Those words don't usually go together with guns. The cheapest AR's to my knowledge are the Olympic's. Wouldn't catch me dead with one. Pony up and at least get a low level Bushmaster. AR's are no like AK's. A cheap AK will still run forever and take a beating. A cheap AR will run like total crap. Just my $.02

 

Bushmaster makes a "plastic" AR, runs 690 locally.
I've seen those lowers used with full auto AR's and they hold up.

 

DPMS OR Smith and wesson M&P sport.

 

I got a DPMS Oracle for $600.00, I later bought a lower, a parts kit, and an upper whien I put it all together I have a 2nd AR 15 for a total investment of $550.00

 

Another vote for the DPMS oracle, if you need a reliable AR on the tightest possible budget.

 

DPMS, Spikes, S&W


Realistically, you need to drop:

$700-$900 - on just the rifle
$100-$500 - on an optic of some sort
$200 - goodies like a fair amount of mags, sling, mag pouch of some sort, cleaning supplies, case/bag
$350-$400 - 1000 rounds MINIMUM (300-400 of which to fire just to get confident with rifle function)

Anywhere from $1350-$2000 to get a usable system squared away.


...otherwise, don't spend the cash. A rifle must be reliable, maintained, loaded and fast reloaded, and able to be aimed well and quickly.


IMHO

 

Realistically, you need to drop:

$700-$900 - on just the rifle
$100-$500 - on an optic of some sort
$200 - goodies like a fair amount of mags, sling, mag pouch of some sort, cleaning supplies, case/bag
$350-$400 - 1000 rounds MINIMUM (300-400 of which to fire just to get confident with rifle function)

Anywhere from $1350-$2000 to get a usable system squared away.


...otherwise, don't spend the cash. A rifle must be reliable, maintained, loaded and fast reloaded, and able to be aimed well and quickly.

You don't "need" an optic. Iron sights work just fine until you can afford an optic later.

You can also build up the magazine stockpile over time. Just like food or water, you don't go out and buy EVERYTHING all at once.

A basic sling can be had for around $5, and that's assuming your rifle didn't come with one (I believe DPMS rifles do come with them. Mine did in the past).

And honestly, I think it makes sense to buy over time if you can't buy at once. Telling someone to wait until they get it all at once or don;t bother is ridiculous. By that logic, if you can't buy 100 gallons of gas, shelves of food, etc all at once, forget prepping. No, just build up over time as you can.

 

I paid 780 out the door form my model 2 Stag, Ive also owned a bushmaster and an eagle arms. I flipped both of those for other purchases. I am more then happy so far with my stag, although I do want to get a different trigger group.

 

Cabela's has DPMS Oracles for 650, with 4 mags and cleaning kit

 

The other day PSA had all the stuff needed to build a complete AR on sale. With everything added up it would have been 520 plus what ever the transfer fee is for you. You have to check everyday.

 

Today on their sale page you could build one for 575 and have some extra lower parts.

 

I think PSA parts with a BCM bcg would make a fine combo.

 

Buy it in parts and it gets much, much more affordable.
There is no other gun on the market that is as afforable because you can spread the cost out over months if not years.

 

I picked up a New Frontier poly lower with a DPMS upper for $699 but I recently built up an 80% lower for just under $300.

 

Me as well what's a good starting one? Looking to spend around $1000/$1500.

 

For that range, get a Daniel defense. For $1200-$1400 you can get a bad ass AR, some places are currently including an aim point pro (a $300 optic) with a few of their rifles (at least the DDM4V5 and V7). The V7 is a dialed gun with a nice rail setup.

 

whats a good cheap and pretty reliable ar? thanks

These things do not go together. If you cannot afford a high quality rifle, don't waste your money. Save up and buy when you actually can afford one. As already mentioned, reliability and quality should be priority #1.

Do you really want to train with and trust your life to something "cheap" and "pretty reliable"???

 

PSA is your best cheap AR

 

Here's a copy/paste from my recent thread...

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index...rifle-kit.html

Good platform? I know that there are a ton of PSA fans on here, just wanted to make sure I'm making the right choice. FWIW, I've owned several AR's, I've just always bought complete rifles and have stuck with Colt except one Bushmaster. I'm going to couple it with one of these from another thread.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=374158898

Any other suggestions on items/upgrades I'll need other than obviously optic and BUS...which I already have?

Thanks in advance, my AK's are going to be ****ed.
Read more at http://www.survivalistboards.com/sho...bQHx8IP38B0.99

Anyway, $635 total and that is NOT close to PSA's cheapest upper fwiw. I already have my buis and optic along with a pile of Pmags and ammo, so you'd obviously have to add that to the total. I think with an 80% like mine and a cheaper upper you'd be just over $500 total (bare rifle, ready to finish and assemble without sights, mags, ammo, etc....pretty tough to beat "bang for the buck" imho.

Bottom line, check PSA every day and make it happen. .02

Edit...sorry my links appear to be dead upon further review...look at PSA for uppers and lower parts groups including everything except the bare lower itself and find a good deal on an 80% lower..pretty simple. My lower is from Vision Arms on Gunbroker at $36 for an 80% fwiw.
Read more at http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=325657#ihRzjzRuBotFLki8.99

 

thanks for all the replies guys

 

My first AR15 was a DMPS Sportical ($545 at Wally World at the time, normally just over $600 these days). Add about $200 for accessories (quad rail, for-grip, sling and rail attachment, some magpul flip-up irons, some spare mags, and a mag-bag in my case).

Then add ammo.

I know the sportical gets some hate for not having a forward assist or dust cover, but I've never had it jam on anything I've fed it and you can clear a jam with the charger just like any other gun if you have one.

 

I have never seen anyone have to use the forward assist and I am too old to go rolling around in the dirt and mud, so I don't see a need for either the assist or the cover. Just keep it reasonably clean like you would any other gun, and there should be no problem.

 

Heck, PSA has this upper on their weekend sale going on right now. $399 with the BCG and charging handle. Coupled with a complete lower for under $200 and you have a good start. Just my opinion.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...-56-nato-yhm-rifle-length-diamond-upper-with-bcg-and-charging-handle-14628.html

 

The cheapest that comes to mind are Windham Weaponry, Del-ton, Smith & Wesson, DPMS.

My first AR was a DPMS Oracle for $750. The rifles held up amazingly, it's accurate, durable, and IMO one of the best budget AR's out there. After decking it out with Magpul gear, sling mount, sling, rails, magazines, forearm grip, an optic, and iron sites, I'm well over $1000 in the whole setup, not to count the ammo. And that's where a lot of your money comes into play. So while the AR itself my be on the cheap side, look to spend quite a bit.

But I would highly recommend the DPMS, I've also heard S&W M&P rifles are good.

 

Saw a S&W flat top with flip top rear sight for $619.00 at a gun shop in Corinth, MS today. Metal receiver, 16 inch barrel with short flash suppressor. No forward assist.

Saw a DPMS flat top at Wallyworld in the same town at $597 IIRC and no sights.

I don't own an AR but have been thinking about picking one up. The Smith seemed the better of the two as far as could tell.

 

The CHEAPEST IS PSA. IF you can find one for cheaper than 550 please post.

 

The S&W M&P15 would be my pick by far, for the price it's a good gun.

 

GB has 239 AR's for sale in Texas.
Delton 5.56 $669.99 in Brenham, TX 77833.