Wanting to purchase an AR-15 and looking for suggestions and advise

mauiblue

mauiblue

Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
730
I've recently started going back to the firing range and having a blast:D. I've not shot my Taurus 9mm pistol in years and it felt good shooting a few rounds again. I also have a few adult air guns that I used to shoot dime sized groups at about 30 yards. I've always wanted to own an AR-15 but never got around to it till now. I did a little bit of research and found that Rock River has something that appeals to me which is the Mid-length A-4. Here is the link:

Mid-Length A-4

I know for sure I want to put a scope on it like a Bushnell Legend or something similiar. I also would want a removable carry handle. I may eventually install a collapsable stock but at the moment the solid stock appeals to me. I want this rifle to be in .223 cal and I would be using this rifle mostly for targets but some hunting is not out of the question but very remote. I hear carbines are good for close quarters self defense but I already have my Taurus pistol for that. Other manufactuers are not out of the question and I also checked out Bushmaster. I am overwhelmed at the different manufacturers of the AR-15 variants and I am hoping that owners of this excellent weapon will chime in and give their opinions on what to look for and avoid in purchasing this type of rifle.
 
RRA is a good company and makes good stuff imho, if it was me i would want the collapsable stock version, and the flat top, i would venture to say for self defense the AR is gonna be wayyyy better than any pistol, if ya happen to have the thing when ya need it anyway. you can swap the stocks around FWIW, i would also add a railed handguard from samson or SF, or maybe yankee hill, and throw on an aimpoint or eotech and a SF scoutlight, and thats really all ya need on an AR15. i would also insist on 1-7" or 1-9" twist bbl as all the new ammo requires this rate to stabilize the bullets (the new ammo is heavier than the old 55gr stuff, ie a lot is 75 or 77 grain now, i have heard of 100gr 5.56)

that said last gun show i saw some colt tactical models (M4 style) for $1100 and i very very much prefer colts to RRA or really anyone else, they are higher but are worth it, imho.

i dont know what kinda hunting ya refer to but the 5.56 is really marginal for deer, i suppose with some 77gr or so bullets it would work, but an old winchester .30-30 is lots better for that.

i dont know why ya would want the regular stock, the 5.56 has little/no recoil, the collapsable will extend to were it fits ya best, is easier to store, easier to use in close quarters, and imho looks wayyy cooler. i dont really see any pros to the fixed stock on an AR unless its more of a target rifle. i also wouldnt put a high mag scope on a AR carbine, if nothing else it just doesnt "look" right to me, i prefer an aimpoint, ACOG or eotech, or maybe a compact fixed 3X, something like that.

great rifles though, i have really enjoyed mine a lot.

ya might check out AK's too, they are cheaper, and also cheaper to fix up vs the AR, and superior in some regards, dont get me wrong, i love AR's, but i also love AK's too.

edited to add: AR15.com is a great site for AR (and AK) info.
 
SIFU1A said:
edited to add: AR15.com is a great site for AR (and AK) info.
Click to expand...

They have a lot of Keyboard Kommando's that spew forth bogus internet wisdom ocassionaly so, be sure to screen out the pretenders.




If you want to hunt with an AR-15, the 6.8SPC is much better then the .223.

Myself, a 16 inch barreled AR-15 with a good suppressor is the best. An SBR, 10.5 inch 6.8 SPC rifle, is a hell'uva good home defense weapon.

Right now, I'm shooting a 6.5 Grendel in semi-auto and a dealers .223 and 9mm M-16's on ocassion. The SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) is really a nice option where I live.


Regarding the rifle, figure out what you want in terms of Caliber, upper configuration (railed, normal hand guards, CAR, etc.) and, stock (I like the SOPMOD but, Vltor and Magpul make good ones too). LWRC makes a good gas piston model but, for recreational shooter with 16 inch and longer barrels the Direct Impingement system works well. I've good success with Bushmaster but, today would most likely get an LMT based rifle (LMT lower and an upper of my choosing). If you want a chrome lined bore, be sure to ask because that's how some companines save some money. A 1/7 twist barrel is good if you are shooting really heavy .223 rounds too (> 69 grains).
 
