Argentina's Bersa made its name with affordable pistols, and the BAR15 is the company's step into the AR-15 world. It is a black 5.56 NATO rifle in the familiar AR configuration.

The AR-15 pattern is popular because parts and accessories are everywhere. Stocks, optics, handguards, and magazines from other makers are easy to find, so you can set the rifle up the way you like. Practice from a rest and from field positions so your first shot in the woods is not your first shot with the rifle.

For North Carolina hunters, a 5.56 rifle suits coyotes, hogs where legal, and varmints. It is not an ideal deer cartridge, and many hunters prefer something larger, so know your regulations before heading out.

The rifle also works for target shooting and home defense. It is a good first AR if you want something a little different from the standard names.

Learn the controls, clean it after range days, and keep the bore dry before storage.

New. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer you choose, where the background check happens at pickup.