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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Your Second AR (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/26/2011 1:21:18 PM EDT
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What was your second AR? Was it a substantial improvement over your first? I've got a inkling that we probably all remember our first AR, but the second was likely the first good one... I've got a theory that when most people get their first AR they don't always buy the best, they just get what seems like a good deal (for me it was a Bushmaster M4). When it comes time to get your second AR, you will have learned a lot about the platform, be less willing to compromise on quality, and make a much more educated purchase. My second AR (a POF Recce, pictured below) was in a whole different league than the bushmaster, and since, I've continued to use quality manufactures and components. How about everyone else?  |
| My second one is on it's way. I found a good deal on a Colt 6721 upper and I am patiently searching the net (and EE) for a reasonably priced Colt lower. My first is a Stag 1L. I still really like it but want to see what all the fuss is about w/ Colts. Since my local gun shops do not stock Colts for me to play w/, I figured I would buy my own. |
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No. 2 was a Bushmaster 16' A2 HBar upper with a base lower my father in law ordered but didn't want. I think he did it by accident. I traded him for some spare junk and a little work. My first was a loaded SW M&P15T with light, Eotech and larue mounts. I downgraded but I was just happy to have two.
Now... I have considerably more... 
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My first was a Colt CAR15 that I got new in 1983 for $400. One of the best rifles I have ever owned. Light and reliable. At that time the only game in town. Now I own several. As I get older I need optics on them. I have several from LMT, CMMG, Bushmaster And Colt. Plus one I have bult. My go to gun is a mid-length BCM recce type set up. Still love that old Colt though.
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Thats an interesting question.
My First AR was a DPMS sportical... which i got home, and immediately took apart and upgraded the parts I felt needed it and it lasted me long enough for me to catch the bug. Then I bought an LMT Defender because i got it at a good price, and then almost immediately resold to fund my first "real build" (which is probably the one i actually consider my "first" AR in my heart) This one is my idea of the "perfect" CQB AR... there isn't anything i would change. 
Then my second AR (or 4th if your really keeping count) is my idea of the perfect (for me anyways) SPR build. 
It definitely has been a very fast learning curve, for me anyways. |
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My first was a Rock River 16" midlength. Second was a LMT MRP CQB 16" with SOPMOD. Third one started with a complete 16" LaRue upper and was completed with a LaRue lower a couple months later.
Although the LMT definately costs more (basically double what the RRA cost) and it is probably a little better quality, that Rock River is far more accurate than the LMT. Here's my RRA and LMT a couple years ago. During this time I had change the CQB upper for a Rifle Length, it's been changed back since then. 
Current RRA 
Current LMT 
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My first AR was a Colt SP1 I bought new in 1979. But I sold in in '83 - '84.
I finally bought it's replacement in 1990. A Sporter Match HBAR. Still have it. My "second" AR of the modern era  is a lightweight carbine that's almost a deadringer for the old Colt SP1 carbine, but with an A2 lower and a Bushmaster Super Lightweight barrel. Pretty much the opposite of the 20" HBAR.
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My first was (and still is - I don't like to part with sticks) - 16" Stag Arms Upper sitting on a Rock River Lower. Has a Yankee Hill rail with all standard internals. It had an ARMS flip up rear sight and a Hogue grip. It was a nice shooter and good beginner... but I have climbed the ladder since. That will likely be handed to my oldest as his first. Second AR is a 16" Rock River 6.8 SPC upper with standard handguard and standard FSB. The lower was also a RRA that I built myself and put a RRA trigger group in. That was my first actual build. I then acquired several Stag Arms Lowers that have sequential serial numbers to be built up and given to the boys as their first ARs. Lastly, I caught the LaRue bug. The rest is history. I once remember telling a very dear friend of mine that I would never spend money on an AR... I wonder if he remembers that conversation. |
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Quoted:
My first was a Colt CAR15 that I got new in 1983 for $400. One of the best rifles I have ever owned. Light and reliable. At that time the only game in town. Now I own several. As I get older I need optics on them. I have several from LMT, CMMG, Bushmaster And Colt. Plus one I have bult. My go to gun is a mid-length BCM recce type set up. Still love that old Colt though. what a good year 83 |
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I am currently putting together my second AR, and it is completely different from my first. The first is a Colt Sporter II that I put a Bushmaster 11.5" barrel + 5.5" flash hider and a 4 position stock on. A friend currently has the original 20" barrel and fixed stock.
