Any recommendations for an AR-15 style rifle?

I'm looking to purchase an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle but there is so much to pick from..my neighbor is ex-military and knows a lot about firearms so I will get his opinion but I was thinking I should also ask on here and see what you guys have and recommend?

I'm not looking to spend that much but between $500-$1000.

I looked at the Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II Rifle and its at a reasonable price for a good quality firearm. I'm also considering the bushmaster xm-15 quick response carbine rifle. what do you guys have or recommend?

Thanks!!
 
I'm looking to purchase an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle but there is so much to pick from..my neighbor is ex-military and knows a lot about firearms so I will get his opinion but I was thinking I should also ask on here and see what you guys have and recommend?

I'm not looking to spend that much but between $500-$1000.

I looked at the Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II Rifle and its at a reasonable price for a good quality firearm. I'm also considering the bushmaster xm-15 quick response carbine rifle. what do you guys have or recommend?

Thanks!!
The difference between $500 and $1k on a rifle is pretty drastic. A $500 off the shelf rifle is more or less a plink gun; don’t expect to have a shit ton of trouble free rounds through it nor set any records for accuracy. $1k spent and built yourself is a solid weapon.

if your neighbor knows how to build, consider that route for the fun/know how/etc. can usually throw together a better weapon for less money and enjoy the process.

If you’re going off the shelf, you’re probably gonna wanna go check your local gun store and hold a few, see the price tags, etc.

don’t forgot the cost of an optic; irons are fine but if this is for anything other than plinking In the woods (defense or hunting) the cost of a decent optic is heavy but worth it.
 
Bcm upper and lower and bolt carrier group. Magpul furniture. Make sure you don't get a a2 style grip! Go with a reduced grip angle.

Aimpoint comp m5 with a 3x mag for cqb

Primary arms makes great quality budget variable optic for anything else.

Edit: go with a mid length gas system. Also don't fuck with buffers!
 
Bcm upper and lower and bolt carrier group. Magpul furniture. Make sure you don't get a a2 style grip! Go with a reduced grip angle.

Aimpoint comp m5 with a 3x mag for cqb

Primary arms makes great quality budget variable optic for anything else.

Edit: go with a mid length gas system. Also don't fuck with buffers!
Another viable option for a budget minded person looking for absolute reliability is the S&W M&P. Deck it out with La Rue Battle Sights. You can drag that motherfucker down the beach and it will go bang. Trust me. Unless I got a special one that was covered in unicorn antler dust. Lol.
 
Oh man, we haven't even mentioned calibers yet. Build a good lower, decent trigger,non collapsible stock. I like LAR. I hate those short uppers unless it's a thumper. .223? Go stainless heavy barrel 20"
With a good lower, you can swap different uppers at will. The question is do you want a plinker, or literal tack driver? It can be done on your budget, builds are not hard. Get the MP, shoot it, sell it, and move on up.
 
Oh man, we haven't even mentioned calibers yet. Build a good lower, decent trigger,non collapsible stock. I like LAR. I hate those short uppers unless it's a thumper. .223? Go stainless heavy barrel 20"
With a good lower, you can swap different uppers at will. The question is do you want a plinker, or literal tack driver? It can be done on your budget, builds are not hard. Get the MP, shoot it, sell it, and move on up.
Why sell a good gun?
 
You have a valid point. I can't remember many guns losing value, even the cheap ones. Remember when you you could get an SKS for 100 bucks? Or a cheap Romanian AK for 200? Now they sell for triple that. Every firearm is an investment, monetarily and in security.
Totally agree but I’ve been waiting to pounce on your reply I must admit. I see so many gun owners that don’t think they have a good enough rifle. No battery powered optics? No crazy priced fancy barrels and fancy triggers and all the lights and lasers and all that bullshit. Don’t get me wrong those things are nice and in the hands of trained individuals are a great tool. But lots of “warriors” love the simplicity of iron sights and a Streamlight. I have a feeling you are going to agree with me. Gadgets fail. Batteries run out. I’d rather pack rounds than batteries. I’ve seen guys with ultra high dollar rigs that can set up on a bench and put five rounds in a dime sized hole only to not be able to hit a fucking barn after ten push ups. I see a fancy and clean and decked out rig I cringe and start watching my six.
 
