9 Best AR-15 Rifles [Complete Guide 2023]
In my opinion, the best AR-15 is the one you have spent the most time shooting and training with. It is important that whatever rifle you get, you are familiar with each piece of how it operates. Here is a guide on AR-15 builds and what each piece does.
Finding the best AR-15 depends on your budget, intended use, and . In my personal opinions it is always better to save up and buy the gun you want, and not to just settle for the cheapest option. However, if can’t afford a more expensive rifle, there are some great budget options out there, so you can start training.
Training means putting rounds down range. Owning an AR-15 and not knowing how to use it, is dangerous. Just like any gun, make sure that you spend time to know how to be safe and make sure that you can be accurate. As always, it never hurts to have more than one for different situations.
What to look for when choosing an AR-15.
Purpose
As always, the best AR-15 depends completely on what you are intending on using it for. A competitive shooter is going to have a completely different need than someone looking for a home defense rifle. Make sure you know WHY you are getting a new rifle, so you can choose the best option.
Home and Self defense:
The AR-15 platform can be a good choice for home defense because it is relatively lightweight for the amount of firepower it possesses, easy to maneuver, and capable of firing quickly.
If your primary use for the rifle for home defense, you might want to prioritize a shorter barrel and upgradable features such as a red dot and mounted light.
Target shooting:
The AR-15 is also a popular choice for target shooting because really it is just fun to shoot. If your primary use is target shooting, get whatever you want. Just make sure that you are safe.
Hunting:
Depending on the caliber and hunting regulations in your area, an AR-15 can be an awesome choice for hunting small to medium-sized game. I personally use mine for hunting predators such as coyotes and wolves back in Alaska.
Competition shooting:
The world of competitive shooting is growing. More and more individuals are becoming interested in precision shooting, and the AR-15 platform is one of the most common rifle platforms for these competitions.
Caliber
Here is a more in depth caliber guide.
.223 Remington:
This is the most common AR-15 caliber that may be used for a range of activities, including plinking, target shooting, self-defense and small game hunting.
5.56 NATO:
A round that is comparable to the .223 Remington but is loaded to higher pressures and can be a heavier round. It is used primarily for hunting and self-defense and is frequently used by the military and police enforcement.
It is important to note that you can shoot both .223 and 5.56 out of the same barrel if the barrel is chambered in 5.56 or .223 Wylde; however, if it is chambered in .223 Remington you should not shoot 5.56 Nato ammo with it.
.300 Blackout:
The .300 BLK is easily the most successful new caliber in my lifetime.
The biggest advantage is that .300 BLK reaches it’s peak ballistic potential with only a 9 inch barrel. This means if you want to build an SBR or AR-15 Pistol, the .300 Blackout could give you a much better performance with a shorter system.
Accessories / Upgrades
When looking for the best AR-15 most people starting thinking of Call Of Duty style rifles. With infinite upgrades and gadgets.
Upgrading your rifle can be fun and can enhance your shooting performance, but don’t over do it.
It’s important that you choose an AR-15 that is compatible with the accessories you want to add. For example, if you want to add a red dot sight, make sure the rifle has a Picatinny rail or other type of mounting system for attaching the sight.
The 3 most common rail systems are Picatinny, M-LOK, and KeyMod.
Picatinny is the original mounting system is still used, at least for optics mounts, on most platforms. M-LOK and KeyMod are used on handguards, so make sure your accessories correlate with the correct mounting system on your AR-15 Handguard.
If you want to add a suppressor (I highly recommend it, and here is a list of best suppressors), make sure the rifle has a threaded barrel.
Quality
Not every gun is created equal.
Some barrels will only hold up for a few hundred rounds, some rifles do not have a tight fit between your upper and lower receiver, and some guns just don’t cycle well.
So how do you know what gun to buy? If it is your first AR style platform, I recommend buying from a reputable brand.
There are tons of custom AR-15 manufactures out there, and a lot of them make cool rifles, but reliability is the most important thing when it comes to guns. So make sure that your first gun is reliable.
What is the best AR-15?
Here are my top picks for the best AR-15.
- Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 (Editors Choice)
- Bravo Company Recce-16 MCMR (Best Overall)
- Palmetto State Armory 16″ 5.56 NATO (Best Budget)
- Geissele Super Duty Rifle (Best High End)
- Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II (Best Budget Alternative)
- Aero Precision M4E1 .223 Wylde (Best Starting Point)
- Radian Model 1
- Sig Sauer M400 SDI XSERIES
- Springfield Armory Saint
Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 (Editors Choice)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 6.2 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Quick disclaimer, Daniel Defense makes the DDM4 in a variety of sizes and calibers; however, for ease of recommendation I selected the V7.
I like shooting a SBR personally, I am a smaller guy and I like the weight distribution a little better on a 10.5 in barrel. However, that would require a NFA SBR stamp. If you are willing to wait for approval, I would recommend it, but if you are looking for something quicker, then the standard V7 is the gun for you.
Daniel Defense is known for their quality manufacturing. I have never heard a single bad thing about a Daniel Defense rifle, and it is because there really is nothing wrong with them.