My second is an all LMT I've been piecing together - Defender 2000 lower bought new, the upper and Aimpoint CompM4 bought very, very lightly used from a friend, and then various upgrades that have been going on/will be going on piecemeal. |
| My first AR was a Colt 9mm. Deeply discounted from a hardware/appliance store out in the boonies. My second was a Blue Label Colt HBAR Sporter A2. The one with the stupid front pivot, large pins and ground off lug. You decide if I went up or down, I dont know it was kind of a wash in hindsight. |
| My second one was a daniel defense. Only rifle i've ever had a problem with. Their customer service gave me the run around about sending parts to fix it. I sold the upper for about half of what it was worth and it's now someone elses problem. I still have the lower because it fits tight with every upper i put on it. |
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First was a S&W M&P 15a
I loaded it up, quad rail, Aimpoint M4s & Magnifyer, CTR, ASAP, ST-T2, FSC56, XTM Panels, Surefire G3 LED, Larue Mounts for everything, BAD, prolly a few other things I can't think of. Built a 2nd AR mainly just to have a spare full rifle. Did the DSA blem lower with DSA complete 16" carbine upper, Denny's complete bolt carrier group, etc. If I could have done it again woulda probably built or bought a mid-length just to have the variety a bit. Might still do a middy with the complete lower i have sitting around, dunno. Then again might go the NFA route and stick a 11.5" on top of the complete lower along with a suppressor 
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My first was a Bushmaster XM15 20"
My second was a GG&G Dominator upper on a Eagle Arms preban lower Then it gets fuzzy after that because my current rifle (and only remining AR) is an evolution that has gone through many phases to end up where I am today. My next rifle will be a BCM 12.5" SBR and that should round out what I need for rifles. I've had, I think, 7 ARs at one time and I am far over the "BRD." t's truly liberating to care more about shooting and not worry about buying the next new thing. 2 years ago I had 30 firearm and now I have 7. I'm much happier with 7. |
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The first was a Bushy carbine. As such, the second was a hand built SPR, comprised largely of WOA parts. It was a low-medium cost build, meant mostly for learning how to precision shoot. The noteworthy components are an 18" WOA barrel, an Ace skeleton stock, and a Super Sniper 20x in a Larue SPR-E mount. Older pic without BUIS:  |
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I only have the one so far and it is a Spikes/DPMS/Magpul build which pretty much got me into the world of black rifles without breaking the bank. Of course, it has provided me the chance to better understand many of the different options so I have begun to plan out what I want the second AR to have. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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My 1st is an AR-10 with a 24"ss barrel. My SPR. 2nd AR is a Spike's 16" middy. A basic Spike's that I've added a NiB trigger group and a NiB BCG. My 3rd, 2nd AR-15, is also a Spike's 16" middy that came with the NiB componets and a 9" BAR rail. This will become my main AR-15. It will get some good optics to go with the flip up Troy BUIS.
As to optics I'm leaning towards a Trijicon 1-4x40 with a LaRue mount. One is None |
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I waited and saved so that my 2nd AR would be the cats pajamas. I went from a franken gun that was half RRA and Olympic to a Franken gun of Noveske and Knights Armament. I also switched from Eotech to Aimpoint for the optics. I will alwasy have a special place in my heart for my First AR but it was well past its prime and needed retiring. I parted it out and sold it peice by peice and gave away the barrel to a buddy for like 20$. he wa shappy and I was happy to help. I think i put somewhere near 10K rounds through the gun and it still help about 2 in groups with good ammo.
