Getting ready to buy an AR-platform rifle...

[mk4]

Subject says it.
Trying to do my homework, though. Been reading as much as I can and joined ar15.com too. What I'm hoping for is some feedback and real life experiences from y'all here, since there are so many possibilities.

For reference, I'm hoping to keep it under/at $1500. I've been reading about the Colt LE6920 and also Sterling's offerings. Also been checking out RRA and Daniel Defense. Also trying to decide if I want to go with 5.56 or larger caliber. Decisions, decisions...

Thanks!

[jrswanson1]

$1500? Buy a PSA 14.5" pinned midlength upper, buy a stripped lower and LPK, stock/buffer/buffer tube of your choice, and you'll have money leftover for a nice Aimpoint with magnifier.

[mk4]

$1500? Buy a PSA 14.5" pinned midlength upper, buy a stripped lower and LPK, stock/buffer/buffer tube of your choice, and you'll have money leftover for a nice Aimpoint with magnifier.

Thanks.
Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't that be an SBR and require the ATF stamp and long wait for approval? Or by "pinned" are you referring to a flash hider considered permanent that takes the barrel to a non-NFA length?

For further reference, I'm not considering any NFA firearms. Thy just don't interest me at the moment. Surely could change in the future, tho.

[jrswanson1]

$1500? Buy a PSA 14.5" pinned midlength upper, buy a stripped lower and LPK, stock/buffer/buffer tube of your choice, and you'll have money leftover for a nice Aimpoint with magnifier.

Thanks.
Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't that be an SBR and require the ATF stamp and long wait for approval? Or by "pinned" are you referring to a flash hider considered permanent that takes the barrel to a non-NFA length?

For further reference, I'm not considering any NFA firearms. Thy just don't interest me at the moment. Surely could change in the future, tho.

Yes, its flash hider is pinned making it a safe rifle, not an evil short barreled rifle It's the only rifle my wife will shoot. I put a Burris FastFire II reflex sight on it, it's really light and handy.

[mk4]

$1500? Buy a PSA 14.5" pinned midlength upper, buy a stripped lower and LPK, stock/buffer/buffer tube of your choice, and you'll have money leftover for a nice Aimpoint with magnifier.

Thanks.
Pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't that be an SBR and require the ATF stamp and long wait for approval? Or by "pinned" are you referring to a flash hider considered permanent that takes the barrel to a non-NFA length?

For further reference, I'm not considering any NFA firearms. Thy just don't interest me at the moment. Surely could change in the future, tho.

Yes, its flash hider is pinned making it a safe rifle, not an evil short barreled rifle It's the only rifle my wife will shoot. I put a Burris FastFire II reflex sight on it, it's really light and handy.

Thanks for explaining. I thought I understood, but wanted to be sure.

To be clear, I don't have a problem with SBRs... I'm just impatient and don't want to wait the estimated 6 months for the tax stamp. At least that's the estimated wait my local FFL quoted. The weather's nice, the shootin' is good, and I'm looking for some instant gratification but don't wanna cheap-out on it.

[grumpyMSG]

If you think it might be possible that you will want to sell the rifle later, I would recommend that you stick with a Colt, Daniel Defense, LMT or BCM (Bravo Company). These four have a great reputation, good customer service if something is wrong (Colt will usually tell you it takes longer than it takes, they will say 30 days and have it back to you in 10) and great initial quality control. I won't tell you the others are bad. You will hear 8 million anecdotal stories about a person's XYZ brand rifle shooting 1/2 inch groups with

My other recommendations are:
If you want to shoot heavy bullets (70 to 77 grains) in a 5.56/.223 rifle the best rifling is 1 in 7 twist, 1 in 9 will shoot the 55 and 62 grain surplus and the 67-69 grain rounds. If you come across a 1 in 12 barrel rifle it will not stabilize any bullets bigger than 55 grains.

If you are going with a 14 1/2" barrel and pinned compensator/flash suppressor, stick with a Carbine length gas system (roughly a 7" hand guard length). If you want a 16" go with a mid length(roughly a 9" hand guard), anything longer and go with a rifle length(a 12" hand guard).

I know I am going catch it for this one but, stick with brass cased ammo. Reliability can be spotty with the steel cased ammo, some rifles will eat it perfectly fine, other will have problems with cases sticking in the chamber and short stroking.

[mk4]

Thanks!
At the moment, I'm leaning towards a Colt LE6920. I like the classic design w/o quadrails and with irons to start. Plenty of time later for add-on optics.

Do you have any experience with ARs in larger calibers? 6.5Grendel, 6.8SPC or 7.62NATO maybe?

