8 Best Budget AR-15 Rifles in 2021

Budget AR15s are incredibly customizable

You will find a wide array of customizable aftermarket products on the market suitable for the AR15. Any gun website you look at you will find listing after listing of aftermarket AR15 accessories and parts. This makes all AR15s including the budget ones extremely customizable.

Therefore, even if you initially purchase a low-cost AR15 as your first rifle, over time, you’ll have endless opportunities to personalize the look, feel, and performance of it, tailoring the rifle to suit your specific preferences and needs. The only downside to this is that customization can become a very costly hobby.

What To Look For In A Budget AR15

Even budget AR15s are significant investments, therefore there are certain things to consider before purchasing one. In general, you should look for all of the following features in your new rifle.

• A lightweight, mid-length chrome-lined barrel
• Either a quality plastic drop-in handguard or a basic freefloat one
• A quality adjustable stock
• A quality pistol grip
• A standard trigger or something close to it like the BCM PNT or ALG ACT
• Quality rear sight, with or without adjustment

We will cover some of these points deeper in the following sections

If this is your first AR15, you’ll want an easy to operate rifle. You should also look for a rifle that gives the right balance between price and quality. Generally speaking, you should expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for a high-quality budget AR15.

Most Important Components Of A Budget AR-15

The following four components are without a doubt, the most important aspects of an AR15. Therefore, it’s vital to have an understanding of each one to be able to choose the best budget AR15 rifle for you.

Barrel

There are three different types of barrels for your AR15. These are:

1. Chrome-lined barrels – These barrels give the most rust and corrosion resistance making them the most durable and long-lasting. However, due to the inconsistencies that can be made when applying the chrome to the bore, it is not the most accurate choice.
2. Stainless steel barrels – This type of barrel is more accurate than a chrome-lined one but it doesn’t last as long.
3. Nitride-finished carbon steel barrels – Nitride barrels are often used on budget AR15s as they are far cheaper than the other two styles. They don’t have the longevity of chrome-lined or the stainless steel barrels, but they offer excellent performance for their price, usually better than stainless, making them a great affordable option.

Trigger

The two most popular and best AR-15 trigger designs on rifles are single-stage and two-stage triggers. These triggers are both designed to have a light and effective trigger pull, but they function slightly differently.

A single stage trigger is what the military uses. It gives you a consistent pull from start to finish. A two-stage trigger is better for competitive shooting. It has an initial pull to take up the slack until you reach a ‘wall,’ after which you pull for a snappy, accurate brake without much chance of twitching your muzzle off target.

Most budget AR15s will use a typical single-stage mil-Spec trigger. Although cheaper than two-stage triggers, they are still incredibly reliable and have a very positive break and reset.

BCG (Bolt Carrier Group)

The most common type of bolt carrier group material for an AR-15 is carbon steel. However, there are three different types of carbon steel for you to consider as well: 8620, 9310, and carpenter 158 steel.

1. All of these alloys are rugged and will fit your needs well. However, 8620 steel is the most common for bolt construction. It has been proven to work excellently and is favored by the US military for all their M4s and M16s.
2. 9310 steel is stronger than 8620 and is the best at resisting wear and tear. Many shooters who own an AR15 with 8620 steel, will upgrade to 9310 because of this. 9310 steel can be further case hardened to give it almost equal strength to the Carpenter 158 steel.
3. Carpenter 158 steel is a proprietary alloy renowned for being extremely hard, strong, and resistant to wear. Carpenter 158 will continue to function the longest and as a result, is considered to be the gold standard of BCG alloys.

Gas system

An AR-15 rifle works by hot gas being directed down the barrel and into the gas tube. The gas is then used to either move a piston working on the BCG (if using a piston system) or to directly push the BCG (if using a direct impingement system).

Either of these systems cause the bolt to unlock and eject the spent casing before the buffer spring forces the BCG to move back forward, catch a new round and insert it into the chamber.

Both a piston and a direct impingement system will successfully do the job, most budget AR15 rifles will use a direct impingement system. This is because it’s cheaper and more accurate than a piston system, and has a greater commonality of parts too.

On the other hand, a piston system is inherently cleaner because the gas is vented out of the receiver, making it a more reliable choice in adverse climates.

Besides as the type of gas system, you’ll want to consider it’s length, too. For AR15’s there are three gas system lengths, carbine length, mid-length, and rifle length.

• A carbine length system will extract the spent casing faster than a mid-length or rifle length system. This means that the extraction process has to work harder which could reduce the reliability slightly. The sharp action can wear out your internal components faster.
• A mid-length system will tap the gas from further down your barrel, lengthening the time slightly before the spent casing is ejected. This also means that there is less pressure spend before the spent casing is extracted, and less wear and tear.
• A rifle-length system gives the longest amount of time before the spent casing is extracted, but it also has the lowest case pressure, and less force applied to the gun.

Comparing the three, the rifle length system was the original design of the AR15 platform and gives the best performance out of the three in terms of reliability and muzzle velocity.

AR-15 Mounting Systems

An important factor to consider when choosing the best budget AR15 is the type of rail/ mounting systems it has. First, let’s cover what rail systems are and why they are important.

