So you want to buy an AR-15?

First off, this is just my general advice, and I recommend to everyone -> get the advice of many people before you purchase...my experience is limited to my DTI AR-15 (which was highly recommended by my local gunshop), and my reading and observations of other brands. I'm just another voice in the crowd, and by no means a supreme authority.


Whenever friends get a chance to shoot the AR, they are hooked and want to pick one up....because it's just fun to shoot! I have a few pieces of advice to keep in mind when you start shopping.

What you want is a mil-spec AR-15, and they are made by many manufacturers. Wheather it's from DTI (Delton), Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, Stag, Smith & Wesson, or coutless others...the general form of an AR-15 is the same....and if they are built to mil-spec, then the parts are compatible with each other (for the most part). I can take the upper receiver of my friends AR-15, and attach it to the lower receiver from my DTI, and the gun will function perfectly!

First, get your AR-15 chambered for 5.56 NATO. If it's chambered 5.56 you can shoot .223 Remington in it, but you can not go the other way around!

Determine what style you desire for your application, this will point you towards a long rifle, or a shorter carbine, as well as the weight of barrel you need. Aside from quality of manufacture, I see this as the only major consideration...as every part of the rifle is upgradeable...if you don't like the grip....change it.....trigger blows...change it (a friend has a Timney trigger and loves it).....want that quad rail up front....add it later....it's no big deal. Even the front sight/gas block can be changed down the road if you want to mount a scope to the rail, and get the front sight out of the way.

This leads to the next consideration...upper receiver type, and in my opinion anyone buying today should get a picatinny rail upper reciever...if you like the carry handle look of the AR, then you can add one....but if it's an integral part of the reciever, your stuck with it.

Beyond this, I feel the choices start to become highly personal. I like the AR 'all black', though I know people who have the OD Green grips, and it looks nice...but it's just not me. I also like the looks of the collapseable stock carbines (though mine looks adjustable, it is fixed, NY feels a collapseable stock is 'evil'), the other major option is the classic rifle stock...along with many aftermarket stocks. The AR becomes a very personal weapon as you build it up.
As far as sights go...I feel you definatly have to have iron sights...even if it isn't your primary tool, you should have backup iron sights...and you should know how to use them effectively.