The Stag AR Minimalist is a Best Buy
Dr. John Woods 05.29.19
In an overcrowded market for AR rifles, a few really stand out for quality and price point. The Stag 15 Minimalist is one of them. As has been reported nearly everywhere in the shooting world, the prices of AR rifles have been coming down since the threat of a Hillary in the White House has passed, we hope for good.
Ironically, Obama was the best gun salesman ever to occupy our House maybe since Theodore Roosevelt’s emphasis on self-reliance and his interest in hunting. However, when Trump won the election, the pressure was off and gun sales sagged considerably. That seems to be moderating some now. But, indeed, now is the time if there ever has been one to buy a first AR or to add to your war room with an additional rifle or two.
Let this be a recommendation for a Stag 15 in the Minimalist version. This is an AR construct that I have personally long advocated. This not a stripped-down or bare-bones model, but it is basic with everything an essential AR-15 ought to have.
Out of the box the Stag 15 Minimalist has a direct impingement action and is chambered for the classic 5.56/223. The 16″ button-rifled barrel sports a 1:7 twist and is made of 4150 steel, chrome lined in a typical government profile that is manganese phosphate coated. The muzzle carries a standard A2 flash hider.
The Stag’s handguard is an MFT-Tekko polymer AR carbine profile with M-LOK. This permits the adding of accessories as needed or desired. The option to do so is a nice feature to have on an AR. The buttstock is also MFT, a Battlelink model that is MIL-Spec. The rifle comes with one 30-round MFT poly magazine.
The bolt carrier is a Mil-Spec M16 BCG, also manganese phosphate coated. The receiver is forged and Mil-Spec of 7075 T6 aluminum with a Type 3 hard coat anodizing. Everything else is Mil-Spec including the trigger group and charging handle. The gas system is carbine-length with the A2 front sight. Rear sight is an MFT polymer flip up sight. The rifle hits the scale at 6.05 pounds with an O.A length of 35.5 inches, 32.25 collapsed.
I have used a Stag 3D for a long time and it has performed flawlessly. I fully expect the Stag 15 will, too. Its MSRP was $875, but is reduced now to $655. I would not wait. www.stagarms.com.