[jdonovan]

To be clear, I don't have a problem with SBRs... I'm just impatient and don't want to wait the estimated 6 months for the tax stamp

Get a lower of your choosing, or a full factory setup 16+" gun. Fill out a form 1 to make an SBR. Enjoy the long barrel gun while the paperwork goes though the system. When the form 1 is approved order what ever length upper you want to have... or order 3-4-5 of 'em.

[bryanrheem]

can't go wrong with Colt or Daniel Defense. I agree with your approach. Get the bare rifle, and get proficient with the iron sights. Then, the more you shoot, the more you're start to see what improvements YOU want to make, and not just slap on every accessory known to man.

[mk4]

To be clear, I don't have a problem with SBRs... I'm just impatient and don't want to wait the estimated 6 months for the tax stamp

Get a lower of your choosing, or a full factory setup 16+" gun. Fill out a form 1 to make an SBR. Enjoy the long barrel gun while the paperwork goes though the system. When the form 1 is approved order what ever length upper you want to have... or order 3-4-5 of 'em.

Thanks!
I've been down that "3-4-5 of 'em" addiction road a few times.

[mk4]

can't go wrong with Colt or Daniel Defense. I agree with your approach. Get the bare rifle, and get proficient with the iron sights. Then, the more you shoot, the more you're start to see what improvements YOU want to make, and not just slap on every accessory known to man.

Thanks!
The Colt 6920 is a bit confusing. What's the story with the ever changing rollmarks?
LE-marked guns. SP-marked. Colt Mfg. Colt Defense. M4 Carbine. Law Enforcement Carbine.
Yada yada yada...

[mk4]

Anyone on the board own a Sterling SAR-XV Gladius or Centurion?
I'd certainly be interested on impressions of a forum sponsor's offerings.

Side note: Don't think I ever saw any more posts, range/shooting reports or otherwise, from Greekfreak after he won the Gladius last year. Sad, really...

[jrswanson1]

Thanks!
At the moment, I'm leaning towards a Colt LE6920. I like the classic design w/o quadrails and with irons to start. Plenty of time later for add-on optics.

Do you have any experience with ARs in larger calibers? 6.5Grendel, 6.8SPC or 7.62NATO maybe?

I have one in 6.8 SPC, I traded my other 6.8 upper last year for another rifle. I love the round, it's legal for deer if you are so inclined. 7.62 NATO requires and AR-10, much bigger and heavier gun.

[grumpyMSG]

can't go wrong with Colt or Daniel Defense. I agree with your approach. Get the bare rifle, and get proficient with the iron sights. Then, the more you shoot, the more you're start to see what improvements YOU want to make, and not just slap on every accessory known to man.

Thanks!
The Colt 6920 is a bit confusing. What's the story with the ever changing rollmarks?
LE-marked guns. SP-marked. Colt Mfg. Colt Defense. M4 Carbine. Law Enforcement Carbine.
Yada yada yada...

The various rollmarks used by Colt and other manufacturers can be compared to the changing of chrome and trim on cars or trucks from model year to model year, but the basic vehicle stays the same.

[mk4]

Thanks to all who've offered info and experience. It's much appreciated!
Decisions, decisions...

[Micro]

I have a Colt LE6920. It's a great choice.

I also have a Sig Sauer M400. I have been extremely impressed with this rifle. It has been utterly reliable with several different types of ammo. It is accurate. Fit and finish are top-notch (and IMO superior to the Colt). And it comes with a lifetime warranty. It's definitely worth a look.

[RocKor]

I'd also recommend the Colt. No one gets a Colt 6920 and ends up regretting the purchase. It's better to get a solid rifle and slowly upgrade the few things worth upgrading then to buy cheap and polish a turd.

[mk4]

thanks everyone.
i've got a line on a nice le6920, but i've also had a chance to recently handle a noveske n4 light recce and like it much better. i'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying it, and adding a sweet geissele trigger, too. maybe i'll get both... or maybe a lwrc r.e.p.r.

so many sweet guns... so little time. dagnabbit!

[mk4]

thanks everyone.
i've got a line on a nice le6920, but i've also had a chance to recently handle a noveske n4 light recce and like it much better. i'm thinking about biting the bullet and buying it, and adding a sweet geissele trigger, too. maybe i'll get both... or maybe a lwrc r.e.p.r.

so many sweet guns... so little time. dagnabbit!

[mk4]

ok... i bit the bullet, and it bit me back. now i'm hooked!
the good news is that the bg check was instant. less than 30 seconds to come back.

anyway... my first 'evil black rifle'. i hope it doesn't end up a tragic boating accident victim...
noveske n4 light recce. 16" mid-length. geissele ssa-e 2-stage trigger. gotta magpul fore-end handgrip coming and i'm eyeing aimpoints and eotechs! buy once, cry once, but shhhhweeeeeeeeeet!!!