Posted: 8/20/2013 12:29:20 AM EDT
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So this ar-15 isn't for me. It is for my dad. He is a 20 year squid so he had limited gun use during his service. He didn't really get into guns until I did. Right now he just has a 22 pistol and a 38 s&w revolver he inherited. I tried buying him a more modern handgun before but he refused. I've been talking to him about getting his first ar-15, but its mainly money that has been holding him back. I'd like for him to have something around the house since he lives out in the country. I love my dad a lot and he has always taken care of me so I want to do something nice for him.
He wants to spend about $700, but I want him to get something better than that so I offered to just outright buy him a gun, but he refused. Since he doesn't know a whole lot about them I'm thinking I'll get him something nicer and tell him it was $700 and take his $700 and give it back to my mom/buy her something. I am thinking about getting him either a colt 6920, daniel defense m4v5 or a sig m400. Or maybe something else? I've got a spare eotech 512 and a surefire g2 so accessories should mainly be covered. What do you guys think for a first rifle? Help me mighty hive. |
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My impression is he won't be shooting it a lot, correct?
In that case he really doesn't need the top end rifles. One of the big benefits of those, in my mind at least, is that they typically hold up better to a high volume of shooting than less expensive models. That's where some of the QC differences really become apparent. If you really want to get him a "nicer" rifle, get the Colt 6920. He'll recognize the company and likely appreciate it more than a rifle made by someone he's never heard of, even if you tell him it's a great manufacturer. As to optics, if you are going to go beyond iron sights, for him, skip the Eotech. The battery life is typically disappointing and the controls are less intuitive than the Aimpoint. i'd get him an Aimpoint Pro. Put the battery in, show him how to turn it on and off and adjust the brightness, and help him get it zeroed, and he's set. Just buy him a new battery to put in every year on his birthday and he's set. Tell him he can just leave it on all the time. |
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I'd try this and scroll down to the '"Smith and Wesson M&P-15 Mid Length MOE." You get $100.00 back in rebate form if he can supply proof of being a veteran. If he's not experienced, he should really try and concentrate on learning his iron sights prior to using an optic. It's a great price. OR, keep checking your local Walmart as they sometimes get in good priced rifles.
Best of luck to you OP. |
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Thanks for the advice everyone. A 6920 was my first rifle (based on this site) and I love it so I was expecting strong recommendations for it.
Quoted:
I'd try this and scroll down to the '"Smith and Wesson M&P-15 Mid Length MOE." You get $100.00 back in rebate form if he can supply proof of being a veteran. If he's not experienced, he should really try and concentrate on learning his iron sights prior to using an optic. It's a great price. OR, keep checking your local Walmart as they sometimes get in good priced rifles. Best of luck to you OP. That looks like a great deal so I might have to run that by him. Thanks for the heads up. We were at the Walmart in South Hill Puyallup by his house about 2 weeks ago and saw Colts in stock which started this long overdue conversation. |
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No. OP, good on you, I'm nowhere near a Colt fanboy but get him one for the name recognition plus, at the end of the day they are good rifles. Pay no attention to the naysayers suggesting you buy him a $500 Delton, if he's done enough and you respect him enough to just outright buy him a rifle then buy him something good. |
