Looking to buy my first ar 15 , I want something dependable, reliable , and will just work without to many issues ? Any recommendations? I heard good things about the colt

I heard good things about the colt

Overpriced, but your money.  The S&W stuff is supposed to be decent for the money.

Being me, I would just build one.   Amazingly simple really, and you learn everything you need to know while ending up with a custom rifle..  The upper is where the special tools come in, and complete uppers can be bought in whatever flavor of barrel length and such you prefer.   The lower receiver is all you need to put up with HPD about.   All the innards are easy to do.  The buttstock is up to you,  truly are a preference thing.

A lot of info here on Hawaii 2A from guys that have built and modified the things for years.

BCM...very reliable.  If you check their site religiously every morning you can get a complete upper.  I got their new MK2 ELW cold hammer forged barrel.  My friend also bought one recently.  Seems like only limited production on barrels...sells out fast.  Very light and accurate.  I matched mine with a BCM lower but put an aftermarket trigger.

Looking to buy my first ar 15 ,

I want something dependable, reliable , and will just work without to many issues ?

Any recommendations?

I heard good things about the colt

If it's your first, I'd buy a factory-built rifle.  It helps to start out with something that not only has a single-source warranty to deal with if needed, but you can be more assured your safety isn't at risk from your or someone else's mistake doing a "personal" build.  Also, you can avoid the cost of tools needed for a build, unless you already have them or can borrow them.

I bought a Colt 6940 as my first AR-15.  Mainly I decided on it for the name.  Not only is Colt a reputable manufacturer, but they were the only manufacturer of M14s for the military for a long time.  As far as AR-15s go, Colt still owns the patents from Armalite, so they are the only company who can make an "official" AR-15.  S&W makes an M&P15, Noveske makes an N4 -- most variants use "M4" and "AR-15" variations as model names.

Cops around the country who are allowed to carry personal rifles on patrol were often restricted by their departments to using Colt rifles.  Just another indication that Colt was arguably the most trusted brand at the time I bought mine.

Since then, other makers have been able to prove their reliability and accuracy.  If I were doing it over, I would pick a brand that's in the top 3 or 4 that has a model in my price range.  Hard to imagine you'd be disappointed in a S&W, Daniel Defense, BCM, Bushmaster, Ruger, Sig Sauer, Noveske, LWRC or PSA.

A major reason to buy a complete rifle is the mods and accessories.  You can add and change parts as you wish while not interfering in the rifle's reliability.  Once you've figured out what you like and don't like about your first rifle, you'll be more prepared to decide what kind of rifle you'd like to build for your second.  You'll be more comfortable with how the rifle functions, what all the parts do, and how many add-ons you think you need.

If I had to bug out, my Colt is still my AR of choice.  It's a bit heavy relative to other models, but that gives me confidence it'll last a very long time.

You should decide how much is in your budget, then make a list of candidate brands/models in your price range.  Include prices of accessories like optics, weapons lights, slings, etc.  Narrow the list to a few and ask for opinions on just those 2-3.  It'll be much easier to decide.  That list might also be constrained by availability, so prepare to be flexible in what brands/models you shuffle to the top.

If you can afford it a complete BCM ELW recce rifle.

If you can’t find or afford the complete rifle then I would get a bcm ELW upper (with bcg if able). And then any decent mil spec complete lower.

If you still can’t afford that buy one of the Palmetto state armory uppers or build kits.

Overpriced, but your money.  The S&W stuff is supposed to be decent for the money.

Being me, I would just build one.   Amazingly simple really, and you learn everything you need to know while ending up with a custom rifle..  The upper is where the special tools come in, and complete uppers can be bought in whatever flavor of barrel length and such you prefer.   The lower receiver is all you need to put up with HPD about.   All the innards are easy to do.  The buttstock is up to you,  truly are a preference thing.

A lot of info here on Hawaii 2A from guys that have built and modified the things for years.

Funny you mention this. I happen to have a S&W Sport Model for sale. It is unfired. I have it on consignment at a LGS out here. They are asking around $600 for it. Has not sold yet. I also have a revolver on consignment with them as well.

I agree with you about building one. That is the route I went and I built 3 of them.

Colt used to be the high end ar-15 back in the 80s and 90s when there weren't many manufacturers.  Now they are overpriced for getting name recognition.  What is your purpose for the rifle?

