Is now a bad time to buy an AR-15?

[Kar98]

I’ve seen a couple of super base DPMS here go for two hundred bucks more than I paid for mine. Which made them 40% more expensive. So I’d say now would be a bad time. Although on the other hand, they’re not gonna get any cheaper the closer the elections get. And after, who knows.

 

[Rhino]

If you wait to learn to use your gun well, waiting is also bad. If you want to be proficient with a weapon you want to know how to use effectively, waiting isn't going to help you with that. Range time, weapons drills, speed of getting onto target, all of that doesn't happen the week after you buy the gun.

 

[SQLGeek]

TTM08,

While I am NO FAN OF the "Mattel Special", I see a LOT of REAL Colt's parts kits for "cheap" in great condition for as little as 350.oo from vendors like SARCO.

Add a "less than 100 bucks" lower receiver & you have a semi-auto version of the M16 for <500.oo.
(NOT expensive for a SA rifle, imo.)

WELCOME ABOARD.

yours, satx

Do you have any links to complete Colts parts kits for that price? Wouldn't mind one for myself for that especially if all I need to do is add a stripped lower receiver.

 

[pronstar]

At that point, I think I'd spend the extra $120 and pick up a BCM upper.

https://www.primaryarms.com/bcm-16in-556-barreled-upper-bcm-urg-mid-16-bfh-elw-mcmr-15

I think at the sub-$800 price point, a Larue Ultimate Upper deserves to be on the consideration list as well

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SQLGeek]

You are definitely not wrong. Will they assemble the upper for no extra charge?

 

[Darkpriest667]

Do you have any links to complete Colts parts kits for that price? Wouldn't mind one for myself for that especially if all I need to do is add a stripped lower receiver.

But what about that guy selling his Colt Ar15s in the sales section for 2k? What is he going to do?

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Not much....

 

[easy rider]

I love my Windham Weaponry, and it shoots great, but I am most proud of the ones I've built. Of course I buy barrels that already have the gas block installed (mainly due to warranty issues), but there is nothing more satisfying than having an AR that shoots nearly flawlessly that I have built. Main thing I would say is research, part of the fun was researching what I really wanted.

Of course if you are only buying to sell later, then buy complete.

 

[BuzzinSATX]

Buy this one, and buy it now. And you're done. Except for ammo.
https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/166590

I used to think the M&P Sport AR is a great gun for a first time AR buyer. I still think the gun is definitely solid and performs as advertised. It is a good AR and given a choice between the Ruger and the Smith, I’d probably take the Sport. That said...

I do not own a M&P Sport, but I know a few guys who do. This is a good gun, and it shoots fine. Not generally super accurate, but not many sub $800 AR’s are. I’d expect 3 MOA, maybe better with good ammo. I fully believe you could buy one with 5 cases (5K rounds) of ammo and some lube and as long as you keep that bolt well lube and have good magazines, you’d be able to shoot through ALL your ammo without more than a couple hiccups, if any, or any cleanings. This is a good gun.

I also believe that this gun does one of two things to those who buy them...cause them to buy a second AR with more features OR spend several hundred dollars on upgrades like a rail that can handle accessories, a new grip, and sometimes a new trigger. That is what I’ve seen, YMMV.

You can mount an optic on this gun fine as is, so that isn’t an updated needed.

Were it me, I’d go with a PSA complete upper and lower, or a full gun, with a good rail and BCG. It just makes more sense to me, and you’d have as good or better gun IMO.

Again...and as always...YMMV

 

[satx78247]

Do you have any links to complete Colts parts kits for that price? Wouldn't mind one for myself for that especially if all I need to do is add a stripped lower receiver.

SQLGeek,

At least as of Friday AM, SARCO had a BUNCH of REAL Colt's "parts kits" at 350.oo each. - I have NOT talked to SARCO's "parts department" since then.
(As I said, I'm NOT a fan of the M16/M4.= The ONLY 5.56 rifle/carbine that I want is another Remington Model 7615P, since my "sweeter than Karo syrup" & very petite lady "adopted" the MINT one that I had in my collection.= Her comment was, "You have lots of rifles. This one is just my size & I'm keeping it" [pause] "You always talk about things that you want from 'GT'. Maybe you should go look up there again"..)

Personally, I like REAL MBRs & want one in 7.62NATO. = Perhaps a G3 "clone" or a BM59, this go-round??

yours, satx

 

[candcallen]

But what about that guy selling his Colt Ar15s in the sales section for 2k? What is he going to do?

Wait for someone wanting to pay double.