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3x or 5x Burris AR scope with BDC. Keep it simple and versatile. I handed a 60 year old woman a rifle with the 5x scope and while it had been 50 years since she shot a gun, she was hitting a 12" target at 300yds after 4 hours of training of shooting and how to use the BDC. Or the new Primary Arms 6x with BDC if you want a very useful scope for a great price. As for the rifle you should build it. How old is he, does he need a lighter than usual rifle in the coming years? If it were me, here is what I'd build him to make it useful throughout all of his years, accurate and cheap. New Forge Complete Lower Assembly $125 +$15 shipping + ~$25 for FFL transfer fee http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=348727803 From Primary Arms Order Daniel Defense 16" 1/7 twist mid-length lightweight $239 https://www.primaryarms.com/Daniel-Defense-Lightweight-16-Inch-Mid-Length-p/dd-9089.htm Complete A3 upper $119 https://www.primaryarms.com/Stag-Arms-A4-Upper-Receiver-Assembly-p/staga3upper.htm Midlength gastube $19 https://www.primaryarms.com/Basic-Gas-Tube-Medium-Length-Mid-PA-GSTB-MID-p/pa-gstb-mid.htm Barrel Nut $15 https://www.primaryarms.com/Basic-AR-15-Barrel-Nut-p/pa-ar-bnut.htm Charging Handle $30 https://www.primaryarms.com/Basic-AR-15-Charging-Handle-p/pa-kit-ch.htm Bolt Carrier Group $115 https://www.primaryarms.com/Stag-Arms-Complete-Bolt-Carrier-Group-Right-Hand-p/stagbcg.htm Troy Low Pro Gasblock $35 https://www.primaryarms.com/Troy-Low-Profile-Gas-Block-Pro-Grade-SS-p/sgas-a4l-00bt-00.htm A2 flashhider $11 https://www.primaryarms.com/Basic-A2-Flash-Hider-1-2x28-Thread-Pitch-p/pa-a2-hid.htm Crush washer $3 https://www.primaryarms.com/Basic-Crush-Washer-for-5-56-AR15-p/556-cwasher.htm The scope is the only thing out of stock. Scope $180 https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-6X-Scope-with-ACSS-reticle-p/pa6xrbd.htm Add basic scope mount for $20 Ap Carbon Fiber Midlength Freefloat $155 http://www.mountsplus.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=MSP&Screen=PROD&Product_code=165-APC-TCF-BMIDLENG Total cost for a extremely lightweight 600yd + Shooter with optics $1,120 with all forseeable fees and shipping included. If you want to build a standard flattop carbine with cheaper barrel and only flip up sights, the price would more likely be about $650. So you can spend anywhere from $650 - $1120 if you want to build it yourself, but the benefit is you can really fit it to his needs if you go this route. My wife's build has almost the same upper, with the exception of it being a slickside and having a different optic. This gun with everything pictured with a loaded 30rnd mag is 6.2lb  |
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Quoted:
No. OP, good on you, I'm nowhere near a Colt fanboy but get him one for the name recognition plus, at the end of the day they are good rifles. Pay no attention to the naysayers suggesting you buy him a $500 Delton, if he's done enough and you respect him enough to just outright buy him a rifle then buy him something good. Quoted:
OP, good on you, I'm nowhere near a Colt fanboy but get him one for the name recognition plus, at the end of the day they are good rifles. Pay no attention to the naysayers suggesting you buy him a $500 Delton, if he's done enough and you respect him enough to just outright buy him a rifle then buy him something good. Nah, I'd one up on this wimpy $900 colt that you can buy at Wal-Mart, go for gold here Barrett M82 
ETA this is sarcasm. |
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PSA is GTG.
This kit shows out of stock but it would be an excellent way to break into the AR game for a really decent price. I think the barrels are FN manufactured. http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/ar-15-05/rifle-kits/16-hammer-forged-ss12g2-mid-blem-blackhawk-rifle-kit.html The PSA weekly flyer has an excellent mid-length upper on sale for $499. Unbelievable price for a quality rifle. Colt? LE901-16S, stash the .308 upper, pin on any other upper & rock. http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtRifles/ColtLE90116S.aspx |
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http://www.slickguns.com/product/palmetto-state-armory-m4-orc-16-fn-chrome-lined-barrel-556-mil-spec-678
Stays on your fathers budget and gets him a good rifle. Also look at this https://www.primaryarms.com/Spikes-Tactical-16-ST-15-M4-LE-Carbine-5-56x45-p/str-5025-m4s.htm I'm a Colt 6920 fan myself but you can get quality inside the budget you mention |