Top 10 Best AR 15 Rifles for the Money – Under $700
We get asked all the time “What are the best AR 15 rifles under $700?”.
Check out this list of the Top 10 Black Rifles under $700 and post up your comments below.
Windham weaponry vs bushmaster?
DPMS vs Mossberg?
Colt vs Bushmaster?
Bear Creek Arsenal vs Palmetto PSA?
Delton dt sport vs M&P sport?
PSA vs Olympic arms?
Bushmaster vs Palmetto?
Which is the best deal?
What do you think? Lets hear it from the shooters out there!
Lets check out some videos and have some fun with this.
Check out Magpul Industries Front and Rear Sights @ Amazon.com
#10 SCOUT M4
Review by Paul:
Very good gun for the money. Can’t find anything to complain about. The Core 15 is Mil-Spec forged 7075-T6 lower & upper receivers with Type III Class I hard coat anodized finish.
The lower: beveled magwell for improved reloading speed, machined chevrons in front strap, with bullet pictogram safety markings.
All around good weapon for the money—you can’t go wrong with this one.
Question: What is a good starter red dot scope I can put on my black rifle?
Answer: We like the Bushnell Trophy Red Dot Riflescope as it will not break the bank as it is about $100. For the cost this is a good starter red dot and will do the job to hit the target. One of my shooting buddies has one set up on his rig.
Get factory parts from the industry’s leading firearms @ Brownells.com
#9 SMITH WESSON M&P SPORT
This black rifle is all yours for about $650 depending on where you look.
If the gun is as reliable as our initial impressions indicate, that’s tremendous value-for-money.
I built my black rifle from the ground up with parts from Brownells.com.
It’s taken Smith a while to get here, but it looks like they’ve finally brought the same no-nonsense quality and functionality to the AR world.
I am still a huge fan of their revolvers so justifiably famous.
#8 OLYMPIC ARMS INC FLAT TOP 223
Review by Dozer:
This rifle is much better than its name implies. So far, I have put about 500 rounds through this rifle and have had zero malfunctions. I have use several types of ammo, both 5.56 and .223 and was surprised to find it likes the .223 better.
Best groups to date are with 40 grain V-Max bullets, 7/8 moa (go figure). This is my new heavy cover hog gun. I have put a holographic, red dot sight (zeroed @ 50 yds) with a 1-4 power scope (zeroed @ 100 yds).
Best rifle purchase I’ve made is a long time. You won’t be disappointed with this rifle.
Olympic Arms review
#7 DEL-TON DT SPORT
Review by Dusty:
The DT Sport has a 16 inch light weight barrel with 1×9 twist and 6 position M4 stock. I have been using mine at the local range and on my farm to keep the coyotes away. I also like the CAR handguards with single heat shields, and A2 flash hider.
The DT Sport comes with 1x 30rd magazine and a CA approved gun lock. It was shipped with a chamber safety tool in the chamber, clearly showing the weapon is unloaded.My next upgrade is to add a nice sling and and a red dot.
Question: What is a good front and rear sight system I can use?
Answer: We like the MagPul front and rear sight system.
It is a great no nonsense sight system and for less than $80 you be set up and ready to go at the range. I have one set up on my weapon right now and it works just fine as a back up to my red dot.
Check out Clearance Items and Black Friday Deals @ Brownells.com
#6 WINDHAM WEAPONRY
In terms of features this Windham Carbon far surpasses the factory specs of it’s now ancient Bushmaster brethren.
Aside from the superior workmanship and sturdy nature of the upper and lower carbon infused receivers (of which the flat top picatinny was shaped perfectly and consistent front to back).
The barrel is chrome lined and a full M4 contoured 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium steel with a 1 in 9″ twist featuring M4 feed ramps as opposed to the bargain basement pencil barrel that came with the original.
Instead of the low profile [afterthought] style gas black on the Carbon 15, the Windham carbon features a beefy picatinny front gas block now allowing for the installment of a fixed iron sight setup (see video review) or a flip up back up system.
Video – Windham Weaponry SRC Carbon Fiber AR15
Load up on Magazines and Extra Parts with discounts @ Brownells.com
#5 PSA (PALMETTO STATE ARMORY)
Review by Goran:
I purchased my first PSA Rifle from a Gun show distributor. After spending the time to compare the specifics of the M4 Premium to all the other AR manufactures, Colt, DPMS ECT. My opinion was that It was a good buy.
I am a serious shooter and collector who writes supplier recommendations to the US Army and DHS for weapons builders and part suppliers, my advice to them is to give PSA a very serious look for up coming weapon ready supply needs.
No doubt PSA is a good value to the needs of the AR community. I am planning many more Buys/Builds when the Market calms down.
