AR15 Trends

[SUB-ZERO]

It's May 13th, and we're all still in covid limbo, for the most part. I have a few questions about the state of firearms sales in CA and the rest of the country, so I thought I'd ask here on CG. I've gotten a lot of good, helpful info here. Here are the questions:

What is the demand for mid-tier (Aero, PSA, etc.) AR15 lowers these days? (Very Low, Low, Med, High, Very High)

Complete builds?

And what's the going price range for mid-tier uppers, lowers, and complete builds?


Thank you kindly in advance for your input,

SZ

[The War Wagon]

Pistols with braces. All the advantages of an SBR, with none of the paperwork, hassles, or $200 tax stamp, and $1,000 lawyer drawn-up trust.

At least here in the United States.

[jimmykan]

224 Valkyrie

[jonnyt16]

Aero and PSA isn't mid-tier.

I think the trend is moving more towards people building their own rig from the ground up. Obviously many of us have already been doing that but there's so many more choices now for components. Specifically barrel choices, you can pretty much get whatever you want...10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.9, 14.5..etc. in whatever profile and twist you prefer.

[Epaphroditus]

204 Ruger for super high velocity and flat shooting.

450 Bushmaster subsonic load development is a current project. Just because.

[QED]

204 Ruger for super high velocity and flat shooting.

450 Bushmaster subsonic load development is a current project. Just because.

Or 20 Practical for super high velocity and flat shooting and reliable feeding - like out of common Pmags in particular. Plus better brass (Lapua) or cheaper brass (pretty much anything else) at your option. Only downside is you have to reload.

[SUB-ZERO]

Aero and PSA isn't mid-tier.

I think the trend is moving more towards people building their own rig from the ground up. Obviously many of us have already been doing that but there's so many more choices now for components. Specifically barrel choices, you can pretty much get whatever you want...10.5, 11.5, 12.5, 13.9, 14.5..etc. in whatever profile and twist you prefer.

Appreciate your comment. Ok then. Fair enough. Where instead would you place PSA and Aero, and what manufacturers would you assess as mid tier?
Not being argumentative, just want to grow my understanding so I make informed product choices. Thanks.

[tabascoz28]

I think PSA is pretty low, Aero has a diversified range of guns.

You can only build pistol lowers from PPT already registered pistol semi lowers. All other lowers are just rifle lowers and stuck that way. Maybe there's a way to build a pistol bolt action/single shot AR (Franklin Armory CA7,11 or 12) but I haven't looked into it.

I was standing in line at an LGS and the guy next to me was looking at an M&P15. He said he'd never owned one before. I told him I had one and everyone else that has one all have said they've never had issues with them and they just keep running, for the price. He bought it.

Having built a couple of PSA products I will say that sometimes they will need some breaking in and some knowledge of how AR15s work internally in case you have to make small adjustments.

[jonnyt16]

Appreciate your comment. Ok then. Fair enough. Where instead would you place PSA and Aero, and what manufacturers would you assess as mid tier?
Not being argumentative, just want to grow my understanding so I make informed product choices. Thanks.

I would place them at the bottom.

Mid-tier to me are rifles from BCM, Daniel Defense, Colt, FN, etc.

Top tier would be Knight's Armament, Noveske, Triarc Systems, HK, etc.

Don't take that the wrong way though as this is just my opinion. Do your own research, read range reports and reviews, and decide what is best for yourself. In my safe are Daniel Defense rifles, Noveske, Patriot Ordnance Factory, Stag Arms, and BCM. I use and train with all of them extensively and trust all of them with my life.

Currently in the process of building a rifle using a Criterion barrel, BCM BCG, Vltor upper and lower receiver, and Geissele rails.

[billkohatsu]

Aero is definitely not in the same group as PSA.
Aero is what BCM was 10 years ago; great price and quality.
BCM has gotten more aggressive in their pricing over the years but their quality hasn't improved by the same rate.

[Endless]

PSA is at the bottom. I am with you there brother and your list is on par with mine.

I run HK, Daniel Defense and POF for my upper tier. You can throw in LWRC as well.

