I'm not in the business but I like Bravo Company (BCM) and Windham Weaponry off the top of my head. Finding what you want on the rack at the moment is not going to be easy.

 

I have experience with Bravo, but none with Windham.
Last time at the shop they had Springfield rifles, at reasonable prices, and Rugers. I prefer the Saints, but that might just be personal preference...
I'd get an LMT, but Their Plain Jain Rack grade cost as much as the M14/M1A I keep drooling over. I Use to dig Colt, but their Their rack grade is Outsourced if I understand correctly.
I SERIOUSLY dig PRI, but again....... Seriously high end.

 

Basic M4 style Carbine such as that made by S&W or Windham or Daniel defense. Or make one using Aero Precision parts----all good and will be reliable.

 

As you asked for opinion.. I like the gear from Rock River Arms. When I first got into the platform it was recommended by guys I trust. I understand them to be used by many professionals. I am no expert.

That being said, if you build “ they” say spend on the barrel and the trigger... the rest is just supporting characters....

 

You are right--For all my builds the upper receivers are pretty much all of equal quality if they are Mil Spec hard anodized. I stick with flat top with forward assist. Your money should be invested in a good barrel with fast twist rate 1:7 or 1:8 and a std flash hider. Next area of spending is in a good bolt carrier and bolt. On a Car I stick with the plain round free float hand guard because it is the strongest and offers the most protection to the gas tube. On a SHTF rifle stay away from those thin cheap Key-mod or M-key hand guards because they are weak and will shatter if impacted hard. The old plain round ones are the strongest.

 

I will suggest you build your own, it is not hard to do and can be cheaper. I like the free floating hand guards. Other than that what Micmoslof said.

 

Not sure what you mean by "rack grade", but I am quite happy with both my Ruger AR 556 carbines.Ruger now offers a line of their 556's that come with rail installed and in multiple calibers from 5.56 to .450 cal. and 16" 18" (and IIRC 20" too?) barrel lengths,as well and also are now offering pistol lengths too.

Check out the Ruger site. Ruger builds and makes all parts in house. In Mayodan NC.

 

The Rugers are priced right (or were, last time I checked) and I've been favorably impressed when others have shown up for instruction with the Rugers. A good, basic rifle that worked just fine and shot well. Honestly, some of the prices on these have been ridiculously low at our local gun stores in recent years.

Guy

 

I don't consider Daniel Defense to be rack grade, they are one of the best. Stag Arms is decent, Rock River comes with a two stage trigger.

 

https://jtdistributing.com/

Their house brand on fully assembled guns is Double Star. An old class III guy told me that's where he gets all of his AR related stuff.

You say you don't have time to build one, but most kits come with the upper assembled and headspaced, and all you have to do is assemble the lower receiver.

You can put a lower together in under an hour easily. It's like legos for adults.

Palmetto State Armory is cheap and decent.

 

Areo precision is a really good ar for the $$$ there are a lot of choices. Just remember you generally get what you pay for.

 

While there are many acceptable brands and models, it depends on what your goals are with the rifle and your price point. There are some that say they're "mil spec" yet when you try and change out hand guards or other items they do not fit; because the rifle is not a actual "mil spec." As others have said, Ruger is hard to beat for the money if you want a basic rifle that comes with a good barrel. You can change the hand guards and stock to something you prefer at a later time. Rock River is another that is pretty good for the money and the accuracy depending what your want. I love LMT's and is what I use most of the time while my work rifle is a Colt that's supplied to me. I've been running the LMT's for almost 10 years now and get exceptional accuracy out of their standard rifles, both in 556 and 308. Bravo is another very good quality rifle. While their prices have gone up a little bit with their popularity, they still give a great value for what you get.

I'd suggest the mid length gas system vs the carbine length. They will give a smoother recoil impulse and there are enough makes/models you can pick which one you want.

