Renewed Interest: AR 15 type

[DArBad]

Hello Calgunners,

After many, many years since I last gave up my Bushmaster XM-15 in late 1998 together with around 10 high cap magazines, I'd like to get an AR rifle again. I was building up a family, and I needed all the money I could scrape to buy a house that was why I had to lose my first AR rifle.

I went to Tabors Gun store in San Bruno, SF Bay Area to see the proprietor Frank Tabor. I told him I would like to give him my AR and magazines in exchange for money.

The whole landscape of ARs changed from those bygone years and I am bewildered, so I would need some advise. I know we can't own those " high cap " magazines anymore and I haven't been able to keep up with the changes. I became a basically 1911 person.

Today, I am having the itch again and it needs scratching. So, which basic legal, decent quality rifle would you recommend? Is it better to do an outright whole rifle purchase or do a slow build up? If a slow build up, which brand and components should I start the purchase?

By the way, I just retired and I don't have a whole stash of money for this. So kindly, lets deal with working man's priced components. I won't be doing any intense competition kind of thing, just an afternoon plinking fun within a range of 100 to 150 yards shooting nothing but store bought ammunition on a sale.

Rifle has to be decently accurate and not a piece of turd that I have to spend more money fixing to make it acceptable.

Thank you all.

[Barang]

all my rifles are built from the ground. i bought parts when on sale (mostly) from stag arms, cmmg and aero precision. criterion and sionics barrels bought them at full price. fab defense for the furniture.

[tradecraft]

What is your budget? What are your must-have features?

[67Cuda]

If it's only one, buy a good quality one. If you want more, consider building.

[edgerly779]

Featureless or fixed mag? Barrel length, optics or iron sights?

[DArBad]

To answer some questions:

No optics, just the usual/ordinary iron peep sight that is on the handle guard and front post with wing.

Barrel length of around 16 inches like on the M4 with the regular hand guard.

Budget would be around $700 to $900, maybe a stretch to $1,000 - if that is still possible.

[Enzo rules]

If you don’t build one look at PSA and see if the have any California compliant rifles. I haven’t checked in a while to see what they have. Good luck.

[Mezcalfud]

If I was buying new/complete I'd go to Turners or Sportsman's and get S&W M&P.
PSA or Aero is good for a complete upper + an Anderson lower.
I'm in the camp of budget rifle + lots of ammo for training vs. expensive, pretty, unused rifles.

[DArBad]

The more I start reading about all the rules and whatnot of AR 15 ownership nowadays, the more I am getting disinclined to get one.

Still, thanks to everyone for responding.

[ARDude]

Mid length gas with 16 inch barrel is good. If you are looking for an A1 or A2 upper, good luck. Flat top uppers are plentiful.

If I were starting over, I would just build it.
Screw drivers, punches and non marring hammer is all you need to build the lower. If buying the upper already built, no need for armorers wrench and blocks.

[ARDude]

The more I start reading about all the rules and whatnot of AR 15 ownership nowadays, the more I am getting disinclined to get one.

Still, thanks to everyone for responding.

There is only 2 rules currently. Fixed mag and featureless.

[DArBad]

I saw a built up rifle, Colt CR 6920, an M4 derivative in looks. It is CA approved.

I browsed Stag Arms as suggested by one poster and Jaggernaut Tactical.

What do you all think of CR 6920? Kindly post on its pros and cons in that price range, around $1,000. give or take a few hundred dollars. If there is an equivalent rifle of the same quality that is cheaper, please, I am all ears.

[sigstroker]

I saw a built up rifle, Colt CR 6920, an M4 derivative in looks. It is CA approved.

I browsed Stag Arms as suggested by one poster and Jaggernaut Tactical.

What do you all think of CR 6920? Kindly post on its pros and cons in that price range, around $1,000. give or take a few hundred dollars. If there is an equivalent rifle of the same quality that is cheaper, please, I am all ears.

There's probably nothing seriously wrong with a CR Colt, but they aren't the same as the old Colts used to be.

If it were me, I'd order a stripped lower from PSA. Something fun, like:



and build it into featureless configuration.

Then I would get a complete upper, maybe from PSA, maybe somewhere else. It would have a free float tube for accuracy. Then you can add iron sights of your choice.

For your stated purpose you don't need to spend a big pile of money, and six or seven hundred bucks should get you a pretty nice setup. If you change your mind later and want a red dot or a scope, you just add it on. I would suggest you treat yourself a little and spend about a hundred bucks on a 2 stage trigger. It makes a huge difference in the shooting experience.

[bwiese]

DArBad,

There are many solutions for you. Too bad you didn't keep your Bushy and hicaps and register it as RAW.

The 'old Bushmaster' (pre-DPMS/Cerberus buyout) is now called Windham Weaponry. Their ARs are as good as if not better than before.

BTW, I know Frank Tabor and use to hang out w friends at his shop in 2000s
and give the dog treats while my buddy Phil went thru the free coffee & donuts.
Great guy, talked to him about a month ago (he retired some time ago and
closed the shop - he and Dolly are doing fine.)

[DArBad]

DArBad,

There are many solutions for you. Too bad you didn't keep your Bushy and hicaps and register it as RAW.

The 'old Bushmaster' (pre-DPMS/Cerberus buyout) is now called Windham Weaponry. Their ARs are as good as if not better than before.

BTW, I know Frank Tabor and use to hang out w friends at his shop in 2000s
and give the dog treats while my buddy Phil went thru the free coffee & donuts.
Great guy, talked to him about a month ago (he retired some time ago and
closed the shop - he and Dolly are doing fine.)

Hello, thank you for the update about Frank and Dolly. When I used to live in SF, I would visit his store regularly. I remember their big German Shepperd. She was quite intimidating but nice to people, she would allow me to pat her head.

Yeah, I missed my Bushmaster. I bought it from that gun store in Valencia St. corner Mission (forgot the name of the store, Philip Tong was the proprietor).

I left SF and moved to Napa in 2001, and over those years, never again drove to that area of San Bruno. When I have a free time, I just go to my parents grave at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma.