Getting an AR.

[Wolfwood]

some of you saw the sister thread "Getting an AK"

and thnaks for all the good info and advice.

Well... i have decided, that i will replace parts as they break on the AK, as it is decently accurate, and functions well enough as is. i will be tinkering with it some, but i dont want to let it take up to much of my time/money/life

especially since i have finally found a good deal on an AR15.



basically same qeustions,

what to avoid, what to add, should i even bother? all that stuff.

tips for better results?

i hear the like to run wet. i take this to mean lots of clp before and during extended shooting sessions?

(ofcourse a good cleaning is in order after such an event right?)

any surprises i should watch out for?

anyhting to look for on the weapon that would signal me to run away from it?

 

[chubbyzook]

look at the bcg first.
next look at any markings you can find on it, that way you can tell what manufacturers the parts and do some research on them.
then put it back together and go shoot it.
change what you want to change and replace parts as they wear out. buy an armorers tool if you plan on changing anything it makes stuff much easier.

 

[majormadmax]

Talk to Alex at Dreadnaught Industries!

Cheers! M2

 

[Texan2]

Talk to Alex at Dreadnaught Industries!

Cheers! M2

+1

 

[Bithabus]

MSage posted a lube guide using grease which I have found works very well

 

[balloo93]

What is your budget?

What do you want to do with it? ie fast handling SHTF or distance shooting?

Do you want to buy complete or assemble, or do a partial build and assemble? You can save the tax on the fully assembled rifle by buying the upper separate from the lower. This also allows you to get what you want the first time verses buying a complete rifle and swapping things on.

ARs don't necessarily need to be ran wet. You want some CLP on the Bolt carrier and bolt. You want a drop or two on the fire control group, but some choose to use grease there.

 

[Wolfwood]

hehe i've got one in mind, that is fully assembled (afaik anyway)

this is basically a Sport Utility Rifle, kind of a jack-of-all-guns.something that i can grab in a hurry to either go plink some cans or put down some nasties (man or beast) out to around 50-80 yards.

100 yards is Long Distance shooting for me. heh.

 

[balloo93]

Most AR configurations can easily handle 80-150yrd with solid accuracy. Which one are you looking at?

I'm a fan of a short (nonNFA) Ar myself, but I am looking at a rifle (20") as future build. I really want a Dissapator set up though. My favorite AR (I only have two now) is my 14.5" mid-length gas with a pinned flash hider. It's fairly light and handles quickly. I run a heavy buffer and the recoil is quite nice.

 

[The_Hunter]

Read the chart M4 CHART

Buy as far left as you can afford and don't regret getting something that is sub-par later on.

I would say at the very least get a gun with an auto carrier with a properly staked gas key and a properly tested(HPT/MPI) bolt and barrel (pref with 1/7 twist)

 

[Texas42]

My only advice I can offer is to make sure and get a flat top. If you want a carry handle, get a detachable one. It is simply more versatile.

I like the 16" one myself. I'd probably like the 14.5" one too. I got a midlegth BCM. I like it, thought it was a little harder finding stuff for the midlegth as opposed to the carbine (the handguards I wanted were out of stock from a couple of places, YMMV).

There is nothing wrong with a 1/9 twist. You can shoot some very heavy bullets. 1/8 gives you ability to shoot some of the heaviest bullets. 1/7 is kind of overkill for all but the biggest bullets. As I understand it, the reason they use it is because of tracer rounds which are very long. That being said, mine is 1/7 twist rate. It shoots the 55grain fmj's just fine. I haven't tried anything [smaller]. It does shoot the 70 grain copper (Barnes TSX) bullets very well. I killed a couple deer with it yesterday. Dropped them both.

A YH riser makes it easy to add a scope, if that is what you want to do.

 

[MR Redneck]

Hey Wolfy, I have a friend that is selling a good DPMS for $600... If interested let me know.

 

[The Lox]

Most AR configurations can easily handle 80-150yrd with solid accuracy. Which one are you looking at?

I'm a fan of a short (nonNFA) Ar myself, but I am looking at a rifle (20") as future build. I really want a Dissapator set up though. My favorite AR (I only have two now) is my 14.5" mid-length gas with a pinned flash hider. It's fairly light and handles quickly. I run a heavy buffer and the recoil is quite nice.

What kind of stock is that? It looks like an A2, but shorther than the others I have seen before. Good looking rifle!

 

[M. Sage]

To avoid: Model 1 Sales, Bushmaster, Olympic Arms (especially Olympic!!!) and a couple of other makers that are eluding my memory at the moment.

