Thinking about an AR15

[Erick]

You will certainly get more service from a local guy and maybe they can steer you towards the build you want. With AR's the options are endless and you have to think about what you want to do with it.

PSA is a great choice but I would stay clear of the PTAC stuff. The cheapest way is to buy a Rifle Kit, a stripped lower and install the parts. Sometimes they have great deals on separate uppers/lowers too. They sell out pretty quick but if you aren't in a hurry, it's a great option. If you buy separate, make sure it has the Bolt Carrier Group & Charging Handle. Otherwise, you will need to find one. Their blemished stuff has always looked great to me. The lowers are usually on sale for around $60 plus shipping plus FFL Transfer Fee. I would rather buy a Spikes or other brand for the full price of $100 but there will be virtually no difference except the roll mark.


Here are a few of the options from PSA.

Option 1. Rifle Kit
1. Rifle Kit http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html or http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-16-m4a1-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html
2. Stripped lower receiver http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lowers/stripped-lowers.html
3. Sight(s)
4. Magazine

Option 2. Complete Lower/Complete Upper
1. Complete Lower http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...e-blem-lower-classic-edition-no-magazine.html
2. Complete Upper w/ Charging Handle & Bolt Carrier Group
3. Sight(s)
4. Magazine

Option 3. Complete Lower/Upper/Bolt Carrier Group/Charging Handle
1. Complete Lower
2. Upper Minus BCG/CH http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html
3. BCG/CH
4. Sight(s)
5. Mag.

Option 4. Stripped Lower/LPK (Great way to knock out the lower first and add a compete upper later.
1. Stripped Lower http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lowers/stripped-lowers.html
2. Lower Build Kit http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/palmetto-state-armory-classic-lower-build-kit.html
3. Upper
4. Sight(s)
5. Magazine

 

[JaredC]

So, I've been thinking quite a bit about an AR15 and, in another thread, I was told to order one from PSA. Well, I went to the site and jizzed a little while looking at all the great prices

First off this made me LOL......

Secondly, in my humble opinion, since you are very new to the platform I would suggest finding a complete AR that you like in the 600-800$ price range and shooting the snot out of it. Then after you've shot it a ton, shot it some more.

Look on youtube, or buy a video from Brownells, and take it apart and put it back together. Change a few pieces out as you learn what they do, how they can be better and what you personally like the feel of.

Then once you have a good grasp of what you like, build a complete rifle with parts that YOU know fits your body, shooting style and preferences the most.

You aren't going to save any money building a rifle yourself, especially with lower end rifles. But if you buy one in that price range, it will hold its value ok and if you sell it, you won't lose much money.

Doing it this way, by the time you are ready to build your own, you will be very familiar with all the parts and thinga majigs and you will know what is worth spending money on and what is just marketing fluff.

 

[JaredC]

Sorry, after typing all of that above, I read the last paragraph in your post about this rifle being for your brother. I don't know where you are located, but if around Tulsa, check out Fatboy Tactical. They sell everything needed to build a complete rifle and will help walk you through the process......... Some even say they are nice guys, but that is yet to be determined.... :p

 

[SilencerX7]

Where r u located? If in the okc are, look up Black Label Armament. Its on 10th just east of council. Go visit with the owner, Clint Black. He's a wealth of information and can order whatever you decide on. He's a hoot also, very personable. If your in the Tulsa are, go see Jeff or Kealty at Fat Boy Tactical and they can help you out just the same.

Sent from outer space or somewhere from my mobile device

I live out just south of I-240 and I'll be sure to visit Mr. Black when I get the chance.

PSA is a great choice but I would stay clear of the PTAC stuff. The cheapest way is to buy a Rifle Kit, a stripped lower and install the parts. Sometimes they have great deals on separate uppers/lowers too. They sell out pretty quick but if you aren't in a hurry, it's a great option. If you buy separate, make sure it has the Bolt Carrier Group & Charging Handle. Otherwise, you will need to find one. Their blemished stuff has always looked great to me. The lowers are usually on sale for around $60 plus shipping plus FFL Transfer Fee. I would rather buy a Spikes or other brand for the full price of $100 but there will be virtually no difference except the roll mark.


Here are a few of the options from PSA.

