AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/7/2004 9:07:10 AM EDT
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Greetings, I am a first time poster to this board seeking advice on purchasing my first AR15. I am a lifetime gun owner, mostly shotguns, .22 rifles, and a variety of pistols. I am actually looking to purchase this gun as a gift for my son, an outstanding 17 year old who is on a path to go through either West Point or a four year ROTC program -- leading to a term as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. He has mentioned his interest to start shooting an AR15. As he will likely be leaving home in the next 8 months, I wish to make this purchase very soon to allow him time to enjoy the gun before he leaves. This rifle would be used only for *civilian* purposes. I don't really have any requirements other than I would prefer to keep costs under $500-600. I would prefer to find a used rifle just due to costs, but will consider purchasing new. But of course is $100 buys me something worth having, I would consider that. Please help me sort through all the minutiae and details associated with the multi-purpose AR15 and select a rifle that would be a good fit for him. The small amount of research I have done leads me to think that the primary options for selecting an AR come down to the following. If you could provide your thinking on these, tradeoffs, pros vs. con, etc....that would be much appreciated. Brand? Barrel length? Fluted vs. non-fluted barrel? Flash suppressor? Twist? Bore (chrome vs. steel)? Stock (fixed vs. telescoping; aluminum vs. plastic)? Sights? Receiver (flattop vs. handle)? Sling? What else? |
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Good luck finding an AR for $500-$600 used or otherwise. You might, but I'll bet it would take awhile and it sounds like you do not have a lot of time to squander. If he were my son, I would get him a rifle that as closely as possible resembles an A2 configured rifle. A2 upper receiver 20" barrel A2 stock Iron sights Have you contemplated having your son involved in highpower competition? Starting and shooting highpower will give him a good leg up on service rifles and then shooting thereof. If so, go over to the competitions board and find out the closest range to you and go check it out. |
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I think this is as cheep as you'll find new but its cast, not forged, reciever. www.olyarms.com/plinker.html |
| Sorry for that price you have to buy used and people are still waiting on rifles that are no ban so there are no used ones to be had that are not neutered versions. If you can Get a RRA carbine with a barrel light under the handguards and chrome lined bore you will have done fine. |
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I agree with getting him a rifle that is as close to a 20" M16A2 as possible, as that is what he will train on. You should be able to pick up a nice used, postban (neutered) Bushmaster for that price, which is what I'd recommend. Keep an eye out on the Equipment Exchange here. -Troy |
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Check out the EE: found this for you: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=21&t=230936 get him a 20"---that's what he will train with eventually. PLUS he will have a nice foundation to tinker with at a later date. Edit: Consider the A4 for flexibility--Plus it looks to be cheaper! |
I don't know... i learned on an m16a4 at basic... and now i own a carbine... shooting an AR is shooting an AR... i don't think it makes that much of a differnce unless you really mutate the gun... orygunmike... its really cool that your proud of yur son and want to buy him an AR... its a great gift! I would read through the Ideal Rifle article here on this site... it covers lots of things from barrel lengths to sights ect... The price is what's going to hurt you... because you don't want to buy your son a piece of crap... or something that may hurt him... I'd look into RRA... thats what I did and I love it... good quality... but a good price... talk to steve at ADCO and he'll set you up nice... I would say a good chromelined RRA midlength barrel... with a flat top receiver... and a carrying handle sight... buttstock... either A2, cav. arms a1, or a collapsible stock (if your into it)... i'd personally rather have an a1 stock if i couldn't have a magpul though but thats $200 and its not worth it for you build... Brand? RRA NOT model 1 or a bad manufacture... Barrel length? 16" midlength RRA chromelined...16" are better for an overall choice in barrel... its small enough to be quick and manuverable... but long enough to have velocity and range.... Fluted vs. non-fluted barrel?doesn't really matter its an added expense though... so no flutting Flash suppressor?phatoms are nice... but an a2 is $5 bux Twist?1x9 or 1x7 ... its really doesn't matter ... i prefer 1x9 Bore (chrome vs. steel)? CHROME Stock (fixed vs. telescoping; aluminum vs. plastic)?like i said above... cav. arms a1 would be m y first choice for a build like this Sights?just get the GG&G flip up a2, its low profile... won't break... and is standard mil apetures Receiver (flattop vs. handle)?FLATOP.. can't stress this enough... makes the gun so much more versitale... Sling?standard a2.... good good sling What else? you might be able to get a cheaper receiver than a RRA somewhere else... but if you can... i'd just get a RRA... BUild the gun piece by piece... its cheaper that way... don't just buy a packaged AR... i hope this all works out... keep us posted... good luck! this is my gun... with rails, minus optic and optic mount... and magpul (i had a cav. arms a1) it was about $1000  |
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Check here. Scroll down the page they have an Olympic Arms forged rcvr rifle on sale for 559. Add collapsable stock for 59. www.atlanticfirearms.com/rifles/ar15/ar15.html
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