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AR education before I buy one

9K views 76 replies 30 participants last post by  SifuCruncher 
#1 ·
Can anyone post some links for AR newbs. I would like to get one in the future but know nothing about them other than how to shoot one. Different brands....accessories.....how does one begin to start learning besides watching Youtube videos and hoping they are truely knowedgeable.
 
#3 ·
Well, pretty much all the main hangun players have an AR platform (including Sig)
Imo Rock River is the way to go but that is just my opinion only.

I would suggest going to local gun shops and actually holding one and seeing how it feels for you.

As for accessories such as grips, stocks, scopes etc well it will depend much on your price range. I personally use magpul, and on one of my AR's I have an EOtech 512 scope and the other has a Meprolight 21M. Again, I am not saying they are the best but my local gunshop let me play with those in store and I liked them. (I also have an EOtech 512 on my Saiga AK-47 as well)

Do not be afraid of the maintenance on them either. They are not difficult to disassemble and clean, and I was just noticing the other day that their ammo costs were coming back down as well. Back to under a buck a round for the good stuff.

Anyways, look at some reviews online, take into consideration how much you can spend and have fun. The AR platform is one of my favorites to shoot!

Also, make sure to have an actual gun safe for it by the time you buy your rifle. Last thing we need is for your new AR to end up in the hands of someone who has no business having it! This is something ALL gunowners need to make their #1 law. Even ahead of all guns are to be considered loaded at all times.
 
#8 ·
Sigtalker,Do any friends have one by chance? if so maybe you could get with him.All here have supplied you with the best of advice.Go to a gun show too ,if any are in the area and as one other poster said,put your hands on some see what feels good,,it will eventually come down to personal preference .The brands the boys have expressed here are great, you wont go wrong with any of those, there are so many others, a lot to look at ,but thats 1/2 the fun, picking out what feels and looks good to you and then there's your pocket and prices. That you might want to keep from the Mrs depending on what you spend. Good luck w/your choice,once you come into the arena of Black rifles you ask your self -why didnt I do this sooner!!:shoot:
 
#20 ·
Sigtalker,Do any friends have one by chance? if so maybe you could get with him.All here have supplied you with the best of advice.Go to a gun show too ,if any are in the area and as one other poster said,put your hands on some see what feels good,,it will eventually come down to personal preference .The brands the boys have expressed here are great, you wont go wrong with any of those, there are so many others, a lot to look at ,but thats 1/2 the fun, picking out what feels and looks good to you and then there's your pocket and prices. That you might want to keep from the Mrs depending on what you spend. Good luck w/your choice,once you come into the arena of Black rifles you ask your self -why didnt I do this sooner!!:shoot:
No friends that have rifles. But I will attend some gun shows and gun stores to get a feel like mentioned. Is there some that have more accessory choices or are all of them easily accessorized?
 
#9 · (Edited)
As far as AR's go... there are DI and Gas piston variants and there are 3 factors you should consider:

1-What is legal in your state?
2-What will you use it for?
3-What is your budget?

I have both DI(Direct impingement) and Gas pistons, each have pros and cons. DI's are generally cheaper, serious aftermarket support, and come in a bunch of different variants. Piston driven systems are usually heavier due to the fact that a physical rod that pushes the bolt back while a DI uses spent gas however piston systems are more reliable and easier to maintain. If you want a recommendation from me, I'd say look at a Daniel Defense DDM4. If that's too much then Bravo Company, Palmetto State Armory, and several others are fantastic choices for DI. LWRC, POF, HK, PWS make serious Piston systems but range from $1800 and up.

Here's my Gas Piston POF:



Here's my DI Bushmaster XM15 lower w/Bravo company upper:



I would never recommend a Bushmaster as mine had serious bolt problems but the lower runs fine. The trigger guard has been installed since this pic was taken. Accessories are hit or miss throughout the mass of parts you can purchase. I tend to stick to HK for most of my accessories as I genuinely believe they make a good product even though their grips are made by Tango Down. Smith and AAC make great flash suppressors and muzzle brakes, the difference between the two is more of a preference thing.

For optics I use EoTech and ACOG. I had an Elcan SpecterDR 1x-6x and that was the best glass I've ever owned but didn't have a need for a $5k optic. Aimpoints are rugged, have great battery life and can be used to co witness iron sites or use independently. EoTech have a better eye relief and being it's a holographic site... you can shatter the glass and the red dot will still illuminate on whatever glass is still intact. I prefer the XPS line because they only use one CR123 battery, they're light, and compact. I hope this helped you out a little, if you have questions just PM me.
 
#10 ·
Read, read, read. AR15.com is a good source for info, but can also be opinionated. Look at warranty info, some only offer a year or two, buy one with a lifetime warranty. You will have to decide options, ie: barrel twist and length, chrome lined or not, sight/optics options and lastly looks/appearance.

Good luck!
 
#26 ·
AR15.com is good and M4Carbine.net as well. But as he hinted above, there are many people in those forums that think anything but Colt, LMT, BCM and maybe DD aren't worth talking about. It can be a little annoying sometimes trying to sift through the **** for some objective opinion over there. Many will laugh out loud at someone proud to own a Sig M400. even if its 100% reliable and accurate.
 
#21 · (Edited)
I would like to have it for toying but I don't want to out grow it, you know what I mean. I don't want to have to get a more powerful or more accessorizable one. What ever I get is probably the only one I will be able to afford for a long time.

I have an old bolt action .308 enfield rifle and love it to death. In time I would like to find out what all the stamps mean on it.
 
