looking to buy my first civilian ar-15 wanting suggestions

[US_Army_Z28]

Ok i want to buy my first ar-15 and looking for suggestions on what company to go with, ive been looking into dpms, bushmaster, s&w and ruger but im open to suggestions on any companies not listed as well, and before posting pay attention to this i am not looking to read random bashing of one or the other, i want actual feedback you have about the company and the rifle whether its good or bad, if i want to read random bashing ill go to competitors of the other company's website or forum,

[williaty]

Everyone is going to have a different brand they champion. However, there are some brands that nearly everyone will admit (sometimes grudgingly) that are above reporach. Some of the more-often-agreed-upon ones are (in no particular order):

Colt
Daniel Defense
Bravo Company
Noveske


Now, wither or not that even matters really depends on what you want to do with the gun. If you're really just going to buy it for the fun of having an AR and killing some paper at the range, buy whichever one fits your budget and comes with the coolest features. If you're going to use this gun for defense, it perhaps would be well advised to buy a gun with fewer add-ons from one of the companies in that list, or at least of that quality level.

[Einher]

You might want to check out the all purpose AR thread:

viewtopic.php?f=109&t=60336

Everything you'll ever want to know is in that thread, and probably more.

[omega_man]

No brainer, Palmetto State Armory http://palmettostatearmory.com/. They're right down the road from you

(Psst, they're FNs)

The previously mentioned companies are also top-notch.

Here's what I would not get: Bushmaster, S & W (except the .22), Ruger, DPMS, or Olympic Arms

The difference being milspec quality ARs manufactured to the same standards as what you are issued and range toys. (see all purpose AR thread)

[DannusMaximus]

I've got a Bushmaster and have had good luck with it through several carbine classes and lots of range time. HOWEVER, I also had to do quite a bit of tweaking to bring it closer to reliability standards with the aforementioned top-brand ARs. Put in a new heavier buffer, new extractor spring, change out the front sight, restake the gas key and castle nut, etc., etc. Nothing terribly expensive or time-consuming, but nothing I would have needed to do if I would have purchased a higher grade brand.

If I was buying a new AR I would follow the advice of Omega-Man and Wiliaty, especially considering that the 'top tier' brands are now reasonably close in price to the lower tier options.

[US_Army_Z28]

Okk out of these which would be best?
http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/psa-16-hammer-forged-m4a1-patrol-rifle-package.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/colt-sporter-223-556-20rd-m4-16-barrel-w-removable-carry-handle-sp6920.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/hk-mr556a1.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/stag-arms-5-56-ar-15-model-1-16-carbine.html

[omega_man]

My vote is for the PSA Patrol Carbine. Not just because I have one, but because it's a fucking beast:



The Aimpoint Pro included in that package is top notch as well. I swapped mine onto Omega_woman's lightweight PSA/BCM build.

Now, as for the PSA carbine, I'm still trying to get it to malfunction. I throw it, kick it, feed it shit ammo, and rarely wipe down the bolt or run a bore snake through. I can't even tell you the last time I lubed it. That's my $0.02.

[US_Army_Z28]

Ok the psa is startingg to sound like a winner, so i got a question for you i noticed it has a lot of options on the page for it so what would you reccomend on those?

[Regular Guy]

Man, there are sooooo many options with the AR. Get the basic MOE. Make sure you get a CHF brl and an mpi bolt. Once you get into it upgrade as you see fit. Just get a sling and a white light.
I live 5 mins from PSA and you've shown interest in the chapter, we can easily swap stuff out.
Couple of my PSA guns.

[omega_man]

The HK and Stag are non-starters for me. Not huge on piston ARs and I don't even want to know the price of the HK. Stags are not horrible, but at a comparable price point, the PSAs are better quaility (hammer forged barrels, HP/MPI bolts, etc).

I don't know what PSA wants for a Colt, but it's probably more than their own "house" (i.e. FNH) brand. That said, Colt does the AR thing right and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if cost was not an issue.

[omega_man]

Team Silent Viper for the PSA

I was wondering when you would show up to this conversation, RG.

[Czechnology]

Palmetto, especially if you live down the road. Buy it in pieces and save yourself some money.

[Regular Guy]

Team Silent Viper for the PSA

I was wondering when you would show up to this conversation, RG.

I was holding back since my knee jerk is always PSA. Since their FN barrels I can't find fault. And like Czech said, buy it in parts. Hand to a supreme diety, I've never bought a complete AR.

[majorhavoc]

Ok the psa is startingg to sound like a winner, so i got a question for you i noticed it has a lot of options on the page for it so what would you reccomend on those?

The Magpul grip, stock and fore end are low cost upgrades and really nice. However, you might want to go a different route in the future with the stock and fore end. If you're not sure, just get the Magpul grip. As a $11 upgrade, that's a no-brainer.

If you really don't have a need/desire for a quad rail, then I say spring for the MOE fore end as well. The stock is your call. It's definitely a step up from the M4, but a lot of folks want to go even higher, and there's lots of options out there.

Can't advise you on flash hiders as I have no experience with anything except a standard A2.

You're making a smart choice going with PSA. That's quality kit and a good company to deal with.

[RickOShea]

Does PSA ever sell any "complete" rifles with a mid-length top end, or just the carbine-length?

[kbilly84]

Off-topic question, if I may... When you painted that Ergo grip, did it lose some of the tackiness? That's my only real dislike of my Ergo.

OT: Stick to Mil-Spec parts and Manufacturers, you should be GTG. I've got a PSA (built, of course), I love it.

[RickOShea]

Off-topic question, if I may... When you painted that Ergo grip, did it lose some of the tackiness? That's my only real dislike of my Ergo.

Mebbe he has the "rigid" model, instead of the "sure-grip".

[omega_man]

Off-topic question, if I may... When you painted that Ergo grip, did it lose some of the tackiness? That's my only real dislike of my Ergo.

I just compared it to the unpainted Ergo on my (Oops, I mean OW's ) LW PSA/BCM and, uh, yeah, maybe a little less "tacky". Not much, if any, real difference. Sorry, I really can't get more definitive than that

-it's the "sure-grip"

[kbilly84]

Mebbe he has the "rigid" model, instead of the "sure-grip".

DERP. I'd completely forgotten they have that flavor... \Scurries off to look.

Now that I think about it, I like the "softness" of it, just not the tackiness. Then again, Maybe I just need to quit being a picky, whiny little bitch and deal with what I got.

ETA: Cool, thanks Omega_man!

[Regular Guy]

Does PSA ever sell any "complete" rifles with a mid-length top end, or just the carbine-length?

Most of their barrels are middies . So yes.

[proteus]

Dont know what your budget is but my vote is for http://www.lewismachine.net/ specifically the http://www.lmtstore.com/complete-weapon ... bps12.html its a beast of a weapon and a nail driver to boot

[RickOShea]

Does PSA ever sell any "complete" rifles with a mid-length top end, or just the carbine-length?

Most of their barrels are middies . So yes.

Just wondering, cause all I ever see are the PSA carbine-length "complete" guns on their website.

And because I'm a BCM mid-length fanboi....

[whisk.e.rebellion]

You might want to check out the all purpose AR thread:

viewtopic.php?f=109&t=60336

Everything you'll ever want to know is in that thread, and probably more.

Yup. We've discussed this a quintillion times.