first AR-15 purchase recommendations

[BrowningHP]

Hi all - looking for a starter AR-15 platform... want something with good accuracy and build quality, willing to pay a bit more for a good platform to add goodies onto later.

 

I am thinking of a budget of around 1000-1500.

 

Also one of my properties is in a village with an AWB, so I wonder - are there certain types of configurations that allow me to easily remove the stock to make it a 'pistol', and do any of you have thoughts as to the legality of that? Can I store it in my house as a "pistol" (maybe with one of those pistol support things) to make sure I comply with all municipal regulations?

 

As a sig (pistol) fan, I would feel comfortable buying a sig AR. However some people at the LGS mentioned manufacturers such as Stag Arms or Rock River Arms(I think) as good builds.

 

What do the experts recommend, or what should I look out for when buying?

[Tompo]

You can't go wrong with a Colt 6920.

[Awan]

Sig M400 or 516. Check GunBroker.com

 

http://www.gunbroker...?Item=388863381

 

Look for theses sellers:

 

supohunter - they auction most all of the models. The last M400s sold for abt $820 + shipping.

edssport - you can get an M400 for $895 + $20 shipping.

[HK Smitty]

I have been looking at the Colt 6920 @ $1000.00, also Rock River Arms LAR-15 Elite Comp @1400.00

[moon]

Check out Stag Arms. They have a life time transferable warranty on every part including "infinite shot barrels guarantee.

This one is really nice and under 900: http://www.stagarms.com/model-3/

 

Here is an interesting graphic of their warranty:

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/212079/file-21434523-jpg

[BrowningHP]

interesting, thanks all

[POAT54]

From what I have read here removing the stock won't make it a "pistol". Might just make you a federal criminal.

[BrowningHP]

Really? How so?

[POAT54]

From what I gather here is if you remove a stock (screws or nut) which shortens length you have modified the firearm. I also read here, that the pistol AR or AK are ,m arked as a pistol on the gun.

 

I could be wrong, but that is what I got from other discussions about SBR's.

[BigGunner81]

From what I gather here is if you remove a stock (screws or nut) which shortens length you have modified the firearm. I also read here, that the pistol AR or AK are ,m arked as a pistol on the gun.

 

I could be wrong, but that is what I got from other discussions about SBR's.

 

I've read where the new rules state that are not required to be marked/stamped pistol, that if you purchase a stripped/bare receiver you can build a pistol as long as stock has never been installed on the receiver before. When you do a transfer for a stripped receiver in IL the 72 hour wait is required.

[patriot1776]

It can get sticky , especially with B.A.T.F. . Years ago on MK-90's AK variants , they were imported into the states, with the thumb hole stock and if you changed over to the boat paddle stock you had an illegal weapon .

[TimGiblin]

ok the ak issue is a red herring, thats 922r compliance, were talking US made ar15s.

 

OP build a pistol, so you don't get in trouble with the AWB. a pistol with a red dot is very manageable. Tooting my own horn obviously. But heres an option. http://trainillinois.com/ar-15-building.html once your registered for the class I'll take the time to talk to you before it about what to put on your rifle err "pistol" We can easily build you a pistol in your budget, pay for the class (ar builders and the shooting course too) and get you comfortable with it all under budget.

 

10.5-12" barrel, red dot at the very front of the reciever/on the rail even and you will be good to go.

[BrowningHP]

thanks I get what you guys are saying now. I will need to double check things and maybe my best bet is to build a pistol, would also help avoid the AWB "by-name" lists i guess. Tim looks great except for the 5+ hour drive for me... :/

[TacticalVideo]

Then put the Sig forearm brace on it.

 

 

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[BrowningHP]

"I've read where the new rules state that are not required to be marked/stamped pistol, that if you purchase a stripped/bare receiver you can build a pistol as long as stock has never been installed on the receiver before. When you do a transfer for a stripped receiver in IL the 72 hour wait is required."

 

so.... is the only way to buy an AR pistol if there has NEVER been a stock on the receiver? I can't buy an AR from the store, tell them I don't want the stock, and buy a "pistol" brace separately and put it on myself? where is the federal law described?

[TacticalVideo]

The lower needs to have been transferred as a pistol or an "other". Otherwise it is a rifle.

 

 

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[cromulent]

I store my AR in the gun range I go to. Pain in the butt especially when I need to clean it or add stuff onto it, but what can you do.....

