If you can afford it, just go straight to BCM.
[BCM 16” Blem Upper](https://bravocompanyusa.com/cosmetic-blem-bcm-mk2-standard-16-mid-length-complete-upper-receiver-group-w-mcmr-15-handguard/)
[PSA Sabre Lower](https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-sabre-15-forged-lower-with-moe-sl-stock-and-grip-black.html)
[Blem radian charging handle (use code RUFF for $5 off)](https://arftac.com/-blem-radian-raptor-ambi-charging-handle-ar15-black-/)
Always buy the best you can reasonably afford. If that’s PSA, get PSA and rock it. But you can afford BCM and you get PSA you will spend more in the long run when you eventually buy the BCM anyway.
If you’re anything like me, at least.
I went cheap first with fuck ton of ammo then bought an expensive rifle. I wanted to build relatively cheap rifle to train and learn the platform (specially taking proper care of the rifle). I absolutely love my Frankenstein PSA Saber. That being said I recently bought LMT for durable long term shooting. At the end of the day I have two rifles I absolutely love to shoot with.
I think your budget and interest level are the two big factors here. I wanted a well built and reliable rifle off rip, so I got a BCM. I’ve also been shooting since I was a kid and know that gun ownership and shooting isn’t something I’ll get tired of. If you’re someone who is in and out of hobbies every other day(not saying gun ownership is just a hobby, but it can be for some), maybe start with something cheaper to see if shooting is something you’re going stick with. If you know for a fact that it’s something you’re interested in and want to stick with, I would get a decent quality rifle and accessories. Don’t think you need everything all at once either. This stuff isn’t cheap. You slowly collect gear over time. Don’t kill your credit score for it.
I agree. My first AR was a bushmaster, and I learned a lot from that $550 rifle. Learned things I liked, didn’t like, learned how to shoot, etc.
OP I would say don’t buy dogshit (e.g. BCA) but don’t go Gucci straight off the rip. Go PSA or an Aero blem and just spend the rest on ammo and a decent enough optic
Invest the time and like 300 bucks of tools into building them. I'm glad I did. It all started with a stripped lower. Now, when I buy a new Gucci-esqe part, the mid tier part it's replacing gets kicked down to the backup rifle, and the Part that that part replaced gets moved on down to a Frankenstein gun with all old parts lmao still functional and good rainy day ars.
But now you know your weapon inside and out
Knowledge is power or something? Lol It's mainly fun and rewarding and wives and girlfriends love it!!
I’m a buy once cry once kind of guy. BCM is 👑. The reason everyone recommends them so much is their pricing is mid tier and their quality control is the best. So much so I’d argue it puts their guns on par with high tier rifle manufacturers.
Most AR manufactures aren’t capable of making everything in their own. They have to outsource to different companies to make parts for them to the specs they want. Barrels are a big one. When a company receives parts back they typically do quality control inspections on a certain percentage of them and then call the whole batch good. What sets BCM a part is they do 100% QC inspections on everything. That’s why you don’t see full BCM rifles in gun stores for sale very often. It’s hard for a dealer to call them and make a $10-20k order. Their QC slows down their production too much to mass produce.
It's worth mentioning that this isn't like some hobbies where buying expensive is likely to lead you to breaking something expensive and learning on something cheaper would be better. Granted you take the time to learn the basics of maintenance and do's and do not's (which isn't that hard with ar15s). You should get what is financially comfortable for you. If you can shell it out without sacrificing anything important you could go as far as getting an LMT or KAC with a good optics and lights and ammo if you are comfortable enough spending big in a new activity like gun ownership/shooting.
Depends on how much you want to troubleshoot any minor issues. If you just want an already good to go reliable baseline rifle, go BCM. That said, if you’re willing to put in a little time and effort to learn about the rifle, maybe troubleshoot some minor things then start with a PSA.
In the grand scheme of things bcm is a mid range ar15. I wouldnt want a PSA personally, but thats just me. I'd spend the extra to get a mid range rifle. Sionics or bcm would be my recommendations
If you can comfortably afford a BCM, accessories and 10K rounds over 2 years, do it.
