American Tactical’s Milsport Is A Solid Budget AR-15
There are plenty of budget-friendly AR-15s out there, and I’ve tested a ton of them. Some proved to be hidden gems that surprised me, while others left me questioning how they made it past quality control. Thankfully, this American Tactical (ATI) Milsport does not fall within the latter category.
In today’s market, the term “budget” typically doesn’t mean the same thing it did even just a few years ago. However, ATI has managed to keep the cost of its base Milsport models to a truly budget price, with an MSRP of only $529.95.
I always roll into these budget firearm reviews with tailored expectations, but let’s see what you think of this AR-15 by the end of the article!
Few and far between are companies that genuinely seem to care about not just their products, but also their customers. ATI continues to show that it has the customer in mind by offering – and from what I’ve heard – honoring a limited lifetime warranty.
Based in South Carolina, ATI does make plenty of its products right here in the United States, but it also partners with other overseas manufacturers to help provide a variety of quality components as well as what I assume is a cost savings. If a company’s products aren’t going to be 100-percent American-made, the honesty and transparency to its customers is commendable.
So why ATI? Quality firearms at solid prices and a seemingly customer-centric focus.
You won’t find a ton of fancy features on the Milsport, but at this price point I wouldn’t expect to. That’s not to say it’s not functional, it just isn’t going to be give you those Gucci-build vibes.
Two features I do appreciate more than others on it are the free-floating hand guard and the 1:8 TPI twist. The hand guard has plenty of M-LOK slots and a full-length top Picatinny rail. You have plenty of room to mount your favorite optic and some backup sights.
While a 1:8 TPI twist isn’t ideal for every scenario, it’s versatile. When you’re not dealing with a precision rifle or a dedicated-use firearm, the 1:8 twist will allow you to use a large variety of bullet weights.
The basic mil-spec trigger has only a little bit of over-travel and a decently defined reset. I didn’t expect much from the trigger, but it’s not the worst mil-spec trigger I’ve shot recently. I wish the trigger guard was flared to make it easier for gloved or large-handed shooters like myself, but that’s not a necessity.
Lastly, you’ll find a basic A2-style pistol grip and mil-spec buttstock come installed, ready for you to quickly and easily swap them out. Even a basic Magpul set would be a huge upgrade.
The Specs
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Capacity: 30 rounds
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Twist Rate: 1:8 TPI
Hand Guard: 13 inches
SLINGING LEAD
Throughout my few range trips with the rifle, I was able to test a nice variety of ammo. Everything from cheap 55-grain Wolf .223 steel case to 62-grain PMC green tips ran beautifully through it. Out of the 270 rounds I loaded into the gun, all 270 fed, shot and extracted. No issues at all.
Accuracy was no issue, either. It only took me several shots indoors to get my Primary Arms SLx 1x MicroPrism dialed in. The indoor range only went out to 25 yards, so it was nice and easy shooting. On my next range trip, I was able to shoot outdoors. I was hitting almost all my targets out to 50 yards, including pop cans, water bottles, and various sized steel gongs. I didn’t have the chance to shoot over 100 yards, but I don’t think I’d have any issues with the right optic for the job.
PROS & CONS
Keep in mind the low cost, particularly when you’re reading the cons. Some of them are to be expected at this price point.
Pros:
Very affordable
Reliable with plenty of types of ammo
Free-float M-LOK handguard
Optics-ready
Versatile 1:8 TPI twist rate
Cons:
Standard mil-spec furniture
No ambidextrous controls
No backup sights
FINAL THOUGHTS
I honestly haven’t shot many ATI firearms, but after my time with this Milsport, I think that will be changing. For the price, this is a fantastic entry-level AR-15. If you’re in the market for a new AR-15 and have a tight budget, do yourself a favor and at least check out a Milsport. I think you’ll be pleased with the bang for your buck.