I'm a long time hunter and am very comfortable with shotguns, rifles and handguns. I am looking into getting an AR but there are so many things to consider. Any advice from you guys on where to start?

look at the top of this section...

thread, why an AR is good and a good AR is better

good place to start

Start with your budget, then double it.

y?

Cause once you buy one, you will want two!!!

Thanks for the reference Catslayer. Very informative.

Make sure to decide what you want your AR for because they come in so many Configurations. I bought an M4 because I like the looks, and I intended to use it as a varmint ririfle so I put an expensive scope on it. I wish I would have just left it iron sights because it's not really suited for varmint hunting. It's much better for plinking and what not. I'm thinking of buying another AR setup for varmint hunting and transferring the scope over.

Exactly. Also, get one with forward assist, dustcover, and shell deflector. Those were added for a reason. I would also recommend a good trigger, as it will aid your accuracy and make the overall experience more pleasant. Other than that, enjoy, and welcome to the dark side!

Caution it gets very addicting. A buddy swapped me a lower last year and I built my first one. So far I have number 2 all blue printed out. Christmas list was easy I just told everyone different parts I wanted.

Once you build or buy one, you will find cooler and better parts you want to put on it.

have many and had many more issued have not ran into this problem, but I will say I know many that have not sure y

Like any gun the barrel and the trigger are the 2 most important parts

But a good trigger is all you need to upgrade a cheap AR and make it shootable in my opinion

Anyone starting out I'd advise to buy a M4 of reputable quality. Armalite, Bushmaster, Rock River. But with 5.56 chamber. Different manuf. call them different things. You want the ability to fire the higher pressure 5.56 or 223 stock ammo. You can learn the system and get good shooting it. Replace the stock triggert with a good trigger. RockRiver National Match 2 Stage wont break the bank.

Then, buy/build an upper in 6.8 SPC II for hunting. You can swap out the uppers for whatever you please. Varmint, target, hogs, deer, etc. AR Precision makes excellent barrels/bolts for the working man!

I don't have the ability to buy a select-fire M4.