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Posted: 12/16/2006 1:18:45 PM EDT
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Hello Someone posted a similar thread elsewhere. I didn't want to hijack. This will be my first AR. Wish to get it right. There are a bewildering array of choices for AR rifles. I thought picking stuff for 1911's was bad. This is a whole new ball game. I bought a complete Stag lower w/A2 stock from jkiser(+1). Also got in in the group mag buy. Decided on CMMG for an upper. A little more money, but I like being able to pick specific options. Also like the 1:7 and 1:8 barrel twists. I handload and I like options. So here are my random questions. What's the difference between a MedCon upper and a Govt upper? I will be adding the YHM folding sight/gas block as an option. Do I have to have a YHM rear sight to match? Can I pick another brand if I choose? Semi-auto or Full-auto bolt carrier? Can't decide about which barrel length. Either a 18" mid-length or 20" barrel w/Govt profile. This won't be a CQB gun. What's the difference in handling between the two? I'll be putting a 4x40 fixed scope or 3x9x40 on it. No red dots. Here in Monsoon Central the ranges I normally shoot at are between 50 and 250 yards. I don't think I'll be doing a whole lot of blazing away like I do with my SKS. Except of course if I run into some angry Zombies Last but not least. I will be putting a FF tube on it at a future date. But no rails. I want a nice slim trim tube. I really like the carbon fiber tubes. I've looked at several. I like PRI but I have to eat. Anyone have this brand www.hiperform.com/hand-guards.htm These are basic FF tubes. No pre-drilled holes Would vent holes be needed to help barrel cooling? Any other recommendations? Anything a AR noob needs to know? Thanks in advance ZM |
Medium Contour (Med Con) is thicker under the handguards than Govt contour, IMO, unless you're shooting matches or something you'll never see a difference except that the Govt weighs less.
I'm not a big fan of the YHM stuff. IMO it's not that it's bad, it's just that it's not good. The PRI is much nicer, or just go with their low profile gas block and do a rail that covers it and mount Troy flip sights front and rear.
I like the full auto carrier in shorter guns but it's not a real big deal in longer barreled guns.
IMO, an 18" middy is about the nicest "Do it all" barrel length. That being said my longest barreled AR is 14.5"
There again, I'd do a full length rail and a low profile gas block if you're planning on shooting with optics primarily.
I understand that you're on a budget but MI freefloat rails are really quite affordable and from what I've seen are pretty much bombproof. I have a non-FF MI rail setup on my carbine and it's great. I had Troy FF rails on my RRA and they were also great.
Here's the way I'd do it... Start with their 18" SPR Flat-top middy upper. -> $525.95 To which I would add... FA Carrier -> N/C The E.G.R.E.S.S. bolt upgrade -> $30 Badger Ord. Tac latch (great for scoped AR's) -> $20 Micro Gas Block -> $60 No Handguards -> -$20 (Source whatever you want but the MI FF rifle rails give you a great platform for optics.) IMO you can save some money by not getting accessories from CMMG but from someone like Rainier arms or some of the other dealers here. A set of Troy sights, and a Larue scope mount and you'd be set. Were it me I'd throw a high quality fixed 4X scope on it and shoot. |
| I would get the 18" medium contour with mid-length hand guards and gas system. It will help keep the weight down. I would then put YHM's customizable free float tube on it just in case the need for accessory rails comes up down the road. You could add just enough rail to mount that light, bipod, vfg, etc. |
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I looked at 14.5 and 16" carbines. Didn't like them. Just didn't feel right. Not a knock. Just my preference. Weight is kind of an issue. I want as much barrel length and velocity as I can get in a package that is still pretty handy. An 18" middie gives a pretty good sized package. The closest I got to seeing one in person was a 16" Bushy mid-length. I liked it a lot. A couple more inches of barrel would make it about perfect. For this gun I will not be hanging stuff off the FF tube. I'm more of a K.I.S.S. person. I want to save a little weight on the gun. That's why I am going with a carbon fiber tube. It will gain back the weight when I add optics. I kinda liked a 20" HBAR Armalite. The length and size was OK. The weight was not acceptable. I really want to check out a 20" rifle with a Govt profile barrel. Unfortunately there aren't any at the funstores here. I still may go with a 20" govt profile. Please note, I am converting my reloading bench to accept a vise. I have most of the tools already to assemble an AR from scratch. I need some of the AR specific tools. This probably won't be my last AR. The thought of building a gun from scratch in the garage is just too much to pass up. Thanks for your comments. Keep'em coming. ZM |
Are you talking about a standard AR sight? The gas block will be under the FF tube. Considering putting a railed gas block on the open part of the barrel to act as a mount for a flip up front sight. No plans for iron sights in the short term. My old eyes don't like them. I use optics on my important guns and use irons only when I have to. I may take a defensive carbine class later in the year. I'll have to put BUIS on it then for sure. Those guys at OFA run students, guns and equipment pretty hard. If my red dot crashes and burns, I'll need a good set of BUIS. ZM |
Where in Oregon are you? I'm in Medford. |
Salem
Well I was considering the YHM flip up. But with the FF tube covering the gas block. I might do things a bit different. Maybe go with the regular AR sight for awhile. Then when the FF tube arrives, make decisions then. I have the instructions to turn a AR sight into just a gas block. I hate waiting for tax refunds. ZM |
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Salem huh... I went to OSU so I'm fairly familiar with the area. I like Stayton alot, but couldn't live in Salem. In fact, that whole end of the state is waaaaaay too rainy. Down here we get just a bit more rain than Los Angeles. If you're ever in the area look me up. PM me for contact info. |
Well I'm not exactly in Salem. Close but not in Salem. Lived on Lancaster behind the Bi-mart for awhile. Pretty bad when I have to strap on a .45 to go the 100ft to the mailbox. My wife and I got fed up and moved to a better area. I still carry a gun to the mailbox. But it's a .380  ZM |
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