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In the world of AR-15s, there is a wide range of price points to choose from, whether you assemble your own or buy a complete firearm. You can buy an Andro Corp Industries ACI-15 Bravo Base for $500 or a Knights Armament SR-15 E3 Mod 2 for $3000. I assembled an AR-STONER build using an Aero Precision lower for around $550. They're all chambered in the 5.56 NATO cartridge, have a 16" barrel, and allow for mounting optics and accessories. So why is there such a huge discrepancy in price? Would a $500 Andro Corp Industries AR-15 be good enough for preparedness purposes? Do you really need the $3000 Knights Armament SR-15 to ensure reliability, durability, and longevity for that "end of the world" scenario? Well, here are my suggestions based on personal experience and the advice of those with much more experience than I have.
My Budget Build
For starters, my current budget AR-15 is the aforementioned AR-STONER build. I used an Aero Precision AR-15 Gen 2 Stripped Lower as the base for the rifle. Although I could have saved money here by going with a manufacturer like Anderson, I have had great experiences with the specifications and quality control of Aero Precision receivers. I was willing to spend a little more for that reason. For the rest of the build, I used:
- AR-STONER Complete Lower Receiver Parts Kit AR-15
- AR-STONER M4 Stock Assembly 6-Position Mil-Spec Diameter Collapsible AR-15 Carbine
- AR-STONER AR-15 M4 Upper Receiver Assembly 223 Wylde 16" Barrel
- AR-STONER AR-15 Mil-Spec Removable Carry Handle with A2 Rear Sight
- AR-STONER Magazine Stainless Steel Black
Coming in at $550 with the magazine and carry handle rear sight included, this is a very budget-friendly rifle. But is it good enough for surviving a long-term emergency? From what I have found, there are a couple of minor upgrades this rifle needs before I would give it that pedigree.
Bolt Carrier Group
The first area of contention would be the bolt carrier group (BCG) itself. As the complete upper receiver assembly came with the bolt carrier at a very budget-friendly price point, your expectations of the quality of this BCG should match the cost. There are a couple of things you can do. The cheapest upgrade would be to get a Bravo Company (BCM) SOPMOD Bolt Upgrade Rebuild Kit. For $30, you can ensure that BCG's extractor and other small parts are made to specification from quality materials. This will help with long-term durability. However, if the BCG itself is not to spec or has gas issues due to poor assembly, you will likely be better off with an entirely new BCG from a reputable manufacturer. A Midwest Industries Bolt Carrier Group AR-15 5.56x45mm Nitride would be a good replacement while still being reasonably affordable at around $160 versus some of the other brand name BCGs out there. Just swapping this one part out for a better-quality option can fix a lot of the issues cheaper AR-15s tend to have while providing longevity and reliable cycling.
Gas System
Speaking of cycling, another common issue is the gas system being over-gassed. This is generally due to the gas port on the barrel being a little larger than necessary. More budget-friendly manufacturers tend to do this to ensure reliable cycling through all sorts of ammunition types. They don't know if the end user will be shooting higher pressure M855 or steel-cased 223 Remington, so they make sure there's enough gas to cycle whatever ammo is used. An over-gassed system can also help overcome other issues in the system regarding lack of maintenance and running the rifle dirty, especially in unforgiving environmental conditions. The problem with this approach is that you get a gun with more recoil, which leads to two main issues: The shooter has a less pleasant shooting experience, and the internal parts receive unnecessary wear due to excessive action. This is even more problematic with parts that are made out of lesser materials or slightly out of spec.
Luckily, this can be remedied easily and affordably. The first step is to get a new buffer. An AR-STONER H1 or H2 Heavy Buffer can slow down the cyclic rate of the firearm for only $20 or $30, depending on which weight you choose. You will need to test different buffer weights as they range from Standard Carbine all the way up to H3 weight classes, and in order to tune your rifle, you may need to try a couple of different weights until you get it properly gassed. By doing this, you'll have a more reliable, longer-lasting, and better shooting rifle without breaking the bank. You can also invest in a better-quality buffer spring like the Wilson Combat Flat Wire Buffer Spring AR-15 Carbine Stainless Steel for $16, which will last longer and enhance the shooter's experience but isn't as necessary if you're able to tune your system with the weighted buffers alone.
Barrel
As long as the barrel of your budget-friendly rifle has an acceptable level of accuracy (which for the military's M4 is 4 MOA) and the M4 feed ramps are aligned properly between your barrel extension and your upper receiver, then the upgrades I've suggested can greatly enhance the reliability, durability, and longevity of the gun--which is awesome because, in all honesty, at that point, you will likely have a rifle that is actually good enough for preparedness purposes. Could it have gotten the job done before the upgrades? As long as it was function tested prior to any event, then it most likely could. But why risk a catastrophic failure or a limited level of reliability if, for less than $200, you can lower the chances of that happening exponentially? You're still comfortably under the cost of a top-tier rifle while having something that works at an acceptable level. So, if this is all true, then what's the point of a $3000 rifle? Well, let me at least give you some considerations that may help make that seem more understandable.
Why Spend More?
The highest quality AR-15 I own is a Wilson Combat Ranger in 5.56 NATO, and the base price of this gun as a complete build is $2,500. I assembled mine from a complete lower and complete upper, which had some cost savings involved. Full disclosure: I work with Wilson Combat on firearms-related projects, so part of the cost of this rifle was provided to me without charge. This gun is extremely reliable, accurate, and pleasant to shoot, which you would expect at this price point. But when it comes to AR-15s in this price range, the devil is in the details. Specification standards are tight. Very tight. Getting every pinhole, trigger pocket, and thread to exact specifications requires specialized machinery, intense quality control, and industry-specific procedures. You may not notice something is out of spec during the lifetime of a budget rifle if it maintains a lower round count. But those inconsistencies may show up eventually. Ever had a trigger pin walk out of your lower receiver? There's a good chance those pinholes are ever so slightly oblong or drilled at an angle. The types of materials used for the springs, plungers, pins, and all of the other small parts are also part of the equation. Not all metals are created equal.
Now, for most people, those smaller details aren't going to be worth the significantly higher price tag associated with them. And that is completely understandable. But it's worth being aware of those differences. When the battle cry of "just as good" gets thrown your way, you can now have an idea as to why that's not accurate. Good enough is what we are talking about here, and for the majority of prepared citizens, a budget rifle with some minor upgrades really can be good enough. As long as you keep up with maintenance schedules and have replacement parts and the tools required to make repairs, you can probably make it work long into any type of emergency. And don't forget, you still need to train. The money you saved by taking the budget route will allow you to buy more ammo and pay for professional training you might not have been able to afford after buying the $3000 Knights Armament SR-15. Then again, if you can afford all of that anyway, I wouldn't discourage you from going for the best of the best... Definitely can't hurt if you're Scrooge McDuck status.
--Magic Prepper