Video – Palmetto State Armory AR-15 Rifle
#4 Mossberg Ar-15
Review by BigNick:
I own the MMR Tactical, and I have to say, it’s easily the best AR under a grand. So much nicer than those Ff’ing POS Bushmaster Carbon 15s and crap.
Free-floating barrel, huge rail…amazing rifle. I couldn’t be happier with it. The accuracy is phenomenal.
#3 DPMS Panther Sportical AR-15
Review by BH:
As I have said in other posts about DPMS they are a great rifle company that makes civive standard rifles and are great of beginners.
If your not up to spending a 1000 plus on a rifle then go ahead. The good thing about buying a complete rifle is WARRANTY otherwise build away its your decision.
By the way—my AR is a DPMS with almost 6000 rounds through it a few ammo related problems but thats it and im working on my first build thanks to this site
I am going to add a lot of upgrades and trick it out real good as that is how I like my weapon.
Video – DPMS Panther Sport is affordable AR-15
#2 DPMS Panther Oracle AR-15
Review by Officer:
I originally went to Cabelas to buy a bushmaster O.R.C. ar-15 but they were sold out of them. So i went with the Oracle.
This AR is a quality AR-15 for the price. I have put about 190 (not alot) rounds threw this firearm with out a single malfunction. I even drowned the weapon in gun solvent rite out of the box and fired it the next day which you want it dry or you can cause it to malfunction, but worked flawlessly.
I strongly advise you to buy this weapon. I am a very picky gun owner and done alot of review of the Bushmaster and Panther arms before the purchase and both are very good makers but i would’nt have created a Cabelas account just to write this review on this weapon if i did’nt truly believe in its quality. Stop thinking about it and buy it. Can’t go wrong.
#1 Bushmaster Carbon AR-15
This weapon will give you the most bang for your buck and is in the $600 range. It is lightweight and can still take a beating out on the range.
Yes; you don’t want to take this weapon to Afghanistan for your next contractor job. That is not what it is made for. You will be able to hit targets with a basic scope at 250 plus yards all day with a cold drink in your hand. I prefer the Bushmaster vs Delton or any other brand.
Bushmaster C15 is As Good as Any Other black rifle.
Click here for AR-15/M16 parts & accessories from Brownells.com
Questions from our readers
Question: How do you rate the DPMS Panther vs the Bushmaster Carbon 15?
Answer: I personally own the Bushmaster with a Bushnell red dot scope
but have heard good reviews on the DPMS. Shoot both at the range and you decide.
Question: Best upgrades for your AR-15?
Answer: Check out these tips on the best upgrades for the AR15.
Question: Where can I find a good AR 15 rifle comparisons like the DPMS Oracle vs Ruger 556?
Answer: Check out the video below comparing the two weapons.
Question: How do you compare the dpms m4 oracle vs bushmaster carbon m4? Or even the psa vs bushmaster patrolman?
Answer: We like PSA Palmetto State Armory ARs as they are a good value dollar for dollar. Check out the reviews and videos above.
Video – Bushmaster AR-15 Review
Question: How good are the Red Jacket brand 30 rd AR-15 magazines?
Answer: We have heard OK reviews on the Red Jacket magazines. Military Surplus US GI mags will probably be a better bet. You can grab them most places new for about $10.
Question: What about Core 15 vs other brands?
Answer: The Core 15 rifles and accessories are getting a lot of great buzz as a sweet rifle. We are definitely checking out more of their line.
Question: What about the Windham MPC vs Bushmaster?
Answer: Check out the video below for more good info.
Question: Who makes Cabelas SRC?
Answer: Windham makes this weapon.
Question: Where can I get Armalite eagle 15 ORC aftermarket parts?
Answer: Check out the largest selection of after market parts and accessories here.
Question: How can I find out more info on the NRA?
Answer: Check out the website here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHORAlex Castiglione lives in Atlanta, and is an avid outdoorsman and competitive shooter.
His where-abouts include getting after it in his garage gym, practicing martial arts, hitting the trails, or running CrossFit and Strongman competitions for his non-profit, Barbells for Bullies, which holds fundraiser fitness competitions dedicated to aiding Bully breed rescues, dog rescues, or other non-profits with similar missions.
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November 6, 2015 @ 9:40 pm
Got my M&P 15 sport for $580 and love it. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but gets the job done.
November 6, 2015 @ 11:02 pm
Love my bushmaster orc started under 700 bucks but after some customizing took it close to a grand. Great platform to begin with.
November 15, 2015 @ 3:07 pm
I bought my First M4 for under 700.00. I have put over 700 rounds and it seems it’s getting Better. This Anderson with RF85 plus the Nickel Boron Bolt. I will Definitely buy another Anderson without Hesitation !
November 16, 2015 @ 10:08 pm
Good to hear Frank. Thanks for your comments and feedback.
