Hello all!

I used to own a Stag Arms Model 2 that I unfortunately had to sell during the brief period I was homeless.

I have a few hundred rounds of 5.56, plenty of magazines, and a bunch of extras I bought for my rifle while I was deployed, and I'm in the market to buy another AR.

My first instinct was a Colt or another Stag, but there are tons of manufacturers out there. Looking at a few sites there are some in the 4-600 dollar range that would be perfect since they wouldn't break the bank (like PSA rifles, for example) but I don't know enough about them to know if they're worth buying.

So once again I kneel, humbly, before the vast knowledge of SIGforum for advice and guidance.

Is there a recommended manufacturer of budget AR's, or is this a case of waiting a year or two and socking away enough for another 12-1300 dollar one?

I bought an M&P sport and used it for a year without cleaning (just proper lube, I was experimenting to see what it could do). I used it for Dept. quals, classes and general shooting. It never missed a beat.

I like my Del-ton

http://www.del-ton.com

Del Ton Sport has treated me right, pretty cheap right now.

It depends on what you're looking to get.

If it's a hobby or a range gun, there are a lot of decent to good cheaper options. Del-Ton, Palmetto State Armory, S&W M&P Sport II, Ruger AR556, Aero Precision, Sig, Spikes Tactical, Rock River, the list goes on. Tons of lowers, stripped lowers, complete rifles, a lot of options as low as $300, all the way up to $800 for the base offering of some of them.

If you're looking for a rifle that would also serve to bet your life on, the list shrinks a bit. Colt, Daniel Defense, BCM, HK, LMT. Maybe a few others I'm forgetting. Colt 6920 is about the cheapest off the shelf rifle out of this group. Basic M4 clone, you can find them with Magpul furniture for a bit more. The 6920 drops into $700 territory from time to time lately.

Take a look at Aero Precision

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Take a look at Aero Precision

I’ll second that recommendation. Brownell’s has them on sale every so often.

I have a PSA and it's always gone bang the few years I've owned it. You can get them pretty cheap now, AR market is very soft.

But I got mine before the market fell off the table for them.

Where in PA are you?

Another vote for PSA.

quote:

Originally posted by JJexp:
Where in PA are you?

York area.


Thanks all! I'll be looking a bit more into all of these. Del Ton seemed cheap to me to the point I was a bit wary of them, but sounds like that may be a misconception. I'd never heard of Aero Precision before so I'll definitely be looking into them!

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Take a look at Aero Precision

I’ll second that recommendation. Brownell’s has them on sale every so often.

I’ll third that...mine has been excellent overall.

I would agree with Rustpot. If this is a range toy you can’t go wrong with PSA, S&W, and Ruger.

However, if this will pull double duty as both a range toy and if sh!t hits the fan I would go with his other suggestion. While my PSA is a great plinker I will reach for my BCM first when/if things go pear shaped.

quote:

If this is a range toy you can’t go wrong with PSA, S&W, and Ruger.

Why do you not recommend these for HD?

Any of the afore mentioned will do just fine. Maybe look at DPMS too. I think all of them would function in just about any roll. I would prefer a mid length vs carbine. But mostly a preference thing. They say mid length gas system is a bit more reliable. I can see that.

quote:

Originally posted by k5blazer:

quote:

If this is a range toy you can’t go wrong with PSA, S&W, and Ruger.

Why do you not recommend these for HD?

There is nothing wrong with those three manufacturers, but there are a few manufacturers who have real combat experience and a lot of people take that into consideration, Knight's Armament and Colt come to mind. If a rifle is going to be HD why not spend a little more on a KAC, Colt, Daniel Defence, LMT, or BCM? I have range toys and and top tier rifles and I know without question the ones that I will grabbing.

Having said all that, if you have proven your rifle reliable than by all means use it for HD.

Another vote for PSA. By buying a complete lower to go with a barreled upper, you can get the configuration that you want. I have two PSA's that are absolutely reliable.

Smith and Wesson.

Would not hesitate to buy a Windham.

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My budget / beater build is an Aero Precision lower that I built and paired with an Aero complete Mid-length upper & BCG.

I did have to send the lower back for a CRAZY tight magwell. Aluminum 30s would work, every other magazine type (metal 20s, all polymer) you could used without a magazine catch - you had to tear them out, if you could even get them in.

AP did take it back and fix it, so I have no complaints.

If I wanted to buy a complete rifle in the $500 range, I'd likely go S&W MP Sport line . Grabagun has them for $499. Ruger AR556 is another $500 with a great warranty that you likely wont get from PSA.

$800-ish gets you a Colt of some variety - might take some shopping around but you can do it.

My favorite build is Mega Gator Lower and BCM complete uppers.

Another vote for PSA,
Have several in different configurations,only have two rock rivers at present,gave my old pre ban colt to one of my sons.
PSA run as good as the other two I mentioned