I ran Colt while active duty. Never had any issues for decades. Definitely mid tier IMO. I am going to buy another Colt Upper for Christmas. The ones that are left over since Colt stopped making ARs for the civilian market.

Ran Noveske ARs over a decade ago and moved on from them. Very solid quality but just never bought another one.

[SUB-ZERO]

It’s good to know what different folks prefer with regards to the brands out there. Thanks for all the feedback.

Now to ask a more specific question:

From what you’re seeing on the private sales scene, what can I expect in return for a basic low tier PSA upper/PSA mid-length nitride govt profiled 1:7 barrel with f-marked FSB and A2 muzzle brake (minus BCG, CH) in terms of demand and asking price?

I’m planning on selling this upper and replacing with something a bit ... better for lack of a better term.

[Tere_Hanges]

It’s good to know what different folks prefer with regards to the brands out there. Thanks for all the feedback.

Now to ask a more specific question:

From what you’re seeing on the private sales scene, what can I expect in return for a basic low tier PSA upper/PSA mid-length nitride govt profiled 1:7 barrel with f-marked FSB and A2 muzzle brake (minus BCG, CH) in terms of demand and asking price?

I’m planning on selling this upper and replacing with something a bit ... better for lack of a better term.

With no BCG/CH, $100-$150 shipped. You might as well keep it as a backup. Used PSA freedom uppers without BCG/CH are pretty much worthless. You'd probably get more breaking it up and selling the components individually.

[The War Wagon]

Remembering the OBAMANATION run up of 2008, I think you can also count on the sales of a LOTTA cheap rifles to first time buyers, which turn into a GLUT of cheap rifles in the marketplace, as soon as everyone gets complacent again.

Ditto for cheap gun accessories. Buddy of mine just bought his first AR, a 16" Springfield Saint. A decent rifle, known mfg., limited lifetime warranty, etc. And then he goes and sticks a TruGlo "optic" on it... "because it has a choice of red OR green dot"...

If it DOESN'T break before he finds out how crappy it is, THAT'LL be put on Armslist, et.al. as well. So folks selling old stuff (say an Aimpoint Comp ML3), because they've moved UP to a T-2, will find a strong market for their used gear amongst those who may still not be able to afford TOP tier NEW stuff, but now realize that Breaks-a, Look-before-you-Leapers, UGH, and other crap, IS crap.

On the BRIGHT side, even lower tier AR mfgs., will begin IMPROVING their products, or go OUT of business, as happened after the Great Buying Binge of 2008 (i.e. Olympic). Of course, GOOD mfgs. can also go out of business, too (Charles Daly, Sabre Defense) for a host of reasons, not the LEAST of which is, somebody shows up and builds a better mousetrap at an affordable price (BCM). ALL these things, were a result of the '08 Panic Buy, in some form or fashion. I can even recall the same things happening in the early '90's, as KLIN - TON I usurped power (PWA going OUT of business, LMT rising from those ashes).

Hi-Point stays in business, cos' po' folks have a right to the 2nd Amendment as well. I don't think you'll see someone show up to a pistol class they've paid GOOD money for, with one on their hip however. For the same reason, people SERIOUS about self-defense will NOT pay good money for a carbine course, and show up with Del-ton, CMMG, or Windham AR-15's. If you HAVE one, God bless you - I hope it serves you well. But there's a reason Kevin Harvick shows up at the track on Sunday, with a specially prepared Mustang shell over his race car, and not the econo-6-banger, off the local Ford sales lot.

There will always be a market for the cheap stuff, and a market for the better stuff. ChinaVirus and an upcoming national election, which demtards are trying very hard to steal (just wait until those 800,000,000 "registered" CA democrap ballots get mailed in! ), will drive the panic through to November 3rd.

And if the democraps steal the election... you ain't SEEN a buying panic, like you WILL... starting November 4...

[jimmykan]

But there's a reason Kevin Harvick shows up at the track on Sunday, with a specially prepared Mustang shell over his race car, and not the econo-6-banger, off the local Ford sales lot.

After 2017, even the econo-6-banger isn't available anymore. It's either the Coyote 5.0L V-8 or the EcoBoost 2.3L I-4 Turbo.