What do you actually need to set up a dependable, moderately-priced AR-15 for defensive use? It’s probably somewhere between the bargain basement garbage guns and the tricked-out Gucci rifles for military cosplayers. Today, we’re offering a few recommendations to help you pick out a reliable carbine and get it set up with a few essential accessories — everything you need and nothing you don’t.
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After a lot of reading — and tracking down something that was actually available — I settled on the Springfield SAINT Victor. The SAINT comes with some reasonably good default parts, including either BCM or B5 Systems furniture, flip-up iron sights, and excellent Magpul magazines. For not much more, the Victor upgrades the furniture to a free-floating hand guard and upgrades the trigger.
One word of warning: if you plan to put in for a tax stamp for a silencer to make it nicer to use on the range and safer on your ears in a home defense situation, expect to wait. I've been waiting nearly a year since they took my tax stamp money, and I still don't have the can. Also, a decent silencer will cost nearly as much as the rifle after you include the tax stamp.
Good stuff. Thanks Chris.
Fantastic video Chris!! Great info and very well paced and presented. I hope a ton of people see this!
Are you kidding?
Your delivery is like one long sentence. Well thought out and enjoyable. Best part was when you (as i said, never break that one long sentence/zero octave change too) say that if you end up discharging your AR-15 inside then you are going to have serious damage. Forget that minor detail and let’s talk about Streamlight’s. Good stuff bro.
At 11:18 I heard "on this gun I've just got a hair band holding the sling in place" and for some reason I thought of this commercial:
I wish I had this when I bought my first ar
Springfield saint b5 with holosun he510c-gr, and blue force 2 point sling is working for me. I just need to find a place to shoot more than 25 yards, just cuz…
If Ian is gun Jesus, Chris is gun St. Peter
Well, when Communist China attacks North America to round off ww3, this should come in handy.
Always love your videos. Legit intel. No bs. Guiding newbies towards not mortgaging the house to build out a rig. Refreshing. D😎🇺🇸
Thanks, really appreciate the basic starter information. Such a dense field out there and lots of us are just looking for something that's 'good'.
How on earth is it that this channel only has 470K subscribers?
I would recommend FN AR-15s, but they have gone up in price and has not really come back down yet.
great video . I would have added the PSA company for a good dependable company for the beginner too
Looking forward to your next video: “Offensive AR-15 Setup for Abnormal People”
Probably the best AR15 video I’ve ever seen explaining things in layman’s terms for gun noobs like myself.
Budget tier is perfectly fine as long as it's mil-spec. These brands have been tested extensively by the gun community. This isn't 15+ years ago. Many of these companies have moved beyond simply torquing rifles together and have moved into engineering their own pattern based guns or even their own new patterns.
The snobbery around the budget tier is simply not based in reality anymore.
Needed this video thanks 🙏🏻
PSA basic AR.
Competition trigger and charging handle.
2 powerful 'bike lights' with the batteries on the buffer tube. DIY switch on the cable around the middle of the handguard.
Quality mags.
More ammo and mags.
Maybe an aimpoint or a basic hunting scope after some time.
Hey,man.Make a video how to set up AR on a budget for a street combat,like now in Ukraine.
Yay! More LG content! Missed ya!
Very good video and concept. You commonly see the extremes – either super budget or super bombproof Gucci videos. Most people just want something solid that can stand realistic use without needing to sell bodily fluids.
I run an M&P Sport II with magpul stuff and a Romeo 5 red dot.
Very informative thanks Chris
Good stuff
All I can say is DO NOT ignore the value of a good stock and pistol grip combo. The ergonomics on a stock AR are hot garbage in comparison to what you can customize!
and watch the aggression ,,,,smile be happy
holosun blows swampfox out of the water. I'm frankly baffled by the swampfox recommendation
no link dude
What about setting up a AR for “Abby” Normal people?
300blk AR pistol w/whisper pickle and subsonic rounds. Light, red dot. chefs kiss
Ruger makes a fantastic AR15
I think this pandemic has taught people the importance of multiple streams of income, unfortunately having a job doesn't mean security rather having different investments is the real deal.
Zero magnification means that you can't see anything. A black wall. I think you mean one-times magnification when you're discussing LPVO and red dot sights.
who makes your jacket?
Finally… most recommendations for setuping a rifle are totally absurd with the amount of extra weight thrown on
Ordered some 10mm ammo from you guys this week and was very happy with your fast shipping. I prefer to support my local gun shops but when they tell me good luck finding 10mm I'm glad you do what you guys do. My only complaint would be throw a sticker in with the orders because I would be proud to show it off to everyone. Thank you.
Bungee slings are handy since you don't have to adjust them before or after shouldering the rifle. I also like my BCM vertical grips, so stop picking on them. 😄
Algorithm defeated