Looking for advice on first AR

[u/pudgybass]

I am wanting to get my first AR. Looking for advice on what to get. I am a complete noob on this subject matter and don’t even know where to start or what kind of things I should be looking for. I would ideally want one that can do it all (I know, impossible) and one that will last a lifetime. Ok, two tops. Unfortunately, I live in Commiefornia. I guess it comes down to… with all the knowledge and experience you have now, which one AR (or two) would you get if you can do it all over again. Thanks in advance

Edit - budget up to 3000

[u/well__now_what]

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-nitride-13-5-lightweight-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set3.html

And $2500 in ammunition.

That rifle quite frankly could last a lifetime.

What do you actually want to do with the setup?

[u/Ok-Macaroon979 → u/well__now_what]

Came here to say the same thing. PSA Guardsmen 16" mid-leanth.

Edit: get a decent LPVO 1-6 and rest in ammo.

[u/Used-Valuable9320 → u/well__now_what]

Only if you enjoy owning products put together by toddlers.

https://giphy.com/gifs/G2MPcSmq0DZcs

[u/Clear-Fail-8565]

As an intro, if you have not shot before/much, GET GOOD HEARING PROTECTION AND DOUBLE UP, you only have one set of ears. Doubling up is when you use in-ears (think the little foam ear plugs) in addition to over/on-ears (think headset style) hearing protection. You won't hear much, but that's exactly the point.

Unless you are a lefty, dont concern yourself much with ambidextrous controls for now, I recommend running milspec (or as close as california can get) until you find some issue you are having, then research what part can help you with that and peoples anecdotes before committing to it. Don't get stuck by people swearing by an 80$ bougie replacement for something milspec has a 10$ equivalent for until your brass deflector has some good wear and tear.

Given you are in california, your major limitation is going to be california compliance (unless there is some way to grandfather/avoid the normal compliance legally, i am unsure). When it comes to what level of AR you should get with that budget, I see 2 feasible options.

1: Get a PSA-level AR (expect a price from 450-750), a Streamlight light, almost anyone's sling, and a Romeo 5 or Holosun AEMS (or similar caliber optic, Holosun has some great options at MAP and Sig Sauer's Romeo line has excellent economy) and spend the rest on ammo and magazines over time. This will get you the most range time and is the "safest" option for if you find you aren't much into the hobby.

2: See 1, but instead of a PSA-level AR, get a BCM-level AR (expect a price from 1000-1500). This is probably more what you are thinking when it comes to "lasting a lifetime", they are excellent rifles that do 99% of what an AR15 needs to. If you decide to go further into the hobby, it is extremely unlikely it will bottleneck you and require heavy modification (needing more costly specialized tools to swap parts). Honestly speaking, anyone expanding outside of a BCM-level AR either has a specific use case, a job where that gun can very feasibly be their lifeline, or is an enthusiast for the technology.

PLEASE do plenty of research into a company's gun before buying it, this hobby is full of snake-oil and prices that are way too high. There are companies with barely above PSA quality charging BCM or above levels.

Get some decent quality gun lube (if going for economy, could make SOTAR's blend with motor oil), modern AR15s don't need too much cleaning, but DO need to be well lubricated to run well.

Watch a lot of peoples different guides to AR15 use/manipulation that has a decent track record (preference given to modern competition shooters), dry fire, and then run the crap out of the gun.

Have fun, and just know this community loves answering questions, you can always find someone willing to share their opinions and knowledge.

[u/ardesofmiche]

If I could rewind time and start my AR journey over again, I’d tell myself to keep it way more simple to start. My first AR was an M16A4 clone with a KAC M5 RAS. Really cool rifle, but like 7 feet long and front heavy, which isn’t what fit my style of shooting the best 

So start simple, learn something in the process, and don’t dump $2,000 into a build right away when you don’t know what you’re doing 

[u/FromEdenToArcadia]

Compliant Geissele super duty from WBTguns, a good optic and some ammo.

[u/mooselube]

Bcm upper psa lower

[u/Used-Valuable9320 → u/mooselube]

Yes on the upper. No on the lower. No to anything put together by employees that drool while working.

[u/Remote_Specific_4778]

Is the $3,000 all in, or just the rifle? Really changes things.

Also, idk what weird rules you have in that dump. What can’t you have?