Hello everybody, new guy here, the name's Russ.  I just have a few comments and questions then I'll go back to lurking around some more.  I'm not totally unfamiliar with the AR15 having slept, ate, and basically lived with an M16 from 1970 to 1976 compliments of the US government.  I gave her back in 1976 and never looked back till a few months ago.  
    The world's changed a lot since then, needless to say, and after reading a few horror stories about the Katrina aftermath, I'm beginning to feel like a little more firepower might not be a bad idea.  I have a couple of six shooters and an 870 but nothing that can reach out to a crowd like the 15 can.
    You can imagine my amazement when I went shopping.  In 1976 you could have any model AR15 you wanted as long as it was a Colt.  Now, thirty years later it seems like anybody with a set of prints and a lathe is making these things!  Now it's different twists, heavy tubes, short tubes, fluted tubes, and chrome tubes; picatinny rails, folding stocks, pistol stocks, a dozen different sighting systems, and the list goes on!
    I know better than to ask who makes the best out of the box 15 so I won't.  I'm partial to Colt simply because I carried a Colt for six years and it never let me down, but I'd like to ask you guys if there are any books you could suggest that could bring me up to the 21st century.  I need to educate myself about all those new barrel types and such.  Of course I wouldn't mind any off hand comments either.  I'll go back to minding my own business now.

Russ

www.ammo-oracle.com would be a good starter to read through, helped me get familiar with some of the AR-speak.

I think this web site has the most current info. Most info. in books get dated. Try going to the industry section to see what the most recent offerings are.

You're damn right go back to minding your own business, we can't be bothered by just any old noobie. We are doing IMPORTANT stuff and must not be disturbed, jeez.

But seriously, check the information area at the top of the page, it's right above the hometown forums. In there you'll find...uh....information I guess , there's a few book reviews, articles, and some manual downloads, probably other stuff too, just check it out. Welcome to the boards.

And stop bothering us. Damn Noobs.

THis is the best place to learn about these things. That is what I did!

If you want to do a little hands on with the different models available, and maybe even shoot them, CMMG is located in Missouri. Their web site is here. They have a range, with rentals, and a showroom. I have an A1, and 2 M4geries from them, and they all shoot great.

I too was issued a M16A1. Even though I really like my 14.5 w/aimpoint I use as a patrol carbine, every time I shoot my 20" A1 it's like going home. Always brings a smile to my face.

Colt is still the cat's meow in my book.  I'm a cheap f****er at heart - I won't overpay for anything unless I think its worth it.  I've had DPMS and Bushmaster, but got rid of them.  My current fold (foal, maybe since its all Colt) is a Colt SP1 and Colt 6520 Government Carbine.  The 6520 is the newest arrival to me, I bought it in October.  I shopped AR's heavy and decided that I would go for the best in my book - the 6520 (I shoot iron peep sights on everything I have except AK's).  They 100% magnaflux the bolts and barrels (that's what MP stands for - magnetic particle tested).  I prefer Colt, but hey that's just me!

Welcome to the site.

Quoted: I think this web site has the most current info. Most info. in books get dated. Try going to the industry section to see what the most recent offerings are.

+1

dont forget to read the tacked threads too!

tops for brands: ABCDR, LMT, CMT

and welcome!

This site is all you need to re educate your self to the AR, Thanks for your service to our country.

I hear you Rusty I was out of the loop for a couple of decades, and 9-11 opened my eyes like Katrina opened yours, I wish I had a one word answer for your question but back in our day we could pick up a Colt for $350.00 thats how much their damn buffer, tube, and spring costs these days. On 9-12-01 my search began and since I only hand-guns I had always admired the Wilson 1911's on display at my local gun shop, I examined a UT15 they has on the wrack and it had a Rock River Arms lower receiver...I figured if Bill Wilson would put his name on the other side of it.  Well I own 2 RRA (Rock River Arms) 16" 'bines and sleep alot better at night. But you have so many options you may need to soak it all in before making any decision. If you are in the St Louis area check out C-&-S Metall Werks in St Charles they have alot of the stuff on hand that this site will only provide pictures of and at least give you a jumping off point.  

This is a good website to educate yourself on. You should look at all the major brands. There are at least  3 other manufactures that are every bit as good as colt, and in my opinion better, like Bushmaster, ARmalite, and Rock River Arms. I couldn't get a colt to run right to save my life. Also, you may want to look at some good optics aswell, such as EOTech, Aimpoint, and the Trijicon ACOG.

These feelings your having are interesting. You have I believe this is a symptom of the fever. The Black Rifle Fever. You should go out immediately and buy each of the following. An M4gery, standard 20" A2, 24" Varminter. Leave the A2 alone. For the M4 and Varminter get the best high speed gear on the planet. If it bolts on get it, and put it on. Grips, extra mags, lights, lasers, optics, knives, launchers ect... or dont. Thats the beauty of this hoby. Its a great rifle with or without all of the "fixins". Watch this site, lots of good info. Stick to the ABCDs.
A rmalite
B ushmaster
C olt
D pms
You cant go wrong .

You messed up, you are supposed to ask this question in the General Discussion forum so you can can be abused by every known ARFcom internet tard.  

