Moving to the country, gonna buy a lot of firearms.

<Flux>

<Flux>

Joined
Apr 28, 2011
Messages
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So I just landed myself a sweet new job that is outside of the city. I had contemplated moving to New Hampshire for a while, but I was working in downtown Boston, where parking is $20-$50 for a workday. No thank you!!

Anyways, my new job has ample parking and I am currently buying my dream car (I gave my old subaru to my mother.)

I need to see how the commute will be from around the Nashua area first, but if it's not that bad, I'll be moving to NH!!

As someone of you may know, or could probably guess, it is impossible to get a LTC in Boston, so I have been without a firearm for a long time. Also, the city ordinance only allows carry of a blade no longer than 2.5"!! While I love my HBC, I'd really like to EDC my BAD or SAR-3 or a large folder on occasion. In NH, I could walk around with my B-11 on my belt and no one would bat an eye.

So anyways, I am terribly excited about this move, and am currently looking at what firearms I'm going to get.

As a present to myself for getting a promotion and a pretty hefty raise, I am going to get a proper 1911. I wanted to go with a Wilson Combat CQB, but a friend said it would be wise to maybe start off with a cheaper 1911 to see how I like it. I plan to go to a range and test out some different models.

On top of that, I really want an A/R and probably a few other handguns.

I know absolutely nothing about A/RS, so I wanted to ask if any one could point me in the right direction so that I can research different models. Also, if you have a favorite brand of A/R and 1911s, please share. I am a DIYer, so I might consider building a custom A/R. For that, I'll really need a few good resources on where to get parts and what to look for, etc.

Any wisdom would be much appreciated.
 
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im fond of rock river & bushmaster
they both are top notch w/o going the semi custom..les baer or wilson combat route


for more info then anyone could want i would say ar15.com is a good place to start

heres a little inspirational p0rn....hope you dont mind:D
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Awesome!! Thank you both! I definitely don't mind the pron, and want some more!

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the bottom picture of? I've got a guess, but don't want to sound like an idiot.
 
<Flux> said:
Awesome!! Thank you both! I definitely don't mind the pron, and want some more!

Forgive my ignorance, but what is the bottom picture of? I've got a guess, but don't want to sound like an idiot.
Click to expand...

its my optical sight
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You may consider what you want out of one first. I have had a few AR's and I went a few different directions and wish I could have narrowed it down from the start to save some $. I know realize my real enjoyment from this gun is hunting and target shooting. I have finally narrowed my needs/wants down after shooting a bunch of friends models and owning a few. I'll give you my list of wants and needs and you adjust fire accordingly.
1. Optics- I am old and can't see for $&*^ now and I hunt so I needed a minumum of a flattop and 3X scope with decent glass. The handle models blow when you put a scope on the as they are not positioned correctly and most of the glass in that pirce range is weak. Had I realized this on my first AR I could have save $150. Also, the fixed postion front sights are not fun to shoot around though a scope so consider a model that allows you to add a fodl down front sight if you want iron sights as a back up.

2. Trigger- A good one is a must, at first I was not worried about one as all my "real" hunting guns were set up at 3.5lbs or less. I also figured the AR was never going to be accurate enough to warrant a good trigger for me. More a pray and spray toy. Mistake. Once you are bitten by the AR bug you will not be happy unless your rifle is accurate. I should have known this as that is the approach I take with all my hunting rifles. "Only accurate guns are interesting" a rifle with a poor trigger will lessen accuracy and not be used as much. So either purhcase a mid grade rifle with a decent trigger or be prepared to spend $150+ to add a good one later. I would pay a gunsmith to put this in so plan on another $100 if you go that route. There are some drop in models, but I have found they are over $200.

Barrel length- I went from 16" to 20" and am now back to 16". Unless you are going for hard core long range prarie dog hunts, stick with a 16". Lighter weight, just as accurate and much easier to move around. You start having to carry it in a truck or a blind and you realize less is more. Avoid the pencil thin barrels, they heat up too quickly and become less accurate with the additional heat.

Hand Guard- again went from a standard carbine guard to a free flaoted rifle lenth full quad rail. Hated both and am settled on a carbine length free float smooth guard witha gas block that can hold 1 accessory. The non-free floated guards are fine and work well, just not as accurate IMO and the quad rails are to heavy. I have tried the lights, lasers and drop handles. Unless you are kicking in doors, most are just more weight with little ROI. Fun on occassion, but heavy. Yes, it is really cool to see the red or green laser dot dance on a hog at night before you nail him. The extra weight was not worth it. Consider your wants and needs as the full rail system destroys sand bags, plastic covers defeat the purpose of the rail and again it is just to much weight for them to be fun. Drop handles can be useful if you are in a "tactical" situation and I don't see this ever being in my list of must haves again. The drop handle is also in the way if you yuo shot from a bench or fixed postion such as the hood of a truck.


Stock- I prefer 6 postion collapsable. After trying at least 4 types from standard issue A2 to the new RRA A2. I still prefer the lower end DPMS collapsable. Fits me as I can adjust for heavy clothing and the head postion is still correct for a scope. This fits "me" though so go to a store and try a few on before you pull the trigger.


