF. I have two: super accurate, minimal cleaning needed, and never, ever failed in any way. Mine are gas piston, but they make DI guns as well.

https://www.cflgunandtactical....ge-Black-p/01143.htm