please help the noob

[rodder]

so I've been wanting a black rifle of some sort for a while now and had planned on going the cheapest route possible by buying parts and building a custom rifle. Well, I just found out a friend of mine is owed cash by a former boss and the boss doesn't have any cash... but he does have a bushmaster AR15. So my friend will most likely end up with the AR as payment and he wants to get rid of it. He is offering it to me for $700, payable over time and he will give me the rifle as soon as he gets it since he has no place to shoot it or store it and is too broke to buy ammo for it.

I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the $700 and I know virtually nothing about ARs. All I know is it's a lightly used, good condition, bone stock bushmaster .223/5.56 AR15 with a standard, non-telescoping stock. I don't know the exact model, sights, mags or barrel length. I have not seen the rifle yet.

What I want to know is what to look for to help me decide if I should take it or not. Thanks!

[scalce]

First I would read up on AR basics.

The Maryland AR site is pretty good.

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite

Go to Bushmaster's site and checkout pricing for their models.

Another good site for pricing is http://www.impactguns.com/store/bushmaster.html

$700 is an OK price for an A2/A3 20" Bushie with a fixed stock but not a spectacular deal.

If it is a varmint upper then $700 is a good price.

Personally I think an A2 version limits your options down the road for optics because of the non-removable handle but that is only my preference.

[rodder]

Originally Posted by scalce

First I would read up on AR basics.

The Maryland AR site is pretty good.

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite

Go to Bushmaster's site and checkout pricing for their models.

Another good site for pricing is http://www.impactguns.com/store/bushmaster.html

$700 is an OK price for an A2/A3 20" Bushie with a fixed stock but not a spectacular deal.

If it is a varmint upper then $700 is a good price.

Personally I think an A2 version limits your options down the road for optics because of the non-removable handle but that is only my preference.

thanks for the links I've already learned a lot.

I couldn't find how to tell if it's a varmint upper though. Is a varmint upper a flat top?

[PackerfanXD]

A varmint upper usually has no front sight post (for optics) and has a bull barrel. I believe all varmints are flattops but not the other way around.

[T.J.]

Originally Posted by scalce

First I would read up on AR basics.

The Maryland AR site is pretty good.

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite

Go to Bushmaster's site and checkout pricing for their models.

Another good site for pricing is http://www.impactguns.com/store/bushmaster.html

$700 is an OK price for an A2/A3 20" Bushie with a fixed stock but not a spectacular deal.

If it is a varmint upper then $700 is a good price.

Personally I think an A2 version limits your options down the road for optics because of the non-removable handle but that is only my preference.

yeah but you shouldn't let that hinder your decision as that is a relatively easy and cheap fix a good A3 upper can be had for around $100 or less. and isnt really that hard to change out.

so long as the rifle isnt beat to hell $700 should be considered a Fair price especially if he is willing to let you pay it out interest free.

no matter the configuration you can always change out piece by piece for what you want and sell the extra parts to help pay for it or even better yet you could save them until you have enough parts to build a second rifle. i

i would definitely have the rifle looked over buy a gunsmith before making any deal on it or at least test fire it to be sure its functional. most ranges should have a gun smith on hand that can look at the barrel