I had alot of feeding issues with the Olympic Chamber and wanted the best barrel I could get, I think I spent somewhere near 2K on the upper alone for the 2nd gun and am still improving it even after almost 2 years. My 3rd AR was a .308 SR-25 and my 4th was an SBR bravo gun. I think they all have a special place in my arsenal. |
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My second AR was my former Colt model R6500 AR-15A2 SP2 rifle bought it new in 1984 the first year they were made and production of this model ended in about '89.
Compared to my first AR Colt R6000 Sporter SP1 which I also bought new in 1971 for around $200 that time, the quality was the same high quality as my first, except my second AR had a teardrop type forward assist, A2 1/7 twist barrel, round A2 handguards, A2 grip, and A2 buttstock. It was my mistake selling my old SP1 to buy my new SP2 but I was short with my funds because I also bought a Springfield M1A rifle (civilian semi version of the M-14 rifle) and a Colt 1911 Gov't model 80 series (my first center-fire) .45 pistol. My former ARs: AR # 3: Colt R6420 Carbine SP2 - 1985 AR # 4: Colt R6600 AR-15A2 H-BAR - 1986 AR # 5: Colt R6530 Sporter Lightweight carbine - 1991 AR # 6: Colt R6551 Sporter Target - 1991 My current ARs: AR # 7: Colt AR6721 AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine with Denny's-GTS-Rock Creek Operator midlength 16" barrel and LaRue 9.0 rails - 2005 AR # 8: Colt MT6601 Match Target HBAR with Colt USGI M16A2 upper half - 2005 AR # 9: LMT Defender 2000 16" carbine - 2005 AR # 10: RRA A4 9mm carbine - 2006 AR # 11: Colt AR6721 AR-15A3 Tactical Carbine - 2010 And because of BRD that won't be my last, I'm working on AR # 12.
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#1, 04/09, was a stock S&W M&P15 M4gery. changed FSB to a railed block, added a DD Omega 7, JP low power springs, CTR, CAA grip, Eotech XPS2-0, YHM flip up BUIS.
#2, 01/11, I just built a 3 gun AR. My new one has a Sabre lower, BCM upper, DPMS 18" 1:8 MK12 barrel rifle gas, Timney trigger, Miculek brake, spikes st-2 buffer, CMT full auto BCG. Both are good for what they are designed for. Really apples and oranges. Obviously i like my 3 gun AR much better. However, i would grab my S&W if the SHTF. #3 I am currently, buying parts. Another Carbine at this point. I think i will change my scheme to a mid. I will eventually build a 9mm. probably SBR, maybe #3 above. |
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AR#1 RRA Entry tactical with YHM lightweight quad rail and Eotech 512 on Larue Mount.....sold it to fund AR#2
AR#2 Noveske 10.5 N4 light basic with KX3, Noveske marked Troy flip rear and FSB...DD Omega 7.0 on a Spikes lower that is Magpulled out....Aimpoint ML3 on Larue Mount Next will be AR#3 BCM upper probably a midlength...mmmmmm Jim |
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The OP might think I did it backwards - my first was a Colt 6920, after which I bought a RRA Entry Tactical and sold the Colt.
I went on to pin a Model 1 upper to a RRA lower, sold that and then pinned a RRA upper to a RRA lower and sold it. Pinned a RRA middy upper to a RRA lower, which I still have. Now I'm building a Spikes lower to mate to my Spikes 14.5" middy upper for a second gun (which will probably become my favorite).
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My first was a Bushmaster 20" A2 post ban. It was a fantastic, simple rifle, and I regret selling it to this day. I bought it and then went to my first carbine shoot, where I realized I wanted something shorter and with an optic, so I bought a used V-Match upper. Which turned out to be very hot, and surprisingly heavy. So I bought a Carbon 15, which I knew would be light. But it was too light, and not very reliable, so I bought an SPR clone, which sort of put me back to the position I was in the first place. I didn't really start "getting it right" until my fifth AR, when I took the time to really think about what I wanted to accomplish with the rifle. The perfect fit for me was a midlength system, which I used for many years before getting into NFA.
