First AR -- Any Advice??

[jds holler]

So I must be about the only guy who doesn't own one. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger (nerk, nerk) on an Anderson Arms that Buds is selling for around $450 or so. Aluminum alloy both upper and lower,

Anderson Arms AM15 Utility 5.56 NATO 16" Black, M-LOK Forend - Blue/Black, 16" Barrel, 30+1 Rounds, Black Stock​

I guess they're full mill-spec and such.

I'm dumb about these rifles, kinda want to have one while I can get one. (Oregon)
Is there any reason this one isn't right for me?? jd

 

[Mark M.]

Don't know what your budget is, or what your intentions are, but remember, you get what you pay for.

 

[Camper]

If I didn't have any, I'd get it.

 

[Rocketvapor]

JD, You don't got an AR yet?
My first one was a two pin build
You been keeping up on my thread on that other forum?

 

[joshb]

So I must be about the only guy who doesn't own one. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger (nerk, nerk) on an Anderson Arms that Buds is selling for around $450 or so. Aluminum alloy both upper and lower,

Anderson Arms AM15 Utility 5.56 NATO 16" Black, M-LOK Forend - Blue/Black, 16" Barrel, 30+1 Rounds, Black Stock​

I guess they're full mill-spec and such.

I'm dumb about these rifles, kinda want to have one while I can get one. (Oregon)
Is there any reason this one isn't right for me?? jd

Go for it and tell us how it shoots. I bought a cheap one from Palmetto State to try.
It goes bang everytime I pull the trigger. 2”@ 50 yards, the first time I took it to the range.
There’s a nice Rock River in the classifieds for a grand. I’d buy the Rock River!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A book (or youTube videos) and a handful of inexpensive tools, 1-2 hours disassemble/assemble. Then you know how to "build" one or customize one. Fun to shoot, who knows you (we) may need them.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Watch out for cheap components on low end complete rifles
Springs and pins don't matter but a $2 grip, $6 stock, Mil Spec (sort of) trigger on most low end AR's will need to be replaced.
It doesn't take much of an AR, with the right components to do a MOA @100.

 

[nakneker]

Anderson may be a good place to start but if you like the platform there’s a good chance you’ll upgrade in a short time. At least that’s what I did, then I fell in the rabbit hole and built a few which is a good way to learn the platform. Just bought a couple if SHTF quality ARs but the gun your looking at probably works fine. If it’s a friends, take it out and shoot it if he will let you before you buy. ARs are very modular, replacing triggers, butt stocks, forarms, grips, lower parts, muzzle devices is easy and part of the fun. All the being said if I was gonna buy one to start of with I’d look at Rock River arms, they are fairly priced and built well In several different configurations. Look at their website.

The BCG is the heart of the gun, remember that too.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Actually I think the barrel is the heart of the gun.
Sure there are some crap BCGs but most are just fine.
Bullets and load can make a heck of a difference.
Twist, velocity, rpms, B.C., need to be balanced for the system to work.
The $350 to $450 AR has a lower that costs less than $200 ($150 ?)
BCG, upper, barrel, for the remainder.
That means it likely has a $100 barrel.

 

[Highpower-FClass]

So I must be about the only guy who doesn't own one. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger (nerk, nerk) on an Anderson Arms that Buds is selling for around $450 or so. Aluminum alloy both upper and lower,

Anderson Arms AM15 Utility 5.56 NATO 16" Black, M-LOK Forend - Blue/Black, 16" Barrel, 30+1 Rounds, Black Stock​

I guess they're full mill-spec and such.

I'm dumb about these rifles, kinda want to have one while I can get one. (Oregon)
Is there any reason this one isn't right for me?? jd

The items that makes the biggest difference on an AR 15 (IMO) are:

- Barrel
- Trigger
- Stock

On the cheapo ARs you typically get an average barrel (at best), a very crappy trigger (almost guaranteed) and a wobbly 7 position stock.

Will that Anderson go bang every time you pull the trigger. Almost certainly. While Anderson is considered a lower tier manufacturer, their uppers, lowers and BCGs are not bad at all.

If you are buying the rifle to plink with factory ammo and do not mind the poor trigger, then it is a good rifle.

If you want to do precision shooting with handloads I would recommend buying a better trigger. There are great 1 and 2 stage triggers in the $120 - $200 price range that will make a huge difference.

You can fairly easily replace the barrel. There are quality replacement 16" barrels in the $200 - $300 price range (Wilson, Excaliber, Faxon etc.)

I really like the Magpul UBR Gen 2 stock, it runs around $200.

This brings the rifle to $450 + another $450 for replacement stock, barrel and trigger.