They are solid, accurate, dependable rifles. Which is exactly what you are looking for in a rife. Out of the box, there is no better choice in my opinion.
Bravo Company Recce-16 MCMR (Best Overall)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 6.1 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
The biggest problem with Bravo Company Manufacturing is that they can’t keep up with demand.
Since entering the scene, BCM has been a favorite of many gun enthusiasts. I personally do not own a BCM (they were out of stock last time I tried). However, a couple friends of mine have them, and when shooting them, they just feel right.
Everything is solid and there is no wiggle in your rifle. They are accurate and just an all around great rifle. The Recce-16 MCMR is known for its reliability and is built to withstand heavy use and abuse
Palmetto State Armory 16″ Mid-Length 5.56 NATO (Best Budget)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 6.25 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Not looking to break the bank but still wanting an AR-15 so you can start training? The PSA 16″ Mid-Length 5.56 NATO rifle is a great budget option.
The biggest difference in rifle performance is the user, not the rifle. This means that having the most high tech and expensive rifle on the market means nothing if you never go out train.
So when people ask me what the best AR-15 is, I always say, the one you are most comfortable with. The PSA rifle is nothing high tech or fancy, but it is Mil-Spec rifle that just works. You can put thousands of rounds down range, which is what is most important.
Geissele Super Duty Rifle (Best High End)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Geissele-Length (mid)
Weight : 7.5 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
I recently built a rifle and used a lot of the Geissele parts. I have been very impressed with the durability and construction of their Bolt Carrier Group and the overall feel of their Lower Parts Kit.
The BCG is super easy to clean and looks brand new even after thousands of rounds thanks to their Nanoweapon coating.
The Super Duty Rifle simply has upgrade that just make sense. Nothing too fancy but it is all the little things that make this rifle special. Like the Maritime Bolt Catch, not a major detail, but just nice to have.
This whole rifle was constructed with that mentality. Making the overall experience easier to operate, enhancing durability, and increasing reliability.
Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II (Best Budget Alternative)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 6.25 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK Magpul
My Take
The M&P15 Sport II is another budget option for an option that just works.
The best thing that can be said about the M&P15 Sport II is that it incredibly boring. Nothing fancy, no major malfunctions, nothing flashy, it just works. It is really the definition of Mil-Spec.
This is not a bad thing, especially if you are looking for a budget option that is as reliable as it gets.
The biggest flaw of this gun, in my opinion, is the handguard. I am a fan of M-LOK free floating handguards because of heat venting, comfortable grip, and solid fitting accessories.
This rifle does have the option for the M-LOK Magpul handguard, but personally I don’t like the aesthetic of the polymer construction.
Aero Precision M4E1 .223 Wylde (Best Starting Point)
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Carbine or Mid-Length
Weight : 7.5 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Aero Precision has definitely made a name for themselves for anyone building an AR-15 from parts. Thier stripped lower is one of the most popular stripped lowers on the market.
The reason they are so popular is because the precision in which they manufacture their parts. They fit clean. Not only that, but they are also incredibly affordable.
If you are looking to do a lot of customization and replace pieces over time, pick a rifle manufacturer that is known for playing well with other parts.
Radian Model 1
Specs
Caliber : .223 WYLDE or .300 BLK
Gas System : Carbine or Mid-Length
Weight : 6.0 – 8.0 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Being completely honest, I have never shot this rifle; however, I do own a lot of Radian parts. Everything that I have from Radian is top of the line.
I am also really impressed with the .223 WYLDE chambering. I have that on my latest build and it has been more accurate than any other 5.56 rifle I have shot.
This rife is a little more expensive, and a lot of what you are paying for is the design and manufacturing. This rife, has it’s own distinct style.
Personally I am a huge fan of the way this rifle looks and if construction is anything like the other Radian products I own, I would be very happy with this rifle.
Sig Sauer M400 SDI XSERIES
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 7.0 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Another great rid range option. Sig Sauer does not change the original design of the AR-15 in any major ways, and aesthetically looks like a very basic rifle.
I will say the biggest upgrade to this rifle when compared to a budget option is the trigger.
A standard Mil-Spec trigger has a lot of movement and does not have a very clean break. Sig Sauer is known for having a very predictable breaking trigger, and that is true with this rifle.
Springfield Armory Saint
Specs
Caliber : 5.56 NATO
Gas System : Mid-Length
Weight : 6.9 lbs
Mounting System : M-LOK
My Take
Aesthetically not my favorite rifle, but that is a personal decision. I don’t like the look of the handguard; however, to be fair they use a BCM handguard.
One thing that the Springfield Armory focus on creating tight fitting seal between the upper and lower receiver. They do this through their Accu-tite™ Tension system. This is a really nice touch and just goes to show the attention to detail that Springfield Armory gives each of it’s products.
What is the best AR-15?
The best AR-15 is the one you are most comfortable with. The best AR-15 is the one you have the most practice with. It doesn’t matter if it is a budget rifle or the most Gucci Gun on the market.
Some rifles may be smoother and have tighter fits. Some rifles will perform better at distance, but the most important factor in all this is you.