Personal preference to a point, but it's keep it simple. Flat top and fixed front sight seems to be the hot ticket for what you plan on using it for. Some things you might like to add: a Magpul MOE handguard and pistol grip. The handguard is light, allows for attaching a light later and is extremely comfortable. And it's pretty inexpensive. The pistol grip is just way more comfortable than the standard grip - no nub to push on your fingers and being much wider and with better texture, it's much easier to manipulate the rifle one-handed. If you get a carbine, I strongly suggest at least a heavy (H) buffer, if not an H2. It slows down the cyclic rate slightly, which helps the rifle live longer and the added mass actually increases reliability and decreases felt recoil.

MSage posted a lube guide using grease which I have found works very well

Thanks, I'm glad it's working for you! I still haven't had anybody come back and tell me it doesn't work, but I'm sure we'll find one eventually.

What kind of stock is that? It looks like an A2, but shorther than the others I have seen before. Good looking rifle!

That's an entry stock. Just like an A2, but really short.

 

[Klacktor]

Check out Spikes tactical.

They have good deals on complete rifles, or uppers/ lowers.
I just got my 6.8 from them and I'm loving life.

They offer complete rifles in the 800ish range ,that seem to be on par with those in the 2000ish range.

 

[balloo93]

To avoid: Model 1 Sales, Bushmaster, Olympic Arms (especially Olympic!!!) and a couple of other makers that are eluding my memory at the moment.

That's an entry stock. Just like an A2, but really short.

Yep, I believe it's a Rock River Arms Entry stock. It's a hair over 7" long with a trap door buttplate. I like it so far, but haven't had a chance to run it yet. I can always add a 1" spacer later on for around $25 if I need the added length. I like to shoot my ARs tight to me body with my nose on the charging handle so the Entry stock feels pretty natural.

It's kinda funny how it's a buyers market for ARs but AKs have kind of hung at higher prices.

 

[M. Sage]

Yep, I like the shorter stocks, too. Squared-off and nose just about touching the charging handle is the way I like it.

Tuck it in tight and run it!

 

[tweek]

Still love my M&P15.

I run it wet (leaks like a Harley wet) and have yet to have any failures. That includes burying in the dirt and then unloading 2 mags. I clean mine about every 300+ rounds or earlier if I feel like it.

Right now I have a quadrail on it, but I'm going to swap it out for Magpul's hand guard and foregrip. Basically I'm looking to make it as light as possible.

I have p-mags for it and they all seem to be great. No issues. You can occasionally find surplus GI mags for a lot less, but I think the p-mags and worth the extra money.

I agree with the flat top choice. You won't use the carry handle and you'll eventually want to put either an EOTec or an AIMPoint on, so you might as well go with a flat top.

I'm waiting until after the armorer's class before I really start personalizing my M4. First thing on my list: trigger. I want a good 2 stage trigger. I'm also interested in some different uppers (not that they have anything to do with the class). Mostly I'm interested in different barrel lengths.

Have fun shopping around for stuff.

 

[proforguns]

I have a Sig 556 was a bit pricey but I have no worries about wet or dry eats everything and hits the X at 100yards with iron sights BUT its very heavy.

 

[Sid]

+1 on M. Sage's grease lube guide. http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/...ake-ak-reliable-pic-heavy-dial-up-beware.html

Another +1 on Magpul handguard if you've got the fixed front sight and also for the Magpul pistol grips (MOE or MIAD). The texture on the pistol grip offers a very positive traction without feeling like its cutting into your skin.

I'd go with Bravo Company (BCM), Spikes Tactical, Daniel Defense for the best price to quality parts. If you want to go over-engineered hyper quality, the top end manufacturers would be Noveske, Larue, POF and KAC. The upper receiver's quality takes priority over lower's.

If you go with one of the above shops, you'll almost always get a 1:7 barrel (I think LaRue offers 1:8 barrels). Most major brand manufacturers are 1:9 barrels.

If going carbine sized AR, a mid-length gas system is recommended over a carbine-length gas system.

Unless you plan on nothing but bench shooting, I'd recommend going as light weight build or swap for lighter weight parts later.

Next, read the following two articles:
The Big M4 Myth: “Fouling caused by the direct impingement gas system makes the M4/M4A1 Carbine unreliable.”

Cleaning Your AR-15 is Pretty Much a Waste of Time | Vuurwapen Blog

So, from there, get a heavier buffer and stronger spring, especially if its carbine-length gas. Then PMags and a good sling.

My recent build.

 

[chubbyzook]

Yep, I believe it's a Rock River Arms Entry stock. It's a hair over 7" long with a trap door buttplate. I like it so far, but haven't had a chance to run it yet. I can always add a 1" spacer later on for around $25 if I need the added length. I like to shoot my ARs tight to me body with my nose on the charging handle so the Entry stock feels pretty natural.

It's kinda funny how it's a buyers market for ARs but AKs have kind of hung at higher prices.

it is a rock river if its the one i sold you. glad you like it, i wish i could of gotten used to it.