DPMS and CORE Rifle Systems make solid rifles and have great customer service.
I have a CORE 15 Scout as my backup AR and its great.
If you can get a S&W for $600, get it. I have model MP15OR which is the flat-top. I threw a cheap battle scope, flip up BUS and and a floated hand guard. About the only thing I'd complain about is the trigger, but I think that can be said for any of the lower end ARs.
This is definitely what I'm leaning towards. The gen 2 seems to be a no brainier to me
What I am calling the Gen 2 is without the forward assist and dust cover, just so you know. The first Gen had Thompson center barrel with 1 in 8 twist 5R progressive rifling. They also had an A2 rear sight believe. Mine is exactly like the Sport II just without the forward assist and dust cover.
Whittakers has the Sport II for $549.99. I absolutely don't need one but am tempted.
https://shop.whittakerguns.com/
That is a tempting deal.Whittakers has the Sport II for $549.99. I absolutely don't need one but am tempted.
https://shop.whittakerguns.com/
I've spent thousands of hours on the firing line watching "cheap ARs" getting fired by noobs during training. Without hesitation I can tell you all the "cheap guns" are all about the same quality because they're, more often than not, manufactured by the same people.
Sure, there are different brands out there and different companies use different parts and components but almost all the "cheapos" or "entry level ARs" are assembled from parts made by outside suppliers. Notice I said "assembled?"
The three you mentioned are all just fine. I wouldn't fast rope out the little bird in the sandbox with them but for the "I don't know squat about ARs" folks coming to you for advice, chances are good any of those three will be way more rifle than they really need.
In class with Mike Pannone this past weekend (he may know just a wee bit about AR's) he mused that he couldn't figure out why people would build franken guns when there are so many quality reasonably priced AR's out on the market. He followed it up with mentioning that most home built guns he sees in classes have problems.
What's considered a "franken" gun?
I would say that is subjective, but I took it he was referring to something put together from a bunch of different sources.
Both of my rifles are BCM uppers with Spikes lowers. One lower has a spiked LPK, the other is a BCM LPK.
Didn't know if anyone would consider them franken rifles or not.