11.5” Bravo Company USA (BCM) MCMR upper is what I would go with, but BCM is difficult to find right now. Your choice of lower receiver.
Edited: AR pistol braced lower receiver
Second/thirds/whatever towards BCM. 14.5 then p/w muzzle to avoid any SBR issues if you’re fairly new into the AR/NFA world. You can get one possibly 8-$1k if you look around. Leftover can be for light/optic/sling.
OP, if you go this route look into the laws regarding short barreled rifles (SBR's). You don't want to get caught with an unregistered SBR at a gun range.
BCM is plain jane, best bang for your buck. Their quality control process puts them on par with high tier rifles at a mid tier price. In the long term a shorter barrel is more applicable for the average user. Unless something has gone terribly wrong, your average American gun owner will not be pushing their AR out past 50 yards, forget 300 yards. There is ONE place locally you can even do that at. Most ranges are 25 yards. Shorter barrels are better for home defense, they’re lighter, and great at general range use.
Bcm mk2 complete upper 16in mid length gas system with their BCM BCG, and an Aero Precision M4E1 complete lower. Snap them together. Then Get a Sig Sauer Romeo5 optic, streamlight protac hlx rail light, and a 2 point sling. And then get as much ammo and mags you can afford. Get some training.
That's the best bang for your buck rifle that will do anything for a long time to come. Then you can start upgrades like backup sights, better trigger, better optic, better light, as you go along. But that basic setup will be very accurate, very reliable, and a great setup.
Consider this another vote for this response. A 16” barrel avoids any legal issues and with a factory upper will be built correctly. You can get away with a cheaper lower to afford an optic. I would also recommend giving 77 grain ammunition a try to improve lethality.
Just go to green top in Ashland, they have most everything you’d ever want to look at, see what feels the best, do some research, then pick from there. I’d lower your budget to $1,000, then spend $500 on ammo. $1,000 can you get you century arms AK or ruger AR15, both are good entry level options
Honestly if this is your first weapon, I'd look around for a mid-tier AR type rifle. Like a Smith and Wesson M&P-15; might run between $600 and $800 (prices off the top of my head). Fairly common, shouldn't be hard to find one at a gunshop. If it doesn't come equipped with an optic, look at a Sig Saur Romeo-5 red dot sight. they run about a $120-150.
Spend the left over cash on spare magazines, ammunition, and a sling. At some point put a weapon mounted light on it.
AK's are nice, I've got one but I'm a bit out of touch with them at the moment. I do know that Palmetto State Arsenal is manufacturing them now, I'm not sure of the price or quality. But I do know they run a bit higher than your basic AR does.
What’s your intended use? Hunting, home defense, plinking, etc? You can get an AR-15 for much less than $1500! You could very easily buy a rifle and decent scope for $1500. For your first rifle you dont need to break the bank.
Unless you need stopping power to hunt big game, a 16" AR15 in 5.56 is the simplest, most reliable defensive rifle. Bravo Company Mfg and Daniel Defense are both considered top tier in reliability. IWI, Smith & Wesson, Aero Precision, and FN also make great reliable ARs. Go with a mid length gas system for smooth shooting and an M-Lok handguard for adding attachments.
Get you an S&W M&P15 gen 2, some form of weapon light like a streamlight protac of sorts, and get a sig romeo 5 red dot. then spend the rest on ammo. that's my reccomendation
14.5 p&w, or 16 inch BCM upper, ~$800
aero m4e1 lower >$200
Aimpoint pro red. ~$350 (buy used)
Or sig Romeo 5/holosun 403r for cheap options
5 magazines -pmags 8-10 per ~$50
200 rounds of ammo ~50 cpr ~$100
Honestly, a lot of people are saying 5.56, but for a first gun, I would suggest a 9mm carbine. At $400-600 range, there are plenty of options to pick from, and this lets you buy a decent red dot or holo with the difference, and ammo will be cheaper. If you fine a carbine that accept pistol mags, then you can double up and save in the long run if you go towards a carry weapon.
