2022 is another banner year for American gun owners who choose to use an AR-15, as the AR-15 continues to be a best-seller, with new models and new variants popping all the time. Credit for this goes to the almost unlimited flexibility of the platform. An almost limitless selection of barrel lengths and calibers are out there now, and your choices in aftermarket add-ons like stocks and hand guards is limited only by your imagination and your budget.
Alexander Arms | Advanced Weapons System Urban Camo Rifle
Chambered in the big-bore .50 Beowulf, the Advanced Weapons System rifle is built around a mid-length gas system and features select Magpul furniture, a Velocity trigger, a 1:20-inch, 16-inch barrel that boasts a 5/8x24 tpi muzzle and an included thread protector.
▶ Custom three-coat urban camouflage Cerakote finish
▶ Midwest Industries’ MG4M handguard
▶ Enhanced trigger guard
▶ A3 upper receiver
Specifications
Caliber: .50 Beowulf
Magazine Capacity: 7 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 31.375 to 35 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
MSRP: $2,349.95 (540) 443-9250 alexanderarms.com
Alexander Arms | GDMR Arid Desert Rifle
Alexander Arms’ GDMR Rifle offers a good example of the AR platform’s versatility without unwanted bulk. Its 18-inch company-branded LAR barrel and handguard provide welcome accuracy and stability, while the EXP buttstock offers ample length-of-pull adjustment.
▶ A2 Flash hider
▶ Velocity trigger
▶ Ergo grip
▶ Fluted barrel
Specifications
Caliber: 6.5 Grendel
Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 18 inches
Overall Length: 35.125 to 37 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $2,379.95
(540) 443-9250 alexanderarms.com
Bushmaster | 450 Bushmaster
Harnessing the ability of the AR-15 platform to include big-bore cartridges, the 450 Bushmaster has been designed to tame the recoil of even this oversize round, while keeping weight relatively trim.
▶ Snake Charmer muzzle brake
▶ A2 stock
▶ Freefloat handguard
▶ Optics-ready
Specifications
Caliber: .450 Bushmaster
Magazine Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel Length: 20 inches
Overall Length: 40 inches
Weight: 7 pounds, 1 ounce
MSRP: $1,329.99
(800) 883-6229 bushmaster.com
Bushmaster | Bravo Zulu
With pistol grip, stock and magazine provided by Thril Polymer, the Bravo Zulu (shorthand for “job well done”) offers reliable, ergonomic components such as a two-stage trigger and salt-bath-nitrided bolt-carrier group.
▶ DM2S two-stage trigger
▶ Mid-length gas system
▶ 14-inch handguard
▶ MPI-tested bolt
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 36.5 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 3 ounces
MSRP: $1,159.99
(800) 883-6229 bushmaster.com
CMMG | Endeavor Mk3
Redesigned for 2022, the Endeavor line was built with long-range precision in mind. Controls and most of the furniture are from CMMG’s Zeroed line, as is the effective muzzle brake. The Endeavor is also available in 5.56 NATO and 6.5 Creedmoor.
▶ Magpul MOE stock
▶ Ambidextrous safety
▶ Extended bolt catch
▶ EML 15 M-Lok handguard
Specifications
Caliber: .308 Win.
Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
Barrel Length: 24 inches
Overall Length: 45.2 inches
Weight: 10 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP: $2,049.95
(660) 248-2293 cmmg.com
CMMG | Resolute Mk47
CMMG also redesigned its Resolute line for 2022, with 11 chambering options from .22 LR to 7.62x39 mm. Instead of a full-length rail atop the handguard, the new version includes a rail section where an aftermarket front sight could mount and M-Lok sections on all cardinal sides.
▶ Magpul PMag magazine
▶ Zeroed muzzle brake
▶ Ambidextrous safety
▶ CMMG Ripstock
Specifications
Caliber: 7.62x39 mm
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 33 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $1,899.95
(660) 248-2293 cmmg.com
Cobalt Kinetics | Pro Series
Focused on accuracy, operation, recoil mitigation and ambidextrous capability, Cobalt Kinetics refined the Pro Series to excel in those areas. Attention to detail and tight tolerances keep the Pro Series performing at a high level in any conditions.
▶ Cobalt RCB muzzle device
▶ Radian Raptor LT charging handle
▶ B5 Systems pistol grip
▶ Geissele G2S trigger
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 33.25 to 36.75 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 10 ounces
MSRP: $2,450
(435) 656-0599 Cobaltkinetics.com
Daniel Defense | DD4 R III
The new DD4 RIII is a lighter, fully ambidextrous version of the company’s popular DDM4. It offers flexibility for lefties as well as righties and its mid-length gas system assures smooth, reliable functioning with reduced felt recoil.
▶ Chrome-lined barrel
▶ Fully ambidextrous lower
▶ 12.5-inch RIS III rail
▶ Flash suppressor
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 32.25 to 35.875 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 8 ounces
MSRP: $2,278
(866) 554-8967 danieldefense.com
Daniel Defense | M4A1 RIII
A no-nonsense AR platform, the M4A1 RIII now incorporates an ambidextrous lower and the new RIS III rail system which reduces weight by using M-Lok attachment rather than rail sections. The welded muzzle device attached to the barrel brings the tube’s overall length up to an NFA-compliant 16 inches.
