Winners at a Glance
| Image | Product | Detail | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Barrett M1017 |
| Best Price |
 | Christensen Arms Modern Precision |
| Best Price |
 | Ruger AR-556 |
| Best Price |
 | Browning X-Bolt Hell’s Canyon |
| Best Price |
 | Noreen BN36X3 |
| Best Price |
 | Browning BLR Lightweight |
| Best Price |
 | Ruger American |
| Price |
A $1000 AR-15 isn’t pushing the boat out too far, but it’s not
We all know the premium manufacturers. Knights Armament, Daniel Defense and more are waiting to take your money if you have more of it to spend. But the standard class is probably more important to the firearms world as a whole.
There’s lots of competition and this is a warzone. That’s good for you, the consumer.
Under $1000 is Fierce Battle Ground
So what
But we have found real value, some old favorites and some left field tactical rifle options.
So what is the best AR-15 under $1000?
1. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport
- Price: $669.99
- Caliber: Rifle 5.56x45mm NATO
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total: 35 inch
- Weight: 6.45lb
- Capacity: 10+1
This tactical rifle was a star in our $500 rifles category under normal circumstances. But times aren’t normal and now the entry-level Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II is much more expensive.
This S&W M&P15 Sport is a basic, simple AR-15 for home defense and recreational shooting. It isn’t the best for target shooting, but it’s good enough in this price range.
If you want an all-rounder, and you want it now, get this one before it gets even more expensive.
2. Sig Sauer M400 Tread
- Price: $849.99
- Caliber: 5.56mm NATO/223 Rem
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total Length: 32
“ - Weight: 7lb
- Capacity: 30+1
Did you know you could get a Sig AR-15 for less than $1000? Well you can and it’s brilliant.
The top rated Sig M400 is built to the company’s legendary standards and is a razor-sharp AR-15 for sale.
It isn’t the lightest in this company, but there is a feeling of quality from the muzzle brake through to the cerakote finish receivers and the typical mid length gas system and gas tube.
We like it a lot, it’s good for thousands of rounds of barrel life and we’re sure you will like it too.
3. Rock River Arms LAR-15
- Price: $933.99
- Caliber
: . 223 Rem/5.56mm NATO - Barrel: 16 inch
- Total Length: 36 inch
- Total Weight: 7.5lb
- Capacity: 30+1
- Twist Rate Barrel: 1:9
Rock River has loudly kicked ass of late with a series of pro rifles and consumer grade options for home defense.
The FBI, DEA and more have adopted Rock River Arms products in recent years and they’re sitting in gun safes around America.
This is the best seller and one of the finest rifles here.
4. Springfield Armory Saint Victor
- Price: $984.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Rifle Length: 32 inch
- Capacity: 30+1
- Weight: 6lb
- Twist Rate: 1:8
If you’re looking for a budget tactical rifle that won’t let you down, then the consumer grade Springfield Armory Saint Victor might just be the rifle you’re looking for.
The Springfield Saint Victor is a five star gun for the money and a lot of the reviews online agree with me.
There’s no military tie in here, no LEO celebrity endorsement…
It is just a really good AR-15 for about $1000. And that’s what this list of the best guns is all about.
5. Stag Arms Stag-15 Tactical
- Price: $1,099.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Weight: 7lb
This is a hugely competent M4 carbine for a steal of a price that largely slips under the radar.
You get a transferrable life time warranty, as well as an optics ready gun that most armies in the 1970s would literally have killed for.
Now this Stag Arms ST-15 is a solid consumer grade tactical AR-15 at the right price. It’s a great overall package with iron sights or red dots.
6. Colt M4 Carbine LE6920/CR6920
- Price: $967.99
- Barrel Length: 16.1 inch
- Total Length: 32.5-35.5 inch
- Weight: 6.9lb
- Capacity: 30+1
Colt’s decision to pull out of the market only makes the original Colt LE6920, or close relatives, even more desirable.
They are still readily available, is the thing, but at some point it really must be our last chance to buy a stock Colt M4 off the shelf. We’re just not sure when that point will actually come, so buy no to be safe…
You can get the classic Vietnam stock black look or any number of configurations of the LE6920 or the newer CR920. Get a grab handle, or a red dot sight on those Picatinny rails and the bird cage muzzle device on the end of the cold hammer forged barrels. And that’s just the start of the options.
There are many like her, but this is yours. So go nuts with the upgrades and be happy, even though you don’t get the full military fully automatic spec.
