You have a budget of $3000 to spend for a new shooter, what do you buy? They are getting into this because they wish to defend their home and shoot for enjoyment. NFA is acceptable, the CLEO will sign.
You buy two Colt 6920’s with Surefire X300’s, Mossie Tactics Mount and slings. Spend the rest of the money on ammunition and magazines. Two is one, one is none.
I’ll play.
Add an Aimpoint H-1 on an DD mount and go shoot the barrel out at training classes. 
And save up some more money for another tax stamp and a can. I’m not getting into the dogfight over what suppressor to add.
rds! aimpoint
what IG said.
I would do another shorty.
Thats me though. I would build my 12.5"
Depending on your training/background, I would listen to IG and get a couple Colts, that would be your best bet.
I don’t post too much because there are a lot more knowledgeable guys around here, but I know $3000 is a lot of money to play with. I spent about $1800 (over time) on one rifle, a T-1, mags, sling and a spare BCG. I even overpaid for the rifle since I had to get it after Obama took office.
IraqGunz has perfect advice. Two standard Colts or BCMs will probably be a little over 2K when all is said and done with some mags and slings. Pay for a class and a case or two of ammo. Boom, you now have an extremely solid foundation.
I would concur with IG except I would personally prefer a pair of BCM LW middies. I’d also suggest saving a bit of that $3k to buy optics and useful accessories after the shooter gains enough experience to decide what they need and want. I would also see about including carry case, range bag, good eye & ear protection and maybe a shooting mat in the budget. Enough tools to perform simple maintenance and repairs. For carbine classes I’d guess gloves and knee & elbow pads as well.
2nd option- Instead of a second rifle, get the proper spare parts and get good coaching & training
BCM EAG Tactical model, perfect setup IMO. Spend the 1k left over on ~2700rds XM193 and Froglube. Or a little less than 6k rds of Wolf and FL.
ETA maybe an optic if you don’t already have one.
I agree on the two is one and one is none philosophy but I think for a new shooter, maybe starting with one is alright.
Honestly, if I were starting out today, I would buy a stock Colt 6920, a sling (or just use the one in box), a thousand rounds of ammo, and sign up for a reputable two (or 3) day class. That is all (other than range equipment and cleaning supplies).
Doing it this way, you’re down about $1600 and add about $300 for a hotel room and travel expenses. So at under $2000, you get a solid rifle but more importantly, you gain invaluable information from the basic class. You will know how to run the gun, break it down and properly clean and lube it. And you will have a better understanding as to which accessories are worth the investment. You’ll also get to play around with other guys rifles if you ask first.
I also think it is a good idea to run irons the first time. I’m not anal retentive about it and circumstances vary, but for a new shooter, waiting will also give you a chance to see other optics in person before committing.
Eventually you will invest in a rail, light, better sling, and an optic.
I don’t mean to sound like a dogmatic “training first” type but given the budget and intended purpose, I think this is a good way to go.
Just my $.02.
Note: If there is an existing threat to your friends, the situation is different. Light and optic become important immediately. Need the light to id threat and optics are much quicker and natural for a beginner to learn and use.
Edit to add: I say nothing about buying spare parts because this is a beginner. Instructors who teach beginning level classes should be able to make basic repairs on student guns or at least have a couple of loaners around. I know this is somewhat controversial but I believe that, at that level, it is the instructors responsibility to do so and to provide proper instruction on breakdown, cleaning, and to discuss a spare part list. After that, it is squarely the student’s responsibility.
IMHO, IG gave the best two gun solution and JC gave the best one gun solution. You really can’t do much better than the advice that they offered.
ETA: If that were my budget and did not include training or ammo, I would have a 6933 with C4 FSP Rail, T1, SF Mini Scout and a BFG sling.
This is my recommendation also.
Next Generation Arms X8, once it’s available. This rifle has all the features I’d want and more. Cutting-edge stuff.
Colt 6933, Aimpoint H1/T1, TLR-1, and BFF sling. Spend the rest on ammo and training. Down the road pick up a can.
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Though it’s not my preference for exact components: BCM EAG Carbine, Aimpoint PRO, 6 PMags, BFG VCAS QD Padded Sling, spend the balance on brass 55gr FMJ.
If the carbine is intended to fill that budget completely and have other cash to spend on magazine, ammunition, and training, then that opens it up some more.
Colt 6933 w/ Centurion C4 Cutout Rail
Colt 6720 w/ Cenurion or DD OmegaX FSP Rail
Aimpoint H-1 on LT660
Surefire X300 (or VTAC L4 3V on a GearSector, IWC, 03DG, DG mount)
BFG VCAS QDP
MagPul CTR or VLTOR IMOD Stock
I still think bang for buck, sticking with a lighter 16" carbine, or a 14.X" with permed battlecomp or A2(X) FH provides the most flexibility, and ease of taking advantage if an out of state training opportunity arises.
The prices on these are going to come in a bit low - as simple as it is to say ‘buy something simple and train first’, having a longer handguard can simplify training early, and having a correct and intelligently set up flashlight and sling system, not to mention how much more improvement can be made running an RDS, a setup like these I consider worth the extra cash up front because you’re getting more for your training buck with a well rounded carbine to start with.
Guess it wasn’t that good if it got deleted.
:jester:
$3k gets ate up quick.
prices include shipping & transfers where needed.
$3000
-$1150[b] Colt 6720[/b] (I’ve heard Clyde’s will change out the rear sight for a carryhandle)
$1850
-$573 XM193 2K rounds
$1277
-$147 Mapul Pmag x10
$1130
-$48 BFG Victory Sling
-$20 IWC Sling Mount
$1062
-$600 Training Class
-$400 Travel Expenses for Training Class
$62 to spend on a couple of magazine pouches for class
Inevitably someone is going to give me shit about not having a light. If a guy can get through all of that, he has time to save another $100 for a light & mount. Or $200. and yes I agree that our home-invasion-repellent needs a light. but it’s not a tool until you know how to use it, and without training you don’t know how to use it.
and, just because I’m a contrarian, I wouldn’t do ANY of the above if I didn’t already have a handgun, holster, magazine pouch, quality holster(s), and the same quantity of ammo, mags, and training. And I’d probably have enough money to get a light right out of the gate so the internet wouldn’t make fun of me.
$3000
-$550 Glock 19
-$300 Glock 17 magazines x10
-$462 American Eagle 9mm 124 x2k
-$175 Raven Concealment x2 (one IWB, one OWB or one with light, one without)
-$65 Jones Tactical belt
-$100 Ready Tactical mag pouch x4 (training, carry, competition, spares)
$1348
that will leave you $1k for the class and travel to it, and enough left over for an X300 (the only pistol light there is)
Now you’re ready not only to protect your home and family but also to protect yourself and your family when you’re out at the movies, at church, at the grocery store, etc.
What is your affiliation with this company? You post about them almost every time.
Even NGA will tell you this isn’t intended as the carbine for the new shooter.
You would spread the wealth around, and buy a Noveske for your poorer friends in Pittsburgh. :jester:
If you’re all set on carbines, I think I’d go the SBR route. $3k after setting up a trust, $3k oughta about cover it!
Here’s What I would do with $3000 if I didn’t have an AR:
$1100 Colt 6720/6920 or equivalent (DD, BCM, etc 16" Carbine)
$250 Daniel Defense MFR Rail
$600 Aimpoint Micro w/Larue or ADM mount
$180 Surefire 6PX w/ VLTOR offset mount
$100 VCAS Sling w/QD sockets and QD sling mounts
$500 Dillon 550B w/ dies for 5.56
$268 worth of reloading components
$3000 total