Who owns an AR-15?

[ahegeman 0]

Any of you out there own an AR-15? With my recent bonus I'm expanding my gun collection. I'm getting a few pistols and a couple of shotguns as well, but I've got plenty of experience with those - what I have no experience with are semi-automatic rifles. I'm looking to buy new since I don't trust myself to thoroughly examine a used one. Anyone got a brand preference? I've looked at a couple of AR-15 boards, but reading those guys arguing about AR-15 brands (Colt vs. Bushmaster, et al) is like listening to skydivers argue about Vector vs. Mirage. How about 16" vs. 18" vs. 20" barrel?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice anyone could give me. PM me if you'd prefer.

Also, who here has used a Beretta over/under?

Thanks!

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There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.
--Dave Barry

[Bdog 0]

i owned an olympic arms multi match 2. it had a regular stock, 16" barrel and the carrying handle had been replaced with a scope rail. what do plan on using the AR for? if you plan on using a scope i would get one woth the scope rail as desribed above. colt makes or did make a model with a removable handle. be careful about barrel twist rates. the 1 in 7 twist must use a heavy bullet so you may not use the old 55gr military surplus ammo. the AR i owned shot VERY well. less than 1MOA.
good luck and enjoy.

ps- i did have several 30 and 40 round magazines for it. i am not sure why, but with all that ammo i was getting the feeling of attacking a bunch of defenseless people. it HAD to be the gun causing this. right??

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---Future Darwin Award recipient-

[ahegeman 0]

It'll be for medium range target shooting mostly. I have read some about the barrel twists and have pretty much settled on 1 in 9.

Thanks for the advice.

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There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.
--Dave Barry

[Kennedy 0]

Well, I'd rather have an AR 10 than an AR 15, but since I don't have either I can't say too much.

Rock River
Bushmaster
Colt
Armalite
Wilson
...and a bunch of other names you know already

They all make AR models, and all have serious QC issues at different times(except wilson, who gives you serious oxygen problems when reaching the dollar amounts).

I think the AR 15 is the one firearm I would say you really must to shoot before you buy.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[DrewEckhardt 0]

Define "medium range target shooting"

Soda cans at 200 yards?

Service rifle?

Match rifle?

3-gun?

2 MOA or .5 MOA?

How you answer will change the sort of gun you want and perhaps who you buy it from.

[kbordson 8]

Congrats on the bonus! New toys!!
Your choice kinda depends on what your desired use will be.
A good standard answer would be looking at an A2 style with a 20 inch barrel with a 1 in 9 twist. If you are going to buy it new, the order you should consider would probably be Bushmaster, then Colt, then Armalite. Bushmaster has a good track record of a constant level of quality control, so that bumps it up on the list.
There are other options to consider. If you want a scope, you will need the flat top option. For more long range accuracy, then consider a free floated handguard. If you want a lot of the specialty stuff done, consider having a custom build instead of ordering it "off the rack." If you want some names of gunsmiths, pm me and I'll get you in touch with someone that can help.
Karen

[craddock 0]

You will get alot of well intentioned responses to your post here, but take them all with a grain of salt(includes mine)

You do not need an A4(flat top) to mount a scope. You can mount a scope on an A2 and have your iron sights as a back up.
The Colt would not even be on my long list if I were purchasing a new AR-15. I believe most of the newer Colts are not built to Mil-spec. You are also paying way to much for the name.

Josh

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[kbordson 8]

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You will get alot of well intentioned responses to your post here, but take them all with a grain of salt(includes mine)

You do not need an A4(flat top) to mount a scope. You can mount a scope on an A2 and have your iron sights as a back up.

One of the rules of the scope is that you should try to mount the glass as low on the reciever as possible. The carrying handle raises the sight line more than practically acceptable. Yes, you can shoot it, but it wouldn't be ideal (for eye relief issues, less stable shooting position with your head craned up and for issues of divergence). It is a sacrifice loosing the iron sights, but your decision should have more to do with what your intent. If you want a scope, you really, REALLY should get the flat top. But, thats just my opinion....