I started with a Bushmaster shorty, loved the length, hated the A2 handle, stock, sites and trigger. I replaced the A2 handle with a flat-top and the trigger myself, but the gun was lacking for my needs. It just never felt right for me and still only shot 2" groups at 100 yrds. sold it

Moved to a DPMS Panther full quad rail free float 20". Very accurate, but trigger was weak, hated the heft and quad rail. Just to heavy. sold it

I just ordered a Rock River Arms Coyote Carbine 16". I will end up replacing the stock and adding my own glass and flip up iron sights. I have shot an RRA before and the trigger is workable for me. Make a list of wants, hit a gun store and hold a few to see what you may like and then do a little research once you have narrowed down the wants/needs.

$650 + look at DPMS, Bushmaster (remington now) or S&W
$900 + Rock River Arms or STAG. I really like the new STAG model 3 but am not sold on the M4 barrel. I will never have a use for a grenade launcher and that is what the cut out is for on the barrel. The RRA Entry Operator is almost the perfect entry level gun. Both the Stag & RRA should have 90% of what you may want in your first gun while keeping quality and accuracy as primary goals.
$1250 + Daniel Defense, LRW, LaRue

The info above is all IMO and what worked for me and my needs. Plinking, hunting and having fun.
Whatever you get. Good luck.
 
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Thank you so much for the info!! That is very helpful. I figured it was the sight, but didn't want to sound like a dumba$$.
 
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Congratulations on the new job and moving.

For a cheap good 1911 take a look at spring fields, you can get a cheap GI version that will work great and you can mod it yourself if you like or turn around and sell it to get one with all the bells and whistles on it. The taurus is a good 1911 too.

Look at Daniel defense and Cmmg, Spikes and colt for stock ar's. Or build your own for less. They are easy to build and fun to mess with lego's for guys.

To add to your gun wants you need a good lever gun and revolver just because. Marlin 1894s are inexpensive and dependable, Uberti's 1873's are beautiful fast and accurate. Ruger vaquero's in the same caliber are bomb proof and easy to tune to run slick and easy.

For shotguns (always need a shotgun) winchester 1897s are slick and fun to shoot, Cimaron double hammer guns are great and can lay the smack down on anything you need to as well. For a more modern shotgun look at saiga12's, you can modify them to the Ak pattern and they are fast fun blasters. Hard to beat a moss berg or remington 870 to.

good luck and fun shopping
cricket
 
Thanks everyone!

I agree that a shotgun and revolver are a must, although I want the 1911 and AR first.
 
For the money a Ruger SR556 is a great AR! I have one in 223/5.56 and 6.8. I have owned several AR's over the years for D.D., LWRC, Bushmaster, DPMS and the ruger is well built and pretty much everything on them is Troy Industries. As far as 1911's go... if you bought a Wilson and didn't like it you could resell it with no problem. They are like Bussekin, they sell themselves. Springfield is a good option as well.
 
Wait 4-6 months so you can test the waters at your new job and thoroughly research the AR and 1911s you are interested in. We are an impulsive lot here and especially after a move up the ladder we can succumb to the wealth effect. Not trying to be your Dad, but see if there's any financial planning necessary or better uses of money to be explored. In the meanwhile do some research. As for me I drive Porsches and shoot Noveskes and Colt 1911s. Im Alex and I have very poor impulse control.
 
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I have a friend who lives in/hear Nashua who loves firearms and knives and the like :) I'm sure you'll love it up there if he does!
 
If you shop around a bit you can probably pic up an already modded jobby for a reasonable price. Many of the 1911 types change them more often than their underwear ... ;) Some of us hang onto them though...

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Lovely Gold Cup :thumbup: Look's late 1970's to early 80's from the quality of the blueing ... I had something like it's twin ... lost it in 1996 through the ban ... should have saved it and sent it to Switzerland with my P210 ... the damn thing was destroyed ... such a shame ...

Looks like you changed out the safety and the hammer and had them blued with the trigger ... or is that finish one of the newer type ?

Congrats on the new job as well Flux :thumbup: Get your feet under the table tho' before going heavy on the "shopping" ;)
 
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Congratulations on the new job and the move!

Sounds like you're ready for the new toys. Shopping for them is more than half the fun! :D
 
1970s mate, the frame, slide, trigger and a few small pins are about the only Colt parts left in that one.. :) Re-blued by a mate of mine.

Andy
 
I dunno if you're a member there or not flux but check out northeastshooters dot com for area firearms related info.

It is a pain in the butt to get an LTC in Massachusetts but it's not impossible. I know plenty of people who have them and I am even now in the process of applying for one.

That being said NH is MUCH more firearms-friendly and you can also pretty much get whatever gun make and model you want now--unlike Massachusetts which regulates that to ridiculous lengths.

I've also heard a lot of people say cheap 1911s are not the way to go, that you need to get a quality one to appreciate the feel. There is actually entire threads about it on that web site.

Congrats on the new job as well!
 
I would second the advice to get "one" to "three" really good weapons ... and spend money on getting very proficient with them ... a comp level 1911 and 6.5 Grendel A/R and a Benelli 12G plus funds for doing lots of 3 gun comps would be "heaven" for me ...:cool:
 
I have no opinion on 1911s (exept tht I have one and have no desire for another), but as for the rifle, as someone who own more than a dozen ARs, I say skip the pip-squesks for now and get a .308 FN SCAR or a DSA FAl. You can work your way down from there.
 
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