The first thing you need to do is tell us what you want to do, self defense, truck gun, target gun, sniper gun, weekend ammo waster/blaster, SHTF, pimp gun.....

first of all, welcome to the jungle.......... I see you have served with a Colt by your side. Same here, 1979-1985 USArmy. I also served with a Colt by my side and it also never let me down even under the dirtest, Muddiest, Wet conditions. I bought a Colt AR because of the bond I had with my service Colt (i know it was a tool) but a tool I had to protect myself and my country with, and it did just that. But anyways I'm in the market for a Bushy because they are exellent rifles also.

Welcome,  This site has more information than you could posibly dream of taking in.
The trick, however is seperating information from misinformation. I'll give you a hint , if someone thinks post count means anything they know nothing. Some verry knolageable folks around. Some are just opinionated.

Rusty,

Where in MO are you?  We've got some of the best prices around on AR parts here in SE Missouri if you are close.

glock223

ive learned a hell of a lot just reading some of the posts on this forum.  not too long ago i had no idea .223 and 5.56 were different hinking.gif

Wow!  Thanks for the welcome and the come-backs everybody.  Looks like I'll be hanging around here picking everybodys' brain for a while.  Guess there just aint a book that'll bring me up to speed.  I'll keep looking though.
For you guys that asked, I'm in St. Louis.  I do a lot of camping down south so Arkansas aint that far for us.  We only have one bonified full time gun shop in the whole city as far as I can tell.  We have several more on the outskirts.  I haven't seen this addressed much here but I would like to add that I'm a card carrying NRA member since 1982.
Anyway, I appreciate ya alls help.  Since there aint no books running around I guess I'll be asking some questions in the not so distant future.  In the meantime I'll be reading what you guys are writing.  Thanks again.

Russ  

Kiss your wallet goodbye

AR15.com is the best place to find out what you need to know with anything firearm related.

Some people  think Charles Daly 1911s are cats meow,also their is people who think RRA is cats meow.

Many good ARs to be had, but cant beat a bushmaster.

Colt,has too many changes in their ARs/M16s, their now longer like the AR/M16s we carried in the 70's.

TG

Welcome to the board.  

Take your shoes off and stay awhile.      





_________________________  

 

Welcome to the site.

Be sure to check out the Picture threads for some ideas.

We are a pretty versatile group of people, so you'll see just about everything from subtle to some most incredible collections.

Again, Welcome

While I like my 20" target model, the best "bang" for the buck seems to be the 14.5" M4 profile. It's accurate, light, and very balanced.

For home defense, a 1/7 twist would allow you to shoot the heaviest of bullets (i.e. 75-77 gr. loads)

But that's just my opinion. I've seen Recce midlengths, 7.5" SBRs, and 24" varmiters, all with different rails, sights, stocks and triggers.

Your best bet, check out your hometown forum and mett up with some of the "locals" and try their stuff out. Pick what you like.

Beconing a Team member was better than buying 20 books.  I own books that cost what a year membership costs and i always refer back to AR15.COM, always.  Don't waste your money on a book unless its something specific thats not covered here.  Learn to use the site and you'll be sold.  Lots of idiots around here like everywhere, but its generaly a great place.

Welcome

Quoted: Beconing a member was better than buying 20 books.  I own books that cost what a year membership costs and i allways refer back to AR15.COM, allways.  Don't waste your money on a book unless its something specific thats not covered here.

+1

Welcome, Rustyone.

If you become a team member, you'll have access to the Archive server too.

Fulton ARmory FAR-15
Legacy
Semiauto Vietnam-Era "M16®-type"
Service Rifle

Why fight it?

Welcome to the best AR15 site.

I've only been a member for a year now but I'm a long time AR user since my first SP-1 in '71 and I have had a total of six various Colt models in the 80's and 90's.

Then last year Black Rifle Disease (BRD) hit me hard and I decided to build me a M16A2 clone and I followed that up with two more builds, a M4gery and a mid-length gas system carbines.

There are a lot of useful info at the Information section (click Information tab link on top of the page) which helped me to remember the components I need for my builds, also there great tacked threads in the 'Build It Yourself' section if you decide to assemble one yourself.

A good book is "The Black Rifle: M16 Retrospective" by R. Blake Stevens and Edward C. Ezell Collector Grade Publications, 1994 click at this link for a review.

If you want to know the latest and greatest about ARs, it's all here in all the forums, and they have a lot of great sellers at the Equipment Exchange section of this site if you want to get components and accessories.

Rusty,

If you're looking for a good book on the AR-15, take a look at "The Gun Digest Book of The AR-15" by Patrick Sweeney.  It was printed in 2005 so the information is current.  The price is $28 but I think it's worth it, 288 pages with lots of good pictures.

As for brands, I currently have a Bushmaster that has worked flawlessly.  I wouldn't hestate to buy another.

Good luck,

Ken Gordon
Fairbanks, Alaska

Quoted: Rusty, If you're looking for a good book on the AR-15, take a look at "The Gun Digest Book of The AR-15" by Patrick Sweeney.  It was printed in 2005 so the information is current.  The price is $28 but I think it's worth it, 288 pages with lots of good pictures. As for brands, I currently have a Bushmaster that has worked flawlessly.  I wouldn't hestate to buy another. Good luck, Ken Gordon Fairbanks, Alaska

I second the new 2005 "The Gun Digest Book of The AR-15". Excellent overview of the AR-15 history and the new AR-15 world we live in now.

Amazon.com= $18.47