[craddock 0]

I do agree, but my point was that you don't NEED a flat top for it, in fact some prefer the A2 for the back-up sights.

Of course some people prefer to mount their scopes on see thru mounts on their hunting rifles also. Not everybody's Rules are the same, although I do agree with yours.

Also if you want to compete in a service rifle match, you need the fixed handle I believe.

That spot isn't bad at all, the winds were strong and that was the issue! It was just on the downwind side.

[jeiber 0]

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If you want a scope, you really, REALLY should get the flat top. But, thats just my opinion....

You're 100% right about the flat top and scope combo.

Also, my 2 cents: get a Bushmaster, they're (arguably) the highest quality AR on the market right now.

Get a heavy barrel if your interested in long range shooting and don't mind a little extra weight.

I'd recommend the removable carry handle (A4), even if you leave it on. At least you have a choice!

Also, make sure you get a bayonet lug and telescoping stock. Bayonet's are great for home defense!

Jeff

Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

[gmanpilot 0]

It all depends on what it's intended use is. if I were choosing, I would pick one of the Commando versions.

_________________________________________
-There's always free cheese in a mouse trap.

[ahegeman 0]

Hey, thanks a ton, folks.

I guess I needed to be a bit more descriptive of what I'm looking for. I want to punch paper at up to 200 yds, so I'm probably looking for about 1 MOA, but without going to a stainless barrel and a full-on match rifle, I'd prefer to stick with the toughness of chrome-moly. Is that doable? I'll be putting a scope on it, so it'll be an A4 upper. I've also heard that given the ballistics of the 5.56, going to a 20" barrel really doesn't add much to the accuracy or range.

Kennedy, I hadn't heard about Wilson, I'll look into them. My employer had a good year . . .

As for preferring the AR-10, 7.62 appeals to me also, having grown up on larger bore hunting rifles. Next year, however, I will get my 7.62 fix with one of these.

The QC problems you mentioned have also given me pause lately. Everytime I look into it I hear a different horror story about a different manufacturer, everything from the wrong springs on to lousy triggers to chambers for standard .223 instead of the hotter NATO load. I've even considered buying a stripped lower and building my own, but I've never done anything like that. I've got an engineering degree, maybe I should just suck it up and build the thing but I'd feel better if I knew someone who had done it themselves.

To be honest, however, a huge part of my motivation is simply that the ban has expired. I can't trust that it or something like it won't ever be back, and the thought of sticking my thumb in the eye of the gun-grabbers is frankly quite appealing.

So yeah, I guess I'm torn between the accuracy machine (my bolt-action .270 roots) and the scary looking black gun with a collapsible stock, flashlight, laser sight, and a bayonet with which to give the bird to the likes of Hillary and company.

Maybe I should just get one of each.

---------------------------------------------------------------
There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.
--Dave Barry

[EBSB52 0]

I have an AR-15, but it's an odd one - it's a .762x39. I know they come in 9mm too, but I have some good ammo so I bought this one. Many people find the caliber undesireable, but I like it and ot a good price on it.

[ahegeman 0]

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I have an AR-15, but it's an odd one - it's a .762x39.

Whoa - commie ammo in the AR-15? I'm not sure Mr. Stoner would approve.

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There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'.
--Dave Barry

[EBSB52 0]

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I have an AR-15, but it's an odd one - it's a .762x39.

Whoa - commie ammo in the AR-15? I'm not sure Mr. Stoner would approve.

Steel core, no longer available, but grandfathered in...... who's Mr. Stoner?

[kbordson 8]

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..... who's Mr. Stoner?

You're kidding, right?
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as16-e.htm

[Ron 10]

Get the 7.62 version...Lost of fun, and I think a better weapon overall.

