AR Sponsor
Posted: 6/26/2005 8:58:55 AM EDT
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I have recently registered after reading back posts for a while. I thought I would introduce myself. I live in west Texas in the middle of our family's small ranching operation. Of course, we all have day jobs since the time of full time farming and ranching are all but passed. I spent a decade or so in law enforcement when I first got out of college, but finally decided that was for younger men. My main shooting interest is Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette where I shoot a Shiloh Sharps. I hunt with several different Sharps rifles and own other single shots and bolt guns. I have a couple of Garands that I keep around for different jobs. I am here because I have decided that I need an AR or two. I owned a couple back in the early '80's but it looks to me like things have changed quite a bit since then. I am in the market for a general ranch rifle. It might get to ride around in the jeep for whatever target catches my eye or it may end up over on the range for targets out as far as it will shoot. My first instinct was to buy a regular stocked Colt like an SP-1, but then I got to seeing the flat tops, Rock River varmints and the Bushmaster M4 SM-15 something or other and I got confused. I had no idea that so many nice looking rifles were available under $1000. I have even thought about buying a parts gun or two and customizing as the need seems to come up. At any rate it seems to me that a guy should have an AR or two around in case the social situation were to decline. Anyway, I am open to suggestions should anyone want to put them forward. Otherwise, I'll just listen and learn. Thanks, SharpsShooter |
If you spent 10 years in LE work, you know exactly how quick that can happen. You hit the nail on the head when you commented about there being a lot of different options available. The M4 carbine variations are currently popular because they are light weight, and offer a large amount of flexibility in how they can be configured. If you think you may ever want to use any form of optic, look at flattop weapons only. You can save money by buying a folding rear sight, instead of a carry handle. Stag sells a nice M4 upper (chrome lined barrel) that is a flattop and comes with a ARMS 40 BUIS (backupironsight). The idea of buying a complete weapon from a store gives peace of mind, but you can also order a complete upper through one of the various dealers here, and save yourself a pretty good amount of money. That would leave you with purchasing a lower through a regular gun store.You can also pay for the lower, buy it through a dealer here, and pay the FFL transfer (usually $25) while having it sent to your local FFL/ Gunstore. Lastly, if you are looking for a new of the shelf weapon, Bushmaster seems to be one of the better bang for your buck weapons. |
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If you are looking at a general ranch rifle, I would go for a 20" barrel. If shooting coyotes, or whatever, at a distance, it will certainly reach further out. Weight difference is not that much and I like the longer distance between the front and rear sight when I shoot iron sights. |
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So if I got this right, I can buy a fully assembled lower unit with the rear stock, FFL it through my local guy, then just buy an upper unit decked out like I want and it will all fit together and shoot? That would simplify the process quite a bit. I looked at several dealers and guys in the equipment exchange that look like they could fix up what I want. I was thinking about a flat top with flip up type sights front and back. That way I could put a scope (I've got a 2.5x8 Leupold spare) on it. Maybe even install some optical sight that has a 5.56 bullet drop turret on it, then pull the sight off if I needed the irons. The 20" barrel was going to be my choice. I've got a range that has 1200yds available and I like to see what all my rifles look like at that range. So who would you deal with for an upper and lower if I go that way? SharpsShooter |
Yes, it just pressing in the 2 pins on the receivers. |
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