Don’t overpay when you buy your next AR-15.

Demand is high, but so is the supply. The AR-15 rifle is probably one of the most recognized rifles in the United States right now. Its popularity in the realms of sport shooting, home defense, and hunting has soared. So there’s no surprise that we see a plethora of models to choose from.

But what if we are letting the buzz guide us into making poor decisions at the time of purchase? Today we are going to look at two sides of the coin to determine if you should lean towards an affordable AR, or a special-purpose tool that will be put under extreme conditions.

Consumer Level Assault Rifles

The AR or Armalite Rifle is widely recognized as the “Scary Black Rifle.” This, even though its functions match that of nearly every other repeating firearm. When they were designed, it wasn’t about using nice walnut wood for stocks. It wasn’t about engraving a masterpiece on the side of a prized shotgun.

They were designed to be modular, serviceable, and expandable. Imagine if every rifle given to military personnel had parts that only fit their assigned weapon. We wouldn’t be able to keep up with all the repairs needed at a time when there is no time. I often think of them as being like a Ford Mustang. Every piece of Magpul furniture is another 100 fps on my bullets and closes up my groupings.

Because of this, you will find that manufacturers have been literally stamping out AR-15 rifles for years. When the lower receiver portion is completed, there are even more manufacturers that make military specification level components that fit it. Today’s consumer level AR-15 rifles can be assembled as easy as putting a child’s puzzle together.

Purpose-built AR-15 Rifles

Most consumers don’t need to worry about their rifle not performing under pressure. There’s usually little pressure at the range unless you’re in a competition. For those, and military personnel, the consumer level rifles just don’t give the level of performance and durability required.

The same goes for the optics we usually put on our weapons. We see operators in Ukraine using brands like EOTECH. Therefore we must have the same thing on our weapons. At least, that’s the line of thought I usually see. But to be honest, there are more affordable options available that are a good mix of reliable and cost-effective.

What makes a more expensive AR rifle worth it? In most cases it is how tightly each component fits together, or tolerance. But other factors come into play. Using handguards that allow the barrel to float freely helps accuracy. As do stronger and varying length barrels. Add to that things like adjustable gas blocks, and that is why these higher-end AR-15 rifles usually get a much higher price point.

Avoid the furniture until you’re sure.

Let’s face it. Things happen that mean we need to sell our weapons. Maybe it’s to upgrade, or maybe you need to pay rent. Regardless, your weapon is an investment. Be sure you’re not putting more into it than you can get out of it.

One of the biggest ways to “waste” money on your AR-15 is by buying grips, handguards, and stocks that serve no purpose other than aesthetics. You will never get the value of these types of items if you need to sell your rifle. And it goes without saying, a pawn shop sale is absolutely not going to net you what you put into it.

If you do decide to splurge, be sure to keep the original parts to put back on at the time of sale. Then you will have parts ready for your next rifle or sell them individually to get some of your money back. Take a look at things you feel will actually help with accuracy and comfort while shooting vs looking “tacti-cool.”

How do I not screw up buying my first AR-15 rifle?

While I may be biased, I can honestly say that you should never go to the big stores to buy one off the shelf unless you have a love for a specific brand or model. And even then, don’t forget about the little guy. Some of us don’t have overhead like the big boys. For example, our tax rate here is almost 2% less than the surrounding communities.

That, along with no in-town commercial rental fees allow us to bring all makes and models of AR-15 rifles in for a price that’s often lower than the others by at least 10%. Our goal is to help consumers buy right the first time and not break the bank when doing it. We carry most major brands and are partnered with DPMS Panther Arms to provide some amazing AR style guns.