If you are new to rifles and don't know what you'll do with it, get a cheaper general purpose 16" one now around $600 to $900...rock river, PSA, S&W, etc then you'll be better experienced to know what to get in the future.

What you get should be based on your budget, and the rifle and accessories should be the least expensive part.  Ammo and training should take up most of the budget.

Buy a complete AR from a trusted manufacturer. You can always upgrade later
Also buy a few lowers to build later. Since you are going hpd anyways might as well make it worth your time. Appts are few and far between
I bought a complete one first, then built a few more shortly after that. It is very easy
Choose wisely. Good luck 

Jp enterprise makes great ar's

Colt currently outsources much of its manufacturing to sub-contractors so some have begun to question whether you’re really getting a Colt.  If you’re stuck on getting a Colt,I’d suggest doing a ton of digging and try to find something from Diemaco (Colt Canada).  It’ll probably be pretty pricey given current market conditions.

Looking to buy my first ar 15 , I want something dependable, reliable , and will just work without to many issues ? Any recommendations? I heard good things about the colt

What are your intended uses/purpose for the AR?  That will greatly help tailor recommendations, in many ways.

That was a question that was often asked of me when I was considering the various options for my first AR.  It's ok not to know exactly what you envision, as that too will evolve.  For me, I primarily just wanted an AR of my own as I enjoyed shooting them.  I had envisioned defensive and training, but was really open to a lot. 

For a first rifle, I would highly recommend buying complete upper and lower.  Less chances of issues with reliability.  If you're going to be a weekend plinker, then I would say go with whatevers, but you mentioned dependable and reliable.  Assuming you are truly a glock fan, I'm assuming your interests and preferences in ARs are similar, which is a gun that has a reputation for performing. 

Next recommendation is to buy the gun, keeping it pretty basic at first, and allocate more budget to ammo and shooting it lots.  You'll get a better feel for what you want.

Kawika in the classifieds is selling a colt upper.

Just need to buy a ch and bcg.. fairly easier to find than a few months ago.

And buy a complete lower from any store on the island.

No one really asked what his budget was. And with overpriced shit nowadays he may or may not be able to get what he really wants.

Then you have the buy once, cry once mentality:

Daniel defense
Colt
Lwrc
Pof
Bcm
Noveske... edited
Knights
Rra (fairly on the cheaper side but reliable. I had one but sold it for lwrc)

Edit... sounds like he wants a jack of all trades ar15. Name brand ar15s are expensive due to their qc . I think theres only 3 or maybe 4 now usa makers of receivers?

If glockfanboy wants to build, i can name bout 15 users on here that know their shit. (Im sure theres more.. but idk atm)

Kawika in the classifieds is selling a colt upper.

Just need to buy a ch and bcg.. fairly easier to find than a few months ago.

And buy a complete lower from any store on the island.

No one really asked what his budget was. And with overpriced shit nowadays he may or may not be able to get what he really wants.

Then you have the buy once, cry once mentality:

Daniel defense
Colt
Lwrc
Pof
Bcm
Knights
Rra (fairly on the cheaper side but reliable. I had one but sold it for lwrc)

I've shot quite a few of those and they are VERY nice.  I am very much one who appreciated quality and typically no issues spending more for that quality.  But dayum those suckers are pricey. . .

That said, even DDs have gotten pretty expensive these days.   

I got my first AR in 2016. It was a S&W M&P15 for $550. 

As a first AR, it would be good to buy 1 that is already assembled.  Then later you change parts out that fit your needs. My rifle's purpose is for self defense.  So I've replaced like 60% of the original parts to fit my needs after I took some skill builder classes and the cost of the replacement parts total more than the rifle..  These classes have a max distance of 40 yards and allow rapid firing.  Many times the targets are about 5-20 yards away.  But with this rifle, I can easily place rounds on an index card with my zero power red dot sight at the distances required.

So like DCK mentioned, depends what you're planning on using the AR for.  IDK what my rifle can do at 300yrds because I have no where to shoot it at that distance, nor do I have the optic to make it most accurate.  But at 100yards, I can get hits on a 6 inch steal consistently with my red dot.