Sadly, I don't have a readily available picture of my first AR, but you can see the development of my tastes and the sunset of the AWB in the following chronologically ordered series: Second: 
Third 
Fourth 
Fifth 
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My first was a Bushmaster, the department had a great deal through OMB in Kansas City. I ran it for 2 years without ANY issues...
THEN some how after joining AR15.com, someone slipped me some Noveske KoolAid... N4 LowPro 14.5, THEN for some reason that gun was WAY too long, so then came the Novekse 10.5" I am unsure of what is coming next..... |
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My first AR was supposed to be a basic sub $800 setup, but as I researched more and found many different sites and offerings, it quickly became a much nicer setup. I researched for quite some time before I settled on what I wanted....billet! Only thing I want to change is the barrel, I think I will drop down to a 16".
I wanted my second AR to have a bit longer range and stainless barrel. I purchased within a few weeks of each other so the funds weren't there to go all out the second go round but it turned out well and I am lovin it. Next up....billet .308 
First AR: Mega billet lower Mega Mono upper with Adams Arms gas piston 18" chrome lined barrel TDS trigger TDS stock http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/aqwik69dart/Shooting/Mega_Build_Complete3.jpg Second AR: Spikes lower Spikes upper Wilson 20" SS fluted barrel YHM free float Magpul PRS stock TDS trigger http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t167/aqwik69dart/Shooting/IMG_4487-1.jpg |
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My first AR was an RRA middy HBAR and like many, I played around with it in different configurations learning what I liked and didn't. Also like many, my first AR evolved over time as I tried different combinations. I first tried a sort of 'every range' phase where I loaded it up with a bunch of 'stuff' and it got heavy! While the 3x12 scope was great at long ranges with my older eyes, I often wondered if I was going in the wrong direction for a middy.  After a couple of years I decided that I wanted a lighter, more agile weapon so Adco reworked the barrel to a LW, 14.7" pinned FH version. I lost the scope and gave an EOTech and a CTR a try.  I found that the EOTech was a bit heavy and bulky but mostly it didn't play well with my astigmatisms so I swapped it out for a smaller 3x9 scope in deference to my now even older eyes. And, even with a beavertail pistolgrip, I found that the grip-to-trigger length was far too short for my hand so I modified the G27 grip and now it fits my hand perfectly.  While the scope helped, it was still too heavy and bulky for what I was looking for as I wanted more simplicity, compactness, and light weight. I decided to go simple and 'rediscover' iron sights and added a MOE handguard last Christmas. It finally feels right now; light and well balanced. And at 6½ lbs I'm happy with it's weight.  I still have my quick disconnect 3x9 scope that I can slap on if the mood strikes me as my 'kit b' application.  I got my second AR 3 years ago and I always knew it was slated to be my long range unit so I added my 3x12 scope to a stock RRA A4 and fashioned another custom grip for it. I was pleased with the result. As it's a bench gun and p-dog shooter, I wasn't looking for anything tactical. While it was fine, I felt it was missing something.  I decided that what was missing was the feel of real wood so I swapped the plastic furniture for a walnut set. At 10½ lbs it's just right for long range shooting and I'm very happy with it's 'non-tactical' look. I know it's not for many here but for me it works just right.  |
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Quoted:
My first was a Colt CAR15 that I got new in 1983 for $400. One of the best rifles I have ever owned. Light and reliable. At that time the only game in town. Now I own several. As I get older I need optics on them. I have several from LMT, CMMG, Bushmaster And Colt. Plus one I have bult. My go to gun is a mid-length BCM recce type set up. Still love that old Colt though. what a good year 83 lol, I would agree but I was only 7
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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Your Second AR (Page 1 of 2)
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