AR Sponsor
Posted: 12/31/2015 9:05:51 PM EDT
Hello all. Just hanging out to pick up some pointers. Don't have an AR platform rifle at this point, but thinking about picking one up. I don't really need (or want) a $2500 whiz-bang gun, just a basic dependable shooter and unsure what I should be looking for. Me, I'm semi-retired, work out of the house, no longer active duty Marine. I call central AZ home. I also don't get butthurt if I ask a stupid question and get harassed for it. 
Lon |
|
Depends on what you want. If I could only have 1 AR I'd get a 16" barrel with mid-length gas, FSB (fixed front sight), and A2-style hand guard. Then I'd top it with a reasonably priced 1-4x scope (I kind of like the Vortex Viper PST) and put it on a lower with a Geiselle SSA trigger and either an A2 or Rogers Super-Stoc. Figure $4-500 for the complete lower (including the specified trigger), $2-500 for the complete upper (depending mostly on barrel choice), and about $500 for the Vortex scope.
If you don't want to build, just get a Colt. Their basic models go for around $8-900. If you want to buy a complete rifle but don't like colt, at least avoid buying an AR made by a company that you or hardly anyone else has ever heard of. If I was buying a complete rifle, the only brands I'd consider would be Colt, Rock River Arms, and Windham Weaponry. Well, also KAC and DD but they're out of my budget... More fun to build though and you can get exactly what you want. |
|
Not that I disagree with the basis of your suggestion but, I've repeatedly read (and only read. Not tested) that below about 3X the front sight post will show up in your recital. Based on that, I'd be hesitant to build a FSB carbine if a 1-4 was my intent. If you want to run irons or a RDS then, absolutely but, for a 1-4 I'd feel better going free float and a fold down front sight.
OP - You can build a fairly basic but, durable and reliable platform from PSA for around $600 (+ optic if you want it). They are out of stock on most uppers right now but, they'll come back. Pick up a lower. Slap it together (it's easy) and by then there should be some complete uppers filtering back into stock. poke around on this site a bit and get a feel for things and also check out palmetto state armory while you're at it. There's really not much to building a lower and throwing an upper on it and there's a whole bunch of experienced people here to help if you need it. |
|
"Not that I disagree with the basis of your suggestion but, I've repeatedly read ".
I've run a Nikon 1x4 on my 16" Carbine, you will see a shadow at 1x but past that, the FSP disappears. I currently run a Nikon 2x8 with out any problems. FSP's seem to have fallen out of favor due to FF tubes and the latest Flip Up Sights. I only have one AR type rifle and I use a scope with a Larue QD mount as I also do about half my shooting with irons, Arms 40L rear and standard "F" FSP. This works for me. |
| I'm a fan of fixed front sights. They're durable as all hell and I have far more faith in them than something that's screwed to a rail. I'm glad to hear you've had good luck running a low power on one. I may try it in the future. I've just been hesitant based on other opinions I've read. |
|
Thanks for the replies. I was issued a m16A2 when out of boot camp (M14 for boot camp)(showing myage!). I will settle right back in to being comfortable with the platform. A red dot will be required (these old eyes don't pick up iron sights like they used to........ I like the idea of building my own, and PSA seems to have some really good prices.
I have a Norinco SKS that I bought new in the early 90's that has less than 200 rounds through it. I have thought about selling this as partial finance of the project. What would be a reasonable sales price of this rifle? I see that J&G sales has beat up surplus SKS's at $289 Lon |
|
Looks like my issue rifle once out of boot camp in 1972.....
Lon Quoted:
As a basic, dependable AR I love the basic A2 20". Fixed FSB, A2 stock, standard handguards. Ideally get one with a 1/7 twist barrel but a 1/9 works just find with the common 55 and 62 grain projectiles. Second choice would be a 16" M4gery, still with fixed FSB but with a flat top upper. Basic collapsible stock. Both can be had for well under $700 with a little shopping. The A2 is getting harder to find it seems but the M4gerys are so common it's hard to not find one anywhere you go. Even though I've got ARs with all the cool guy stuff on them this remains one of my favorites. <a href="http://s762.photobucket.com/user/ratjaw/media/AR%20Twins/imagejpg1_zpsdacd7a09.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/ratjaw/AR%20Twins/imagejpg1_zpsdacd7a09.jpg</a> |
|
Well, in honor of the Chocolate Jesus slapping us around with his pen and phone earlier this week, I went gun browsing today. Then I had to drive home, get my SKS I was going to use to partially finance the AR purchase and drive BACK to the gunstore, then drive back home with a Del-Ton sport lite AR. That particular gun shop always seems to do well on trades, cost me $250 and the SKS, tax and everything included. May not be the best AR, but should be a decent basic plinker. Now to figure out what optic.........
YMMV Lon |
|
For me there are 2 trains of thought... if you're the type of guy that gets something, plays with it for a while, gets bored and sells it, go buy a Colt 6920. Decent basic weapon that keeps most of its resale value because it has a name on it. Buy it, play with it, sell it, move on.
If, however, you're the guy (like me) that wants to know all the inner workings of something and take pride in saying 'I beat that together" then building is the way you want to go. I built every AR in the safe because I had specific goals in mind for each and customized them exactly how I wanted them, not how some bean counter that works for a manufacturer but never used one of their products got the best deal on. It's "right" right from the start. Figure out who you are and go from there. And Oohrah Marine, from a former Corpsman. |
AR Sponsor