Watch the used market too for them although this may not be the best time to be trying to purchase a used one with the demand going on. But, they'll most likely only get more expensive as the year goes on with the nearing election.

 

I've wanted an LMT rifle for a LONG time, but the price jumped quite a bit since I last looked at them. I have a little experience with Ruger and Like the S/A Saint. It seems like a good base to start from.
LMT would be my choice if they still sell the components for a build. Never heard one complaint about them.

 

I'm not up to date on any of the AR-15 platforms from the last 10 years or more, but...

I recommend an AR that does NOT blow the gases back into the bolt and bolt carrier!

Get one with a flat top so you can add a scope. Maybe even a fold down front sight and rear sight as well. I prefer a 20" barrel.

 

Are you thinking piston gun?

AC

 

I just bought a Palmetto State Armory plane jane AR for 495, was accurate out of the box, fired everything I fed it no jams, good product. this was my first ar so my only experience.

 

I have a Bushmaster and built out PSA with the kid. No problems with either. I did splurge and put a Geissele trigger in it - ooooh schweet.

 

I did splurge and put a Geissele trigger in it - ooooh schweet.

^^^ This! I agree 100%.

 

Ruger had piston AR's for awhile, I think they discontinued them. Buddy had one, I thought it was heavy particularly nose heavy.

I never considered LMT a "rack" rifle either, I considered them to be a upper tier gun.

 

Off the rack and reasonably priced: Smith and Wesson (not the "slick side", I want a forward assist) , Aero Precision or Palmetto State Armory do very well.

Little more costly: Rock River Arms, BCM, Spikes Tactical

When you're loaded with cash and just don't care: Daniel Defense (I own one of these, but I do NOT support them due to their anti gun stance a few
years back), Wilson Combat

I suggest direct impingement, not a piston gun for many reasons.

What ever you do, or build yourself (suggested) always always always buy the BEST BOLT CARRIER GROUP you can afford! This is the heart of the gun, this is THE moving part, this is the part that gets the abuse, this is the part that is hardest to clean, this is the part that will eventually break.


DR

 

What does anyone know about Alexander Arms?

 

They mainly have patents on their 50 Beowulf and 6.5 Grendel calibers.

 

OP,
The last AR style I used in the military, was the M16A2, 30 years ago. There is not one company mentioned, that doesn't produce a good AR platform.
I personally do not like the carbine offerings, but each to their own. I own a Mossberg MMR Hunter and it has never failed to fire any steel or brass cased ammo with accuracy. Wether the caliber was 5.56 or .223 in just about all bullet weights available.
Andrew

 

I'm not sure if it's at the price point you're looking for, but I like the Colt LE6920. I have two, bought them new and they have run without issue. One is an older version with the restricted roll stamp and the other just a few years old. Both are well made and accurate. I also have the 20" A2 and it has been flawless as well. If I were spending more I would look at Daniel Defense and if even more the LMT.

As others have said this is the wrong time to buy a good quality AR at a good price... unless you score a lucky find!

 

I'm a fan of Colt and Rock River Arms.

Are you looking for a 20" rifle, or a 14.5" (16" civilian) carbine? Light (A1), medium (NATO), or heavy barrel (A2 HB and Match)?

Or are you looking for an 18" Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) like this Mk 12?

Most people go for a rifle with a heavy barrel (HB) or a carbine with an M4 barrel (medium carbine weight). But the rifles are much handier and just as accurate with light barrels, about 3/4 of a pound lighter. And the M4 carbine barrel has a thinned out area behind the sight so a SOCOM armorer can mount a 40mm grenade launcher. If you are not going to be mounting one of those (of course not) then the M4 barrel is just a cache.

In the service I carried all sorts of different versions over a period of 26 years and I like them all. I even competed a bit with M16A1 and M16A2 rifles and earned some leg points. But my preference is a short barreled rifle, 18" barrel with mid gas system. I don't use night vision, thermal, and lasers anymore so I don't ornament my personal rifles like Christmas trees. But some people are into that.

