The only comments I have as someone with no experience with THIS rifle are;

* FN should know how to make this rifle work and last!

* Not really a bad price for a good AR (wasn't long ago a budget AR was still around a grand).

* Like a lot of things, you get what you pay for...my budget AR let me down at the range just the other day (gas key came loose).

 

Seems like a long time ago when a budget AR was $1,000...

 

ARs are so modular and easy to assemble, with just a few inexpensive specialty tools, that any idjit can do it (and many do), but you're probably not going to really save much money unless you use cheap parts and home builds have about zero value if you ever want to sell it off for some reason. If for some reason your Windham MPC isn't your jam anymore and you really like the FN as it is, I'd say get the FN. Yes, you're paying a premium just for the FN name, but you'll have what you want and if/when you sell it it will still have some value due to brand recognition (as long as you don't go swapping out a bunch of parts).

 

Sounds like it checks all the boxes. ARs are fun to build and all (you sure learn a lot along the way), but if you don’t want to build one, that FN would be a good choice. Just add your favorite sights/optic and have a ball.

Like 45caldan stated, they ought to know what they’re doing-they’ve built millions of them.

 

I'm kind of picky on parts and prefer to build my own but if that checks all your boxes, go for it.

 

I have zero experience with that particular model. I have, however, worked on many, many FN-manufactured M16A2s and M4s (and M249s and 240s). FN knows how to build guns; their stuff holds up as well as most and better than some. If I were in the market and saw that rifle offered at an attractive price, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it fit my needs. Can you assemble (not build) a less expensive AR-15? Certainly; the market is full of NBS (Non Brand Specific) parts (many from China) that would allow you to do so. Does less expensive equal better? Probably not; not unless you get into an estate sale for a bunch of tier 1 parts from Daniel Defense, Noveske, Knight's Armament, etc. However, hanging a bunch of top drawer parts onto a DIY rifle doesn't mean that it will run right. ARs are not difficult to assemble; the military has been training teenagers how to do it with nothing but basic hand tools for decades. Personally, I would recommend buying your first AR-15; it probably won't be your last. Learn how to assemble them on the subsequent ones.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this gun? It looks nice. I've only got one AR currently, and I'm trying to step up to a mid-tier AR. The BCM 16" RECCE (my first choice) is not in stock ANYWHERE I look; at least, not in the mlok versions that I want. Plenty of keymod though. So I found this FN and it looks good. My Windham Weaponry MPC can be a backup.

FN 15® TAC3 Duty | FN® Firearms

I'm seeing street prices around $1,500. I really like this thing, and I don't really want to build an AR....I'm dumb as hell when it comes to this platform. This would be for home defense and Security work, with lots of range time. And it looks like it's already set up the way I want it.

Or....should I just bite the bullet and build one? I really don't want to. But would it be cheaper as well?

Thoughts?

I'm also not much of an AR guy but was looking to pick something up.

The RECCE 16 and TAC3 have been at the top of my list for a balance of quality and price.

I've been leaning toward the FN but reviews and feedback are few and far between.

The Duty is the all black model with M-Lok and QD points. The regular TAC3s have color options, fewer M-Lok slots, and no QD points at a higher price point.

The two cerekoted models are running about $1500.

If you're fine with black and don't mind going with a random budget seller from gun.deals, you can get one for mid to high $1300s depending on which hand guard you prefer (standard Tac3 or Tac3 Duty).

And, OP, if you want to buy 2 and give one to me as a 4th of a July gift, FYI - I do accept gifts from strangers.

 

I'm also not much of an AR guy but was looking to pick something up.

The RECCE 16 and TAC3 have been at the top of my list for a balance of quality and price.

I've been leaning toward the FN but reviews and feedback are few and far between.

The Duty is the all black model with M-Lok and QD points. The regular TAC3s have color options, fewer M-Lok slots, and no QD points at a higher price point.

The two cerekoted models are running about $1500.

If you're fine with black and don't mind going with a random budget seller from gun.deals, you can get one for mid to high $1300s depending on which hand guard you prefer (standard Tac3 or Tac3 Duty).

View attachment 1305985

And, OP, if you want to buy 2 and give one to me as a 4th of a July gift, FYI - I do accept gifts from strangers.

Thanks! Yeah, I saw that budget seller after I posted this thread. Honestly, not a bad deal. I've got it and a new Glock 45 in the cart on their website, and it's $1,800-ish. Seriously considering that.

And LOL, if only my budget allowed for two!

 

It looks like just about every other AR and it's not heavy with the weight listed, but it's not exactly a lightweight rifle either so I'm not seeing the allure when there are many other rifles for less money that do the same job.

 

It looks like just about every other AR ... I'm not seeing the allure when there are many other rifles for less money that do the same job.

Can you elaborate for the AR rookies in the crowd?

I get that in one sense any AR will do the job of sending 5.56 rounds down range. A $450 Anderson or PSA sale rifle will do that job.

But most of the parts and components are a lower grade, aren't they? Even FN has a lower tier in their Guardian model. $750 for a cheaper barrel, cheaper stock, no forward assist, etc. But you definitely get a more budget grade gun.

Can you recommend other rifles with the same quality components as the BCM RECCE or the FN Tac3 Duty and the same positive reputation as those companies that are noticably cheaper than $1350-1500 for an equivalent rifle?

 

Decisions, decisions. But at least you have a decision you can make.

Kids in college & recent home repairs leave me with no options short of selling something I already have.

 

I hear you. I just sold a Beretta 92FS this weekend, and I'm still trying to offload two more guns.

 

I also saw this from last last year in the "related threads":

https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/fn-tac-3-tac-3-duty-or-noveske-chainsaw.1992112/

Not a lot of commentary there although @MarkCO mentioned that FN uses the weaker aluminum option for their receivers.

The FN website doesn't specify what they use beyond saying "MIL-SPEC".

 

It seems that most ARs are either cheaper or more expensive than the $1400-1500 range of the TAC3.

I've seen several occasions where folks say, "Just get a [fill in the blank]" but don't mention that their recommended rifle costs $400-500 more.

The SIG M400 SDI X Series looks to be in a similar price point to the TAC3 but I don't know if the components are on par or what kind of aluminum they use either. (And the review at TFB, while positive, didn't impress in terms of accuracy).


Come on AR-gurus, what are the best $1400+/- options?

 

Come on AR-gurus, what are the best $1400+/- options?

Stag 15 | StagArms

Stag Arms has specialized in the development of AR15 rifles since it was first founded in 2003.

www.stagarms.com

 

You said it's for home defense and "security work"? Assuming there's security companies toting AR's (Might be, I don't know), are they letting you tote a personal AR? Any restrictions in place?

We were able to carry personal AR's on duty, but they had to be "major manufacturer", approved by an agency armorer, and you had to qualify with irons before dots.