Where are you guys shopping for them right now? Opinions on features and brands?

I've had a few suggestions but it's just my nature to research and look around.

I've never owned one and this one is gonna be the first. Don't know a thing about them at this time.

Don't buy one off the shelf. Build one. It is easy. You can make it like you want instead of buying one and then changing the parts you don't like. It is also cheaper to build one. You can order everything on line. The only part that requires an FFL is the lower.

PSA and diamondback are where I've ordered parts. I also order accessories from magpul.

Set your budget/purpose and go from there.
$500? $1000? $1500?

purpose and budget?

Call Cole Blackmon in Billingsly, AL. At any given price point, you'll get more bang for your buck (no pun intended) than a store-bought one. For a budget-priced gun, his "basic service rifle" in the $500-600 range is great. I believe pretty much any gun he sells includes him tweaking the trigger. I know the trigger on mine is night/day better than the one on my FIL's S&W M&P 15.

This but he is at his house in Maurbury now.

You can get a complete lower and an upper from PSA, put them together in about 30 seconds for less than $400. All you will need is a rear sight. Or get a S&W m&p for not much more.

get a stripped lower and put it together its not hard and most any brand will be fine then find an LMT, BCM, Daniel Defense, or Colt complete upper and bolt carrier group to slap on it. it will save you alot of money My 3 ARs are all LMT complet uppers, BCGs and I use National match triggers in Aero and Stag lowers Ive got about $1000-1300 into any one of them but a factory LMT will run you well over 2 grand

If I was buying an upper middle of the road completed rifle I would be looking heavily at BCM.

PSA complete upper and lower is the way to go

we've gotten several of the M&Ps at Simmons for around $400. If you just want an entry level, good brand name gun it's certainly an option.

Hunting/Plinking/Home Defense etc.....pretty good concept for figuring out what you want/need.

Yep... Cole is good to go. He's putting me together a 300blk now. I usually build my own but when I don't, he gets my business every time.

Not a bad way to go but you're paying a little more just for the BCM name. They source parts from a variety of manufacturers and slap BCM on the there.

Still a good gun though. I have 2 that I bought before I started putting my own together.

I'd just buy a lower priced gun myself,you can get a dpms,Ruger or S&W for $4-$600,or you can build one for the same amount,I don't see any need to spend over $1000 on one

Check bear creek arsenal. They have great prices.

Thanks guys. I ended up with this one. Out the door for $470.00.

AR

Every time I took time to research I found it sold out before I could get it. Found out a friend is a dealer for Palmetto, he locked me one down and saved me $50 in the process.

I don't have the time or inclination to build anything right now, but in the future I'm gonna take all this advice to heart. My son wants it, so it's his Christmas this year. Ammo and accessories are on him.

Good job Santa