On the top is a 16" barreled, mid gas system rifle. Below it is a standard 20" AR15 set up in the A2 configuration.

Here is my favorite AR. It has a very light 18" stainless barrel made by Palmetto State Armory. It is built on a Rock River Arms lower. However, it has an A1 buttstock, 5/8" shorter than an A2 version. The caliber is 6.8 SPC. It has the 6.8 version of the ACOG sight and rear back up iron sight (BUIS). It is light, handy, and quick to bring to target. It weighs 6-1/2 pounds without the ACOG and just over 7 pounds with it. It is a dream to carry. I intend to replace the A2 front sight with a gas block and folding front sight. Mounting a front sight on a free float rail is not the best option. A sight on the barrel or on a barrel mounted rail is best.

Here is my carbine. It is a USGI SOPMOD upper. The receiver, barrel, front sight, bolt carrier group, etc. are Colt. It has the 14-1/2" military barrel but a slightly longer flash hider is permanently attached (pinned and welded) to bring barrel length to a legal 16.1". This upper was issued with the rear backup sight, the Knights Armament rails, and the front grip. The lower is all Colt. I've added an AimPoint from another rifle. This carbine, as you see it, is right at 8 pounds.

So, what are you looking for? What are you planning to do with it?

 

I'm a fan of Colt and Rock River Arms.

Are you looking for a 20" rifle, or a 14.5" (16" civilian) carbine? Light (A1), medium (NATO), or heavy barrel (A2 HB and Match)?

Or are you looking for an 18" Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) like this Mk 12?
View attachment 799191

Most people go for a rifle with a heavy barrel (HB) or a carbine with an M4 barrel (medium carbine weight). But the rifles are much handier and just as accurate with light barrels, about 3/4 of a pound lighter. And the M4 carbine barrel has a thinned out area behind the sight so a SOCOM armorer can mount a 40mm grenade launcher. If you are not going to be mounting one of those (of course not) then the M4 barrel is just a cache.

In the service I carried all sorts of different versions over a period of 26 years and I like them all. I even competed a bit with M16A1 and M16A2 rifles and earned some leg points. But my preference is a short barreled rifle, 18" barrel with mid gas system. I don't use night vision, thermal, and lasers anymore so I don't ornament my personal rifles like Christmas trees. But some people are into that.

On the top is a 16" barreled, mid gas system rifle. Below it is a standard 20" AR15 set up in the A2 configuration.

View attachment 799205

Here is my favorite AR. It has a very light 18" stainless barrel made by Palmetto State Armory. It is built on a Rock River Arms lower. However, it has an A1 buttstock, 5/8" shorter than an A2 version. The caliber is 6.8 SPC. It has the 6.8 version of the ACOG sight and rear back up iron sight (BUIS). It is light, handy, and quick to bring to target. It weighs 6-1/2 pounds without the ACOG and just over 7 pounds with it. It is a dream to carry. I intend to replace the A2 front sight with a gas block and folding front sight. Mounting a front sight on a free float rail is not the best option. A sight on the barrel or on a barrel mounted rail is best.
View attachment 799207

Here is my carbine. It is a USGI SOPMOD upper. The receiver, barrel, front sight, bolt carrier group, etc. are Colt. It has the 14-1/2" military barrel but a slightly longer flash hider is permanently attached (pinned and welded) to bring barrel length to a legal 16.1". This upper was issued with the rear backup sight, the Knights Armament rails, and the front grip. The lower is all Colt. I've added an AimPoint from another rifle. This carbine, as you see it, is right at 8 pounds.
View attachment 799211

So, what are you looking for? What are you planning to do with it?