Make sure that you realize the difference between .223 SAAMI(civilian stuff) and 5.56 NATO(military stuff). Usually the 5.56 is slightly larger and uses higher pressure that .223. You have to watch out because the 5.56 can be fired in a .223 barrel but it is dangerous to do. There is a downside as 5.56 barrels are a little less accurate due to being slightly larger. A good compromise is the Wylde barrel which combines both.
 
there are keyboard commandos on every forum i have ever seen lol, common sense should tell ya not to treat every post as gospel..
 
Thanks guys for your insight. What spyder10 mentioned about the differences between the civilian ammo and the NATO stuff was unknown to me. I'm glad you pointed that out. This fact just made me gravitate more to the Rock River line of AR-15 rifles since they have the Wylde barrel. SIFU1A mentioned about collapsible stocks and that feature is gaining more favor with me also. I just liked the solid stocks because I like the original M-16 Vietnam era military look. But the collapsible stocks would be better ergonomically.

In regards to caliber, again I am thinking of the Vietnam War era rifles but I even was considering 9mm because I can get the ammo cheap locally. But I will be sticking with .223 cal. Definitely want a chrome lined barrel and I will be going with a 16" barrel. I am hoping to go to Oahu later on this month to do some shopping and maybe picking up a black rifle if I find one that interests me.
 
ya can always get the collapsable and add a fixed later on they arent very high.

i would pass on a 9MM AR myself, the 5.56 way outclasses any pistol calibre, and the skinny mag just dont loook right to me, a bud has a 9MM FWIW, works fine, he would swap it for a colt 5.56 in a similar configuration though, the only reason he got it was it was a deal.
 
Collapsible stocks are a pain in the butt when you really want to shoot them, especially with a scope. That is unless you happen to be wearing lots of body armour and a load bearing vest. If so, then an adjustable stock is nice to decrease the length of pull to fit the added girth of the equipment.

Perhaps some of the high dollar collapsible stocks don't rattle, but your average run of the mill ones sure do, another peave of mine... They are a bit easier to move about and store though, I concur on that.

If you have money to burn go hog wild for "cool factor" stuff, but if you have to pinch your pennies stick with functional.

But like other posters said, you can get both stocks...anybody with two thumbs and half a brain can switch them out pretty easily. After all, I've done it. :D
 
I went through the same decision making process recently. Actually, a bit different because I wasn't set on the "black rifle" being an AR.

I'm set with other firearms (handguns: 3 autos & 3 revolvers, a 12 gauge pump, a Winnie 30:30, and an inherited sporterized 7mm Spanish Mauser that is a real tack driver.) The last visit to Knob Creek really did me in for a battle rifle.

I spent too much time at the DSA booth and was jonesing for a 7.62 NATO (308) FAL. Unfortunately, one set up from the factory can cost nearly 2 grand.

I wanted to stay around $600-800.

I looked at the inexpensive Romanian AKs ($325) but was less than impressed with the Century hi-cap mods. The mag wobble was pretty extreme; an easy home repair but it just didn't "talk to me" like the FALs. I found some of the Century import Yugo AKs (M70AB2) that were nice, tight rifles.($479) Unfortunately, I could only find the underfolder type and didn't care for that config.

Whether experts or armchair commandos, the consistent advice was that AKs are exceptionally reliable under the most extreme conditions due to wide tolerances. Inexpensive ammo, too. The downside was the accuracy. Certainly acceptable at <100 yards but subpar to the FAL and AR.

The FAL is, to my eyes, a work of art - accurate at longer ranges, robust, easy to find parts (metric), cheap mags at gunshows, and having a great energy at long range. The downside for me was expense - Both the expense of 308 ammo and the initial acquisition of anything other than a beater with a Century receiver.

