A short video suggesting a few primary considerations for those looking to buy an AR-15. It also offers general tips about configurations, brands, and whether to build or buy.
Also, it may be not very safe to shoot 5,56x45NATO rounds from AR15s which are chambered only for .223Remington…both cartridges are actually the same and will fit same chamber , but military loads are usually made for higher chamber pressures !
Sure! But not all AR15s are as good as ones made by top manufacturers you noted in this video…so it’s not bad to know about differences in 2 cartridges, is it?
No, but if I mention that, why shouldn’t I mention (insert AR-specific tech info here)? The video would be 30-40 minutes long if I covered all AR-related topics in even the barest detail.
Exactly ! It’s almost impossible to cover all AR15 related issues !!! And I don’t say “why didn’t you mention that?” … I am just making a comment …saying my opinion or something I would like to share and discuss with you and other guys …that’s it !
Guys , don’t forget about Armalite , where AR15 was developed (by Eugene Stoner)! Also if I make a short list of AR15 manufacturers, I would definitely include Bushmaster !
The current Armalite shares only a name with the company Eugene Stoner worked for. Also, I would not include Bushmaster on a list of my recommended AR-15 manufacturers.
The infinite number of configurations is the only problem with the AR15. I am currently building my first AR15, and collecting all the parts and tools. I have spent 1k on tools alone because I want all the tools for any situation. I thought about buying Brownells AR15 kit but felt it was cheap and contained common tools most people have. I put the kit together from scratch, everything from the toolbox to the torque wrench are made in the USA. I wanted to invest in the ability to fix my own guns to save myself money and to make money by fixing other guns if I got a job in it or the world collapsed. I also have two reloading machines for the same reason. I also build my own computers now because I have always been good at computers and wanted to get that out of the way. My computer is CAD workstation grade and has 16GB and cost a total of 2k including the a big monitor.
Are we looking for highest quality brands ? I think Bushmaster must be a reliable manufacturer…and a bit more affordable…kinda happy medium ! I think admin is not just listing the highest quality AR15s…because price also matters. If you don’t care about price , then take a look at Wilson Combat, Les Baer Custom and guns which are hand fitted by master gunsmiths .
I think Bushmaster is what all others are measured by. Bushmaster I consider the average, anything below Bushmaster is below average.
Low 1 – High 5 Quality Price
LWRC 3.5 5
JP 5 3
Daniel Defense 4 3
Bushmaster 3 3
Spikes 3 3
Armalite 2 2.5
Wow, can’t even get away from the “better brand” battle on a video to help a novice first time buyer sort through the endless configurations and parts from which to choose from. IIRC their were some high quality companies on that list.
Plus 99% of people shooting AR’s are shooting .223 out of them and if they are shooting 5.56 then they typically know what they are doing.
With an AR that’s actually going to be shot, the goal is best value, not lowest price. For the difference in price, a duty quality AR is a much better value than a commercial spec AR, like Bushamster or DPMS. You’ll end up replacing commercial spec parts when they fail and probably replace them with duty quality parts, so start from a better foundation to begin with.
Lots of good info in that video, and if you follow those questions and give yourself good, reasoned answers to them, you’ll end up with a good piece of equipment. If it’s just gonna sit in your safe, any piece of junk will do.
You left Stag off the list. Being a lefty, I want a lefty AR-15 which only Stag makes. Or is this worthwhile and would I be better off using a typical right hand version from your list? I would never shoot it that much. It would be a shtf weapon.
Stag can be hit or miss, and their left-handed ARs have some very important parts that are proprietary. I bought a left-handed Stag for my (left-handed) dad a while ago, but he now shoots right-handed ARs exclusively.
I’m a left-handed Army 11-B, and the only issue I have is that the selector switch is mildly awkward when used left-handed(trigger finger instead of thumb). Ambidextrous safeties are pretty common-place and don’t require you to go buy a Stag.
Also, it may be not very safe to shoot 5,56x45NATO rounds from AR15s which are chambered only for .223Remington…both cartridges are actually the same and will fit same chamber , but military loads are usually made for higher chamber pressures !
If the viewer purchases a rifle from one of the manufacturers listed in the video, they will receive a rifle that can safely fire 5.56mm ammunition.
