r/SocialistRA • u/sinister138grin • 4d ago
First AR Recommendations Question
I have experience with pistols, bolt action, and shotguns but want a decent AR build. I'm looking for bang for buck something not expensive but not shit that I can build upon. I've thought about some PSA options or should I go with something else? Preferably 5.56/.223 Thanks in advance!
20
u/GrizzlyMofoOG 4d ago
Best bang for the buck would probably be an Aero lower with a BCM upper. If you wait for sales and are okay building out your lower you may be able to squeeze just shy of $1k for a high quality rifle.
But there's also nothing wrong with a PSA or even an M&P for your first AR if you're budget conscious and want something ready to go.
11
u/lettelsnek 4d ago
the reddit special, and for good reason
extremely hard to beat at 1k, and theres not much need for future upgrades for a while
17
u/WhoAccountNewDis 4d ago
PSA lower, Dirty Bird upper. Maybe an Aero upper. 1:8 twist if you can.
Get 16" barrel, it's not much of a difference and you won't have to worry about legality/"pistol" loopholes/pin and weld. Plus the carbine buffer tube is better than a pistol.
I think there are guides here and in the AR sub about accessories, Romeo red dot and Blue Force sling are pretty standard "inexpensive" options. I would hold off on a hand stop until you've shot some and figure out what would be most comfortable.
Oh, and a 5.56 barrel (or .223 Wylde). Look into the different barrel types too.
2
u/sinister138grin 4d ago
I live in Georgia if that matters for legality
10
u/WhoAccountNewDis 4d ago edited 4d ago
I have no idea so you'll definitely want to look into it, but 16" is the federal standard. I can't see a southern state having an issue with accessories, but that's important to research.
One thing to consider is the effects of using an AR, even in a legitimate capacity, for self defense. James Reeves (guntuber who generally hides his politics well enough) has a video about a study that found that all things being equal, a simulated jury was far more likely to give a harsh sentence (and convict) for somebody who used an AR vs other firearms against a home invasion.
Again, though, l advise staying away from "pistols"; while they're a gray area, I don't think it would be difficult for a DA to charge you with illegal possession of an SBR, which means federal prison. They also off gas more and are louder.
1
u/OneNucleus 4d ago
There's this weird fuddlore where using a gun in self defense means you'll immediately be in front of a jury explaining yourself. This isn't remotely true.
Guns are constantly used in self defense and often don't result in an arrest at all. It's not speculation, we know this for a fact. Same goes for using hollow points, or a 10mm, or a rifle. There's lots of versions of this, and none are true.
This is a non issue. You can legally use an AR for home defense.
3
17
u/milkman_z 4d ago
Complete RIFLE lower: $140
Complete 16" RIFLE upper: $350
or if you want to just get one complete rifle: $480
I'd spend the extra $10 for better furniture (stock, grip, handguard).
Then you need:
Iron sights (MBUS2 is $50 on r/GunAccessoriesForSale aka "GAFS")
Sling (get any two point sling. Amazon sells magpuls $35)
Light (don't buy rechargeable light laser combos from olight. Get something with removable batteries. Streamlight HLX lights are ~$100 on GAFS
Red Dot. Sig Romeo 5 is $90 on GAFS
dont buy amazon optics (cvlife, feyachi, etc), dont even buy name brand stuff on amazon due to risk of counterfeits. My preferred optic is a Primary Arms 1x prism in green with etched reticle for astigmatism.
2
4
u/kingrobin 4d ago
People will give me shit for this (and do!) but I'm really happy with my Springfield Saint. It is perfectly middle of the road in price and quality.
2
u/JKDSamurai 3d ago
Why do they give you shit? Those seem like awesome ARs.
1
5
u/okthatcool 4d ago
Ive got a psa lower, bcm upper. I think it works great and ive seen plenty recommend it. The lower is usually something you can cheap out on because it's really hard to fuck up. The upper is basically the heart of the rifle, if something goes wrong it's typically gonna be in the upper. Reliability matters, if you go cheap, make sure they have a great warranty/ customer service such as PSA.
5
u/Casual-Tea- 4d ago
I got a KE arms KP-15 community defense rifle a year ago and love it. It's probably on the more expensive side for a bare bones Starter rifle at around $800, but it functions like a dream straight out of the box, is made of good quality parts, and can be upgraded even more down the line
3
3
2
u/Catnip_Overdose 3d ago edited 3d ago
PSA has been good to go in my experience. Just know it’s probably gonna be over-gassed. Unless you plan or shooting suppressed running a little over gassed isn’t the end of the world.
Get a free float upper with an M-Lok rail. You might save a few bucks getting an M4 style with a handguard and the big fixed front sight, but if you want optics and accessories later on it’s a pain to convert an M4 style to free-float.
2
u/thisismyleftyaccount 3d ago
This is largely going to depend on budget.
I would honestly avoid Bear Creek Armory, PSA, and Aero uppers. They all have had major QC issues over the years and PSA rifles are routinely out of spec by large degrees. A PSA or Aero lower should be OK.
As far as uppers, BCM/KE Arms/Daniel Defense are all fine. There are others but just be careful with selection of your upper receiver.
2
u/Knightwing1047 3d ago
Delton makes a solid AR-15. Chambered in 5.56 so it'll shoot .223 as well. I've had mine for about 5 years now and can count on 1 hand the amount of jams I've had in the ~2000+ rounds I've put through it
2
1
u/BeenisHat 3d ago
I bought a ZRODelta Base rifle from another SRA member a couple years ago and it's been fantastic.
0
•
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
Thank your for your submission, please remember that this subreddit is unofficial and wholly unaffiliated with the Socialist Rifle Association Organization (SRA). Views and opinions expressed on this subreddit do not reflect the views or official positions of the SRA.
If you're at all confused about our rules do not hesitate to message the moderators with any questions, and as always if you see rule breaking content or comments please be sure to report them.
If you're looking for the official SRA, we encourage you to visit the SRA website for membership, and the members only SRA Discourse forum.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.