7. Ruger AR-556
- Price: $749.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total: 34.4 inch
- Weight: 6.5lb
Like the S&W, the best selling Ruger AR-556 used to be a cheap AR-15. Compare it to the competition, though, and this is a still a good value AR-15. That’s about as good as it gets in 2023…
This is a great rifle, possibly America’s best selling rifle in the sector for good reason.
It’s a multi-purpose rifle that covers most your home firearms needs. It’s also easy to upgrade with ready made parts kits and the built quality is great, from the upper receiver and pistol grip and stock to the flash hider and Magpul MBUs rear sight. That’s the value of a big brand modern sporting rifle.
With the Ruger AR556, you get exceptional quality control, an excellent stainless steel barrel, 6 position adjustable stock and a light weight rifle that will serve you well. Gun owners seem to love theirs anyway, which makes it one of the best rifle options here.
You can go for the Ruger AR-556 MPR with the 18 inch cold hammer forged barrel if you want a DMR type rifle with a longer barrel. You might want to get rid of the Magpul MBUS irons sights and fixed front then too and opt for something bold and precise.
8. ATI Omni Hybrid Maxx
- Price: $449.99
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO/ .223 Rem
- Barrel Length: 16 inch
- Weight: 5.65lb
This plastic AR-15 threatens to turn the industry on its head. That’s because the stock ATI Omni Hybrid Maxx is a cheap and super lightweight rifle that is so far proving reliable.
Honestly a multi-purpose rifle that weighs this much normally features on our lists for custom complete AR-15 rifles or specialist lightweight AR15 rifles. And they normally come with another zero on the end of the price tag.
You can opt for the classic black polymer hand guard, or a free float handguard and this really is a great direct impingement rifle, with plastic receivers…
Also, you can get a Vietnam style carry handle up top, if you want the best rifle that plastic can provide.
9. Anderson Manufacturing AM15
- Price: $419.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Weight: 6.3lb
The Anderson Manufacturing AM15 M4 is one of many budget AR-15s on the market.
So why is it here? Price, mainly.
Anderson Manufacturing has built its reputation on a cost effective semi-auto rifle and this one should do you proud.
It’s a good choice, right down to the Magpul MOE stock and free float handguard, even though it really is one of the crowd of basic Eugene Stoner tributes.
10. Radical Firearms RF-15
- Price: $503.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Weight: 6.7
Radical Firearms has become a mainstay in the cheap AR-15 category and is arguably the best budget gun you can buy right now.
All the basics are in place and you get a proper free float rail and M Lok handguard. We hear murmurings about things like the charging handles, but that’s an easy fix. The upper receiver, lower, barrel and furniture are all high quality and we like the mid length gas system.
Radical Firearms has generated a lot of noise with this entry level 5.56 and it more than deserves its place on this list of the best AR15s on sale.
11. Savage Arms MSR 15 Recon 2
- RRP: $873.99
- Barrel: 16.1 inch
- Total Length: 32.5-35.5 inch
- Weight: 6.5lb
- Capacity: 30+1
The best selling Savage Axis is one of the most loved low-budget rifles in the world because the barrel is so damned good.
Now Savage Arms has brought that expertise to the world of American defense with the mid tier Savage MSR 15 Recon. There is a multi-caliber Wylde chamber with a flat top, you get precision 5R rifling, a Melonite finish and decent flash hider. But not much more…
The free-floating rail and front end set-up is a set of the best red dot sights away from ready. There’s a full length Picatinny rail and an Axiom Carbine stock joins forces with a Blackhawk Knoxx AR grip amd quality buffer system. It’s all fairly solid, and light enough to shoulder with ease.
These are complete rifles, ready for the range or your gun safe for when things go bump in the night, and we love all rounders like this.
12. Palmetto State Armory PA-15
- Price: $579.99
- Caliber: 5.56mm NATO
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total Length: 33 inch
- Weight: 6.8lb
Palmetto State Armory PSA might be known for the cheaper than dirt rifle kits that give you the basic tools for a DIY AR-15 project.
But they also will sell you a complete rifle, 5.56 NATO ready, that normally comes with a ludicrous spec sheet for the money and are best sellers.
Here you get a carbine-length gas system, Chrome Moly barrel. And you get that classic polymer handguard that gives it a vaguely military look and the black Nitride finish.
You can upgrade that to a free floating handguard with M-Lok rail, natch in the PSA spares department.
13. Aero Precision M4E1 Carbine
- Price: $1,049.99
- Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total Length: 32 inch
- Weight: 6.6lb
If you’re looking for a solid direct impingement Colt M4 replica, rather than an original, for some reason, then this Aero Precision M4E1 is a pretty good start.
