First AR Recommendations

Mursey · Aug 23, 2017

I'm looking for input from fellow Marylanders about which direction to head in for my first AR. I currently hold my HQL and have a sig 9mm that I use for range days, but I'm curious about bumping up to a larger caliber.

From my understanding, an ar 15 HBAR is the only legal way to own my own, but I did not know if this rule also applied to ar 10s, or if they were outright banned. I have been weighing pros and cons, trying to figure out if I wanted to jump up to 5.56 or 7.62, but it wouldn't matter if the ar 10 is banned. So far I've seen that the HBAR workaround still applies, but I haven't found an outright yes or no answer.

I'm looking around $800-1600 for a built rifle (I considered building my own, but found it not recommended for the prices) and would probably want to shoot at 100-400 yards. Also, as I live in the Annapolis area, I can travel pretty easily to VA if anyone has any recommendations for shops or larger ranges.

Thanks guys

outrider58 · Aug 23, 2017

AR 15 Hbars are cash&carry and so are AR 10s(as in not banned)

Buy your mags in Va.

pilot25 · Aug 23, 2017

LWRC Di. I have one of their piston rifles and they offer top quality out of the box. Others on here have given their Di high marks.

Last price I have seen is sub-$1000 and the factory is, I think, about 1.5 hours from you.

Aamdskeetshooter · Aug 23, 2017

Check out one of the IP's here.

https://www.mdshooters.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

Scott's Gunsmithing · Aug 23, 2017

Smith & Wesson MP 15 or a Windham Weaponry WW15 HBC

holesonpaper · Aug 23, 2017

I have to second the LWRC. Top notch package that you'll come to realize afterwards.

Mursey · Aug 23, 2017

Based on the responses, seems everyone is recommending 5.56. Any argument?

basscat · Aug 23, 2017

Scott's Gunsmithing said:
Smith & Wesson MP 15 or a Windham Weaponry WW15 HBC

I don't believe the S&W is an Hbar.

Uncle Duke · Aug 23, 2017

Mursey said:
Based on the responses, seems everyone is recommending 5.56. Any argument?

None. Ammo cost, if for no other reason. Getcha your first and shoot the hell out of it.

omegared24 · Aug 23, 2017

Plenty of quality HBAR AR15's in that price range.

Most recommendations will be 5.56/.223. It's standard and the way to go. If you want a bigger bullet and reliability with parts cross compatibility then get another upper in 300 blackout. You can even use the same magazines.

If I was buying my first AR in MD I would get a Colt 6721 or go to Engage. You can get a nice AR and 300 blackout upper with that budget.

Mursey · Aug 23, 2017

Uncle Duke said:
None. Ammo cost, if for no other reason. Getcha your first and shoot the hell out of it.

Fair enough. I remember seeing something about having issues just finding ammo since a couple people have started stockpiling.

Uncle Duke · Aug 23, 2017

Mursey said:
Fair enough. I remember seeing something about having issues just finding ammo since a couple people have started stockpiling.

A few years back, yeah.

No such issue at present. Matter of fact, pricing on both rifles and ammo works to your favor at present.

Mursey · Aug 23, 2017

pilot25 said:
LWRC Di. I have one of their piston rifles and they offer top quality out of the box. Others on here have given their Di high marks.

Last price I have seen is sub-$1000 and the factory is, I think, about 1.5 hours from you.

omegared24 said:
If I was buying my first AR in MD I would get a Colt 6721 or go to Engage. You can get a nice AR and 300 blackout upper with that budget.

You guys got me interested in LWRC, but for the life of me I can't find Engage's website to try and look at their stock or even get an address. Is it common for most dealers to just not have websites (or poorly made ones)?

Uncle Duke · Aug 23, 2017

Mursey said:
You guys got me interested in LWRC, but for the life of me I can't find Engage's website to try and look at their stock or even get an address. Is it common for most dealers to just not have websites (or poorly made ones)?

https://www.engagearmament.com

Mursey · Aug 23, 2017

Uncle Duke said:
https://www.engagearmament.com

I found that earlier, but I thought it was dilapidated since there were no products listed, a la the way of The Armory in Annapolis.

holesonpaper · Aug 23, 2017

Lets say this a little differently. There's a number of manufacturers that produce quality AR's and there's always the build it yourself model which is good for some but not all. I own too many AR's now and not a LWRC (yet) - but the LWRC DI rifle is good rifle at an attractive price (just compare the barrel fluting) and perfect for a first rifle. For me, the jury is still out on the piston variants although I'm starting to dig the ambidextrous controls that some of the manufacturers like Radian, Mega and LWRC are doing. Just seems to be a step up (for me) although I'm a lefty. Colt, Windham, BCM are all solid alternatives.

Also - about the caliber debate.. For your first - 5.56 or .223 Wylde. Availability and cost of ammo... Easy decision.

bkuether · Aug 23, 2017

So many choices.

You could go dirt cheap and get a PSA, or Del Ton and not have any issues with them. A step up would be Stag, who backs their product 100%. Windham would be on par or a little above Stag, and Colt would be a "very nice and well made rifle".

The other thing you could do, is build you own lower, which is so easy to do, and get a nice upper for it.

The possibilities are endless. They are, after all, BARBI DOLLS for men...... :rolleyes:

rbird7282 · Aug 23, 2017

Mursey said:
I found that earlier, but I thought it was dilapidated since there were no products listed, a la the way of The Armory in Annapolis.

Engage has a huge selection of AR's in their shop and is definitely worth the drive. They carry many different brands and can also build to your specs. They'll treat you right.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bigdv · Aug 23, 2017

bkuether said:
So many choices.

You could go dirt cheap and get a PSA, or Del Ton and not have any issues with them. A step up would be Stag, who backs their product 100%. Windham would be on par or a little above Stag, and Colt would be a "very nice and well made rifle".

The other thing you could do, is build you own lower, which is so easy to do, and get a nice upper for it.

The possibilities are endless. They are, after all, BARBI DOLLS for men......

Good advice. I own a Del Ton and a Windham. I like the trigger on the Del Ton better than the Windham. And ARs are cheap right now. If you watch for sales you can get something nice for well under your 1,000 dollar budget.

cb1980 · Aug 23, 2017

I have the LWRC DI and will throw another vote out for it, they can be had for around $1000 now, throw on a set of iron sights or an optic and you are set, I have several thousand trouble free rounds through mine, I am looking to get another AR soon but I am undecided on what to get and how much I want to plop down for one

First AR Recommendations

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