GP rifle (General Purpose).
I'm not an internet warrior thinking I'm a sniper, or commando, with visions of tactical grandeur.
I'm a guy living in a tin can on a small hold out ranch (small ranch holdout swallowed by a city) that is constantly dealing with crack/meth/what have you heads.
Looking for a good rifle with enough oomph to deal with the weirdos at 3:00am, short enough I don't get myself killed trying to access it in my 29' x 7' home,
And versatile enough to throw in the track and put meat on the table.
I'm probably going to have to source parts and build. I've got a vision, specs, and picture in my head, but the net, like paper can only go by what you write.


I like a short, solid stock. 18' barrel would be near perfect.
I'm not worried about weight for the most part. I'm 6'3", and I cut and split firewood for a living. My one hand axe weighs 4lbs, my 'standard' is 8 lbs. (splitting axe/ maul).
I never did understand why folk thought a 12 lb rifle was 'heavy.'
I see fairly well with irons, but can see adding an optic later, but if I can see it, I can hit it.
It's mostly a price, size, availability/quality
thing.

 

I'd build one except the parts are harder to find right now.

Off the shelf I'd buy the Ruger first and the S&W second.

 

I have a PSA in 300AAC, an Eagle Arms AR (lower cost AR from Armalite) with ​

223 Rem/300AAC uppers, a DPMS Oracle LR-308, and an Aero Precision/AR Stoner LR-308 clone in 6.5 CM built for me by a retired snake eater buddy of mine. All of them shoot well, function fine, and will outlast me if cared for properly. Never wanted an AR after retiring from the Army in 2004. Obama changed all that for me during his first term. Heck--even took down a deer with my DPMS last year.​

 

Not sure what happened to my post, but I opined that the Ruger AR-556 Sporting Rifle being a solid choice.

Seems to be built with better components than "entry level" priced guns, and comes with extras not usually found on guns in this price range. Stuff like forward assist, dust cover, and decent flip up peep sight. Cold hammer forged barrel IIRC. Plus, it's a Ruger!

 

If you're looking for both accuracy and long range shooting ability for coyotes etc - these boys build 22-250's, 243's and a few others in the AR platform.

AR Rifles

 

Do you have any buds that have multiple ARs, maybe they would lend you one until the noise in the gun market goes away. Give you more time to think on what configuration is right for you. Preferred here is a twenty inch light barrel (1x9) otherwise configured as an A2, like the long barrel for velocity and sight radius with removable carry handle, keep a tactical scope zeroed for it should the need arise, but prefer irons. Humped a A1 than A2 in the Infantry, this is a compromise between the to, mostly like the long barrel and light weight. Recommend getting a c02 AR style tactical bb rifle, practice some, get good with super fast point and shoot without sights (instinct shooting).

 

The 3# triggers I install are milspec parts, a few Wolff springs, and some ingenuity and costs about $22 to duplicate. There's no reason to spend big bucks unless you want to. Mid gas and 8:1 is perfect for a Wylde or 5.56X45 build. Don't buy a .223REM barrel, there's no point. Add a Magpul MOE stock and grip plus the hand guard and sighting system you prefer. Don't make it hard...unless you want to.

 

I tried to PM you but I guess you got that turned off.

I don't know if you are still looking but it you are I stumbled on the Fort Bradley Firearms website a few days ago. He's got some good prices on name brand products. I went ahead and purchased a Rock River Arms 6.8 carbine lower from him for $199 and it's already on the way to my local dealer. A 6.8 lower still works with any of the AR15 cartridges, not just 6,8. He's also got Anderson and Stag Arms carbine lowers for $179 and $199 respective. Fixed stock, rifle, lowers are a bit more but the prices are still pretty low.

Here are the lowers: https://www.fortbradley.com/category-s/1830.htm

He's got good prices on uppers too but half of them are already sold out.

However, for a decent bargain build he still has a couple Delton uppers for $299.

Here are the uppers: https://www.fortbradley.com/category-s/1822.htmMedium-Conto-p/deltonuppermid.htm

Put those together and you can have a $500 "rack grade" carbine or a $545-$570 "rack grade" rifle.

Note: his inventory is going fast.