ArmaLite is the name behind the original AR design, and the Eagle M15 carries that heritage into a general-purpose rifle. It fires 5.56 NATO from a 30-round magazine and has a 16 inch barrel with a black finish.

A 16 inch barrel is the standard carbine length: handy, quick and accurate. It makes a good rifle for hog control, coyote hunting and range days. The M15 is a no-frills AR, so you can build it up with optics, a light or a sling to fit your own use. Spend an afternoon at the range before the season so you know exactly where it shoots.

For a first AR, a model like this keeps things simple. 5.56 ammunition is plentiful, parts are easy to find and the rifle is easy to clean. Recoil is mild, so new shooters can run it all afternoon with little fatigue.

North Carolina allows ARs for many hunting purposes, but rules vary by county and species, so check before you head to the woods. Keep spare magazines handy, and train with a sling. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer, where the background check takes place at pickup.