Possible first time buyer... need input.

[Ronin13]

Rob- I won't get into price- that horse is dead, no sense in beating it further. Your best bet for either way you go is pretty simple... Starting out you can't go wrong with an AR platform from Stag Arms, DPMS, RRA, or CMMG. You could go one step further and go for a premium rig from Daniel Defense, POF, Noveske, or LMT- but those are much more costly, however they're, IMHO (H for humble, not honest), some of the best rifles you can buy. People will try and dissuade you from going for the best first, but it's all based on preference. My first AR was a POF, and coming in at $3K before the panic, they're not exactly cheap, but I've never had a problem with the rifle and love it. I will say that I'm more fond of piston systems over direct impingement- I'm probably speaking Chinese now so I'll explain: Piston systems use a piston/rod to cycle the bolt system with the gases from firing, whereas the direct impingement is a gas tube that goes all the way back to the bolt- I think direct can lead to more malfunctions and dirties the gun up more than piston, hence why I go that route, but it really is mostly on personal preference.

As far as AK's go- I believe that for a run of the mill AK you can't go wrong with anything middle of the road- Any WASR10 will suit your needs. My first, and only, AK platform is a Romanian WASR10 that I paid $300 for. Never had a jam, never had a malfunction, nothing- it runs like a sewing machine. A lot of times you get what you pay for, but with a well built AK system will last you- it's rugged, it's made to last, and it can take a lot of abuse. Hell, I've seen some in Afghanistan that have never been cleaned and they keep on going (granted those are Soviet models that are full-auto).

The best advice I can give you, as a beginner, is to go out and do some research (there are tons of review sites out there that can offer up candid opinions on different brands and styles)- I agree with Dingo- an AK would be a good choice right now and when things calm down you can get a pretty nice AR system when the prices are more manageable. Good luck!

[sneakerd]

Highly unlikely that there will be an assault weapons ban. Even Biden has admitted that won't pass the House. Look for mag capacity limitations and continued ammo shortages and plan based on that. Imho

[ezgoinrob]

Rob- I won't get into price- that horse is dead, no sense in beating it further. Your best bet for either way you go is pretty simple... Starting out you can't go wrong with an AR platform from Stag Arms, DPMS, RRA, or CMMG. You could go one step further and go for a premium rig from Daniel Defense, POF, Noveske, or LMT- but those are much more costly, however they're, IMHO (H for humble, not honest), some of the best rifles you can buy. People will try and dissuade you from going for the best first, but it's all based on preference. My first AR was a POF, and coming in at $3K before the panic, they're not exactly cheap, but I've never had a problem with the rifle and love it. I will say that I'm more fond of piston systems over direct impingement- I'm probably speaking Chinese now so I'll explain: Piston systems use a piston/rod to cycle the bolt system with the gases from firing, whereas the direct impingement is a gas tube that goes all the way back to the bolt- I think direct can lead to more malfunctions and dirties the gun up more than piston, hence why I go that route, but it really is mostly on personal preference.

As far as AK's go- I believe that for a run of the mill AK you can't go wrong with anything middle of the road- Any WASR10 will suit your needs. My first, and only, AK platform is a Romanian WASR10 that I paid $300 for. Never had a jam, never had a malfunction, nothing- it runs like a sewing machine. A lot of times you get what you pay for, but with a well built AK system will last you- it's rugged, it's made to last, and it can take a lot of abuse. Hell, I've seen some in Afghanistan that have never been cleaned and they keep on going (granted those are Soviet models that are full-auto).

The best advice I can give you, as a beginner, is to go out and do some research (there are tons of review sites out there that can offer up candid opinions on different brands and styles)- I agree with Dingo- an AK would be a good choice right now and when things calm down you can get a pretty nice AR system when the prices are more manageable. Good luck!

Thanks Ronin! more good info!

[MED]

I would buy an AR stripped lower and complete it when the prices come down. I am always willing to help on a person's first build as well as others on here.

I wouldn't wait if you plan to stay in Colorado. I am pretty sure we will be facing a ban in this state.

[MED]

Highly unlikely that there will be an assault weapons ban. Even Biden has admitted that won't pass the House. Look for mag capacity limitations and continued ammo shortages and plan based on that. Imho

Yes, there will be a ban in Colorado.

[sneakerd]

I hope you're wrong, I'm not confident enough to put any money on the bet- we'll see. In any event, currently owned guns will most certainly be grandfathered. Nobody is dumb enough to think they can take what we have.
I was thinking nationally, not a state ban.

[jackthewall81]

Yes, there will be a ban in Colorado.

Welp if that happens, I am as good as gone. Ill be outta here in a heartbeat.

[MED]

I hope you're wrong, I'm not confident enough to put any money on the bet- we'll see. In any event, currently owned guns will most certainly be grandfathered. Nobody is dumb enough to think they can take what we have.
I was thinking nationally, not a state ban.

The Colorado General Assembly has the votes. They can protect 8 Democrats from vulnerable districts in the House and 3 in the Senate. I would say the chances are a good 80% that a ban will pass in Colorado.

[MED]

Welp if that happens, I am as good as gone. Ill be outta here in a heartbeat.

I am going through a divorce and I would love to leave right now, but I can't until my son is done with high school. I have five years left and I am gone.

[Dingo]

I'm fairly certain of the following (and will be gleefully pleased if proved wrong):

1: There will be no more high-volume online ammo sales.
2: Private party sales will go away. (If not nationally, then certainly in CO.)
3: Colorado will limit mag capacity to 10 rounds.
4: A national AWB will not pass, but Colorado stands a better than 50% chance of passing one. They will appease us with the concept of "grandfathering" our "evil guns", but will accomplish their goal of moving toward disarmament by making it next to impossible to transfer them, and will wait 5-10 years before then targeting handguns. All "for the children", bandying around empty buzzwords like "reasonable" and "responsibility", and preserving our "hunting heritage" by magnanimously allowing us to keep our bolt-action .22 rifles a few more years.
5: I will be in another state which respects my constitutional rights within the next 2-3 years.
6: When things finally degenerate to a proposed national confiscation/registry, I will happily give them my ammunition first.