Rail systems on firearms are mounting brackets that are usually made of strips of metal or polymer. The term ‘rail’ has evolved to cover both the actual rail piece(s) and the styles of handguards (or forearms) that are made with rails on their external surfaces.

• Rails are important components of rifles as they allow you to attach various optical sights and accessories such as tactical lights, laser sights, vertical/angled foregrips, and bipods.
• A handguard is essentially a guard attached to the front of your rifle to grip the weapon from the front. It provides a good grip and protects you from the barrel, which may become very hot when firing. It also gives options to attach more accessories to the weapon itself.
• Because AR-15s are very customizable firearms, rails of some form are a must for AR15 users.
• An AR15 rail/handguard can define the functionality and appearance of your rifle, and allow for further accessorization.

The actual mounting rail is now standardized along the Picatinny design, and usually appears on top of the receiver and handguard. Alternatively, there are mounting slot systems for mounting accessories on other surfaces of the handguard. M-Lok and KeyMod were in competition for a long time, but since the US military went with M-Lok, it is definitely your best choice.

Different Types of Handguards

So now you understand exactly what a mounting system for your AR15 does, you are probably wondering, are all AR15 handguards the same?

The short answer is no and understanding the different types can be a bit confusing. There are two main categories of handguards:

1. Drop-in
2. Free-floating

Which handguard/mounting system you choose will depend on numerous considerations such as:

• The type of look you want (e.g. classic, military, or tactical)
• How many accessories you want to mount, and what kind
• How lightweight you want to keep your AR15
• The price you are willing to spend
• How important ease of installation is to you

Drop-in Handguards

Drop-in handguards are the classic, two-piece handguards that the M4 was originally designed to use.

• They are called drop-in because to install or remove them all you need to do is pull back the spring-loaded “delta ring” and drop in the new one.
• These types of handguards are very easy to install.
• They are the least expensive handguard option.

The drop-in category can be broken down further into two main types:

• Polymer drop-in handguards
  
  • The 2-piece polymer handguards are the most classic. A metal heat shield on the inside helps them resist heat well.
  • The polymer construction makes them very lightweight, and they are available in several lengths.
  • The downside to polymer handguards is that they do not have many mounting options. However, Magpul has created some upgraded models that allow for mounting M-Lok attachments.
  • Railed drop-in handguards
• Railed drop-in handguards
  • Usually made of aluminum. The most common type used to be the quad-rail, which has 4 rails that run the length of the handguard, but M-Lok systems have taken over.
  • They allow mounting of all different types of accessories including bipods, foregrips, and possibly lights or lasers. However, it’s not recommended to mount optics on a drop-in rail because they are not the most stable systems and may have some wiggle.
  • Aluminum drop-in rails can get hot after long periods of shooting. They are also heavier than polymer handguards.

Free Floating Handguards

• Free-floating handguards give better accuracy than drop-ins and offer great customization options for your AR15.
• Free-floating handguards are more accurate as the handguard doesn’t touch the barrel but is instead mounted directly to the upper receiver. This allows the barrel to “float” and gives better harmonics, resulting in improved accuracy.
• The accuracy difference is especially evident when using grips or bipods on the handguard.
• Free-floating handguards can be made longer than the length of the gas system, by using a low-profile gas block. For example, on a typical AR15 carbine, the drop-in handguard is about 7 inches long. However, with a free float plus a low profile gas block, you can use rails as long as 16 inches, which allows for a lot more accessorization.
• They are more difficult to install than a drop in handguard and require partial disassembly of the rifle.
• They are usually constructed with aluminum and most are vented well to prevent overheating. Carbon fiber is becoming more common.

There are two main categories of free float handguards:

• Free-float railed handguards (free float rails)
  • Free float railed handguards are the most popular type of free-floating handguard, especially those with M-Lok slots.
  • They are by far the most accessory-friendly handguard, allowing mounting of bipods, grips, lights, or lasers and optics.
  • They are available in many different lengths, colors, and configurations.
  • When used with a low profile gas block, you can make the handguard as long as you want.
  • M-Lok handguards have machined cutouts attachments instead of the “ridge and groove” of the classic Picatinny rail. This reduces the weight and cost of the handguard.
• Non-railed handguards (free float tubes)
  • Free-float tubes give the accuracy benefits of free-float rails but have a much more basic design.
  • Hogue is a common and well-known manufacturer of free-float tubes.
  • They can be lighter than the free float railed handguards but still heavier than drop-in rails.
  • They tend to be a bit cheaper than free-float rails.

Is It Better To Build An AR-15 Or Buy A Complete AR-15 Rifle?

The answer to this question will completely depend on your experience level. If you’re purchasing your first AR15, I would strongly suggest buying a complete rifle or at least get a complete upper and a complete lower.

For beginners, it’s not only best but also much easier to keep it simple. I say this because if you’re just starting out, you probably don’t know exactly what you like and want, so I recommend sticking with a standard configuration.

Although some shooters will say that building a rifle is cheaper, these days there is not much difference. Furthermore, you’ll get a better resale value for a complete gun if you ever decide to sell.