Colts LE carbines are top of the line mil spec rifles made side by side with military M4s. At 750 bucks 3 months ago and maybe a grand now. Never pay extra for added parts unless its exactly what you want.

FN rifles are the same. Top of the line mil spec, thus PSA CHF uppers with the toolcraft BCG are top of the line Mil spec. Made by FN and Toolcraft. Just as good as the Giselle model linked to at 200 bucks less.

PSA Nitride rifles are M&P quality. Their classic rifles are better than average entry level rifles.

There are rifles that go beyond mil spec for extreme accuracy at longer ranges or specific pet parts groupings but the basic mil spec rifle with ammo it likes will shoot better than most people can and reliability will be outstanding.

 

[Glenn B]

Ruger AR-556 for $579.99, shipping included: https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/214430

Same price for a Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II 5.56mm Rifle with Dust Cover and Forward Assist: https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/166590

I know some said the price was just under $500 but this is the lowest price I could find in a very brief search. Granted $80 more than just under $500 but that's $80 you may want to gamble if you feel you want one right now. It's a gamble because they may go up even more with the upcoming election or they may just drop back to the same old pre-panic price if it looks like there is no way President Trump can lose reelection.

 

[TX OMFS]

Yep, in the days leading up to the "first assault weapons ban" I paid inflated prices for 20 and 30 round magazines for my Mini-14. I remember AKs sold for $85-$100 then overnight they went to $750-$800.

Was more wanting to discuss prices and not which model to get. I realize everyone has their favorites and didn't see any point to rehashing. I threw the S&W and Ruger models out there for a baseline not that I'm set on those.

I would buy now. You are too close to the election & the Shanghai Shivers are still unpredictable. I don't think prices will dip much unless/until Trump wins in November.

If you really want an AR buy now. If you don't really care, have other luau guns, and won't regret paying $1800 for an entry level gun after the election then wait.

 

[SQLGeek]

SQLGeek,

At least as of Friday AM, SARCO had a BUNCH of REAL Colt's "parts kits" at 350.oo each.

The only thing they have listed on their website is this for $449, without a barrel and that's out of stock. Unfortunately total investment would be well north of $500.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/colt-m16a1-gi-parts-kits/

 

[SQLGeek]

Just as good as the Giselle model linked to at 200 bucks less.

Well that's certainly an opinion.

 

[satx78247]

The only thing they have listed on their website is this for $449, without a barrel and that's out of stock. Unfortunately total investment would be well north of $500.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/colt-m16a1-gi-parts-kits/

SQLGeek,

That's NOT what "the nice lady on the phone" told me last Friday PM. = I'd guess that "the word got around" & SARCO "had a run on" their Colt's parts kits.

As I said, I don't want one, so I'm really "not in the game". = Make mine 7.62x51mm.
(Btw, I'm STILL looking for a Remington Model 7600P at "something less than a scalper's price". - I refuse to pay a "collector's price" for a carbine that is NOT a "collector's item" & is likely NEVER going to be.)
Note: I missed a NIB 7600P for 500.oo + S&H, about 3 weeks ago because I was "asleep at the wheel" that day.

yours, satx78247

 

[baboon]

Hell last year I sold my Colt's 3 shot burst kit for $250.00 I see they are going for $1,250.00 now. Not something I really ever planned on putting into my gun, as I don't care for Colt's design.

 

[candcallen]

Well that's certainly an opinion.

How would the quality be different? Except for the brand name the upper receivers are most likely from the same forges. I'll take FNs war proven steel barrels over anything else and the tool craft BCG is as good as they come.

200 bucks to have a brand name place assemble the parts and put an overpriced rail on it isnt worth it to most people.

But again it's an opinion.

 

[oldag]

Ruger AR-556 for $579.99, shipping included: https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/214430

Same price for a Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II 5.56mm Rifle with Dust Cover and Forward Assist: https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/166590

I know some said the price was just under $500 but this is the lowest price I could find in a very brief search. Granted $80 more than just under $500 but that's $80 you may want to gamble if you feel you want one right now. It's a gamble because they may go up even more with the upcoming election or they may just drop back to the same old pre-panic price if it looks like there is no way President Trump can lose reelection.

That "was" was back in February, before the stupidity started. Best price I saw then was $480. Probably won't see that any time soon unless Trump is re-elected.

 

[Axxe55]

Prices always jump when there is some sort of panic. Just this time it wasn't possible restrictions and bans driving the panic like in years past.

I sospect that once this CV19 crap dies down, and Trump is re-elected, prices should come down and stabilize again.

If a person does some careful shopping, and is building an AR, there are some decent deal out there. But having money in hand when they present themselves is the key, because quite likely others are looking as well.