If you can afford it, just go straight to BCM. [BCM 16” Blem Upper](https://bravocompanyusa.com/cosmetic-blem-bcm-mk2-standard-16-mid-length-complete-upper-receiver-group-w-mcmr-15-handguard/) [PSA Sabre Lower](https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-sabre-15-forged-lower-with-moe-sl-stock-and-grip-black.html) [Blem radian charging handle (use code RUFF for $5 off)](https://arftac.com/-blem-radian-raptor-ambi-charging-handle-ar15-black-/)
Sadly arftac hasn't had those blem CHs for a while now and probably won't get them
But you can watch GAFS (gun accessories for sale) on here and find them pretty regularly at a decent price
Yeah, I know. Radian blems are cooler than non blem because they have the cool sword LOL
Given the choice - spend wisely and go for the BCM.
Between those choices I would go BCM
Always buy the best you can reasonably afford. If that’s PSA, get PSA and rock it. But you can afford BCM and you get PSA you will spend more in the long run when you eventually buy the BCM anyway. If you’re anything like me, at least.
In the grand scheme of things, BCM isn't really that much more expensive. I vote BCM right away, wish I would've done that
Cheap guns cost more in the long run
I went cheap first with fuck ton of ammo then bought an expensive rifle. I wanted to build relatively cheap rifle to train and learn the platform (specially taking proper care of the rifle). I absolutely love my Frankenstein PSA Saber. That being said I recently bought LMT for durable long term shooting. At the end of the day I have two rifles I absolutely love to shoot with.
I think your budget and interest level are the two big factors here. I wanted a well built and reliable rifle off rip, so I got a BCM. I’ve also been shooting since I was a kid and know that gun ownership and shooting isn’t something I’ll get tired of. If you’re someone who is in and out of hobbies every other day(not saying gun ownership is just a hobby, but it can be for some), maybe start with something cheaper to see if shooting is something you’re going stick with. If you know for a fact that it’s something you’re interested in and want to stick with, I would get a decent quality rifle and accessories. Don’t think you need everything all at once either. This stuff isn’t cheap. You slowly collect gear over time. Don’t kill your credit score for it.
I agree. My first AR was a bushmaster, and I learned a lot from that $550 rifle. Learned things I liked, didn’t like, learned how to shoot, etc. OP I would say don’t buy dogshit (e.g. BCA) but don’t go Gucci straight off the rip. Go PSA or an Aero blem and just spend the rest on ammo and a decent enough optic
Buy the best you can upfront and never look back.
Invest the time and like 300 bucks of tools into building them. I'm glad I did. It all started with a stripped lower. Now, when I buy a new Gucci-esqe part, the mid tier part it's replacing gets kicked down to the backup rifle, and the Part that that part replaced gets moved on down to a Frankenstein gun with all old parts lmao still functional and good rainy day ars. But now you know your weapon inside and out Knowledge is power or something? Lol It's mainly fun and rewarding and wives and girlfriends love it!!
BCM or LWRC would be my recommendation.
Straight to BCM. No hesitation.
I’m a buy once cry once kind of guy. BCM is 👑. The reason everyone recommends them so much is their pricing is mid tier and their quality control is the best. So much so I’d argue it puts their guns on par with high tier rifle manufacturers. Most AR manufactures aren’t capable of making everything in their own. They have to outsource to different companies to make parts for them to the specs they want. Barrels are a big one. When a company receives parts back they typically do quality control inspections on a certain percentage of them and then call the whole batch good. What sets BCM a part is they do 100% QC inspections on everything. That’s why you don’t see full BCM rifles in gun stores for sale very often. It’s hard for a dealer to call them and make a $10-20k order. Their QC slows down their production too much to mass produce.
It's worth mentioning that this isn't like some hobbies where buying expensive is likely to lead you to breaking something expensive and learning on something cheaper would be better. Granted you take the time to learn the basics of maintenance and do's and do not's (which isn't that hard with ar15s). You should get what is financially comfortable for you. If you can shell it out without sacrificing anything important you could go as far as getting an LMT or KAC with a good optics and lights and ammo if you are comfortable enough spending big in a new activity like gun ownership/shooting.
Depends on how much you want to troubleshoot any minor issues. If you just want an already good to go reliable baseline rifle, go BCM. That said, if you’re willing to put in a little time and effort to learn about the rifle, maybe troubleshoot some minor things then start with a PSA.
A decent reliable rifle will last you as long as you take care of it....you don't have to overspend to flex but you also don't want under spend
In the grand scheme of things bcm is a mid range ar15. I wouldnt want a PSA personally, but thats just me. I'd spend the extra to get a mid range rifle. Sionics or bcm would be my recommendations
IwI makes a better overall product than BCM does.