#15 ·
the biggest thing to remember when shooting on the ar platform is not like shooting a bolt gun ..Meaning that if you have weak shooting fundamentals which the bolt gun is forgiving, unlike the ar it will highlite your weak points , thats if you are shooting for precision it just takes time to get use to once you do they are great
 
#39 · (Edited)
Sig Talker.... +1 to the advice to read and absorb above.

The too and fro about DI vs PD is akin to the chicken or the egg. You can find as much rationale for each as not.

One of the things that helped me out was reading forums and reviews..but also, I did a bunch of window shopping on-line.This can be a self intuitive and learning exercise. For example;

I perused this site (rockriverarms.com) frequently to learn different options, wants and needs.....The way their web site is set up gives you a pretty good idea of different options on the M4 and other platforms.

Allowing you to see, add and "play" with options, accessorizin, as it were. For example, you can select from drop down menu's and see that a standard BCG is a bit less $$ than a chrome lined, same with trigger groups, one stage vs. two stage, quad rails, half quads, etc...etc..etc...You get the idea. Its fun and informative.

I own both a moderately priced light DI gun (an oft snubbed WyndhamWeaponrySRC) as well as a Sig 516 and like them both. Although the Sig would be my go to gun in a pinch, I have learned that there are a ton of Excellent AR's and variants out there.

Have fun and good look.....

p.s....I hear there is now medication and therapy available for the black gun disease once you are afflicted.... :)
 
#40 ·
Two words of warning:

1. Don't buy the piston operated ARs, get the gas operated. The piston varities suffer from carrier tilt and will eventually fail. Gas operated varities will last much longer.

2. ARs are incredibly boring. They are super accurate, super reliable, and have no recoil. My shooting range is only 25 yards and indoors so the AR isn't any fun to shoot, if you have an outdoor range then they would be tons of fun I imagine.

I haven't sold my AR because I have it for a purpose, if I ever need to use my second ammendment right for what it was intended it will be my first choice. Accurate, reliable, light, high capacity, fast shooting with little recoil...boring...perfect.
 
#52 ·
Two words of warning:

1. Don't buy the piston operated ARs, get the gas operated. The piston varities suffer from carrier tilt and will eventually fail. Gas operated varities will last much longer.

2. ARs are incredibly boring.
+1 to that...Any of you that wish to unload your PD guns before they fail, I will take one for the team and make you an offer......:D
 
#41 ·
LOL, hold off before posting in General Discussion for a few weeks at ar15.com! But watch under the Sig forum there as well as here.

Personally, the M400 is a dang good 1st AR and then some. Dont own a 516 but its on the short list to get. Gettting one leads to a 2nd so the sky is the limit. Like the old saying, "buy ammo cheap and stack deep". Regardless of your 1st AR brand you will have a blast.

Never have enough black rifles lol!
 
#42 ·
my first AR is certainly in the "budget" category (PSA mid-length). I'm slowly collecting higher end parts (Mega receiver, LMT extension, Geissele SSA trigger, and BCM bcg so far) for my next one but I have no idea why. My PSA is dead nuts accurate and reliable and gave me no reason to wish for something different. it's a sickness.
 
#43 ·
This has been an informative thread. I'm in the process of buying pieces to put together an AR for myself and my BIL. AR15.com has been very helpful, especially the Build Your Own section. I learned a lot about what to do and hopefully what not to do and I've resisted the temptation to ask newb questions and try to research things myself.

So far we've ended up with PSA lowers and I ordered a Yankee Hill Machine upper last night. I've been looking at Daniel Defense uppers but they're out of my price range. We're trying to stay under a grand for each one which has proven to be a challenge.
 
#44 ·
Building your own AR from quality parts isn't just a very doable and satisfying project. It's something that really makes you feel blessed and privileged to live in such a bastion of freedom and liberty as the US of A.

Plus there are people here and at AFRCOM who simply will not allow you to fail should you start this noble and surprisingly easy endeavor.

Trust me when I say you will never feel quite so satisfied shooting any firearm as you will a world-class fighting carbine that you've built yourself.

If I can do it, anybody can.
 
#47 · (Edited)
I noticed over at Slickguns.com that PSA classic lower parts kits are now going for $60, which is getting pretty damn close to pre-hysteria levels. Hopefully stripped lower receivers and complete uppers will follow in returning to something close to normal prices.

That's the way to do it, BTW. Build the lower because - my goodness - it's almost too easy. But get a complete upper, or at least a pre-built upper minus the charging handle and bolt carrier group. That way, you bypass a lot of potentially tricky (or at least intimidating) issues like torque settings, gas tube alignment and headspacing, and also avoid the cost of a number of specialized tools.

The above advice only makes sense if you think you can avoid contracting something called "Black Rifle Disease" (BRD) and stick to just one AR build. BRD often starts with the initial upgrade to your first AR build. Suddenly you have an extra gas block, stock or hand guard lying around. So you start thinking about how lonely and unfulfilled that unused gas block, stock or hand guard is. And how much happier it would be if you could give it some company, like being part of a SPR upper or a poly lower. Or riding on a match 20" barrel for the ultimate varmint gun.

Sometimes you don't even have to buy some of the extra parts; you just leave a couple parts in a drawer and one day you open it and discover they're the proud parents of a new hand grip. Then the temptation to build a second, or third rifle is all the more compelling.

If that's the case, then go ahead and invest in all the special tools and build your own upper. Because you'll just need them again and again for your following builds as you slowly succumb to BRD.
 
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