I haven't posted on NWFA in forever but figured I'd give this one a go...
The guys who are recommending companies like BCM and DD have got it 100% right, the reasons to choose a top tier company have been beaten to death on this forum and others so I won't go over it all over again. Suffice it to say there's a reason to buy rifles from the left side of "the chart".
If you're really looking to learn about ARs the suggestion to check out M4Carbine.net is a good one, much better signal to noise ratio over there with lots of input from end users who actually run their guns hard. There is no shortage of folks that will tell you that their cheaper brand-X rifle is totally great and works fine, most of them however have never actually run them hard.
Maybe your del-ton or DPMS or rock river or bushy will run fine for thousands of rounds at a high tempo without cleaning or lube - maybe... (though I doubt it and no way I'd EVER trust my life to one), but I can pretty much guarantee a BCM, DD, Colt, LMT, Noveske or what have you WILL, consistently... Having run guns from both end of the spectrum doing everything from range day plinking to high round count classes I can definitively say that you get what you pay for and the "top tier" brands are most definitely worth it in the end.
For a price difference that is, perhaps, equal to a cheap case of ammo (a pittance if you plan on actually learning to use your rifle competently and to maintain that skill level) you can go with a system that based on the reviews of MANY skilled and experienced shooters will not let you down.
One good recommendation would be a BCM Midlength. Why? The " <broken link removed> " is a great example of why Bravo's products are among the best.
Figured I'd see what a new build would cost right now, lo and behold right in your price range:
BCM Standard 16" Midlength Upper reciever group + Bolt Carrier and Charging handle - $520
Magpul Mbus Rear sight - $55.05
Magpul midlength MOE handguards - $33.20
BCM Blemished (you wont be able to tell what the "blemish" is most likely) lower reciever from G&R ( <broken link removed> ) with MOE furniture - $346
That's a rock solid setup for $958 before shipping and the transfer fee for the lower... Just push the pins on the lower and you have a complete rifle. You will be hard pressed to find a better deal on a finer weapon.
Smargunner also has an AWESOME deal on custom DD uppers with rails <broken link removed>
Lightweight midlength upper WITH a rail for about $550, but you'd still need to add a BCG and BUIS which will put you a little over 1K along with the lower.
My two cents, your mileage may vary, etc. but take it from a guy who has tens of thousands of rounds downrange through the AR platform (or guys like Pat Rogers, Larry Vickers, Costa & Haley, etc...) - buy quality the first time around and you won't regret it.
The guys who are recommending companies like BCM and DD have got it 100% right, the reasons to choose a top tier company have been beaten to death on this forum and others so I won't go over it all over again. Suffice it to say there's a reason to buy rifles from the left side of "the chart".
If you're really looking to learn about ARs the suggestion to check out M4Carbine.net is a good one, much better signal to noise ratio over there with lots of input from end users who actually run their guns hard. There is no shortage of folks that will tell you that their cheaper brand-X rifle is totally great and works fine, most of them however have never actually run them hard.
Maybe your del-ton or DPMS or rock river or bushy will run fine for thousands of rounds at a high tempo without cleaning or lube - maybe... (though I doubt it and no way I'd EVER trust my life to one), but I can pretty much guarantee a BCM, DD, Colt, LMT, Noveske or what have you WILL, consistently... Having run guns from both end of the spectrum doing everything from range day plinking to high round count classes I can definitively say that you get what you pay for and the "top tier" brands are most definitely worth it in the end.
For a price difference that is, perhaps, equal to a cheap case of ammo (a pittance if you plan on actually learning to use your rifle competently and to maintain that skill level) you can go with a system that based on the reviews of MANY skilled and experienced shooters will not let you down.
One good recommendation would be a BCM Midlength. Why? The " <broken link removed> " is a great example of why Bravo's products are among the best.
Figured I'd see what a new build would cost right now, lo and behold right in your price range:
BCM Standard 16" Midlength Upper reciever group + Bolt Carrier and Charging handle - $520
Magpul Mbus Rear sight - $55.05
Magpul midlength MOE handguards - $33.20
BCM Blemished (you wont be able to tell what the "blemish" is most likely) lower reciever from G&R ( <broken link removed> ) with MOE furniture - $346
That's a rock solid setup for $958 before shipping and the transfer fee for the lower... Just push the pins on the lower and you have a complete rifle. You will be hard pressed to find a better deal on a finer weapon.
Smargunner also has an AWESOME deal on custom DD uppers with rails <broken link removed>
Lightweight midlength upper WITH a rail for about $550, but you'd still need to add a BCG and BUIS which will put you a little over 1K along with the lower.
My two cents, your mileage may vary, etc. but take it from a guy who has tens of thousands of rounds downrange through the AR platform (or guys like Pat Rogers, Larry Vickers, Costa & Haley, etc...) - buy quality the first time around and you won't regret it.
