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Posted: 5/24/2004 6:32:15 PM EDT
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Learning anything complicated takes time. Stay around here and read. Find out who in your area shoots carbines at the local range. If all else fails and you have some money, take a course. Have you asked some of your fellow officers if they shoot AR's? Most of all don't be in a rush. Enjoy................the learning expeirence. Click on the Information icon above go under Articles and start reading. But you still need plenty of range time. |
Well, some things are pretty easy, actually... Hot ammo = ammo that has been loaded above "factory" spec. An example would be M193 (Army Issue)...you can find it commercially as Winchester Q1313A and Federal XM193. It kicks noticably harder and has more muzzle blast than pretty much most normal .223 loads. They're loaded up to military specifications. Carry it, if you can; it works for the big green machine, it'll work for you. An easy way to test...grab a box of Wolf and shoot that, and then shoot a box of Q3131A/XM193. You'll notice heftier recoil and bigger muzzle blast. You want the bigger recoil and blast. Extractor springs: The way it extracts the spent casing is spring loaded; i.e. the extractor slips over the case rim and grips it; the spring allows the extractor to move up and grab the rim. If the spring is weak, it will then slip back over the case when it heads backwards, leaving the spent casing in the chamber, preventing a new round from chambering. Having a stiffer spring will help make sure the extractor does not slip off the casing; it'll yank it out like it should. There is, of course diminishing returns; if it's too stiff, it won't slip over the casing to begin with.... Don't worry about rails unless you're mounting lights, lasers, night vision, bipods, swiss army knives, blondes, grenade launchers, or stoves. They're mostly for the "I look cool" value. If you actually have a NEED to have a rail system, then research...but unless you're playing SEAL in the Congo, I wouldn't worry about it. Having said that, I'm probably going to be in the market for a RAS soon.  Why? It looks cool.Hope that helps some... 
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| When I my first AR it came with a new 10 round mag. I put ten rounds in it pulled the charging handle back and let go. No bullet got chambered - took it apart to make sure it was put together right. Everything looked fine. I took a couple of bullets out of the mag and it worked just like it was supose to. I almost took it back to the gun store to tell the guy it was broken, lol thank god I didnt. |
Lots to learn, AND, lots of time to learn it. Ive owned ARs for years, I am starting to get into the NFA stuff, and I learn something new almost every time I read this board. I would get together with some of the guys in your Dept. buy a case or two ( of ammo  ) and just shoot and have a good time. Get good with your irons (sights) first. Then move on to the optics. I like plain old iron sights myself. But all I am ever against is paper and an occasional watermelon.. Just keep on reading and posting your questions.. There are a lot of experts here..John BTW: Welcome to the disease!!! Betcha youll own more than one!!! |
| If your are on a broadband connection, look over at the Armalite website. There is a video from the Vietnam era that explains the rifle in detail (right click, save). If you want, get the others there too, since they also explain similar rifle systems in detail. |
Best way to learn is to dig in. 3 months ago I knew ZERO about the AR. Today I have a pretty good working knowledge and I'm getting much more sure of myself with it and accurate. Now I'm planning to build another rifle. I haven't found a real good book yet on practical issues of the rifle (stance, and so forth). My only real guide was my father years ago with a .22 rifle. I do pretty well with a standard bladed stance (nessity due to the length of the rifle) keeping my weight forward. Allows me to take steps forward while firing and still hit something. Ammo is confusing at first. 5.56mm NATO is the good stuff. It's cheap, effective and OK accurate. .223 stuff varies from plinking, to hollow point match tips. Some people favor the heavier 68gr and 77gr stuff due to better performance than 5.56mm NATO. Go to the ammo forum and look at the ammo-oracle. Read it several times over to soak it up. One thing that doesn't allways get through to everyone (including me at first) - If you have a 5.56mm NATO chamber you can shoot hot 5.56mm stuff, and the lower pressure .223 SAMI stuff. - If you have a .223 SAMI chamber you can only shoot .223 ammo. The hot Q3131A and XM193 may cause all kinds of grief in your gun. - If you have a .223 "Match" chambeer it's the same as above but may cause even more problems since the chamber is even tighter. Try to make sure what chamber you have on your rifle. Some are easy and marked well, others suck or are not marked at all. As mentioned above, rails are for 'neato' stuff. I just installed a set of Surefire rails in place of my handguard to mount an EOTech holo-sight. I may add a forward grip later. They range from cheap, to outrageously expensive. I tend to hang in the middle. If you have no need or desire for 'neato' stuff then rails are not nessisary. The trigger types are usually single stage, and two stage types. For a duty weapon I'd stick with the single stage. Fewer adjustable parts so less chance of failure. Most guys like the two-stage trigger for match use and target rifles. Two stage triggers allow for that handgun type action where the trigger slowly pulls, hits a resistive point, and then 'breaks' to fire the shot. Welcome to the site and enjoy the new baby. It will cost you an arm and a leg in the long run, so just resign yourself to it.
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Our guys do 40 hours in a general rifle class, then do another 30 hours with the AR15, plus whatever they got in the academy. They also qual at least once a year plus the annual rifle training. Get with a couple AR friendly cops in your area and they will take care of you. I'm on the wrong coast to be of any help. |
| Before my last comment comes across like an ass, there are plenty of people who are in your area who aren't cops that would probably be glad to help you out as well. It is a simple platform once you get used to it. Buy a case or two of ammo, as well as some inert rounds to work dry fire with. You will be up to speed in no time. |
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