Not trying to open a can of worms here but I've got some questions for some of you gun guys on here. I've hunted my entire life and I feel I'm pretty proficient with fire arms, but I've always just stuck with basic guns, most of them I use just like I bought them with the exception of maybe a better scope or something easy like that. Recently I've got the itch for an AR, but I have no idea where to start and what's good/bad, uppers/lowers etc etc. How can one get started in the build without getting completely bent over? And how hard is it to make a good little AR for a fairly frugal budget... Let's say $500-$1000?! I'm not talking about anything fancy, just something I can take to the ranch and kill some hogs with and not worry about every time it rubs up against a tree or something like that. What brands do y'all like? Scope, no scope? Lasers or no? Triggers? I'm already confusing myself. Thanks in advance guys!!

If you're just looking for a I got this in an email yesterday. Aimsurplus running a deal on these. Radical Arms full rifle with 12" free float rail in either 223/5.56 or 300BLK your choice for only $479. I've never shot one, but I've heard good things about Radical Arms stuff so far and for $479 you won't beat the features for the price.

5.56
300BLK

I run a red dot on my SBR and a 1-4 on my 16" 308 AR for hunting. I've never found a laser that was worth a dang so I don't use them.

If it was me, I would go larger than the 223, I have taken hogs down. It was mention on the THF about Radical Arms having the 7.62x39 (30 cal.) $500.00. This would be IMO a better solution for what you are asking. Cheap ammo also.

They do have one, but it was sold out so didn't want to link it. Also there have been intermittent problems with the x39 round and the AR15 platform. I've never had one so I don't know for sure but you can do the research and decide for yourself. x39 is a good hog cartridge and really cheap to play around with.

x39 rifle

Do some reading then pick a kit and a stripped lower....put it together for $500-650 and enjoy..

Right now the market is sagging so a complete factory gun can be had for about the same price....but building one is fun and you'll learn a lot more about how it works and how it's put together.

If you don't want to build, you can get a S&W M&P 15 Sport for around $500. Basic, no frills carbine. Leaves room in your budget for an optic as well. Ruger and Palmetto State Armory also have inexpensive options.

I'm not opposed to buying one, but the thought of doing my own build sounds fun. But good lord there are about a million things to choose from.

DPMS oracle at buds for $500, cmc or rra trigger, Burris my account 1-4 scope. You'll be right at $1000, but you'll have a rifle suited for anything you're looking to do.

Buy a lower build kit (lower parts kit and stock kit) and a stripped lower. That way you can get the lower you want. Most are functionally the same but why not get a logo you like or color you like? Those are not options with a factory built gun.
Then just pin on a complete upper (I would suggest PSA) in 300BLK. I've built ars from every conceivable scenario and the value in building your own upper from parts is quickly outweighed by the potential for problems including slightly misaligned gas block, mistorqued barrel nut, etc. Sure is nice to be able to rely on a professionally built upper and get the enjoyment out of doing your own lower. Scan www.slickguns.com daily and wait for the deals to pop up.

i put together my AR's ( lets face it 99% of people building are just putting the pins in and trigger) just because it was my first gun and I wanted the knowledge that goes along with putting it together( understanding the safety, trigger, etc) with that being said for just a beater hog gun I would suggest just looking for a good value on a gun, S&W's are a great value and a great product as well as Whindam Weaponry. If you plan on upgrading the gun ( trigger, butt stock, pistol grip, etc) put together a lower of parts you want then buy a complete upper.

Palmetto State Armory AR kit at $400 is what you desire. Lower is another $40.

I'd stay away from the Radical Arms. They are usually way over-gassed just by judging customers coming in and shooting theirs. Our strongest extra power springs can't even get to eject near the 4 o clock position and end up suggesting adjustable gas blocks.

Gonna check out a lot of these, thanks fellas. Now what to do, what to do...

This or the Ruger 556. My neighbor just got one, mounted a Leupold VX 2 3-9. shoots .75 groups with factory loads, check it out.

I have a similar background - I bought a Colt 6920 with magpul furniture then mounted a Leupold Mark AR scope with Firedot reticle. Great rig, and super fun to shoot. Female shooters really like being able to shoot a centerfire rifle with no recoil and the adjustable stock allows them shoot comfortably.

For $1000 or less? ^^^^

No, I blew the budget all to hell.

The 6920s are less than 1000 bucks now.

Build it yourself. If you buy all the parts and the tools you need to build one, you could be over your price range. I built a 6.8SPC for my buddy last night. It took us an hour and a half to build upper and lower (it was his first build). He got everything he wanted and nothing he didn't.
Youtube has all videos you need to learn how to build one.
The only issue is you can't stop with just building one. I now have 7.........

CRAnderson52,
Welcome to the AR world. Build one will allow you to tailor your AR to your taste. I go to the gun range a lot and talk with other AR owner only to hear they want to upgrade their AR that they just purchased. I built my 300 Black Out to include a "plastic" lower with over 2,000 rounds down the 16" 1/8 melonite barrel. I also built a a 5.56 upper stainless barrel as well. Two different uppers and uses the same lower. My 300 BO cost me around $700.00 all together including the red dot back in 2013.

You can build an AR for less than $1,000. I spent about $750 on just the rifle and then have about $400 in the accessories. Just look around and you can find the components you want fairly cheap. If you just want to change out the furniture, you can buy a less expensive rifle and then add the parts that you want.

Man y'all are awesome. I've started doing some reading, I need to decide what caliber I'm gonna go with first.

That's exactly what has brought my second build to a screaching halt.

You can look up americana arms in beeville tx. They had the 6920's for 799. I bought one about a month ago. Great people to deal with.