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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I do agree, but my point was that you don't NEED a flat top for it, in fact some prefer the A2 for the back-up sights.

A flat top with a flip-up rear sight is a better choice if you want magnified optics with reasonable ergonomics and backup metalic sights.

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Also if you want to compete in a service rifle match, you need the fixed handle I believe.

Fixed handle, no compensator, float tube hidden under stock-appearing hand guards.

[jeiber 0]

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So yeah, I guess I'm torn between the accuracy machine (my bolt-action .270 roots) and the scary looking black gun with a collapsible stock, flashlight, laser sight, and a bayonet

That's the nice thing about the AR-15 - just buy a new upper receiver, and in less than a minute, you can convert your long range varmint rifle into a small CQB weapon.

Jeff

Shhh... you hear that sound? That's the sound of nobody caring!

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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Hey, thanks a ton, folks.

I guess I needed to be a bit more descriptive of what I'm looking for. I want to punch paper at up to 200 yds, so I'm probably looking for about 1 MOA, but without going to a stainless barrel and a full-on match rifle, I'd prefer to stick with the toughness of chrome-moly. .

You need a floating barrel.

You need a match trigger. I use an Armalite 2-stage match trigger which is not adjustable except by stoning due to the Milazzo-Krieger patent. The "mil-spec" part from Colt and Bushmaster is fine for 18" wide targets but not for a 2 MOA 10-ring or smaller soda can.

You don't need to worry about stainless vs. chromoly - a nice stainless barrel will last 10,000 rounds. Better barrels have a finer finish inside so they're easier to clean.

The 20" barrel is nice if you have iron sights. It also nets you a significant range increase for social purposes - M193 fragments reliably at 135 yards vs. 105 for the 16", M855 125 vs. 90.

Get extra extractor springs - they only last 1500 rounds. Firing pin retaining pins and ejector springs are a good idea too. Shipping on those will cost more than the parts themselves.

[Guest]

I had a post-ban Olympic AR-15 for a few years. Worked just fine, never jammed. Fun to shoot, ammo cheap.

mh

.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[miked10270 0]

Hi Ahgehman.

So far you've got loads o advice from many American "Gun Experts"... Some of whom don't know who Eugene Stoner is!

SO I'm going to extend "Owns" to "Used".

What are you going to use it for? If it's single shot (self-loading) accuracy then you'd do well to heed Kennedy's advice on The AR-10. NATO 762 (Winchester 30.06) with all the punch and accuracy that lies behind it - WITH an ergonomically designed SLRthat beats the FN-FAL hands down. I'm guessing that they still make the AR-10 'cos they still make my own favourite, The AR-5.

If you want to "play soldier", then remember that Colt made the original AR-15 in .223" Remington for a fair reason (& it wasn't that they were cheapest).

Wierd barrels? Strange "precision" manufacturers? What are you REALLY looking for? Is it a Ar-15 or a self-loading accuracy rifle (Walther anyone?)?

Mike.

Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable.

Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode.

[JohnRich 4]

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I have read some about the barrel twists and have pretty much settled on 1 in 9.

Boo! Hiss!

I know you're talking about only shooting out to 200 yards, and that will work for that distance. But why limit yourself? Get the 1-in-7 twist and you're also good for heavier bullets and distances out to 600 yards.

Make it an "HBar", Heavy Barrel, also. This is a thicker diameter so you get less warpage from heat.

Freefloated front handguards.

Match trigger.

Rear peep sight adjustable to at least one-half minute increments. Quarter-minute is even better.

Those are the basics for a good accuracy AR.

[EBSB52 0]

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..... who's Mr. Stoner?

You're kidding, right?
http://world.guns.ru/assault/as16-e.htm

No, and I looked at the site and saw no reference to that....

[Kennedy 0]

from the link where you "saw no reference to that"

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The AR-10 rifle, designed by the Eugene Stoner at the Armalite division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp...

He's the John Browning of the second half of the century. You do know who he is, right?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*