OK, the AR-15 has popped up on many occasions and in many threads now, so it's time it has its own home. LOL.

Ask your questions about AR-15's here. Post specs/photos of your rifles here. Provide URL's of companies who carry AR-15's and/or parts.

Let's make this a one-stop shop for everything AR-15!

I'll start:

I've been wanting one of these evil black rifles (EBR's) for 2.5 years now. I've done a LOT of research on them, where to get them, prices, etc. I've even written a little "book" for myself w/ many of the options I want (eventually), sources of parts, prices, etc.

One MAJORLY helpful piece of info I've found and read is Jerrell Wise's "So you want to buy an AR-15?" article. This is probably the one source of info that helped me w/ 95% of my questions and research and decisions. Find it here or here (starting on page 2). I also have a Microsoft Word and pdf version of it if those sites give you grief.

Another resource is Donley's Gun Shop. Dave sometimes hosts an AR-15 kit build day. Basically, you buy a complete kit from him, assemble it yourself (w/ his guidance), and shoot it. The last build they did was a 16" CAR and it came to $580 if I remember correctly.

Personally, I'm seriously looking at (OK, drooling over) the one that J. Wise recommended: the CMMG. What I like about those (other than they came highly recommended by Mr. Wise) is the many different configurations for the same price, which isn't too terrible, either!

This is what I plan on getting, in case anyone was curious:

CMMG Upper: 18" SPR Upper w/Mid Length Gas
CMMG Lower: Semi-Auto Lower Receiver w/Internals and Stock

They also have USGI 30-round magazines for $10 each.

I have other info and resources, but I'll post it later.

So, let's start discussing AR-15's!!!

yes building ar-15's is fun its not for everyone in fact whether you take a class or not, you may be better off buying one off the shelf. I have built several, when I mean built I mean from scratch not assembling a ffl receiver and a upper, I have made my own lowers by hand.

as a smith I don't consider slapping a FFl lower and a upper building, most folks do

It is the upper's that are the concern, you can get a cheap upper and it will be just that. there are lots of companies, JT distrubitors, Model 1, CNMM, Rock River, etc. I suggest getting good FFL lower and getting your upper from a reputable firm or from a fellow member at Ar-15.com, great site. If you have not been following this site you will make a mistake "always do your research before you buy" do not buy because that local gunshop has one for sale cheap or you saw a ad in american rifleman. lurk over at AR-15 and see what experienced folks use and trust.

choose between Pre-ban ( bayo lug * muzzle brake) post ban ( no bayo lug or muzzle brake) rate of barrel twist is also important, barrel lenght. bayo lug and muzzle brake are great in combat using full auto, otherwise they have little use at the range

I would be more than welcome to assist anyone willing to assemble a lower to a upper and comment individually on the components ( though I got my ass in a jamm over the bersa buy or not) I own two ar's one is a factory colt national match pre ban 20" upper on a forged lower ( I made from a 0% receiver) the other upper is a FN post ban ( JT dist.) 16" upper carbine style with a cast 80% lower. I made the carbine model for pinking. I shoot 62gr 223 in the national match and 55 gr in the carbine, reloads of course

get the mags at ar-15.com in the for sale section you can get 20 rd or 30 rd mag standard followers are black, the new ones are green, if your not in combat the standard followers work just fine. the green followers are expensive you can get these seperate but get the mags NOW they keep going up in price. I prefer the 20 rd mags myself

sprat

Just a heads-up, Aimsurplus.com is having a 1 cent shipping sale on several different types of AR-15 mags, specifically PMAGS.

What's the cost difference, assuming everything else on the AR-15 is the same, between the gas tube vs. gas piston?

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What's the cost difference, assuming everything else on the AR-15 is the same, between the gas tube vs. gas piston?

money?, you're not going to the sand box to play with camels

sprat

I'm not going to the sand box at all. I'm talking about us civilians and our AR-15's... so, how much more does this better system cost??

For those interested;

I just recieved this gunsmith special from midway for 20 & 30 round magpul ar-15 mags, get them while you can

midway is the best, along with brownells and few others I just can't remember at this time of night

sprat

I built my AR a while back. I built my own lower because it was easy and bought an upper from CMMG. When you look at the tooling you need to put together an upper properly, it isn't worth it unless you're planning on doing that a lot.

The lower is a doublestar lower with a 6-position stock and a RRA match trigger. I put it together using a first-timer kit that RB precision (I think) put together. Good stuff. The upper is a 16" midlength medium contour barrel from CMMG with a detachable carry handle.

Also don't go gas piston. Most of the piston systems the Army is looking at aren't on the commercial market (like the HK 416 or FN SCAR). The ones that are on the commercial market aren't generally very good implementations of the piston concept. You end up with a gun that is less accurate because of the piston and less reliable because they implemented the piston poorly. And that isn't touching on the fact that piston systems run you hundreds more dollars than traditional direct impingement.

CMMG also has good cheap mags in their bargain bin BTW.