Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 Utility 5.56mm Semi-Automatic Rifle with 15-Inch M-LOK Handguard

I've always been amused by the references to "Tier" this or that and "entry-level" guns. And especially the phrase "good gun for the price," like it would've magically turned into a better gun if you'd spent $200 more.

The AM-15 is definitely a budget gun, simply because of the low price. But what really defines a budget gun vs. a top-tier one? Mostly, it’s attention to detail. These are clearly being assembled quickly to get them out the door. Which means less quality control. QC costs money, and that cost gets passed on to the buyer. They also use lower-cost parts to keep the price down. Which is fine. You can always upgrade the furniture if you want. Just know what you're getting.

When I got mine, I immediately broke it down and inspected it. Everything was solid. BCG, charging handle, trigger group, barrel extension, buffer. All good and mil-spec, which is why I bought it. However, the gas block screws weren’t tight. I tightened them, which I recommend doing with any new AR.

I initially thought the upper and lower were mismatched in color, but it turned out to just be factory oil. Always clean and re-lube your new AR. Don’t shoot it with the factory oil still on there.

I ran three boxes of the cheapest 62gr 5.56 ammo I could find through it. Not a single hiccup. Slapped a cheap 3x9 scope on it, and it’s a 2.5 MOA gun at 100 yards. I’m sure it’ll do better with better ammo.

The AM-15 is a great little bottom-tier-budget-friendly-entry-level-gun-for-the-price. Just give it the care it didn’t get at the factory. And at this price, you can afford to give it some love. I’ve already recommended it to friends and family, especially at the deal SOSS is offering. I’ll probably grab another one soon.

I purchased two of these from a different online FFL. They arrived, and the first was a mess. Bolt wouldn’t line up with the feed ramp. The barrel nut was loose. The gas system was pinched. I tightened the nut, but the bolt still wouldn’t line up. Removed the barrel and reinstalled it, hoping it was just not aligned. No help. Contacted Anderson and explained it can’t even chamber a round. They had me send it in, and they corrected everything. But I own numerous AR-15s, and even the ones I’ve built and bought from PSA all ran flawless out of the box. The 2nd rifle ran fine. Good groups for a budget AR. About 1,200 rounds through it now and still fine. I cannot rate this product any higher than a 1, simply because no rifle should be sent out in the condition one of mine was. I cannot recommend this product on that alone. 

Again, I did NOT buy the rifles from SOSS, but they were this exact same model.

I am satisfied with my purchase. Initially, it didn’t shoot well. Only 30 to 40 rounds fired and it froze up. Sent it back to Anderson. The gas lock was loose, moved around when fired, and the bolt OD was oversized. They fixed it, and I had it back in eight days. Shot the gun today with no issues. It is accurate despite some wind. 200 yards out for today. I kept the faith that Anderson would follow through, and they did. So despite my initial experience, I am satisfied. Would buy from them again.

I was hesitant to buy this after a review I saw on YouTube where the man had problems with ejection. The problem was burrs inside the BCG where the exhaust ports are. I did not have this problem. However, the staking on the BCG didn’t seem well done, and there was no staking at all on the castle nut on the receiver extension. Everything else was great. Fit and finish are great as well. Overall, I’m happy for the price. I would buy another one.

60 rounds is all I’m comfortable putting through this firearm! It will not eject spent rounds. You might get two in a row, but it will not fire a full magazine.

Out of the box, I cleaned and lubed the firearm. I went to the range with three magazines of 5.56 range ammo, brass-cased, FMJ, American-made, using two of my own magazines and one that came with the firearm. I got three rounds off, and the bolt jammed shut with a failure to eject (FTE). After waiting for a minute, I was able to open the bolt, and the spent cartridge ejected. I put another round into the chamber and fired—FTE again, and the bolt froze shut. I changed ammo and magazines, but the same cycle happened over and over.

I’ve cranked about 100 rounds through it so far, and it’s fired great. No real complaints. Yes, it’s a low-end AR, but it looks good, shoots good, and I couldn’t turn it down for the price. Only thing is, a good-quality red-dot sight costs as much as the gun did ?? Still, if someone is just starting out with an AR, it’s a great gun to get used to the style and the way it shoots. Plus, there are a lot of accessories you can add to make it a firearm you can show off a little.

Super light-weight, easy to carry, easy to add attachments with the MLOK!!! This rifle shoots AMAZING groupings. 200 rounds in already and not 1 malfunction.

I bought one of these earlier in the year. My first 5.56. Not sure how many rounds I’ve put through it, it’s probably around 500. Never had an issue with it. Seeing it on sale for this price I might have to get another one just because.

I haven’t heard much about this company, so I was kind of wary at first. But I read their reviews and saw that a few people I know have purchased from them, so I pulled the trigger (pun intended). I ordered the gun on the 26th and received it on the 29th. The shipping was incredibly fast, and the pricing was incredible. Great job—keep up the good work. I will be ordering again soon.

Shoots good and cycles ammo well. One thing that I cannot find online though...when I fire it it sounds like I am resting it on a steel 55 gal drum or something. I hear a ringing when it fires. Like a steel plate or drum under my face....my first AR style rifle so I just cannot say what that can be.

Set as long as the stock will go, it feels very short, and places my face where I am uncomfortable shooting it. Also, the stock rattles and is loose the way it is made, and I do not like that. Damn, are all AR style rifles like this? Shoots okay, cycles well. I am not happy, though, the way it feels shouldered. I am going to make an extension for it. I do not like a rubber buttplate recoil pad so will use a nice piece of oak. Cut it and shape it, round it nice to still be fast against the shoulder, not like rubber. Make it about 1.5 to 2 longer should work. The way I have to choke up on it I can barely fit the scope on the pic-rail.

Not my first AR, but an excellent one. Put a Romeo5 red dot sight, took it to the range with three different types of ammo, military 5.56, 62gr, steel case Wolf 55 gr, and 223 55gr . No malfunctions after shooting 120 rounds. I recommend this rifle. Is a tack driver with different ammo. I was surprised that even with the Wolf steel case ammo wish is crap and don't shoot good in some rifles, it did on this one. Great gun!!

I bought this rifle several months ago as my first gun, and I have had almost no complaints! The only problem I have had was with the A2 style pistol grip where I was having trouble with my large hands having issues with the grip. However I have never had a jam out of circa. 200 rounds.

As the title says, I just picked it up, so I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet. However, it seems to be a very solid platform. This is my first AM-15, so I had my son look it over, and he was impressed by the fit and finish. I'm hoping to get some range time this week, and I'll get back to you with a real performance rating. As of now, I am totally impressed.