Home AR-15 700-Dollar AR15 vs 2,000-Dollar AR15

700-Dollar AR15 vs 2,000-Dollar AR15

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Comparing a low-end AR15 with more expensive variations of the AR15.
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43 COMMENTS

  1. One thing I meant to mention as I ramble through this video was that some companies make a CHF (cold hammer forged) barrel, such as Daniel Defense. That method supposedly results in a very high quality barrel. DD is well-known for this, so well-known that I forgot to even mention it. It's another process that adds to the expense.

  3. I think the best thing for 99 percent of folks to do is to buy something like the S&W and upgrade the ergonomics, etc… to your personal liking. One of the best things about the AR platform is how modular and easy it is to upgrade. So, get the basic gun from from someone like S&W and over time upgrade the trigger, stock, grip, sights, sling, sling mounts, etc… to your liking. Make it YOUR rifle. When you get into replacing barrel, bolt carrier groups, hand guards, etc… It gets much more expensive and you might be better off just buying a more expensive rifle.

  4. Diminishing returns at certain price points, barring a lot of cosmetic / custom work. Better tolerances, but 5000rd issues vs 15,000rd issues (and even then the expensive ones can fail early). The cost cutting or investment could also be placed where you may want or not want it. I think most should purchase based on purpose and outside of competition most are fine.

  7. there are only a few companies making the castings of uppers and lowers unless its a billet upper or lower most of the companies share the same main parts the Barrell is probably the biggest difference

  8. I have an Anderson AR, bought off my friend, budget friendly, was great for him and is great for me, I have upgraded to a floating handguard and adjustable gas block, handgrip, buttstock, cheap scope…. Works great.. when I get free cash I upgrade little by little. On the list is a nicer scope, flip up iron sights, and a low recoil setup (bolt carrier group, buffer spring etc) When I purchased my first gun, a pistol, the guy at the gun shop said to me “they all go bang” lol what do you want to spend .. honest man. I bought a Ruger love it! Still shoots great. Wife has a S&W… paid more and the thing shoots low 😬 people think the more they pay the better. Sometimes that is the case, but not always

  11. I build all my AR's and i wouldnt call any of them "High End" but i always use components from top companies with great track records . There's always a higher priced option when i buy parts , i dont buy low end but i dont usually go with the highest either. Ive never had a part fail but even if i did i think theres a possibility of getting a bad part no matter how much you spend. Dont skimp on your barrel but any decent chrome lined barrel will out shoot most of our capabilities .

  14. I think guns and in particular the ar15 is one of those diminishing returns type items in terms of quality. A 500 dollar AR has 95% the quality and craftsmanship of a 2000 dollar AR and that extra 5% takes exponentially more time and skill to get, thus costing thousands more.

  15. I have a sport 3, it’s sick for a 1st ar. Had it for a couple months then upgraded everything internal and swapped out the grip, stock and muzzle…definitely feels exactly the same…shoots better tho.

  17. For the first 7-10k rounds they are pretty much all the same.
    You pay for chf or chrome lined barrels that will last 20k.
    Other than that QA is the only other thing you're paying for. If you build you can do the QA yourself and save $1500 even with the better parts if you buy on sale over time.

  21. I’ve got an $1,100 colt m4 (semi) on sale for $950. Slapped an $2k acog/rmr combo on it and called it good. I do plan on getting a $500 DD free floated hand guard but that’s about it besides for grip and light. Whatever floats your boat. I got Colt for the name brand, got trijicon for the durability and utility.

  23. I bought an Andersen manufacturing am15 as my first ar. Low cost, entry level. No optic, $500 rifle. I added optics and zeroed it. Shoots great. I dont larp, i dont prep for zombies, i just go to a range i belong to and relax. Its good enough for what i do. i plan on adding a trigger upgrade, and probably a pistol grip and buttstock though it came with magpul just to firm it up.

  24. It's not always about needs, it can be about wants….
    Do you need a corvette that goes 180mph or do you want it?
    Life isn't always about needs…
    If you can afford it, wants are an acceptable thing..

  25. I'm very grateful that there is affordable options in the shooting sport. It gets more people into the sport. It will never be an inexpensive sport or hobby, bit it's nice to have options. Some people also may be more AK people, and some may buy an affordable AR to see if they like it or not.

  32. IMO, when you buy a brand of anything for its quality and its an expensive item that may be out of reach for most people, it makes that item that much more special. Whether it’s a gun or a car. If Ferrari marked their cars the same as a Mercedes or as a Corvette it wouldn’t be as special to own because everyone would have one. As you said, brands get their name through quality, craftsmanship, R&D and reputation.

  38. Complete 16" BCM upper w/ their BCG on a complete AERO M4E1 lower = best bang for your buck for around $1K. Or save $100 & get a PSA complete MOE ept "Stealth" lower! (I have several)

    For a complete "mid-tier" carbine, it's hard to beat either FN-15, or the infamous IWI Zion!

    Or, Just save an extra $500 & buy the BCM Recce 16! Or, buy a stripped upper & lower to build your own! There's too many options!!! 😂

  42. Example is cheap tire will get 30,000 miles an expensive tire can get 60-75,000 miles. Same for the ar’s. They will shoot good/similar but you may replace parts sooner on a cheaper AR.

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