[RockerXX]

I can't buy an AR from the store, tell them I don't want the stock, and buy a "pistol" brace separately and put it on myself? where is the federal law described?

 

No, the rifle was transferred/sold/inventoried to the store as a rifle and thus it's a rifle, they can't simply remove the stock and transform it into a pistol as that now becomes and NFA 'weapon made from rifle'... Now they could 'build' you a pistol using a lower that was never previously classified as a rifle...

 

FYI it's also illegal under IL law...

 

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=1876&ChapterID=53&SeqStart=68200000&SeqEnd=71300000

(search for 'made from a rifle')

 

Here are some good reads...

 

http://www.atf.gov/f...ling-2011-4.pdf

 

http://www.guntrustl...n AR Pistol.pdf

[skinnyb82]

Some other legal nuances. An AR pistol becomes an SBR if you install a vertical foregrip on it but not if you install an angled forgrip, specifically an AFG. I forgot the logic behind that but I do remember reading it. If you build it as a pistol you can convert it to an SBR by adding a stock but not before getting the requisite approval, engraving, stamp etc but if you build it as an SBR, it stays that way unless you'd like to go to prison.

 

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[Federal Farmer]

Some other legal nuances. An AR pistol becomes an SBR if you install a vertical foregrip on it but not if you install an angled forgrip, specifically an AFG. I forgot the logic behind that but I do remember reading it. If you build it as a pistol you can convert it to an SBR by adding a stock but not before getting the requisite approval, engraving, stamp etc but if you build it as an SBR, it stays that way unless you'd like to go to prison.

 

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I think that is wrong. It becomes an "AOW", a creation of the wording after handguns were removed from the NFA registry as a compromise.

 

It becomes an SBR if you add a stock.

[45 whit]

Can't go wrong with dpms, colt, or rock river.

[joybulb]

Can't go wrong with dpms, colt, or rock river.

would this statement also apply to the DPMS panthers that walmart sells?

[Awan]

Which Walmart sells sporting rifles?

[Scots]

I'll throw the M&P 15 into the mix, only because I love mine.

[InterestedBystander]

Which Walmart sells sporting rifles?

 

Take a look through this thread http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_8_23/536553_Walmarts_that_sell_AR15s_.html

[GTX63]

I have a rock river. Great rifle.

[Awan]

Which Walmart sells sporting rifles?

 

Take a look through this thread http://www.ar15.com/...ell_AR15s_.html

 

Thanks

[BrowningHP]

Some other legal nuances. An AR pistol becomes an SBR if you install a vertical foregrip on it but not if you install an angled forgrip, specifically an AFG. I forgot the logic behind that but I do remember reading it. If you build it as a pistol you can convert it to an SBR by adding a stock but not before getting the requisite approval, engraving, stamp etc but if you build it as an SBR, it stays that way unless you'd like to go to prison.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

thanks.. jeez i almost need to hire a lawyer to own a gun around here.

[AlphaKoncepts aka CGS]

Can't go wrong with dpms, colt, or rock river.

COLT and DPMS are NOT in the same planet of quality control. Rock River is right in the middle, near to Colt. You CAN go wrong with DPMS and I sell DPMS.

[mostholycerebus]

In your situation I would consider buying a complete upper and building your lower. Take a look at the Ace ARUL stocks when you build. It consists of a receiver extension, a gusset, and a rear stock that clamps to the extension. If you leave the rear stock part off, you have built a pistol, and it falls under statewide preemption, so your AWB does not apply. A few seconds with a hex key and you have a rifle. As long as you build it as pistol first, maning build it complete without the rear stock part, you can go back and forth. The downside is its not adjustable like the M4 stock, though you can build either the full-length or entry-length by swapping out buffer systems.

 

Now under federal law, if you leave the stock part with the gun in an AWB area, they could make a case for 'constructive possession' of an illegal AW. Dunno if that has been tried at the local ordinance level. If you are really worried, just leave the stock part outside of that property.

 

I would get a quality upper to your specs, then look at a the Ace ARUL stock kit, a stripped lower, and a lower parts kit. I contend that most lowers are pretty much the same for most of us, but you dont want to put lipstick on a pig, slap a big name upper on a no-name lower, so look at Spikes, Stag, LaRue, um, a few others. For LPKs, again most are 'good' but maybe check out something with anti-rotation pins and maybe the ACT ALG if you want a slightly upgraded trigger for a decent price.