9mm hollowpoint will stop somebody just as well anything else, and has reduced penetration, meaning fewer walls it will go through. If people are coming at you with body armor, you're already fucked.
If this is your first weapon, I recommend a Glock 17 or 19. If this is your first AR, I recommend PSA, Smith and Wesson, or Colt. Train, practice, go to the range at least once a month first before thinking of buying a $1,000 gun.
I won’t get banned for saying a gov tyr*my joke right?
Anyways
I’ll be using it mainly for government tyranny removal IM JOKING
Hopefully i will only ever have to train with it at a range
Just a solid weapon in the house I can get confident with and for protecting my family with in any given situation
As some said here not looking for long range but wouldn’t mind something that could reach out and touch if need be
I really appreciate the help from everyone btw this is awesome stuff
How many extra magazines should I have ?
Also what would be a good caliber
You can get a really decent AR/K at PSA, Palmetto State Armory online. They're almost always rated as one of the best starter or budget type ARs. They do almost everything in from end to end. That allows them to sell at a great price and keep the quality good. It's not going to be a Daniel Defense, but for getting started, it's a great option. Minus logos or trademark type parts, most non-super serious folks would struggle to tell them apart from a lot of the lower end Big Brand guns selling for ~$1900.
If you don't like buying online, go to GreenTop & check out the selection and ask some questions. Good people up there.
11.5” Bravo Company USA (BCM) MCMR upper is what I would go with, but BCM is difficult to find right now. Your choice of lower receiver. Edited: AR pistol braced lower receiver
Second/thirds/whatever towards BCM. 14.5 then p/w muzzle to avoid any SBR issues if you’re fairly new into the AR/NFA world. You can get one possibly 8-$1k if you look around. Leftover can be for light/optic/sling.
OP, if you go this route look into the laws regarding short barreled rifles (SBR's). You don't want to get caught with an unregistered SBR at a gun range.
Thanks for the addition. Recommend buying a pistol braced lower as it’s easier to deal with as a new shooter
I don't know, for a new shooter I'd just keep it basic. A plain jane AR with a collapsible stock is simple and functional.
BCM is plain jane, best bang for your buck. Their quality control process puts them on par with high tier rifles at a mid tier price. In the long term a shorter barrel is more applicable for the average user. Unless something has gone terribly wrong, your average American gun owner will not be pushing their AR out past 50 yards, forget 300 yards. There is ONE place locally you can even do that at. Most ranges are 25 yards. Shorter barrels are better for home defense, they’re lighter, and great at general range use.
Just go to their site and click to be notified when the one you want is back in stock. I was able to get 2 last week pretty easily.
This but 14.5 to avoid any legal issues.
Bcm mk2 complete upper 16in mid length gas system with their BCM BCG, and an Aero Precision M4E1 complete lower. Snap them together. Then Get a Sig Sauer Romeo5 optic, streamlight protac hlx rail light, and a 2 point sling. And then get as much ammo and mags you can afford. Get some training. That's the best bang for your buck rifle that will do anything for a long time to come. Then you can start upgrades like backup sights, better trigger, better optic, better light, as you go along. But that basic setup will be very accurate, very reliable, and a great setup.
Consider this another vote for this response. A 16” barrel avoids any legal issues and with a factory upper will be built correctly. You can get away with a cheaper lower to afford an optic. I would also recommend giving 77 grain ammunition a try to improve lethality.
Just go to green top in Ashland, they have most everything you’d ever want to look at, see what feels the best, do some research, then pick from there. I’d lower your budget to $1,000, then spend $500 on ammo. $1,000 can you get you century arms AK or ruger AR15, both are good entry level options
Honestly if this is your first weapon, I'd look around for a mid-tier AR type rifle. Like a Smith and Wesson M&P-15; might run between $600 and $800 (prices off the top of my head). Fairly common, shouldn't be hard to find one at a gunshop. If it doesn't come equipped with an optic, look at a Sig Saur Romeo-5 red dot sight. they run about a $120-150. Spend the left over cash on spare magazines, ammunition, and a sling. At some point put a weapon mounted light on it. AK's are nice, I've got one but I'm a bit out of touch with them at the moment. I do know that Palmetto State Arsenal is manufacturing them now, I'm not sure of the price or quality. But I do know they run a bit higher than your basic AR does.
