what do you plan on using the rifle for?
Whatever you do, do it quick and beat the rush.
Get something with a medium-heavy 1-8 twist barrel, i.e. capable of using the Sierra 77-gr bullets. Those can do two things the standard ammo can’t, i.e. kill deer and hit things past 600 yards.
You can buy AR’s that are 308. Get one of those.
Go with the A3 (flat-top, 1913 railed) receiver. Mounting optics to an A2 is problematic and even if you achieve a stable zero, the height over bore is insane.
There’s really no reason to go with the A2 anymore.
Model 1 makes decent stuff.
However, it’s the upper receiver that really takes the forces of firing and recoil. Investigate what components they’re using in their barrels and bolts. Just like bargain PCs, where cheaper HDDs and memory will drive the price down, so it is with AR components.
Almost any decent lower will work. I have a collection of Colt, Bushmaster and Rock River receivers and, besides age, there’s not much difference between them. I highly recommend the Rock River two-stage trigger and MagPul grips and buttstocks.
WHERE can you buy one today?. Even 80% receivers are backordered.
Make sure you torque the barrel nut correctly. A friend who is a very good gunsmith, and who builds “race-guns” for a number of top competitors as well as the military suggests:
* Torque Barrel Nut to 50lbs
* Back it off all the way
* Torque it to 50lbs again
* Back it off all the way again (the two 50lb torques are done to cut any parkerizing that may be on the threads of the barrel nut and receiver)
* Torque it to 35lbs
* Adjust the barrel nut either way (just a bit tighter or looser) as necessary to align the barrel nut with the gas tube hole
Also, the Rear Takedown Spring Detent Pin Spring can be a bit tricky when you're threading the Buffer Tube Nut on. I used a plastic card (VISA, it's everywhere you want to be) to hold it down so the nut didn't catch so the spring as you turn it and bend the spring.
The gas tube can be tricky, but I run it through from the rear (inside the Upper) and take my time. As long as you properly aligned the hole in the receiver with a flange on the barrel nut it's fine. Other than that, it's pretty much like building a model when you were a kid. Plus, you'll know every part on your gun, and you'll have the satisfaction of having done it yourself. Have fun.
Get an M1A.
Confession Time: I purchased an AR-15 in 1980. It was beautiful. Had a periscope stock, half a dozen 30 round banana clips. Just beautiful. Purchased it for $480 through my ships gun club. Sold it in 1993 for $600 to help pay for my Wife’s engagement ring.
You can beat up on me now……..
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782
I’ve done my last two AR-15 builds.
I’d recommend a DPMS AR multi-tool for helping with assembly. Action blocks are also necessary to keep from twisting your receivers during tightening of the barrel nut. A good set of punches, a pair of needle nose pliers, #2 philips screwdriver, some masking tape, etc... are all necessary as well. At least, it’ll make your job a lot easier.
Go slow. Take your time. It’s all worth it. No matter what you decide to build out.
For about the same price I would buy a 308 calliber AR instead. Ammo might be a bit more expensive and heavier than 223, but it will defeat anything out there at 100 yards or even more.
With 223s stay above 55gr ammo. Lower will not actuate the weapon well. The first few times, breaking it in, I would use 60gr at least.
Do not get the Mini14 unless you plan on accurizing it... which is going to cost you about the same or more in the end.
A good foreign alternative in 223 is the Swiss (US built) SIG 556. It shoots better than the AR and has the AK actuation with even better reliability than AK. You can also get the Short Barrel version with silencer after a stamp tax of $200. This thing is bad a$$.
I have seen AKs in 223 jam badly. The AK47 (7.62) jams too. The SKS is better.
Do yourself a huge favor and buy a pre-assembled rifle from a tier one mfg (Colt, Bushmaster, Rock River Arms) and get a flat top.
I have an M1. You can get military ammunition FMJs with steel cores cheap from the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
It will shoot through 18 inches of oak tree at 200 yards.
A kevlar vest is worthless against it.
It is a one shot, one kill 30-06.
Bump
Can I purchase parts kits while living in NYC?
Just picked up my own AR (like I used to carry in the Corps) ... fell in love with this rifle all over again.
If I need to go hunting I'll use my bolt action ....
I recently bought one. I love it. My wife loves shooting it. It is a great rifle and great buy. You will not go wrong getting it.