Cheap AR-15 for SHTF: is it “Good Enough”?

Did anyone else notice the dead trigger at 13:48 ? It was an out of battery issue while using a Lancer magazine. The main malfunction example was shown because I happened to capture it on video and could easily showcase it. But there were a few malfunctions like it throughout my initial time with this rifle. Which I find to be understandable at this price point and seem to be remedied by using a higher quality BCG. Either way, this rifle still brings a lot of value to the table to get someone training, on the range and the capability that an AR-15 brings with it. My statement of not wanting to bet my life on this particular rifle is due to a couple of circumstances. 1: I don't have to as I already own higher quality, more reliable rifles. 2: I hadn't changed anything about the rifle from the way it came so in it's current state without any tuning or parts replacement, it wasn't quite where I would want it to be. Although I do believe that it can be brought up to that standard quite easily.
Hopefully this helped anyone who was considering a budget friendly build or complete AR-15 for their first try as well as those who are like myself and just like tinkering and adding more options to the inventory. Let me know in a reply to this comment if you are interested in a future video where I upgrade this exact rifle to enhance reliability while also accessorizing it for field use (sling, light, optic) while maintaining a budget friendly price point.

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Going to Ukraine or Gaza? Spend 3-5K on a weapon and well worth it. But for waiting on SHTF? Or if it happens, but 10 years after your dead? Spend 3K, not great plan.
Could buy 3 PSA for cost of one DD or LMT… And beside that. who (besides ex-mil and not even going to mention ppl. who were deployed) has done hours (and hours) on the range, gun malfunction drills and immediate action drills thats required to fully utilize it ?

I’ve got 20,000 rounds this year through two $800 rugers and a $400 PSA. No serious failures, no malfunctions really. Only a few failures to feed on the ruger with the adjustable gas block while I was tuning it. Zero malfunctions through the PSA

I know that we are used to having a level of quality that makes us some what spoiled.. but as you said, those issues can be worked out… I will take any AR OVER any AK… any upgrades that rifle might need are more doable than spending 1,700 on an overpriced AR… last time I check PSA has a AR/ DAGGER package for around 800 bucks.. and the quality is excellent in my eyes.. … good video as always 👍 😅

I would disagree ,,, it's only compromised in it's "utility". It's basically a 1999 MilSpec M4 isn't it?
Military arsenal shelves all around the world are stocked with similar M4's equipped just like yours (sans selective fire).

S&W Sport – done – fed monarch and tul steel case. No malfunctions

Sounds like im hearing that im not going to have any issues with a high end AR.

What's your opinion of a higher quality assembled AR?

I was always taught mil spec or nothing. Fancy stuff to expensive to fix
Cheap stuff too risky. Mil spec or nothing. Not all cheap stuff is bad. But mil spec that's actually in specifications with mil spec ammo is your best bet in the dark.

You know, I'd love to see you discuss, maybe test magazines for SHTF. Should we stack polymer, stainless steel, or aluminum? Which will stand the test of time. I just bought two dozen Stainless with longevity in mind.

Pay attention to materials in your gun. Almost all receivers are made from 7075 but there are a few still using the weaker 6061. In fact most of the manufacturers get their receivers from the same 5 or 6 companies. Get a nitrided barrel and bcg, wether initially or as an upgrade. Carry spares. Have a complete bolt for quick replacement and a trigger group as well. USE QUALITY MAGS!!! Nothing will tank your gun's reliability (and your confidense) faster than a cheap, out of spec mag. In a mechanically sound AR, the mags are responsible for 99% of malfunctions.

Still better than a pointed stick.. n'est-ce pas?

Thanks

Palmetto often sells FN, CHF barrels on sale for less than 300. That and a good BCG is a serious upgrade.

The reality is that the so called cheap AR is good enough for almost everyone. Provided the "budget rifle" is built to spec, the quality difference is very thin.
Poor staking on the gas key can be remedied by a new gas key, new screws, torking, and staking it properly yourself. Better still a good spec BCG can be had for less than $100 bucks then you Cas save the old one as a spare.

Every one of your gun buddies should have at least one extra gun as a spare for someone who didn't bring a gun. Id much rather hand them my $800 bushmaster than my $1000 Noveski or $1800 Tavor .

Would love a full kitted out Daniel Defense M4 but for the price of 1 i can have 3 or 4 "budget" rifles that do the same thing, and a source for parts if something does go bad.

Get a patrolman rifle from Bush Master $850

I like the traditional M4 style… I HATE these modern hipster AR's that have the damn rail/handguards out to the end of the barrel.

