Modern sporting rifles have gained popularity over the past several years. If you’re new to shooting and looking for a rifle, AR-15s make a great beginner platform. An AR-15, contrary to what many uneducated in the field of firearms believe, is not an “assault rifle.” The AR stands for “ArmaLite Rifle,” after the company that originally developed the gun in 1956 and later sold the rights to Colt.
Because of their popularity, AR-15s are manufactured by many different companies. As they all function similarly, there is no one “best” beginner AR-15. But they are available at a variety of price points with varying features, making them a great choice for a beginner at any budget. AR-15 rifles are also highly customizable, so if you start out with what seems to be a beginner AR-15, you can easily add, change, or upgrade the rifle as you progress in your shooting. I like to think of them as the Legos of the gun world.
Below are some of our favorite beginner AR-15 rifles. Although they’re all similar, manufacturing differences and additional options make each unique in their own way. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these ARs.