I ultimately exceeded my budget by a bit and bought a Bushmaster M4A3-type rifle. 6 posit stock, flat top with factory carry handle/sights. 16" barrel. Bayonet lug and removable birdcage flash suppressor.Good accuracy. New with warranty. Better than acceptable accuracy @ >100 yards. Inexpensive, ubiquitous 223 ammo. Lots of available accessories. Manufactured by one of the "big four" manufacturers of ARs: Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, RRA.

I'm hopeful it will prove to be a fun, accurate, inexpensive shooting plinker that will fill the niche I felt.

Next? Still need a FAL and a AK. :) Anybody got a lead on a good CETME/HK91, too? ;)

Good luck and have fun!!
 
i like the FAL's myself, one of my buds has one.

believe me an AKM is effective and accurate wayy past 100yds, i shoot at 18" plates at 300 yards with mine all the time, and hit very consistantly too. i do think anything over thats pushing it, but at 300 ya dont have much hold over at all, it aint like a .45-70 or something lol. and thats the 7.62X39, i think my 5.45X39 '74 might be a little more accurate, esp at longer ranges, havent really sat down and benched it or nothing though.
 
mauiblue,
There are as many AR-15's variations out there. Too many to list. It all depends on how much money you want to spend. I first recommend to see what your state laws are regarding the type of hunting that you want to do with it. My best advise is for you to see if you have any gun shows in your area and go look at the AR's. You will be able to see them up close. There will be people there to give you plenty of advise depending on what you like. Afterwards give us a heads up on what you like. Rock River Arms is a good manufacturer of AR-15's.
ToolsOfTheTrait-1.jpg

Here is a Bushmaster I use for work in Iraq.
BushmasterM4AR-15_02cal-.jpg

And here is another Bushmaster that I have at home.
The good thing about them is that you can customize them to any way you want.
 
Rock River Arms are pretty much just as nice as any colt, but you'll pay less. I've heard a lot of good reviews of the S&W MP15 line, but have never held or fired one. If you're just looking for something fun to shoot you could get a mini-14 cut your cost in half (and your accuracy), but I'm not a fan of the AR-15 style rifle so my opinion is probably skewed.
 
i would much rather have a AK than a mini 14, though i do have a min i lol, the AK is cheaper, more reliable, as least as accurate if not more, mags/etc is all much cheaper, i havent shot my mini in probably 10 yrs now and really what put it to bed was my AK. imho the mini's retail price is just wayy too high for what ya get, the only reason i would buy one today is if it was the only legal alternative, like in cali, when i bought mine it was $189.95, imho more in line with its actual value even today lol.

RRA is a good brand imho the F&F is not as good as colt though, but they work just fine. same for bushmaster.
 
Thanks guys for all your input. Looks like RRA and Bushmaster is up there on my list. I got very excited when I saw the RRA Gov't Model. Wooooo. But when I saw the price, I came back to Earth. I must admit though, all the bells and whistles the Gov't Model has is what I am looking to have on my new AR-15 so I just might shake the money tree a bit more to get that beast. If not that beauty, I am willing to get an Elite CAR and install the options myself.

Thanks again.
 
DPMS is literally your "best bang for the buck." I own two DPMS A-15s and one A-10 (.308).

They are accurate and nicely finished.

They can be had for about 65% of list price.

www.dpmsinc.com

Whatever brand you get, I would recommend a flat-top, not carry handle.

M.
 
i would go with a flat top too unless ya just like the looks of the carry handle.

DPMS is another good one, a bud has an M4 and no problems.

if ya want something like the RRA gov't/cant afford it just get the base rifle and add the other stuff later, probably a better deal to get it all at once but wont be much more to add it and ya can add better stuff ie get a scout lite vs the one they supply and possibly different HGs or optics.

all it takes is some $$ lol.
 
You can build one too---you won't really save any money building your own though.

The advantages are that you can buy parts as you get the funds up instead of one big hit in the wallet--also you will become completely familiar with your rifle---the first rifle will cost ya because you'll have to buy a few tools---any others after that the cost comes way down----I've built 3 so far.

Go to AR15.com all the info you'll ever need.
 
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