▶ Welded flash hider
▶ Fully ambidextrous lower
▶ Chrome-lined, phosphate-coated barrel
▶ 12.5-inch RIS III rail
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 14.5 inches, plus welded flash hider
Overall Length: 31.5 to 34.75 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 6 ounces
MSRP: $2,278
(866) 554-8967 danieldefense.com
Diamondback | DB15DSB
A CMC trigger, Magpul furniture and magazine and a 15-inch freefloat, M-Lok-compatible handguard comprise just some of the upgraded components of Diamondback Firearms’ new AR-15-style rifle.
▶ Anti-rotation rail
▶ QD mounts
▶ Magpul ACS-L stock
▶ Diamondback CNC muzzle brake
Specifications
Caliber 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity 30 rounds
Barrel Length 16 inches
Overall Length 34 to 37.25 inches
Weight 7 pounds, 2 ounces
MSRP $1,610
(321) 305-5995 diamondbackfirearms.com
ET Arms | Omega-15
Looking for a AR-15 with more than just the basics, but at an affordable price? The Omega-15 offers a full-length handguard, upgraded collapsible stock and more, all at an eminently reasonable price tag.
▶ Freefloat handguard
▶ Enlarged trigger guard
▶ QD mounts
▶ Flip-up sights
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 27 to 33 inches
Weight: 5 pounds, 13 ounces
MSRP: $629.95
(888) 491-3150 etarms.us
LWRCI | IC DI Competition
Ready to compete right out of the box (just add an optic), this new, direct-impingement carbine sports an enhanced, four-port muzzle brake for faster follow-up shots—a must in fast-paced, MSR-based competitions. Its spiral-fluted barrel promotes faster cooling.
▶ Timney 6675 Competition Straight Trigger
▶ Magpul MOE stock
▶ M-Lok freefloat handguard
▶ Fully ambidextrous controls
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 36 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
MSRP: $2,267.19
(410) 901-1348 lwrci.com
LWRCI | IC DI Premium Grey
The “Premium” in the name is not mere marketing jargon, as this AR sports a host of ultra-high-end features that truly live up to the name. From the Monoforge upper receiver to the modular one-piece, freefloat rail, this is an upper-echelon MSR. It is also available in .300 BLK.
▶ Keyless gas block
▶ Spiral-fluted barrel
▶ LWRCI Ultra Combat grip
▶ Angled ergonomic foregrip with hand stop
Specifications
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16.1 inches
Overall Length: 32.1 to 35.4 inches
Weight: 6 pounds, 11 ounces
MSRP: $1,882.58
(410) 901-1348 lwrci.com
Northstar Arms | NS-10
Bringing an AR-10-style rifle to the field is Northstar Arms and its NS-10, with solid construction, excellent accuracy and minigun heritage. Northstar Arms is an outgrowth of Profense, one of the M134 minigun manufacturers. Optic not included.
▶ M-Lok attachment
▶ Ambidextrous safety
▶ Full Picatinny top rail
▶ Available in 6.5 Creedmoor
Specifications
Caliber .308 Win.
Magazine Capacity 20 rounds
Barrel Length 16 inches
Overall Length 34 to 37.5 inches
Weight 7 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP $1,999
(623) 242-7660 northstararms.com
Red Arrow Weapons | RAW15 300 Blackout
Versatile and attractive, this AR wears a freefloated, Melonite-coated, 4150 Chrome-moly barrel that promises superior performance in the field. Red accents adorn the carbine, including on the CMC single-stage trigger.
▶ Pistol-length gas system
▶ Magpul CTR stock
▶ Magpul K2+ grip
▶ M-Lok fore-end
Specifications
Caliber .300 BLK
Magazine Capacity 30 rounds
Barrel Length 16 inches
Overall Length 32.5 to 36.25 inches
Weight 6 pounds, 10 ounces
MSRP $1,287
(833) 940-0068 redarrowweapons.com
Smith & Wesson | Volunteer XV
With components from B5 Systems, Magpul and BCM, the Volunteer XV is anything but entry level. Part of a family that includes optics-ready, red-dot-equipped and freefloat handguards, Smith & Wesson’s newest AR-15-type rifles have much to offer.
▶ BCM Gunfighter fore-end
▶ Flat-face trigger
▶ A2 flash hider
▶ B5 Systems grip and stock
Specifications
Caliber 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity 30 rounds
Barrel Length 16 inches
Overall Length 33 to 36.25 inches
Weight 8 pounds 13 ounces
MSRP $1,049
(800) 331-0852 smith-wesson.com
Springfield Armory | Saint Edge ATC
Springfield Armory made waves with its ATC—Accurized Tactical Chassis—system that attaches to the lower receiver, but the proof-of-concept was in the exceptional accuracy delivered by this new style rifle.
▶ B5 Systems stock
▶ Flat modular match trigger
▶ Ballistic Advantage barrel
▶ ATC Chassis lower receiver
Specifications
Caliber 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity 30 rounds
Barrel Length 18 inches
Overall Length 33.5 to 38.25 inches
Weight 9 pounds, 8 ounces
MSRP $1,549
(800) 680-6866 springfield-armory.com
