Best places to buy an AR in Boise - or buy online?

[BerettaColtFan]

Do lots of research.  Then buy what fits your budget after searching.

Myself, I prefer Noveske, Colts, LMT & BCM for my DI Guns. 

Depends how hard you are going to use it, and what features you want.

If I were considering Piston ARs id look at LWRC, POF and LMT but for me, ive decided only DI for now. 

[bourneshooter]

Do lots of research.  Then buy what fits your budget after searching.

Myself, I prefer Noveske, Colts, LMT & BCM for my DI Guns. 

Depends how hard you are going to use it, and what features you want.

If I were considering Piston ARs id look at LWRC, POF and LMT but for me, ive decided only DI for now. 

With the exception of the POF guns, take his suggestions.

[HD-DVD]

Thanks BCF! Yeah I've researched a lot over the last few days and slowly am getting up to speed. Started out wanting a carbine but making it look like a little M16A2 but now coming around to M4 all the way. Not considering a piston model, DI will be fine. Don't know why I fell so far out of the AR loop but after getting an AK realized there was a huge hole in my gun collection that needed filled.

Leaning more to the 1 in 9 twist barrel since it should give me more flexibility in bullet weight - and Jeff likes it! But of course 1 in 7 is milspec so has its advantages too.


Edit;

Thanks for that info, bourneshooter!

[Jeff]

I've found that my 1:7 just isn't accurate with 55gr ammo.  And I think it's a good idea to have a weapon that will shoot that and be reasonably accurate.  The Armalite 1:9 mid length barrels I've used in the past have been the best bang for the buck.  I have used WOA and some other higher end barrels (not Noveske) and they just haven't measured up (price/performance) to the Armalite.  This isn't a sales pitch but I do have one of these barrels left.  I don't mind keeping it but I've been moving back to the carbine length because the parts are easier to get.

IMO, if you are going to war then get the best.  If not, then get the best you can afford.  You can always upgrade the "lesser" parts later.  Learn on a cheaper brand/build and replace the barrel/bolt/carrier or whatever as either it wears out or you start pushing it harder.

In other words, most of us will never notice the difference between a decent AR and a top end AR.  Don't do it just because you want to run what the big dogs run. 

[HD-DVD]

Hey thanks again, Jeff, great info as usual! And I appreciate everyone's comments, they sure help an old guy get back in the swing of things. That Armalite barrel sounds real good but I'm just not up to speed enough yet to make a decision on an upper. At this time I feel pretty good building a lower, probably Stag and testing it out with my buddy's Bushy upper.

As far as the upper I'll probably go for a complete upper that's been factory tested. Of course problem is getting everything you want - which right now is a 16" government profile barrel but with 1:9 twist and a mid-length gas system. Probably chrome lined for ease of cleaning even though you give up a skosh accuracy. I really want it to fire lighter rounds well since they're cheaper and most of my shooting will be at paper targets. Honestly this thing likely will be a safe queen most of the time but I want it to work right if necessary. For that reason I'd probably be smart to just go with 14.5" and widen the selection, even go 1:7 to have a true milspec M4 except semi only. And of course A3 removeable carry handle/sight (grrrhh - why don't they call it A4, the A3 doesn't have a removeable handle, it's just a full auto M16A2.) A Stag upper would give me 1:9 but going with Stag for both upper and lower I have to consider just buying a complete Stag to get a better warranty. Man this ain't easy!

Funny, I started out wanting something like the rifle I carried in 1968 but have grudgingly moved forward to the current military carbine which makes more sense for my requirements today. I'm basically a handgun guy with only a few rifles but see the need for a better rifle. For now I do have an AK but it needs a made in USA carbine sitting next to it!

[HD-DVD]

Well I'd better get off the pot and do something about a stripped lower.

Is it easy to to buy one in town or better to go online and have it sent to a FFL? Jeff, I looked at your Sawtac site but I didn't see any lowers for sale. Or did I miss them somehow? I want to get something good but being a newbie don't want to step on any toes since there are quite a few dealers and site sponsers here. So far one of the most attractive deals I've seen is Impact Guns has a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Stripped Lower for $129.99. Guess I'd better check on that, it'd be nice to build on a logo like that. Seems you order online then pick up in the store, need to look into that.

[Jeff]

I don't sell lowers.  Impact has a bunch.  You're better off getting one local I think.

Impacts web site sucks.  I think you'd better off just going in and talking to someone. 

Really, most AR lowers are pretty much the same unless you get a billet version.  I've built on Olympic, Bushmaster, DPMS, and RRA.  All were decent and the rifles came out fine.  I even built one on an old American Spirit Arms lower.  Pretty much all the accuracy is in the upper.

[Beamncoke]

Building a rifle to your specific needs is fun and expensive.  I use AR15builder.com quite a bit to try new stuff.  They let you create a virtual build and then save your model for later.  Kind of cool and saves some money.  Check it out.

[Keebsley]

You're better off buying local.  You'll get it cheaper because you don't have to pay FFL.  Go down to Impact and talk to the guys there and go from there.  Simple and painless.

