AR newb questions

[Spdu4ia]

I am in the market for an AR for a range toy / home defense. I've always had handguns and this Is my first rifle. Forgive my stupid questions but here we go.

I am mainly looking for advice, I want to spend about $1000 . I also don't mind buying something stock and modifying it if it better fits my budget. I currently have HK handguns but don't think I want to go that high end on this one ( maybe the next one). I am going to hit up the gun show at the end of the month to look or buy . When I get past my 30 day probation here on the forum ill browse the classifieds.

I definetly am going to want a weapon mounted light, red dot sights, also I'm not sure what it's called but I don't like the plastic front grip on the barred I defetly want a metal foregrip. I realize that all those are easily modified so I guess I am just looking for a good starting point or possibly something that is already made by someone on here.

Guide me....

[rbeau30]

Things that helped me out in my first build was to browse the member's build pictures (on here and on ar15.com), and find components that I liked that gave me the ook I wanted to my project. Wrote them down, then went online and found the cheapest price over the next month or so.

Now I built all 5 of my ARs a peice at a time, which will most likely yield you a mor expensive build. But I can tell you this. I know all the ins and outs of my particular weapons and I know how to more than just field strip it and t/s any problems I come upon. Noone can take knowledge or experience from you. I also did not have 1K to drop all together for a complete rifle/pistol.

If you want... look at complete uppers or complete lowers that get you as close to the look you desire, then customize it. That may help you since you are dividing up the expense into two parts. You also then save a little bit of money starting as close to what you want and customizing as little as possible.

As for specific components, you are going to have to get out there and look around. Start a build thread of your own and put your ideas down. If people have problems with items you want or if they have had bad experience with components failing they will let you know.

[ChunkyMonkey]

If this is going to be your very first AR..no matter how much time you put in the research, you will end up selling it for a better suit to you AR in the future. Go w/ the affordable CMMG or Delton for around $700.. then go from there.

Don't ya remember your very first hand gun?

[Spdu4ia]

Yea I remember but I wasn't really looking for it to do as much. Shoot bullets from my hand is about where I was at the time

[Great-Kazoo]

If this is going to be your very first AR..no matter how much time you put in the research, you will end up selling it for a better suit to you AR in the future. Go w/ the affordable CMMG or Delton for around $700.. then go from there.

Don't ya remember your very first hand gun?

Walmart has basic no frills DPMS 16" for $600. Shoot, get familiar with the rifle then sell, or redo as necessary.

[Spdu4ia]

I don't want to buy crap or something I'll sell to replace. I want to do it right the first time

[ChunkyMonkey]

^ lol you arent listening. $600 to $1000 is still in the starting price range (or Crap price range as you put it).

IMHO, I like Adams Arms upper + Mega lower + Acog + DD lite + Magpul furniture.. low $2k range. I like the setup so much, I build another one in same spec as a backup. Lately, I ve been shooting my SCAR more than anything else. No such thing as doing it right the first time and only once!!!

[Spdu4ia]

Fair enough , I understand what your saying now . I guess I will keep my eyes peeled at the show and the classifieds and see what I can find used?

[ChunkyMonkey]

Fair enough , I understand what your saying now . I guess I will keep my eyes peeled at the show and the classifieds and see what I can find used?

Take your time... or buy that walmart DPMS and start your journey there.

[islandermyk]

here's another thing I keep on hearing....

"Buy once... cry once!"

be patient, but not to patient cause prices do tend to fluctuate... but at the same time patience does pay off most of the time

Glad you found your way around here you should try whoring it up on the "post whore thread"... and then maybe... just maybe... we'll let you in the secret sections