AR advice!

[dodgehemi08]

I am looking to build or buy an AR, especially an M4 Carbine. Any suggestions on brand, where to start, etc?

[grousemaster]

I am looking to build or buy an AR, especially an M4 Carbine. Any suggestions on brand, where to start, etc?

Why build? To save $$ or to customize?

[gman1868]

You'll get some help from a recent thread here:

http://www.mnguntalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=30603

[Terry]

If you want a high quality rifle.. Go with a BCM (Bravo Company Manufacturing).

Here is a great article on selecting an AR...

http://forums.officer.com/t81462/

Hope that helps!

[Hmac]

I am looking to build or buy an AR, especially an M4 Carbine. Any suggestions on brand, where to start, etc?

I would start by going over to M4Carbine.net http://www.m4carbine.net/forum.php and reading the stickies and introductory messages on the various subforums.

http://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?f=4
http://www.m4carbine.net/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Lot's of accumulated knowledge there. If you have specific questions, start by using the orange search button at the top of the page, not the vBulletin search button in the menu header.

[rugersol]

I am looking to build or buy an AR, especially an M4 Carbine. Any suggestions on brand, where to start, etc?

jest put together another upper last nite ... Daniel defense 16in M4 carbine bbl ... DD flattop upper ... YHM lo-pro gas block ... YHM flash hider ... Todd Jarrett handguard mid length ... young BCG ... very nice!

I'd suggest, if ya can't find a LPK in stock, get a complete lower

if ya find a bbl, upper, and/or BCG ya really like, and in stock, buy it quick!

[codilly]

If build is what you want to do then the place to start is the lower receiver weather you buy a stripped on and add the lower parts kit, buffer tube and stock. As far as lowers go most anyone will work just fine. I however would not reccomend getting a polymer lower receiver to save a little bit of money. If you want a standard style M4 they can be had complete for a pretty good price and I suggest building if you wanna go the custom route like I did.

[V Man]

Buy a standard AR from a quality manufacture (Thunderjohn has some right now) get to know what you like and dislike then build one. I think once you get out and shoot for awhile gain knowledge about AR's you will be able to figure out what you like and build exactly what you want

[BC98]

If you're looking for a high-quality first AR rifle, I would look at getting a Colt 6920 or 6720. The pricing on them is very good (hell, they sell the 6920 at some WalMarts now), they're reliable, and they should shoot well out of the box without any tinkering. Plus, if you decide you don't like ARs or want to upgrade down the road you can sell the rifle or the upper and it should retain a lot of value due to the name.

Just a thought.

[bri]

If you're looking for a high-quality first AR rifle, I would look at getting a Colt 6920 or 6720. The pricing on them is very good (hell, they sell the 6920 at some WalMarts now), they're reliable, and they should shoot well out of the box without any tinkering. Plus, if you decide you don't like ARs or want to upgrade down the road you can sell the rifle or the upper and it should retain a lot of value due to the name.

Just a thought.

This is very solid advice. You're never going to get close to your money out of a self "built" AR in the current market. If you're not ever going to sell, or don't particularly care about losing some cash on the deal, a "build" is a great way to learn the platform.

[goalie]

I have had really good results with the Spike's mid-length AR that I bought a while ago.

I would second the advice to go to m4carbine.net and do some reading

[IDPA Shooter]

If you're looking for a high-quality first AR rifle, I would look at getting a Colt 6920 or 6720. The pricing on them is very good (hell, they sell the 6920 at some WalMarts now), they're reliable, and they should shoot well out of the box without any tinkering. Plus, if you decide you don't like ARs or want to upgrade down the road you can sell the rifle or the upper and it should retain a lot of value due to the name.

Just a thought.

Jon at Riverside Sporting Gear has 3 Colt 6920's left in stock and has sold several and shot a few of them. I tell can tell you they are very well made and his are the Colt Defense, not colt Mfg in their blue/black. Jon is so impressed with their accuracy he is buying one for himself, a definite temptation for FFLs that cuts into their profit.

I had a PM asking for prices, but system would not allow me to respond so ... These are LE M4s, Magpuls are $1,169 in black or brown, the Rogers stock is black and runs $1,079. Call Jon at 763 263 9587 for details and check out the feedback on his service. Sorry if this violates any forum rules, but I do help in the shop. Just sold another Colt 1911. Joe and other IDPAers know the 1911 is not my fav', but that was 3rd one of this model I've sold in the last month.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

[Muddy41]

I am looking to build or buy an AR, especially an M4 Carbine. Any suggestions on brand, where to start, etc?

jest put together another upper last nite ... Daniel defense 16in M4 carbine bbl ... DD flattop upper ... YHM lo-pro gas block ... YHM flash hider ... Todd Jarrett handguard mid length ... young BCG ... very nice!

I'd suggest, if ya can't find a LPK in stock, get a complete lower

if ya find a bbl, upper, and/or BCG ya really like, and in stock, buy it quick!

Can you show some pics of what you built..Would like to see it...

[dodgehemi08]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I think I may buy a basic M4 Carbine and find what I like and dislike, also learn how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. I found a Bushmaster for $700-800. Good or bad idea?

[Hmac]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I think I may buy a basic M4 Carbine and find what I like and dislike, also learn how to disassemble, clean, and reassemble. I found a Bushmaster for $700-800. Good or bad idea?

For a lot of people, a Bushmaster would be a bad idea, but you may have lower expectations for your firearms. For an additional $200, you can get a rifle of substantially better quality (Colt 6920) but if you're just looking for a range toy where quality is of lesser importance than the $200, a Bushmaster is as good a bottom-tier rifle as any.