[HD-DVD]

Hey thanks guys for all the super quick replies!

I called Impact and they had a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Stripped Lower in stock so dropped everything and raced over there. They do price match their website so it was $129.99 plus $7.80 sales tax, not a bad deal at all. I love the deep black anodizing and S&W logo. Now to get a top notch parts kit and M4 stock with the H or H2 buffer.

Don't know what the heck I'm doing but guess I'll get it together! 

[Michael N]

PM sent with some stuff you may be interested in .

[Keebsley]

Hey thanks guys for all the super quick replies!

I called Impact and they had a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Stripped Lower in stock so dropped everything and raced over there. They do price match their website so it was $129.99 plus $7.80 sales tax, not a bad deal at all. I love the deep black anodizing and S&W logo. Now to get a top notch parts kit and M4 stock with the H or H2 buffer.

Don't know what the heck I'm doing but guess I'll get it together! 

Good choice.  I'm building up an AR for a friend of mine right now.  Going a different route but mission drives the gear.  To each their own.  GOod luck and if you have any questions, just ask and we're here for ya.

[agunforeachhand]

Good choice.  I'm building up an AR for a friend of mine right now.  Going a different route but mission drives the gear.  To each their own.  GOod luck and if you have any questions, just ask and we're here for ya.

There is a M&P on zidaho for $900 just in case you guys missed it. Happy shooting. Stay safe.

Here is the link. Not sure if this is ok to do or not. Let me know if it isn't

http://secure.adpay.com/clicknbuy.aspx?p=1080&itemid=3466964&networkview=False&catid=OO46e&pcatid=OO46&procid=441ed989-ef71-4113-be1c-06f1f3708405

[HD-DVD]

Thanks again guys! Guess now I'll be looking at a CMT/Stag LPK and a good telestock. I understand S&W uses (or used) CMT parts so I might as well try to make the lower look as much as possible as the M&P-15. Then borrow my buddy's Bushmaster upper to test it out.

Got a granddaughter just starting at BSU this week which is draining our retirement funds so will have to save up a couple months for a Stag upper most likely.


That M&P on zidaho for $900 looks like a good deal. Grrrh, I'll probably end up with about the same in this clone. 

[Jeff]

I've got some DPMS and RRA LPK's and a RRA Two Stage trigger.  And some Armalite Carbine uppers. 

[HD-DVD]

Thanks Jeff, I'll definitely need to talk to you when I'm ready for an upper. Probably will be ready in two months. At one time I heard you sometimes have Stag but nothing wrong with ArmaLite too!

I'm getting the LPK and stock from Michael N since he ended up with a set he doesn't need anymore.

[HD-DVD]

Thought I'd throw up a picture of the S&W lower... not much now but give it a couple months. 

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[HD-DVD]

Finally got around to taking pictures of the complete lower so posting a couple here...
It turned out great, the lpk and stock worked great, Michael. Thanks again!

Slow but sure.  
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[Kcboats]

 

[Nomad]

 Jeff's uppers are good shooters got one the other day an Armalite.......Thanks....

[HD-DVD]

Jeff's uppers are good shooters got one the other day an Armalite.......Thanks....

Yeah, and I think he has one in stock right now!  


BTW, the little American Flags stuck on the stock pictured above are Hallmark and say "Made In USA". Gotta make sure everything that goes in this rifle is US! 

[Jeff]

Nope.  All out.  But more on order.

[HD-DVD]

Roger that! I can wait...

[HD-DVD]

Jeff's uppers are good shooters got one the other day an Armalite.......Thanks....

BTW, I've studied a lot over the last few weeks and think Jeff's ArmaLite carbine upper is about the best you can get. The link to the AR-15 spreadsheet bourneshooter gave a while back was packed with information and I finally understand it. The author has set it up so the best rifles are to the left and lesser models are to the right. He rightfully puts a lot of emphasis on the best barrel steel and almost all have a 1:7" twist. It's hard to get the best barrel steel in a 1:9" twist - the only manufacturer to do it is ArmaLite.

Other pluses of the ArmaLite upper are big: Shot Peened Bolt, Black Extractor Spring Insert, Properly Staked Gas Key, Chrome Chamber & Bore, M4 Feedramps, Parkerizing under the FSB.

Negatives are: A2 FSB, Straight Pins at FSB, Single Handguard Heat Shields, AR-15 Bolt Carrier Style but none of these are deal breakers.

Anyway, since I want the 1:9 twist ArmaLite is the way to go.

Here's the link to that spreadsheet again:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA

Edit: a companion thread to the spreadsheet:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642

[Jeff]

If you find you need a taller FSB you can just use the taller post that Bushmaster sells.  $6 is a cheap fix.  If you need it.

The single heat shields are because it uses the CAR hand guards.  Personally, I do not like the fat oval M4 hand guards so this is a plus IMO.

Unless you are going to go full auto you don't need the M16 carrier.  But they are available.