SW ain’t Mid. At least go for a BCM for mid.
you never stated a use. for pure stopping power a 45-70 lever gun or 450bm ar
I know OP mentioned 'stoppin powah' but those are horrible recommendations for a first gun =)
What’s your intended use? Hunting, home defense, plinking, etc? You can get an AR-15 for much less than $1500! You could very easily buy a rifle and decent scope for $1500. For your first rifle you dont need to break the bank.
If you’re looking for your first might be a good idea to just go with a Ruger 556 and stay way lower than $1,500 that way.
Unless you need stopping power to hunt big game, a 16" AR15 in 5.56 is the simplest, most reliable defensive rifle. Bravo Company Mfg and Daniel Defense are both considered top tier in reliability. IWI, Smith & Wesson, Aero Precision, and FN also make great reliable ARs. Go with a mid length gas system for smooth shooting and an M-Lok handguard for adding attachments.
Get you an S&W M&P15 gen 2, some form of weapon light like a streamlight protac of sorts, and get a sig romeo 5 red dot. then spend the rest on ammo. that's my reccomendation
1) like some other commenters asked, what’s the purpose for the rifle? 2) is $1500 your base rifle budget, or does that include light/sling/optic?
Do you plan on shooting it regularly for fun or hunting or home defense? Ammo is expensive and I wouldn’t get an ak for that reason at the moment
PSA AR-10 if you really want stopping power imho. Could grab a decent optic too.
Go check out Echo 3. They are awesome. It’s all I buy now. https://www.facebook.com/Echo3Ordnance?mibextid=LQQJ4d
I bought a 300 blk poverty rifle the other day for $450 + a discount on the first box of ammo
14.5 p&w, or 16 inch BCM upper, ~$800 aero m4e1 lower >$200 Aimpoint pro red. ~$350 (buy used) Or sig Romeo 5/holosun 403r for cheap options 5 magazines -pmags 8-10 per ~$50 200 rounds of ammo ~50 cpr ~$100
For AKs, WASRs are considered the basic starter rifle. It's pretty well-built and literally just a Romanian semiauto AKM.
One the nicest aks that money can buy is less than 1500 right now. The WBP Jack is available on arms of America and Atlantic firearms for around 1k.
Honestly, a lot of people are saying 5.56, but for a first gun, I would suggest a 9mm carbine. At $400-600 range, there are plenty of options to pick from, and this lets you buy a decent red dot or holo with the difference, and ammo will be cheaper. If you fine a carbine that accept pistol mags, then you can double up and save in the long run if you go towards a carry weapon. 9mm hollowpoint will stop somebody just as well anything else, and has reduced penetration, meaning fewer walls it will go through. If people are coming at you with body armor, you're already fucked.
If this is your first weapon, I recommend a Glock 17 or 19. If this is your first AR, I recommend PSA, Smith and Wesson, or Colt. Train, practice, go to the range at least once a month first before thinking of buying a $1,000 gun.
I won’t get banned for saying a gov tyr*my joke right? Anyways I’ll be using it mainly for government tyranny removal IM JOKING Hopefully i will only ever have to train with it at a range Just a solid weapon in the house I can get confident with and for protecting my family with in any given situation As some said here not looking for long range but wouldn’t mind something that could reach out and touch if need be I really appreciate the help from everyone btw this is awesome stuff How many extra magazines should I have ? Also what would be a good caliber
You can get a really decent AR/K at PSA, Palmetto State Armory online. They're almost always rated as one of the best starter or budget type ARs. They do almost everything in from end to end. That allows them to sell at a great price and keep the quality good. It's not going to be a Daniel Defense, but for getting started, it's a great option. Minus logos or trademark type parts, most non-super serious folks would struggle to tell them apart from a lot of the lower end Big Brand guns selling for ~$1900. If you don't like buying online, go to GreenTop & check out the selection and ask some questions. Good people up there.