Entry level AR

[mutt]

Does one really need a Gunfighter or any other Tactical handle , on an entry level AR? Or or that matter any AR, not running optics? It seem someone laser engraves ANYTHING for a gun and the price tag jumps, considerably.

Need? Nope. However if you like to manipulate your charging handle by just pulling the left side of the handle vs the traditional method of using both sides, gunfighter charging handles with their extended latch are far easier to use. They are also built a little beefier to handle stresses traditional charging handles weren't designed for. I will admit I think they are a bit over-priced which is why I tend to wait till they are on sale before I buy. Their $1 sale with purchase of an upper during Christmas was awesome but too bad for the OP that ship has sailed.

If you're suggesting that I only recommended the gunfighter charging handle because of the laser engraving/marketing, you couldn't be any further from the truth. What BCM engraves on the handle is not relevant to me. They can call it whatever they want so long as it works as advertised. Marketing is simply a fact of life when it comes to product promotion. At least BCM sells solid products, I don't think anyone would call their gear substandard, to go with that marketing vs some companies that peddle shit products while putting all their effort into cool marketing.

[HoneyBadger]

What in particular makes the BCM upper higher quality? AR quality has always baffled me, so many parts look the same from the low end to the high end.

I'm sure I'll later upgrade some of the parts of whatever AR I get (better trigger, ambi controls, charging handle, sights/optics etc)

Saw a few melonite/nitrided barrels, some googling tells me that a lot of people think it's a better option than chrome lined.

Chrome lined is fine and your barrel will easily last 15k+ rounds. Anything else is just a waste of money for an entry-level AR.

Any of the Palmetto State "Premium" uppers will suit you find and last forever. I've bought a few of them and they each shot less than 1.5 MOA with bulk ammo.

[Big John]

My son is running pretty much a whole palmetto build minus a lower he had and an RRA 2 stage trigger. I wouldn't hesitate to own one.

This kit has Magpul furniture and has everything but a lower I think... It shows a charging handle in the pic, but it isn't listed. So... I would verify before going that route. There's usually always guys on the Colorado Gun Trader facebook page that have lowers well under $100 as well. That would save you some on transfer fees.

AR prices are in the toilet right now so I'd check armslist as well and maybe you can find a good deal on a safe queen.

[Great-Kazoo]

Chrome lined is fine and your barrel will easily last 15k+ rounds. Anything else is just a waste of money for an entry-level AR.

Any of the Palmetto State "Premium" uppers will suit you find and last forever. I've bought a few of them and they each shot less than 1.5 MOA with bulk ammo.

A chrome-moly or melonite will be more accurate and last a long time too. I doubt anyone who is a standard shooter will put 10K + down the bbl. If so, they have already gone from basic / entry to a build of their own.

[Great-Kazoo]

Need? Nope. However if you like to manipulate your charging handle by just pulling the left side of the handle vs the traditional method of using both sides, gunfighter charging handles with their extended latch are far easier to use. They are also built a little beefier to handle stresses traditional charging handles weren't designed for. I will admit I think they are a bit over-priced which is why I tend to wait till they are on sale before I buy. Their $1 sale with purchase of an upper during Christmas was awesome but too bad for the OP that ship has sailed.

If you're suggesting that I only recommended the gunfighter charging handle because of the laser engraving/marketing, you couldn't be any further from the truth. What BCM engraves on the handle is not relevant to me. They can call it whatever they want so long as it works as advertised. Marketing is simply a fact of life when it comes to product promotion. At least BCM sells solid products, I don't think anyone would call their gear substandard, to go with that marketing vs some companies that peddle shit products while putting all their effort into cool marketing.

Not at all. I do see / run in to people who point out the "cool engraving" yet fail to tout the benefit of said c/handle. There are shooters who are quick to show off the latest widget they dropped $$ on, again failing to explain why said product is better than one from a low key company.

Years ago whrn J&T dist offered their AR kits less lower receiver i used them numerous times. Local shooters who were running ABC, couldn't understand why i'd buy from an unknown (to them) dist who used wilson bbl's over the ABC. Till they shot mine. Then it was oh wow you saved how much ??

