The plain black AR-15 is the most useful rifle on many shelves, and the Stag-15 is a good example. It is a semi-auto in 5.56 NATO with a 16-inch barrel and a 30-round magazine, for around twelve hundred eighty dollars. Stag Arms is a Connecticut company that has been building ARs for a long time.

A 16-inch barrel is the standard length for civilian ARs. It balances handling and velocity, and it works for home defense, range days and hog or coyote hunting where rules allow. The 5.56 NATO chamber also accepts.223 Remington, so you can shoot either cartridge with the right care.

You can set up this rifle many ways. Add a red dot, a light and a sling, and you have a general-purpose rifle. Parts are widely available, so you can swap furniture and triggers as you learn what you like. Clean it after range days and lubricate the bolt carrier.

Check state and local rules for magazine and accessory features before you build it out. The base rifle is simple and sturdy. This rifle is new. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer of your choice for the background check and transfer.