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Posted: 10/18/2011 4:35:46 PM EDT
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Hello all. Nu-b here, I just wanted to say hello to everyone! I am ordering my first AR this week. I am planning on getting a Spike's LE Mid; adding the MOE handguard, grip, and CTR Stock and also an AFG. I am not adding any optics this year, just going with the MBUS and the fixed front that comes with it. (saving up and probably getting one next year) I have heard the wait time is close to two months, which sucks, but heard Spike's is worth the wait!
Anyway, the reason(s) I am getting this is first and foremost when the SHTF. I figure this is the coolest insurance policy I can buy! Secondly for plinking. (Home defense is in the mix, but realistically, I use my pistol for that). I am hoping to meet some of you guys locally and potentially get into those 3 gun shoots (although I would probably just participate in the rifle and pistol portions). Anyway, if you had any last minute ideas or reasons I should change my mind, please let me know! Otherwise, the last question comes down to Black or FDE? :) |
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Check AIM Surplus if you would like to avoid the wait...
http://www.aimsurplus.com/ Welcome BTW. 
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Thanks RyanH! I have looked there, and they are sold out of the complete rifle. A buddy of mine and I have been talking about building also, but it seems that when I called Spike's and got a quote, their complete rifles were cheaper than I could piece together! (considering some of the extras).
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| Thanks El Perdido! I can't spell for crap, so usually easier to just short hand! haha! I have handled quite a few different grips and such, that I really like the light weight and just feel that magpul products have. I do see your point though. Something to consider for sure! |
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Welcome!
If you're ordering direct from Spikes be sure to get the Nickel Boron plated bolt carrier group, they'll subtract the standard and charge you the difference only. The NiBr bolt is easier to clean and has a very slippery surface and can run without lube (if you ever needed it to...). It's niiice. Also might want to order the particular flash hider you want, I got the Smith Vortex. |
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OK, so if you had one piece of advice, you would upgrade the bolt carrier? OK, cool, that is some great help! After I go shoot my fire arms, whether it be a pistol, shotgun or rifle, I break out the q-tips and clean them thoroughly. Sounds like that will not only help the operation, the durability, but also the action.
Thanks! When I talk to my sales rep, I will for sure ask her about that and probably upgrade! That IS the great thing about ordering from them, they don't just add on the amount of the new part, they also subtract the amount of what you removed, so that's cool. Flash hinder, I will probably stick with the standard A-2. Later if i upgrade, that will be another debate...I am trying to be as close to $950 as I can on this one. thank you! |
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My advise would be to buy an upper separate, then put a stripped lower together.
It is so easy its not funny, and youll learn alot about the rifle There are guides here and youtube videos showing how to assemble a stripped lower, it requires no special tools except maybe a castle nut wrench. Then you just screw on the buffer tube and insert the BCG and Charging handle. Not quite "Building" one, but will save you some money and allow you to get exactly what you want Look at Palmetto State Armory and BCM also if your not set on Spikes |
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+1 for building. Got my spikes from aim ( love it!) and assemed my lower following the build it yourself threads. Took me 25 min learned alot about my rifle. I missed my upper at aim and it was back within 2 months.
But either way spikes is a good choice. And just keep it simple shoot alot then buy extras it will save you money. People here told me that and I didn't listen 
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Great choice with the Spikes. I've owned a few of their products (complete rifle and and an upper) and have been blown away by the quality...not to mention the all-too-reasonable prices.
For your very first AR, there's nothing wrong with buying a complete rifle. It is true however that you can save money by buying a stripped lower reciever and lower parts/build kit and then ordering a complete upper. That's what I did with my latest rifle. Doing it this way also affords you a little more freedom in having only what YOU want on your rifle. Of course, it's hard to know exactly what you want until you have had some experiences with the AR platform, but still, at the very least you could save some money. At first I thought I was going to have a hard time assembling my lower since I had never done it before. I was wrong. It took under an hour and was super easy. And BTW, I'm not a handyman. I'm a college kid with no real tools to my name. The most expensive tool I own is a 20$ drill from Wal-mart. And yes, I was able to assemble a lower receiver in under an hour. If I can do it, anyone can do it. So if you choose to go this route, here are a couple suggestions to get you started: Stripped lower + Lower build kit PSA also has a "premium" build kit with the Magpul CTR stock and MIAD grip for 200$. Then you just pin on the upper of your choice (Spikes is good to go). I chose this one for my latest build: Spikes "Elite" 14.5" Upper. It's teh tits. Turned out like this: 
BTW, that whole rifle––including the light, light mount, sling, sling mount, and backup sight (all top-quality accessories)––ended up being just under 1050$ with shipping and fees factored in. |
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Quoted:
Thanks RyanH! I have looked there, and they are sold out of the complete rifle. A buddy of mine and I have been talking about building also, but it seems that when I called Spike's and got a quote, their complete rifles were cheaper than I could piece together! (considering some of the extras). I would pay the extra to get a factory rifle....yea i guess it is fun to piece them together but i pieced together rifle does not have a warranty. If you get a factory built rifle and something is not working right you can send it back and get it taken care of...but if you built it that is on you. |
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Being new to this, the warranty IS a big deal to me. That makes slot of sense! Also being new, what some of you guys that already have plenty of mags, a case and what not. When you add a that up, I honestly cannot find the savings of building one myself. Now if I had those things already, then for sure it makes sense.
Thanks for all the help! |
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Okie... Welcome to the site! Enjoy your new rifle, and please, use this site as a resource...There is no limit to the amount of information careening around the heads of Arfcommers.... I applaud you for wanting to master your iron sights. That to me is huge. Good luck!!!! |
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Yes upgraded bolt may cut down on cleaning time also.
As many have said i would keep it simple right now. After handling it and shooting others rifles. Your ideas of that you want on it will change, Mine did. Since most of it is personal preference. Only thing is forearms and stocks if you change them you sort of loose money as opposed to buying what you want out of the gate. Even if you sell them its at a loss. This hobby is not cheap im just trying to help you budget a few more boxes of ammo. It will be good to learn irons sights, before choosing an optic. Irons are fun. I use mine regularly. |
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To upgrade to a nickel boron bolt& carrier is $90. For a guy just getting into this, would that be an upgrade that would really be worth doing for his first AR? The handguard really doesn't cost much extra and the buttstock really doesn't either. So I can justify those.
Going to order today. Any last minutes opinions on the bolt carrier? |
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Honestly I wouldn't even mess with a stripped lower, not when you can find complete lowers for reasonably cheap.
Buy a complete upper and a complete lower and snap them together yourself and you will still save money by not paying the excise tax on a long gun. Buy quality parts, buy ammo, and learn how to shoot it before upgrading anything or attempting to assemble your own. |
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