January 9, 2016 @ 7:50 am
Unfortunately, I prefer an SBR. All SBR’s are north of $1100.
March 1, 2016 @ 12:53 am
That lineup is ridiculouse the New M&P sport 2 has the dust cover and forward assist but it didn’t need those things to be at least top 3 I mean 9 really?! You gotta think about who is making these rifles and to what quality. And what happens when your rifle breaks smith &awesome has got one of the best warrantys out there hands down. I paid $600 for mine and everything is top notch for what it is I mean the gas key is pinch the buffer tube is mil spec the barrel is 1/9 twist which I like cause I run lighter pills out of mine. And it’s not a chromed lined barrel I know for so,e people chromed lined barrels are nice cause there easy to clean but they last no where near as long as a non chromed lined yes the barrel is 4140 steel so it’s not the best you can get but its still a great barrel I’ve put about 10,000 rounds through mine and I have had not one issue no failure to feeds no nothing. And I’ve heard stories about the DPMS oracle, mossberg and the bushmaster carbon having reliability issues now yes it was with steel case ammo. But so what my M&P has shot pretty much nothing but steel case junk from day one and still have not had 1 failure to feed failure to eject light strike not one single thing has went wrong with that Rifle. So this alone should make it top 3 at least because it’s a phenomenal firearm with a great company behind it to boot. And if you don’t believe me go get one and then buy a couple cases of Tula or any other junk steel or brass ammo and run it till your fingers hurt I guarentee your fingers will go numb before the gun has 1 thing goes wrong with it.
March 1, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
Thanks for your comments Killabee —
we are always looking for good info from shooters that have tried and tested these weapons. Can we send you a free knife as our way of showing appreciation?
Seriously — email [email protected] with your address — and I will have a knife shipped out to you tonite.
July 16, 2016 @ 3:37 pm
Wow. I’ll take the knife if he doesn’t want it ? JK. Good reviews guys an the hot chicks are a plus.
March 16, 2016 @ 10:26 pm
Brad, when people say I wouldnt carry a particular rifle in Afghanistan, I always would like to know why. I understand that its a rifle under 1000 but aside from burning through 500 rounds in a single run due to combat, are there any reasons to caution getting a low cost ar? The reason Im asking is because I plan on using it for home defense. I prefer it to a shotgun, trained with the AR platform in the military, and would like to count my life on it for anything other than the world falling apart. I plan on getting a Larue PredatAR 7.62 16in for SHTF and for training once I feel comfortable training with the low cost 5.56. Should I entertain getting a QRC with Red Dot or Sport II, or should I save the extra 1200 and get the Larue in 5.56 as well? I think for its use the Larue in 5.56 may be overkill, but there is no comparison for a lightweight 7.62 in my opinion. Maybe Im biased being from Texas haha. Thanks in advance for feedback.
March 21, 2016 @ 11:08 am
The Larue would be a good choice for home defense. The best weapon is one that you know well, have trained with and can use safely.
September 27, 2016 @ 12:03 pm
I have a lot of shooting experience, and have shot a few of the AR’s on the list. It really comes down to preference when you’re talking the cheaper guns. I have a PSA with a stainless barrel I bought for $650, it is a fantastic shooter and would trust my life with it. If I wrote this list, PSA would be 1 and bushmaster might be 5, but its preference. They’re all great! Freedom!
The hot girls make this article more light hearted, I like the nerdy girl with the red bikini – hot!
November 6, 2016 @ 8:25 am
I’m really surprised that the Ruger didn’t make the list considering it outsells alot of rifles on your list. I have a Rock River so my dog is not in this fight but I to was suprized to see the M&P Sport 2 so low as it also outsells most on your list. I don’t think the majority of the buyers are uninformed and just buying a name. I love AR’s and the fact that there are so many company’s to choose from is a benefit to the consumer.
November 7, 2016 @ 4:31 pm
Thanks for posting Woody – the list was put together from guys at the range out shooting – and not based on total product sales for the year. Thanks for your comments.
January 12, 2017 @ 11:12 pm
Also the sport 2 just felt too small in my hands compared to my m4. Don’t get me wrong it shot real nice and made a loud bang which is what I wanted for self-defense, but it just felt small (and I’m not even a big guy) I like the way the mmr feels in my hands but I also have a grip to avoid the bulky quad rails.
February 18, 2017 @ 7:51 pm
What do you think about Anderson Rifle AR’s
March 29, 2017 @ 11:49 pm
Bought my DPMS Sportical a month ago, factory issued with Tapco desert tan fore-piece, pistol grip and butt stock. Have put 75 break-in rounds through it, no malfunctions. DPMS stresses wet lubed bcg and ch, bought their Claw 2 ounce lube, paid $499 at Academy, gun is accurate and comfortable recoil with 5.56, like it better than my S&W Optics ready, very well made.