AR15 Guide

The Rifleman is your guide for AR15 buy / build. 

The AR15 is the rifle of choice for anyone who wants to stay alive in a bad situation. Here are some ground rules.

1. Fancy don’t mean sh!t. I know that most people go all out with their ARs; but for a first gun, you want simple and effective.

2. Just because you can go as cheap as possible doesn’t mean you should. This is not to say you can’t go cheap for certain components but stuff like uppers, barrels, gas systems and the gun’s actual mechanism need to have some semblance of quality behind it.

Don't cheap out on optics, either.  Buy once, cry once. 

3. Pre-built isn’t a bad thing. Although some people have a slight stigma over someone just going out and buying something like an M&P or some similar AR, they aren't bad at all.  Make no mistake, those super cheap ARs aren’t as reliable as people pretend they are, so take some solace in that your M&P 15 can actually continually hit the target unlike some.

If you opt for build, get a quality lower parts kit and help a knowledgeable friend install it. 

4. Don’t run steel cased in your AR. It is tempting to buy a ton of super cheap Tula. Don't. ARs were designed for brass, AKs were designed for steel.

The Rifleman is waiting for the comments to fill up with claims of people declaring how they have an AR that has eaten thousands upon thousands of Russia’s cheapest export 5.56 with nary a hiccup. Here's a hint - they haven't.  They will sell that gun next week and claim (more correctly so) that the gun doesn't even have 100 rounds through it.

For every AR that actually eats steel ammo, there are 5 other ARs that will have severe mechanical difficulties. Buy bulk brass 5.56, it’s not that expensive.

5. Shoot your AR.  And get some training.  No, really.  Marksmanship, tactical, and other classes are becoming more and more common.  Learn how to use your rifle.