At $900 + the work needed, the Rock River complete rifles at ~$1200 start looking really good. This is one example:

All Terrain Hunter

Rock River Arms, Inc. offers a complete line of American made, custom built AR15 style rifles.

www.rockriverarms.com

So what I recommend is that you buy 2 rifles, a cheapo one for casual plinking and when your buddies want to come shoot, and a Rock River or similar for when you want to shoot small and far

 

[jds holler]

I'm aware of the barrel thing, and already figure on a replacement of yet to be determined custom. (probably 20 Practical)

Just kind of want to get my feet wet in an economical way, unless someone knows a good reason to avoid this brand. Here's the propaganda. jd

Anderson's Utility Rifle is ready to put in work with you at the range! - This cost-effective rifle is made and manufactured right here in Hebron Kentucky. Its foundations begin at Anderson's forged Lower and Upper Receivers. - Comes with an Anderson Stainless Steel Lower Parts Kit six-position adjustable carbine stock iconic A2 grip and flash hider installed. - 12'' MLOK Handguard with forward-top upper receiver-height picatinny rail. - Comes with 30 round ASC Magazine - Made in Hebron Kentucky USA - Weight: 7.000000 - Lower Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum - Upper Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 Aluminum - Upper Receiver Finish: Type 3 Hard Anodized Black - Lower Receiver Finish: Type 3 Hard Anodized Black - Trigger Guard: Open Trigger - RF-85 Treated: Non-treated - Bolt Carrier Finish: Nitride - Bolt Carrier Material: 8620 Steel - Bolt Finish: Nitride - Bolt Material: 9310 Steel - Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium - Barrel Length: 16 inches - Barrel Finish: Nitride - Barrel Contour: M4 Contour - Twist Rate: 1:7 - Gas System Length: Carbine Length - Gas System Type: Low Profile - Gas Block Diameter: .750 inch - Charging Handle: Standard Charging Handle - Bolt Carrier Group: Standard M16 Profile - Hand Guard Type: M-Lok - Handguard: M-Lok - Pistol Grip: A2 Style - Thread Pattern: 1/2-28 - Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider - Buffer Tube: 6 Position Buffer Tube - Butt Stock/Brace: 6 Position Carbine Butt stock

 

[Rocketvapor]

Yes $200, minimum for a barrel.
I have several X-Caliber barrels.
My 28" bull cost an extra $100 for length (watch for 20% off sales).
I like the Luth-AR stock (a few different models).
For a good inexpensive trigger the 1 or 2 stage Schmid is a bargain.
Check Midway.

Now the controversy.
I like the BCA side charge heavy walled upper, with BCG for $99.

The $6 6/7 position stock can be de-wobbled

 

[46and2]

So I must be about the only guy who doesn't own one. I've been thinking of pulling the trigger (nerk, nerk) on an Anderson Arms that Buds is selling for around $450 or so. Aluminum alloy both upper and lower,

Anderson Arms AM15 Utility 5.56 NATO 16" Black, M-LOK Forend - Blue/Black, 16" Barrel, 30+1 Rounds, Black Stock​

I guess they're full mill-spec and such.

I'm dumb about these rifles, kinda want to have one while I can get one. (Oregon)
Is there any reason this one isn't right for me?? jd

Lol, I thought I was the last American to own an ar15.
For some reason I was always shy of Ruger. But I got their SFAR ar10 in 308 and was so impressed I bought a Ruger AR556. I love it although I'm not really a terrific AR shooter. I'd like to see someone shoot this thing that really knows what they're doing.

 

[Dave Berg]

They're a very nice rifle. I bought one when it looked, once again, like we wouldn't be able to. Sat in the box until I got cabin fever months later and gave it a shot, so to speak. It turned out to be reliable, well finished and surprisingly accurate.

You most likely won't like the trigger but that's true of any AR-15 until you get up to something like a Rock River LAR-15 with a two-stage match trigger at three times the price. One of the great things about AR's is you can drop in a better trigger yourself for about $50. You can also get a Geissele trigger for close to the price of the complete Anderson rifle but I didn't go that way.

I believe I'll order another, just because I still can.....

 

[Rocketvapor]

Another thought, don't know how pertinent it is in your state.
Is buy a rifle, you be on the assault rifle list
Buy a stripped lower and it is a receiver, and if you ever wanted to, could be a pistol.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

FBI has WARNED the sheriff's association that a terrorist act is just a matter of time, as MILLIONS of military age single male illegal immigrants have entered the country in the last 3 years. Military/national guard will not be able to protect you and you know how long law enforcement response time is. Many counties in America are organizing volunteer emergency groups.

 

[Rocketvapor]

JD,
You mentioned 20 Practical.
You already have the reloading supplies, like the cartridge, want to hunt the neighbors chickens?

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

You can keep it super simple. Buy an assembled lower, install a good trigger and your stock and pistol grip of choice (original equipment works just fine). Then, depending on how you will use it, buy as many uppers as you want / can afford.

It is the Small Block Chevy of firearms, kit it out as YOU see fit.

 

[jds holler]

JD,
You mentioned 20 Practical.
You already have the reloading supplies, like the cartridge, want to hunt the neighbors chickens?

My neighbor's flock of chickens is substantial, but he'd give me one anytime I asked.

I can see myself doing the 80% receiver thing someday, just not now. I'm pretty sure that I'll spend more money than this rifle costs for a new barrel like I want.

As far as the Oregon thing goes, well I don't have much to say about it -- and I've usually got more to say than needs to be said, about most everything. jd

 

[Rocketvapor]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15/lowers/stripped-lowers.html

is having a sale.