Quote Originally Posted by MarkCO View Post
I'll pile on and agree that your basic question is like asking "should I marry a blonde or brunette" when there are so many other considerations.

Basics: What do you want it for? Home Defense, plinking, competition (Hi-power, 3-Gun, Long range, etc.), to be Tacticool, varmint hunting, big game hunting, etc. You can say yes or no to each category which will narrow the choices somewhat.

Options: What is most important? Accuracy, reliability, optics, ergonomics, modularity, etc. Again, each category can be yes or no again narrowing choices.

Caliber/Chamber: .223/5.56/.223 Wylde are the three common chamberings in the AR-15 platform, the .223 Wylde having the best overall appeal. I'd suggest no wilcats or .308 for a first AR.

$$$: What is your budget, and does it include magazines, optics, etc.

There are some great, Above average, average and poor quality parts. Also, there are some slight differences in what some companies call "Mil-Spec" and there are some parts that can be MS or Commercial. There are also small pin and large pin, so just picking a bunch of random parts does not guarantee compatability.

Great: Firebird Precision and JP Rifles (1500-3000 for a comlete rifle)
Above Average: Sabre, RRA, LaRue (800 to 2500 for a complete rifle)
Average: DPMS, Armalite, FN (700 to 1500 for a complete rifle)

The Sabres are pretty tough to beat for an economical all-around first AR.
+1. I would also say that for your first AR, a .223/5.56 preferably with a Wylde chamber is probably your best bet. Ammo is cheaper and easier to come by than a lot of other caliber AR's. If you want an all-around AR, I believe I'd go with something flattop with a rail gas block and backup iron sights (BUIS), with a mid-length barrel in a 1-7 to 1-9 twist depending on whether you're going to reload for it or want to shoot longer range. 1-7 or 1-8 for heavy bullets and long range shooting (it'll work up close too) and 1-9 for more general purpose work. The way I've always heard 1-9 twist barrels described is that they'll shoot lots of bullet weights OK. That's about how my SPR 1-9 is.

I'd recommend a decent trigger too, at least something like a Rock River 2 stage NM.

Furniture is all about what you want.

I would recommend getting the best you can. If you get a really cheap gun (unless you get lucky finding someone who just wants out of theirs) you may be disappointed in the results; some of them can be fairly good and some can really suck.