The AR-15 is America’s favorite firearm for a reason, but sometimes, the prices can get a little out of hand. So, I searched high and low to find the best cheap AR-15.
To determine the ARs that made the list, I looked at:
Don’t let the price tag fool you; just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean they’re crappy rifles. Purchasing multiple cheap AR-15s allowed my love for this rifle to flourish and continues to this day.
Anderson Manufacturing AR-15s are the best cheap AR-15s you’ll find because they’re reasonably priced, give shooters an excellent foundation from which to build the perfect rifle, are dependable, and will last you many years.
Over a decade ago, I “built” (more like pieced the puzzle together) my first AR-15, an Anderson Manufacturing kit. It was simple to put together, especially with a bit of guidance from a buddy, and the price was spot-on for a college kid.
I love it because I didn’t spend a ridiculous amount on any of the kits I bought (yes, I purchased multiple), which meant I had room in the budget for aftermarket parts and accessories, like a binary trigger and a suppressor.
I like the SilencerCo Omega 300 DTM because it’s adaptable, versatile, durable, and lightweight. Whether you get a 5.56 or .300 BLK AR, this suppressor will work for you. If you don’t mind spending double the amount you did for the AR-15 on a suppressor, the SilencerCo Omega 36M is an excellent option for multiple calibers and long-distance shooting.
Silencer Shop makes getting suppressors easy and you can buy these two suppressors from the links below.
Even if you want a plain-jane AR-15, these guns have plenty of options and features to get what you want and need without breaking the bank.
While I had a few failures to fire while breaking it in, it’s been dependable and fun to shoot since. The one problem I seem to keep having is that one of the pins that hold the trigger assembly in place will slip out if I forget about it and don’t check it every few magazines. I haven’t had any parts break, so this minor inconvenience isn’t a big deal.
I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another Anderson Manufacturing AR-15, which is why it’s the best cheap AR-15 I’ve found.
The Palmetto State Armory AR-15 comes in at a very close second, as it’s inexpensive, dependable, high-quality, and offers shooters solid features.
I helped my brother assemble his PSA AR-15 kit a few years ago and was very impressed with the quality and how little he paid for it. Everything went together smoothly, and he continues to love it. In fact, I just asked him yesterday if he’d recommend getting another PSA AR (I’m considering a 9mm AR pistol), and he said he has already purchased a used one from a buddy!
He’s found it very dependable when he pulls the trigger; it goes bang with no problems, and as long as he’s feeding it decent ammo, it has minimal failure to fire or problems ejecting spent brass.
The low price also meant he didn’t have to beg his wife for more allowance to purchase a few accessories to give it that custom feel without the custom gun price tag.
When I finally decide to buy another one, Palmetto State Armory AR-15s will be at the top of my list, and they should be near the top of your list, too!
The ATI Mil-Sport AR-15 is tough to argue with, considering it’s one of the cheapest AR-15s (5.56x45mm) I’ve ever seen. Yes, it’s just your basic AR, but it leaves plenty of room in the budget to get the add-ons you want to make this rifle truly unique.
The 13” M-LOK handguard gives you plenty of room to add a flashlight, sights, or any other accessory you’d like to easily install on your new rifle.
I love that this gun is 100% made in the USA; you’re not getting a crappy foreign-made knock-off. You’re receiving a firearm your South Carolina neighbor had a hand in making and assembling. I’m proud to support products made in the US, especially at competitive prices.
The biggest drawback, in my opinion, is the look of the 6-position stock. It just looks a little cheap, but for the price, it’s tough to complain about it looking cheap, as it’s easy and inexpensive to get an aftermarket stock.
Despite this minor drawback, it’s still an excellent cheap AR-15 that will fit into nearly any budget.
The Windham Weaponry AR-15 is slightly more expensive than the others that made my list of cheapest AR-15s, but it looks eerily similar to my Anderson Manufacturing AR, and it’s still in that price range.
It doesn’t come with sights, so you get to pick the optics you like best, which I like better than having crappy iron sights pre-installed, but it also means you don’t have anything to fall back on if your aftermarket optics break.
Just like my Anderson Manufacturing AR, the Windham Weaponry 5.56/.223 Superlight SRC can safely fire 5.56mm or .223 Remington ammo.
My biggest complaint is the lack of customizability, but that’s also me being a little nit-picky because there are still several ways to make this rifle stand out from other ARs.
Overall, the Windham Weaponry AR-15 is a solid choice for any semi-automatic rifle shooter on a tight budget.
No matter why you’re looking for the best cheap AR-15, you’ll love the options above for years to come.
I’ve owned multiple of the ARs I mentioned, customized them, and had the pleasure of taking them to the range. These rifles are perfect for dipping your toe into the gun world or adding to your extensive collection.
TFB is proud to partner with Silencer Shop as our preferred vendor for all of your NFA needs. Whether you are searching for a new suppressor, SBR, or trust, Silencer Shop is here to provide a seamless and fast service for your next NFA purchase. Head over to www.silencershop.com to begin your NFA journey.