Or it was, as new ones are decidedly thin on the ground these days. But you can still build one.
Seriously buy an Aero Precision flat top upper receiver, lower receiver, bolt carrier group, charging handle, chrome lined stainless steel barrel, muzzle devices, low profile gas block, fixed front sight base etc.
Then build your own extremely accurate Aero Precision semi automatic rifle from scratch. Make it look like a modern star with flip up sights or a 1970s US Marine Corps special that could grace the best gun safes…
Two Wildcard Entries You May Not Have Considered…
14. Ruger Mini-14
- Price: $1,185.00
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel: 16.12 inch barrels
- Total length:
- Weight: 7.2lb
- Capacity: 20+1
Yeah, I mean we know. But the Ruger Mini-14 Tactical is awfully close to an AR and does indeed get listed with them on many an online store.
The folding ATI stock, Picatinny rails up top, box magazine, cold hammer forged barrels, dust cover and pistol grips are all the same as AR-style rifles. As is the 1:7 twist barrel, ambidextrous safety, bolt carrier group BCG, flip up rear sight, mid-length gas system and the muzzle device.
The design may differ, but in spirit they are pretty close as pro 2A advocates are fond of pointing out. And in these anti AR15 times, it might be the best choice here.
Where to Buy Ammo
We did a whole piece on the best AR-15 ammo here. But we have a few quick and dirty recommendations for you now. If you want to bulk buy ammo, then PSA, Sportsman’s Guide and Lucky Gunner are the ones we’d recommend.
With that in mind, stock up on ammo, Handgun ammo, rifle ammo, pump action shotgun ammo, a barrel, 30 rounds mags, more shotgun ammo, 9mm Luger for pistol caliber carbines, handgun parts, shotgun parts. Just about everything.
You Could Spend a Little More, Right?
Of course, you know the game by now. Start out with a simple best-selling Smith & Wesson m&p 15 Sport II in your online basket and know you have the best for the price point…
Faxon Firearms and Yankee Hill Machine could also fit in that price range too. But you can spend more on the best AR15…
Suddenly you have a high price, high spec Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pro with an 18 inch barrel and adjustable gas block for long range shooting in your hands. Maybe some top tier Bravo Company Manufacturing parts, red dots and a big bill.
Or a gas piston HK for precision shooting, or the best pistol…
Maybe the best gun from Seekins Precision, Lewis, Machine & Tool LMT, Primary Weapons Systems, Geissele Automatics, Rise Armament or Black Rain Ordnance? A BCM Recce or Wilson Combat Super Sniper that you read about in online gun reviews? It happens, you don’t need to explain it to us…
You might be looking for a shorter barrel and full length gas systems, too, although a rifle length gas system is a rarity these days. Or you might want a gas piston system rather than direct impingement, which rarely come out cheap.
What is Mil Spec?
Don’t get too excited about a mil spec single stage trigger etc, it really doesn’t mean much in the modern world. An actual mil-spec trigger is pretty gritty, basic garbage. Most commercial rifles are better, it’s that simple.
What to Find Accessories Online?
Looking for a two stage trigger? Nickel boron coated Bolt Carrier Groups? Muzzle devices? A quad rail for a weapons light, red dot sight and all the other tactical gear? Maybe a Strike Eagle scope? Yes we can help with the best AR-15 accessories and upgrades
Caliber conversion kits are also popular right now, with everything from 300 Blackout uppers through to 50Cal AR-15 uppers. Try them at your peril…
- AR Parts, upgrades and accessories, gun cleaning supplies, best red dot sights etc at Brownells.
- Primary Arms – A bolt carrier, the best red dot sights, upper receivers, just about everything.
Night Vision is Increasingly Popular Rifles Accessory
Night vision is coming down in price and you can achieve some form of night vision with a simple illuminated red dot or the new breed of digital rifle scopes & optics etc.
Have a look here:
We’re not part of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program either. They’d never have us. We are part of an affiliate program, though, and can earn money when you click the links and buy products. I mean that’s how every affiliate program works and we are not a participant in the Amazon .
Also check your local gun laws before ordering. A lot has changed since the National Firearms Act. Now skip to content.
All prices accurate at time of writing, ut they are subject to change.
How long have you worked for Ruger? Good guns but ….
Yeah it has been said before. But I still think it’s a great gun for just around the budget. We try to be a bit different and give you some guns you might not have thought of, but of course it’s up to you which one you buy!
Don’t forget the IWI Zion for less than $900.