Best AR-15 for $1,000?

**GunMan21** · February 10th, 2010, 11:27 PM

Looking to get my first AR-15, gunna be for SHTF and range. Budget is 1k, so I'm expecting an entry level, thats fine. Will almost definitely get a red dot sight or some type of optics in the future. Only AR I've fired was S&W M&P. It was nice, but i wasnt in love.

Right now it seems like Stag, Rock River Arms, and DPMS are whats in my price range. Heard bad things about Olympic. Also heard Stag and RRA are pretty much equals. Any other companies I'm missing?

Need helping narrowing it down because there are just way too many choices haha. Again, best AR for 1k.

thanks guys

*****edited the use being for SHTF instead of HD. I have a nightstand gun and a 12ga for regular HD. This AR is for when the zombies come

**fritz1** · February 11th, 2010, 12:03 AM

RRA would be my choice beautiful trigger (match grade) can't comment on Stag.

**7998** · February 11th, 2010, 12:21 AM

A $1000 buys ya a lot of AR these days. Anyone that tells you otherwise probably paid too much in the last few months.
Surplus City has Colt M-4 LEO trade-ins for $699, and a few other different styles mostly Colt. Tanners has NIB 6920's for $1099 and I'm sure they would do better if you had cash. Or I seen a CAI C15 for $499 but...
BTW by HD you mean SHTF right? I wouldn't recommend a AR for HD maybe just a tad too much over penetration.

**max384** · February 11th, 2010, 12:53 AM

My vote is on the S&W. You have the legendary warranty and customer service that comes with any of their firearms. It is also the most reliable AR-15/M-16/M-4 I've ever fired. I did a lot of research before I bought my M&P-15. It came down to reliability. In the sub-$1k price range, you're not gonna notice much of a difference in the accuracy or trigger pull in a stock gun IMO. What it comes down to is reliability. I've fired several thousand rounds through mine with no hiccups whatsoever.

**jachrist** · February 11th, 2010, 01:22 AM

Originally Posted by 7998

A $1000 buys ya a lot of AR these days. Anyone that tells you otherwise probably paid too much in the last few months.
Surplus City has Colt M-4 LEO trade-ins for $699, and a few other different styles mostly Colt. Tanners has NIB 6920's for $1099 and I'm sure they would do better if you had cash. Or I seen a CAI C15 for $499 but...
BTW by HD you mean SHTF right? I wouldn't recommend a AR for HD maybe just a tad too much over penetration.

I think you should google "ar15 as home defense weapon" and watch the video (i'm sorry I don't have the exact address right now).

It gives a pretty awesome comparison about which calibers are best for HD situations. 9mm, .45, 12 ga. 00 buck, 5.56/.223, and several others are covered.

After watching this, you may change your attitude towards the AR as the go-to HD weapon of choice.

All that being said, I think most of the ARs made today are pretty equal in the given <$1000 price range. S&W, bushmaster, and DPMS are a few of the ones with the best feel IMHO, but to each his own.

Personally, I would lean towards a S&W for the reasons already mentioned above. Great CS, warranty, quality control, etc.

**24/7dude** · February 11th, 2010, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by fritz1

RRA would be my choice beautiful trigger (match grade) can't comment on Stag.

+1 for RRA

**brewguy** · February 11th, 2010, 08:16 AM

A couple weeks back a local shop in York posted in our classified that he had the new piston Stag 8L (I think) for $999. Might want to look him up.

**TXDMERC73** · February 11th, 2010, 01:07 PM

Bushmaster M4geries are good for under 1 grand, they hold higher resale value then Dpms ,Stag and RRA but not as good as Colt. I love my Bushmaster and i havent been disappointed with it yet , i always get rid of the guns i am disapppointed with and replace them with another.

LMT is way above your price range and they are my favorite, but very expensive .

**Edg** · February 11th, 2010, 01:18 PM

Stag 2t. hands down , no rational arguement against it. for 1k you get a ar15 cabine, with 4 way picitinny handgaurd, flip iron sights, multiple sling attachment points. really all you need is optics. you can get a trigger later if you want....but I have never seen the logic of putting a match grade trigger in a 16" battle rifle.

**pofboom** · February 11th, 2010, 03:47 PM

I would go with the DDM4 XM model. It is a great gun and it has the same specs as the Colt at a little less cost. I owned the DDM4 and it was the best gun ever.