Option 1. Rifle Kit
1. Rifle Kit http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html or http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/psa-16-m4a1-1-7-freedom-rifle-kit.html
2. Stripped lower receiver http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lowers/stripped-lowers.html
3. Sight(s)
4. Magazine

Option 2. Complete Lower/Complete Upper
1. Complete Lower http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...e-blem-lower-classic-edition-no-magazine.html
2. Complete Upper w/ Charging Handle & Bolt Carrier Group
3. Sight(s)
4. Magazine

Option 3. Complete Lower/Upper/Bolt Carrier Group/Charging Handle
1. Complete Lower
2. Upper Minus BCG/CH http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...ped-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html
3. BCG/CH
4. Sight(s)
5. Mag.

Option 4. Stripped Lower/LPK (Great way to knock out the lower first and add a compete upper later.
1. Stripped Lower http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/lowers/stripped-lowers.html
2. Lower Build Kit http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/palmetto-state-armory-classic-lower-build-kit.html
3. Upper
4. Sight(s)
5. Magazine

That clears up so much! I think I'd go with option 1 as that seems to make the most sense to me. I have another question though. I frequent Sooner State Pawn's website a bit and I noticed they have a lot of stripped and complete AR lowers. The ones that are in my budget would be like a New Frontiers or 2 Vet but I don't know how reputable they are compared to the higher end options.

 

[CHenry]

I live out just south of I-240 and I'll be sure to visit Mr. Black when I get the chance.

Kool, tell him clay said hi.

Sent from outer space or somewhere from my mobile device

 

[Erick]

That clears up so much! I think I'd go with option 1 as that seems to make the most sense to me. I have another question though. I frequent Sooner State Pawn's website a bit and I noticed they have a lot of stripped and complete AR lowers. The ones that are in my budget would be like a New Frontiers or 2 Vet but I don't know how reputable they are compared to the higher end options.

I haven't seen the 2Vet lower but I hear they are good. I have seen the New Frontier Billet and it looked good too. I would stay away from their polymer one. I'm sure they work but now is a great time to buy lowers. There are two types of lowers. Forged and Billet. Forged is the standard and supposed to be a little stronger than billet. However, in most cases, the milling company can make functional modifications to billet such as integrated trigger guards and bigger mag wells. Personally, I would either get a forged lower with a name brand you like or get a really nice billet like Seekins. The lower is what you will identify the gun as. With a few exceptions, they all will run well and the differences are minimal.

It's a good idea to buy a stripped lower if you find the one you like. You can always buy a rifle kit or lower build kit to finish it later.

 

[jmike314]

Sooner has got some good stuff down at the new Norman store.

 

[O4L]

SSP has a deal right now, I think today and tomorrow, on a M&P Sport for $579. Heck of a deal on a good AR.

(at the Norman location)

 

[SilencerX7]

I haven't seen the 2Vet lower but I hear they are good. I have seen the New Frontier Billet and it looked good too. I would stay away from their polymer one. I'm sure they work but now is a great time to buy lowers. There are two types of lowers. Forged and Billet. Forged is the standard and supposed to be a little stronger than billet. However, in most cases, the milling company can make functional modifications to billet such as integrated trigger guards and bigger mag wells. Personally, I would either get a forged lower with a name brand you like or get a really nice billet like Seekins. The lower is what you will identify the gun as. With a few exceptions, they all will run well and the differences are minimal.

It's a good idea to buy a stripped lower if you find the one you like. You can always buy a rifle kit or lower build kit to finish it later.

Thanks! I'll definitely consider picking one up when I get paid at the end of the month and definitely will purchase once my Tax Return comes in and start on the AR. =P

Sooner has got some good stuff down at the new Norman store.

Sooner usually has really good stuff at all 3 locations. As I said before, I frequent the website to see what they got each day (mainly because I was eyeing that Tula SKS they had. I was planning on buying it if it was still there at the end of the month but... It sold, of course. Lol). I'm closest to the Southern location.

SSP has a deal right now, I think today and tomorrow, on a M&P Sport for $579. Heck of a deal on a good AR.


(at the Norman location)

I think that that was their going price I've been seeing on the the M&P Sports for a while. I know the Southern location had them priced at that for a month or two and on the one time I went in to pick up a Mosin Nagant. I'm really surprised that Sooner makes such great deals on their guns and it really makes me want to be a regular buyer from their shop.

Speaking of the Norman Location, I'm definitely gonna have to drop by there to pick up a Hex Receiver Nagant if they are still available at the end of the month. They are dubious for me to find and to have Sooner have them available is great.

 

[SilencerX7]

I went ahead and got me 2 Spike's Tactical Punisher lowers from Sooner. One to build for my brother and myself. I'm stoked on building an AR. =P