Seller’s Guide: What’s The Value Of An AR15?

Published January 1, 2025 | Updated: December 31, 2024
Category: AR-15, Cash For Guns, Cash For Rifles, How to Sell a Gun, Quick Sell a Gun, Sell Rifles, Sell Your Gun, Sell Your Guns

What’s The Value Of An AR15?

The average value of common AR15 brands—from el cheapo brand guns to uber expensive brand ARs—can range from $350 to $2,400. There is a wide range in market value of AR15 rifles since there are so many manufacturers and so many AR15 on the new and used market. Factors influencing an AR15’s value not only include the brand that produced the rifle, but the condition, barrel length, caliber, and accessories. Another factor in determining the value of an AR15 is the market demand and pending legal regulations. Many times gun-restrictive political and social factors influence the value of the AR15, causing an urge in demand and artificially increasing an AR’s value. AR15s often fluctuate in value based on current events and legislative changes. Our team at Dunlap Gun Buyers has extensive experience with all makes and models of AR15s.

AR15 Manufacturer Tier List

Not all AR15 are made the same. They may be all mil-spec, which just means the gun is made is within specifications to the military contract. AR15 brands can be ranked in tiers: Top, Mid, and Bottom. Tier level not only indicates the value of the AR15, but the the quality of the build. What follows is the AR15 Manufacturer tier list. This list does not include all the AR15 manufacturers, but it provides tiered ranking for most of the most popular AR15 brands.

Top Tier AR15 Brands

Top tier AR15 brand include:

  • Barrett
  • Daniel Defense
  • Heckler & Koch (HK)
  • Knights Armament Company (KAC)
  • Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT)
  • LaRue

The value of Top Tier AR15s differs by brand, but the average value for a Daniel Defense DDM4 is about $1,200. An LMT Defender is more at $1,275, while a Knights Armament AR15 has a kingly value of $2,400. Top tier AR15 manufacturers typical have government contracts with special forces units all over the world. These AR15s are the best of the best. Contact our team at Dunlap Gun Buyers we have extensive experience with all makes and models of AR15s.

Mid Tier AR15 Brands

Mid Tier AR15 brands include many well known firearm manufacturers and are used by law enforcement and military forces around the world. These AR15s offer excellence performance and quality, and they hold their value better than Low Tier AR15. This is a short list of Mid Tier AR15 brands:

  • Aero Precision
  • American Defense Manufacturing
  • BCM
  • Colt
  • Geissele Automatics
  • Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FN)
  • Faxon Firearms
  • New Frontier Armory
  • Seekins Precision
  • SIG Sauer
  • Sons of Liberty Gun Works
  • Springfield Armory
  • Ruger
  • Wilson Combat

The value of Mid Tier AR15s range in average market value from $500 to $850, depending on the brand. Brands like BCM and SIG Sauer have a higher average value than Ruger or Springfield Armory. For example a BCM AR15 has an average market value of $830 compared to a Ruger Model AR-556 which has an average market value of $500. While a Sig Tread M400 has an average market value of $730 and Springfield Saint Victor has an average value of $800. Contact us to find out how much your AR15 is worth.

Bottom Tier AR15 Brands

Bottom Tier AR15 manufacturers build guns for the budget conscience user. These are serviceable AR15 at an affordable price. Here is a list of Bottom Tier AR15 brands:

  • Anderson Manufacturing
  • Bear Creek Arsenal
  • Bushmaster Firearms
  • Davidson Defense
  • Del-Ton
  • Palmetto State Armory (PSA)
  • Juggernaut Tactical
  • Rock River Arms
  • Spike’s Tactical
  • Smith & Wesson
  • Stag Arms
  • Unbranded AR

Nearly all Bottom Tier AR15 sell for new at around $400. Do not expect the average value of any Bottom Tier AR15 to be close to the purchase price. The fact is there are so many Bottom Tier AR15s being produced, and in many cases sold new at discount prices. Examples of the average value of Bottom Tier AR15 includes the PSA PA-15 for about $350. A Bear Creek Arsenal BCA-15 can have an average value of $360, while an Anderson AM-15 typically has an average value of $375. Bottom Tier AR15s that hold their value better is the Diamondback DB-15 and the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 both have an average market value of $400. Contact us to find out how much your AR15 is worth.

Do AR15s Appreciate In Value?

A few, rare AR15s do appreciate in value. Colt pre-ban AR15s made from 1963 to 1994 have actually gone up in value. For example, a Colt Government model R6550 has an average market value of $2,250. A Colt H-Bar model R6600 can have a market value as high as $2,100. These rifles are more valuable due to the fact that they are no longer produced. For the most part, AR15s do not appreciate in value. An AR15 is not a good investment and is unlikely to significantly increase in value. Our team at Dunlap Gun Buyers knows AR15s. We can make sure you are paid top dollar for your AR15.

Do Accessories Add Value To AR15s?

Generally speaking most aftermarket part accessories do not add value to an AR15. Exceptions are high-quality optics. A high-end optic on an AR15 can increase the value. Swapping out the furniture, however, does not add value to an AR15. It may add better usability for the shooter, but the cost of the furniture will not be recouped when it comes to sell the AR15. Many AR15 accessories are a money pit and owners will not recoup any where near their initial investment. AR15s with extensive customizations performed guy in his garage using AR15 parts kits are not valuable, even if a wallet full of money was spent on aftermarket parts. Most used gun buyers shy away from these home-made “custom AR15s” because there is no way to tell if the rifle is reliable and functional. In fact a factory-stock AR15 rifle will hold its value better than an AR15 with aftermarket parts. Contact us to find out the value your AR15. Dunlap Gun Buyers will pay you top market value for your AR15.