That being said, I do agree that there is something very satisfying about building your own AR15 and having complete control of the customization process. If you have already owned a couple of AR15’s and know what works for you, taking on the DIY project of building your own rifle could be a fun and rewarding experience. If you do decide to do it yourself, be sure to study up beforehand on how to successfully build a safe and effective firearm.

What is a featureless AR-15?

Featureless AR15s are rifles that have been modified to remove prohibited features from assault weapons. The term is most commonly used with rifles manufactured to comply with gun laws in California.

To give you a clearer understanding, featureless rifles can be described as semi-automatic rifles that are missing any of the following features:

1. 1. 1. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon
      2. A thumbhole stock
      3. A folding or telescoping stock
      4. A grenade launcher or flare launcher
      5. A flash suppressor
      6. A forward pistol grip

A featureless rifle allows you to use detachable magazines and lawfully owned standard-capacity magazines.

What Is The Standard Caliber For A Budget AR-15 And What Alternatives Are There?

1. 1. • The most popular caliber choices for AR15s are .223 Remington and 5.56 NATO.
      • AR15s can also be chambered in several other ammunition types, such as .22 Nosler, .224 Valkyrie, .204 Ruger, .6.5 Grendel, .6.8 SPC, .300 Blackout, .350 Legend, and .450 Bushmaster.
      • AR15s can shoot pistol ammunition, such as 9mm, .40 Smith & Wesson, and .45 ACP.

The key to choosing the right caliber is to find the caliber that best matches the purpose for which you will use your rifle. Here is a rundown of the most popular calibers used with AR15s.

223 Remington

With bullets ranging in weight from 35 to 75 grains and many styles available from frangible to monolithic, the .223 Remington is the most versatile AR15 caliber. It’s best suited for varmints, home defense, and game as large as feral hogs and deer.

.22 Nosler

With almost 25% more powder capacity than the .223 Remington, the .22 Nosler can push bullets extremely fast. In fact, it can be argued that the .22 Nosler is the fastest shooting AR15 cartridge. It can push a 55-grain E-Tip bullet to 3,300 fps, making it well suited for all types of hunting including deer, varmints, and coyotes.

.224 Valkyrie

If you’re looking for the best caliber for long-range shooting, the new .224 Valkyrie is for you. It is a great choice for varmints, as well as hogs, deer, and pronghorn.

What is the recoil like shooting a budget AR15?

The recoil of an AR15 is gentle to mild. I find AR15s have a lighter recoil compared to almost any other rifles, especially when chambered with a .223/5.56x45mm round. Moreover, they give relatively better ergonomics than other popular rifles, such as the venerable AK-47.

How and why to tune your AR15 using the gas system and buffer tube

Just like tuning a guitar, tuning your AR15 will improve its performance.Tuning your rifle with the gas system and buffer tube will improve its reliability, especially when it comes to the weapon’s ability to feed, extract, and eject.

Tuning can also reduce recoil, muzzle rise, and allow the gun to function with shorter barrels, suppressors, and other custom features.

The gas system

1. 1. • To tune your gas system your rifle will need to have an adjustable gas block. This is a simple device that allows you to control the amount of gas that flows back to work the BCG.
      • Typically, you rotate a small screw and the amount of gas that can pass through the gun is either increased or decreased.
      • The amount of gas going through the gun affects both reliability and recoil.
      • What you adjust your gas to will depend on many factors. This includes barrel length, muzzle devices, as well as the type of ammunition you use.

The buffer tube

1. 1. • The buffer tube is important for ensuring that the gas block and BCG work well.
      • Most guns come over-gassed, and most buffers are heavier than they need to be to work reliably.
      • The combination of an adjustable gas block, lighter BCG, and lighter buffer will reduce recoil.
      • On the other hand, a heavier buffer will increase reliability. A heavier buffer slows the cycle ensuring a more reliable extraction.
      • A heavier buffer creates more forward momentum for returning the bolt to the battery as well.

Tuning an AR15 is most useful and necessary for competitive shooting. If you’re using your AR15 as a competition rifle, it’s best to tune it to reduce recoil and muzzle rise as much as possible. This will mean sacrificing long-term durability as less mass means shorter longevity.

So, What Is The Best Budget AR15 On The Market?

This list certainly had some strong contenders, and testing out each of these budget rifles was a lot of fun! As I mentioned earlier when choosing your new rifle, considering your use case is the key factor in finding the best budget AR15.

I have to say, the Alex Pro Firearms 224 Valkyrie Varmint suits my needs the most. I particularly like the long 22-inch barrel length and the long-range shooting abilities as this allows me to hunt varmint from a distance with superior accuracy and supersonic speed.

This is my top choice as it feels like the APF is a purpose-built and affordable but high-quality .224 Valkyrie AR15 suited perfectly to my needs. As I do a lot of long-range shooting, the 224 Valkyrie Varmint works well for me. However, if you tend to shoot more at close to medium range, the 18-inch DMR rifle could be a better choice for you because of its versatility.

Whatever choice you make, choosing an AR15 from this list will guarantee you a high-quality rifle. By following this guide, you will have an ample understanding of how to confidently choose your best budget AR15. Happy shooting!