I have budget ARs and $1000-1500 ARs. To me the difference is furniture. 7075-T6 aluminum receivers ✓
8620 HPT/MPI bolt carrier ✓
Carpenter 158 HOT/MPI bolt✓
4150 CMV (CHF on a few) chrome lined barrel ✓
What else is an essential element of the rifle? NOTHING is as "bombproof" as a FSP gas block. Yes, low profile gas blocks look cooler for allowing a full length handguard, but can't touch the FSP for durability. Triggers are subjective, so to me it doesn't matter. BCM and DD sell a mil spec rifle for almost 3x what PSA sells it for. Buying a HPT/MPI bolt and bcg and sticking it in a PSA brings it up to par. What else matters, what else can break or malfunction?

Man where can I get that jacket?

A home built to code and a Mil-spec AR are minimum requirements, a misunderstanding many people have.

Yoo whats that jacket though? The built in mag pouches are pretty neat. Never been a fan of a plate carrier or chest rig since im not military and it gives off the wrong impression in my opinion, even though I got a battle belt lmao. But thats a pretty cool alternative.

If broke…that is all you can get.

Update 11.30.23 on storing powder milk for deep preps OK…I had some success vacuum sealing 10 1-quart envelopes / bags of Kroger powdered milk. I cut both corners off the top of the bag at about 45 degrees and left the center portion of the bag intact. (The center portion that was not cut varied from 2 inches to 3 inches in length.) If you are going to do a lot of bags this way, think about making a template to cut the minimum amount of bag that will still get the vacuum job done.

I was able to vacuum seal 1 pack, 2 packs and 3 packs of quart powdered milk in a 1-quart vacuum bag. Pint bags were not big enough for even 1 envelope of powdered milk. Even though the powder milk bags are not textured like a vacuum sealing bag, they vacuum out pretty good using my method. 

Vacuum sealing 3 envelopes of powdered milk in a 1-quart bag is very hard to do unless you have gusseted bags. 2 envelopes of powdered milk seem to be the sweet spot for vacuum sealing in 1-quart vacuum bags. I also tried sealing 1 envelope with the entire top of the envelope cut off instead of the corners. That method didn't seem to work well as the powdered milk would spread more. The center portion of the bag helps the powder milk not spread to foul the seal. As insurance, you can also double seal the bags. It is possible to vacuum seal powder milk loose in the bag, but it is very hard. The powder spreads via static charge and can foul the seal. 

 I can't say how vacuum sealing milk for long term storage will do. As I mentioned previously, powdered milk, stored in sealed envelopes as purchased in the store, tasted very poor 6 years after the BB date. It did not make me sick, but it probably would only be drinkable in an emergency.

The military pays less, lol
I know I was a Marine infantry man for 16 years, that being said, change the bolt carrier group to WMD or Fail Zero, PSA enhanced mil spec trigger, eotech 512 because AAs are easier to find than 123 batteries, and a good solid drop in Quadrail because the real estate is always there when you need it, and lastly a mi tech back up sight because they offer easy to use A2 style windage and easy and quick elevation

How is the trigger reset louder than the gun lmfao

I have had zero problems with CBC Precision uppers. I have thousands of rounds through the first one I bought a few years ago and it runs great. I do think AR Stoner is of lesser quality then CBC for about the same price. PSA also makes soild products at a affordable price. Thanks for the viedo.

Excellent video brother 😎👍🏼 nice jacket too! What brand is that?

The m16 issued to my father in Vietnam had more issues than described with your 500 dollar AR. He told me his rifle jammed more than it fired. So much for duty ready. I have both an inexpensive and relatively expensive AR. I've found almost no difference in performance. My conclusion is if it fires a bullet, whatever you're aiming at will get hit. A hit target doesn't care how much you spent.

Even at a $500 price point, I feel that that rifle should have performed better. The basic workings of the AR have been around for 60 years now. If they’re using standard materials, in a standard configuration, there’s no excuse at this point for anything less than success. Especially if the item bears the AR-Stoner moniker.

A good bolt carrier group is all that matters. It's th heart of the rifle.

Great video man i appreciate! One question why go with a caryy handle instead of a rear iron. Thanks in advance

My old 2010 SW m15 still trucking with 1000’s of rounds and abuse 13 years later. PSA is another along with bear creak I own I would definitely trust my life with! Just my opinion

PSA all the way. Where else can you find a $330 rifle lol

A SHTF rifle should have a sling, a light, be reliable and be accurate enough (3MOA is fine).

Everything else is just a plus

All in all some people just cant afford a Daniel defense here in" Joe's America " and thr ruger i have is the very same rifle alot of police departments issue their officers so do you need a Daniel defense to protect your family or community no you dont a ruger will do the same job like it does for many police officers everyday

It dosent matter if youre getting shot at with a 300 dollar gun or a 3000 dollar gun. Youre still risking death either way.

What’s the accuracy? We can expect some malfunctions, but is it accurate?

What is that jacket?