Totally agree but I’ve been waiting to pounce on your reply I must admit. I see so many gun owners that don’t think they have a good enough rifle. No battery powered optics? No crazy priced fancy barrels and fancy triggers and all the lights and lasers and all that bullshit. Don’t get me wrong those things are nice and in the hands of trained individuals are a great tool. But lots of “warriors” love the simplicity of iron sights and a Streamlight. I have a feeling you are going to agree with me. Gadgets fail. Batteries run out. I’d rather pack rounds than batteries. I’ve seen guys with ultra high dollar rigs that can set up on a bench and put five rounds in a dime sized hole only to not be able to hit a fucking barn after ten push ups. I see a fancy and clean and decked out rig I cringe and start watching my six.
It was about 30 years ago when I joined the DCM at the local range. Springfield Garands. You only get your thumb in the way once loading that clip.
A few years later and I'm dryfiring an M 16 hundreds of times balancing a dime on the barrel. That rifle was so loose,and cobbled together from some Armory parts bin.
Shot 40 out of 40 with that rifle, including the 500yd targets, iron sights ,especially the peep and post are all you need. Some kid is probably still shooting that rifle.
 
Totally agree but I’ve been waiting to pounce on your reply I must admit. I see so many gun owners that don’t think they have a good enough rifle. No battery powered optics? No crazy priced fancy barrels and fancy triggers and all the lights and lasers and all that bullshit. Don’t get me wrong those things are nice and in the hands of trained individuals are a great tool. But lots of “warriors” love the simplicity of iron sights and a Streamlight. I have a feeling you are going to agree with me. Gadgets fail. Batteries run out. I’d rather pack rounds than batteries. I’ve seen guys with ultra high dollar rigs that can set up on a bench and put five rounds in a dime sized hole only to not be able to hit a fucking barn after ten push ups. I see a fancy and clean and decked out rig I cringe and start watching my six.

^^^^^^^ this right here!

I must admit I run a battery powered optic on my AR. I got it this year. It is a LOT easier to shoot on the move/ shoot fast on the go.

I still love the M1A I got the "socom" from norinco, we can get the Springfield's up here but the Chinese bought the original tooling and production line. I can honestly say it's a great gun! Not much beats a good iron sight.

That being said every time I head for the Bush I still grab my old .303 Lee Enfield. Great peep sight for 200 and less. Vernier for anything past that. Once you get used to them they become a staple for longer range hunting. If only my eyes could work properly lol.
 
In that budget I would probably go RRA (new) unless you want to build a rifle. With that said, I personally wouldn’t buy anything cheaper than a BCM. KAC, SOLGW, LMT, BCM, DD...There’s a bunch of high quality rifles out there these days.
 
^^^^^^^ this right here!

I must admit I run a battery powered optic on my AR. I got it this year. It is a LOT easier to shoot on the move/ shoot fast on the go.

I still love the M1A I got the "socom" from norinco, we can get the Springfield's up here but the Chinese bought the original tooling and production line. I can honestly say it's a great gun! Not much beats a good iron sight.

That being said every time I head for the Bush I still grab my old .303 Lee Enfield. Great peep sight for 200 and less. Vernier for anything past that. Once you get used to them they become a staple for longer range hunting. If only my eyes could work properly lol.
Friggin eyes, as I've aged, if I can still see it, I can hit it. As true as it was before,although the yardage decreased a bit. I put peeps on my Marlin 336 and can still clip a Copenhagen can at about 150
 
You have a valid point. I can't remember many guns losing value, even the cheap ones. Remember when you you could get an SKS for 100 bucks? Or a cheap Romanian AK for 200? Now they sell for triple that. Every firearm is an investment, monetarily and in security.

I remember buying a $100 sks fully coated in thick grease. Wish I had bought more and held onto them
 
Bladed bayonet are pre 1965 chinese? I had a spike one. She sure looks good. Yes that is the correct wood. Can't tell you about a re armor is the barrel pressed in and pinned? Or probably in your case it was screwed in.
 
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