Sure! But not all AR15s are as good as ones made by top manufacturers you noted in this video…so it’s not bad to know about differences in 2 cartridges, is it?
No, but if I mention that, why shouldn’t I mention (insert AR-specific tech info here)? The video would be 30-40 minutes long if I covered all AR-related topics in even the barest detail.
Exactly ! It’s almost impossible to cover all AR15 related issues !!! And I don’t say “why didn’t you mention that?” … I am just making a comment …saying my opinion or something I would like to share and discuss with you and other guys …that’s it !
Guys , don’t forget about Armalite , where AR15 was developed (by Eugene Stoner)! Also if I make a short list of AR15 manufacturers, I would definitely include Bushmaster !
The current Armalite shares only a name with the company Eugene Stoner worked for. Also, I would not include Bushmaster on a list of my recommended AR-15 manufacturers.
I see you would not include…because you haven’t !
….?
The infinite number of configurations is the only problem with the AR15. I am currently building my first AR15, and collecting all the parts and tools. I have spent 1k on tools alone because I want all the tools for any situation. I thought about buying Brownells AR15 kit but felt it was cheap and contained common tools most people have. I put the kit together from scratch, everything from the toolbox to the torque wrench are made in the USA. I wanted to invest in the ability to fix my own guns to save myself money and to make money by fixing other guns if I got a job in it or the world collapsed. I also have two reloading machines for the same reason. I also build my own computers now because I have always been good at computers and wanted to get that out of the way. My computer is CAD workstation grade and has 16GB and cost a total of 2k including the a big monitor.
You only have one monitor? 😉
Its a big monitor and I wish I had got another Identical one but, its discontinued.
The brands mentioned in the video are all of much higher quality than Bushmaster.
Are we looking for highest quality brands ? I think Bushmaster must be a reliable manufacturer…and a bit more affordable…kinda happy medium ! I think admin is not just listing the highest quality AR15s…because price also matters. If you don’t care about price , then take a look at Wilson Combat, Les Baer Custom and guns which are hand fitted by master gunsmiths .
…Bushmaster and quality are not always synonymous…
Les Baer AR15 = Highest Quality Everything
Wilson Combat AR15 = I fell they out sourced there parts for the AR15. Not as high quality when compared to in house Daniel Defense and Les Baer.
I think Bushmaster is what all others are measured by. Bushmaster I consider the average, anything below Bushmaster is below average.
Low 1 – High 5 Quality Price
LWRC 3.5 5
JP 5 3
Daniel Defense 4 3
Bushmaster 3 3
Spikes 3 3
Armalite 2 2.5
Wow, can’t even get away from the “better brand” battle on a video to help a novice first time buyer sort through the endless configurations and parts from which to choose from. IIRC their were some high quality companies on that list.
Plus 99% of people shooting AR’s are shooting .223 out of them and if they are shooting 5.56 then they typically know what they are doing.
Good video
With an AR that’s actually going to be shot, the goal is best value, not lowest price. For the difference in price, a duty quality AR is a much better value than a commercial spec AR, like Bushamster or DPMS. You’ll end up replacing commercial spec parts when they fail and probably replace them with duty quality parts, so start from a better foundation to begin with.
Lots of good info in that video, and if you follow those questions and give yourself good, reasoned answers to them, you’ll end up with a good piece of equipment. If it’s just gonna sit in your safe, any piece of junk will do.
You left Stag off the list. Being a lefty, I want a lefty AR-15 which only Stag makes. Or is this worthwhile and would I be better off using a typical right hand version from your list? I would never shoot it that much. It would be a shtf weapon.
Stag can be hit or miss, and their left-handed ARs have some very important parts that are proprietary. I bought a left-handed Stag for my (left-handed) dad a while ago, but he now shoots right-handed ARs exclusively.
Stag sold me on a Colt. Just saying.
I’m a left-handed Army 11-B, and the only issue I have is that the selector switch is mildly awkward when used left-handed(trigger finger instead of thumb). Ambidextrous safeties are pretty common-place and don’t require you to go buy a Stag.
How about DPMS? I own the AP4 carbine. If DPMS is not recommended, can you advise me on what parts are usually substandard on their guns?
Barrels, bolts, action springs, extractor springs, receiver extension tubes, fire control group parts.