[HoneyBadger]

My son is running pretty much a whole palmetto build minus a lower he had and an RRA 2 stage trigger. I wouldn't hesitate to own one.

This kit has Magpul furniture and has everything but a lower I think... It shows a charging handle in the pic, but it isn't listed. So... I would verify before going that route. There's usually always guys on the Colorado Gun Trader facebook page that have lowers well under $100 as well. That would save you some on transfer fees.

AR prices are in the toilet right now so I'd check armslist as well and maybe you can find a good deal on a safe queen.

The PSA link Big John posted is just about perfect for your needs (from what I can tell). You can get a lower for $50 from PSA with your upper and have an AR for $550

ETA: I should also mention that if it doesn't come with a CH (that would be kind of weird... I think they just forgot to include it) then you can find one for less than $30.

[Big John]

Need? Nope. However if you like to manipulate your charging handle by just pulling the left side of the handle vs the traditional method of using both sides, gunfighter charging handles with their extended latch are far easier to use. They are also built a little beefier to handle stresses traditional charging handles weren't designed for. I will admit I think they are a bit over-priced which is why I tend to wait till they are on sale before I buy. Their $1 sale with purchase of an upper during Christmas was awesome but too bad for the OP that ship has sailed.

If you're suggesting that I only recommended the gunfighter charging handle because of the laser engraving/marketing, you couldn't be any further from the truth. What BCM engraves on the handle is not relevant to me. They can call it whatever they want so long as it works as advertised. Marketing is simply a fact of life when it comes to product promotion. At least BCM sells solid products, I don't think anyone would call their gear substandard, to go with that marketing vs some companies that peddle shit products while putting all their effort into cool marketing.

You can also add an extended charging lever to an existing for $10.

I only point this out for the new guy and am not getting into the pissing match

I just put a BCM on one of my AR's in hope of my form one coming in soon and happily having my gun not cycle.

[mutt]

What in particular makes the BCM upper higher quality? AR quality has always baffled me, so many parts look the same from the low end to the high end.

I'm sure I'll later upgrade some of the parts of whatever AR I get (better trigger, ambi controls, charging handle, sights/optics etc)

Saw a few melonite/nitrided barrels, some googling tells me that a lot of people think it's a better option than chrome lined.

It's the QA that separates AR manufacturers. QA processes that ensure products shipped to a customer always meet a certain standard (materials, assembly, function) costs money. Unfortunately ARs all do look the same externally so it's hard to tell the mediocre from the high quality manufacturers. Most differences are under the skin so to speak. The likes of DD, BCM, Colt, to name a few, are considered to be some of the best of the mass produced manufacturers. They've built a reputation for quality over time. There are better ARs but they tend to cost considerably more since they fall into the SPR/boutique realm. Fortunately, due to the market, you can buy a quality AR for close to the same price as an unknown. That should be taken advantage of while the opportunity presents itself.

As for the barrel thing - chrome lined is the old school standard. Nothing wrong with a quality melonite barrel so long as it was a quality barrel to begin with. Meloniting a crap barrel still means you have a crap barrel. Same logic applies to chrome barrels.

[mutt]

Not at all. I do see / run in to people who point out the "cool engraving" yet fail to tout the benefit of said c/handle. There are shooters who are quick to show off the latest widget they dropped $$ on, again failing to explain why said product is better than one from a low key company.

Agreed. Many just buy things because some industry celebrity pimps it.

[mutt]

You can also add an extended charging lever to an existing for $10.

You are correct and there's really nothing wrong with going that route. Personally I wouldn't do that and would rather have a beefed up handle designed to take the stress induced by using a charging handle "wrong". However I'd be the first to admit I've never seen a standard charging handle fail from that kind of use. I guess the price premium of a gunfighter (when it's on sale) is just cheap insurance for me.

In all honesty a new AR owner is probably best served with a standard charging handle until he can run the gun and decide what gear best suits his needs.