Good "entry level" or basic AR-15

[aomagrat]

12 hours ago, SC Tiger said:

I hear good about Palmetto State Armory.  Anyone here have any experience?

I got a PSA AR-15.  No problems here.  Highly recommend! 

[Nestor]

PSA Freedom 16"

[TXUSMC]

I have a basic Rock River. Meets my need for a carbine length AR. Seldom leaves the safe. Have approx 1,000 rounds ready to go. Should a significant civil unrest event break out on my street, I can contribute towards restoring order.

[SC Tiger]

I'm starting to look into the idea of building my own AR.  If I do, I would definitely get the upper pre-built.  But the more I learn, the more I realize that I don't know:

1)  Does the bolt on an AR have to be fitted to the chamber?  

2)  Are chrome-plated chambers still the thing, or is there something better out there now?  Do I even need a chrome plated chamber?  The rifle's purpose will be range toy, defense. and zombie apocolypse go-to rifle.

Watching a couple of videos,  building the lower seems pretty easy honestly - if it's fully machined.

[Walt Longmire]

I have 2. Both Colts. A 6721 and an M4. Paid 650 for the M4 and 900 for the 6721 brand new in the box with extra mags.

[Cougar_ml]

1 hour ago, SC Tiger said:

I'm starting to look into the idea of building my own AR.  If I do, I would definitely get the upper pre-built.  But the more I learn, the more I realize that I don't know:

1)  Does the bolt on an AR have to be fitted to the chamber?  

2)  Are chrome-plated chambers still the thing, or is there something better out there now?  Do I even need a chrome plated chamber?  The rifle's purpose will be range toy, defense. and zombie apocolypse go-to rifle.

Watching a couple of videos,  building the lower seems pretty easy honestly - if it's fully machined.

1) modern machining and whatnot make pretty much all of these rifle parts assemble and shoot, no "fitting" of parts required unless you're doing something very out of the ordinary/special.

 

2) chrome plating in chambers/barrels is more of a military thing for a little added wear/corrosion protection.  Your average barrel will still last many thousands of rounds no issues, and the ones that aren't chrome lined are a little more accurate on average.  It's kind of a toss up/personal preference thing, but definitely not required for a good go to gun.

 

Yup, assembling a lower and upper both are very simple.  A bench vise, a couple blocks of wood, and an AR-15 wrench of some type (they're pretty cheap) and you can pretty much do anything you want to one.

[willie-pete]

On 1/1/2020 at 6:02 PM, SC Tiger said:

I'm starting to look into the idea of building my own AR.  If I do, I would definitely get the upper pre-built.  But the more I learn, the more I realize that I don't know:

1)  Does the bolt on an AR have to be fitted to the chamber?  

2)  Are chrome-plated chambers still the thing, or is there something better out there now?  Do I even need a chrome plated chamber?  The rifle's purpose will be range toy, defense. and zombie apocolypse go-to rifle.

Watching a couple of videos,  building the lower seems pretty easy honestly - if it's fully machined.

Pretty easy; even I could do it ( about 5 times now ). There is a company ( TMI ) near me that makes lowers and other things.

 

https://www.tacticalmachining.com/

Edited January 3, 2020 by willie-pete

[ASH]

Palmetto  has good stuff , built my first one from them ,  next 2 i bought 2  DD 15/s    v5  and lightweight .  i will never get rid of them .  they are 2 me the best AR'S  made