And like Flapp mentioned, buying first AR off the shelf built is a good idea, along with the other stuff he said.  Building your first AR can be overwhelming with all the parts you need because you can't really make heads from tails.  But after getting my first AR, knowing what I need to assemble the next one is no problem.  Example: In 2016, I had no idea what a buffer tube spring is and what it does.  Now I do.

But in the end, it's the Indian, not the arrow.  So for the skill builders I mentioned above, I've taken classes with guys who have the Cadillac of rifles and they can't hit shit.  But this can be learned and I've seen many of these guys improve over the year big time.  Some didn't.  So my $500 rifle out performed a $1800 rifle that has a $700 ACOG optic on it.  My red dot cost $140.

Drck... you lucky,  i never got a chance to shoot a knights. Lwrc is prob the most expensive off the shelf ar15 i shot. I love it. As for DD....Yea i also noticed there ads or sales. Seems like their rifles increased in price by about 200-400 since the pandemic

Change my oil... you right. Its the shooter not necessarily the tool at hand. Give pat rogers or aaron cowan a psa bulders kit from 2015 and they will out shoot my ass with my bcm. 

Spikes and fn are good too. The chf spikes upper i got is from 2013-2015.  And i believe back then fn made barrels for spikes. Dunno bout now. But it was a selling point for me. And only costed 480ish for a complete upper back then.

Glockfanboy...

A colt nowadays i think run 1200-1400.. i think i seen online for 1200 for a 6920 which can be shipped here.

If you know what kind of parts you want in an ar15... (specialty bcg, a5 buffer, trigger, ambi shit, grips, stocks, type of forend, etc.) Try price it out on your own. Dont forget to include shipping costs. And source it from reputable sites. Amazon and ebay got some shady fuckers sometimes.

I only say that cause if you buy a complete 6920 for example. And decide to change the rail, trigger, buffer sys, sights, grips, etc etc. You could save more money by building it from the get go. Tbh i learned how to build ar15s from youtube and googling correct torque specs. And if i cant find a trustworthy site, i email the manufacturer and most are willing to give info. Except noveske 

All seems to work absolutely fine. Built bout 7 to 9 uppers, 6 or so lowers and countless times taken shit off to put new shit on.

And source it from reputable sites. Amazon and ebay got some shady fuckers sometimes.

I usually bought stuff from Midway USA and Brownells, along with a few direct from manufacturers.

Couple really good books out there on the building and modding of the AR family.
Walt Kuleck and Clint McKee wrote the bible on building.

https://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Complete-Assembly-Guide-Kuleck/dp/1888722126

I usually bought stuff from Midway USA and Brownells, along with a few direct from manufacturers.

Couple really good books out there on the building and modding of the AR family.
Walt Kuleck and Clint McKee wrote the bible on building.

https://www.amazon.com/AR-15-Complete-Assembly-Guide-Kuleck/dp/1888722126


I second this sir. Brownells and midway were/ sometimes still ... my go to.

Lately i just been buyin pistol parts tho. Just spare parts and midway and brownells were out of stock.

Regarding parts, I was thinking about starting a "eh you get extra" thread.  Sort of like what was started on some groups/forums at the start of COVID. 

Like many who are into ARs, I have a BoS (box or bin of shit) with parts.  Take offs, parts that I bought and either used very little or maybe not even used once.  Buffer tubes, buffers, springs, buttstocks, charging handles, etc.  Joke around with friends that we could build guns with these "extra" parts.  Stuff I've tried to give away to friends that I shoot with, but most have their own BoS. 

Anyways, if folks need things, I bet there are folks here that can help.  I've been on the receiving end of a few members here paying it forward and helping me out, so time to pay it forward back to the group. 

Drck... you lucky,  i never got a chance to shoot a knights. Lwrc is prob the most expensive off the shelf ar15 i shot. I love it. As for DD....Yea i also noticed there ads or sales. Seems like their rifles increased in price by about 200-400 since the pandemic

SNIP

Not just KAC guns, SBRs with Surefire and sometimes beta-testing suppressors. 

But sadly, this was when I was more active in traveling for training/classes.  I had gotten to be decently close friends with a couple of the instructors and others in the class who had such guns and they graciously let me test drive.  Awesome stuff.   

In a way, somewhat "glad" that some of those items are not legal in HI.  I'd be more broke than I am. . . 

My first AR was a DD.  I sold it to a friend.  It was on the "upper-mid" range back then, but they definitely creeped up there in pricing.