Posted: 6/12/2008 2:28:03 PM EDT
| well since im out of school for the sumer and working full time im looking at possibly buying a ar-15 or some kind of variation of it. so what do i need to know because i know there is all sorts of popular calibers and size and lengths and different qualities. so what would a be a good starter ar ? im just plan on using for varmint hunting/ target practicing. |
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well, your options are almost endless. I would suggest 5.56, because it will be easy, and fairly inexpensive to change to .22lr (using a drop-in kit) later on if you decide. 5.56 is great for both hunting and target shooting. As for manufacturers, there are a LOT of good ones out there. For the most part you get what you pay for (except Colt. you get to pay extra for the pony on the side  )The configuration is where you'll have more options than you know what to do with. If you don't plan on shooting more than 400 yds or so, a 16" barrel will probably suit you just fine. I suggest getting a flat top, because you will have a lot more options for optics. There's also the option of building yourself. It's honestly very easy, if you can use legos, you should be good to go 
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You can get a good AR at Del-Ton and still come in way under $1000 Del Ton Good products and excellent service. |
+1 to del-ton one of their rifle kits would be a great place to start. you could easily have a brand new rifle for around $600 |
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www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=199 Some assembly required But that is where/how I would start over |
GO FLAT TOP that way you can run a bolt on carry handle or run optics at the correct height. Optics is up to you based on what you want to use it for. Red dots are great for less than 50 yards and OK out to 100 yards (for me). Most scopes with magnification are not so good under 50 yards and can be good out to 1000 yards. Again it really depends on what you want to do with it......bench.....3 gun.......practical rifle......varmits...etc
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| As far as New. CMMG is bye far the best for quality. Very close to Colt in quality. You should be able to get a nice complete rifle for about what you want to spend. As far as optics go. I would spend some time on the optic Forums. I personally like Aimpoints. I have Eotech's And as far as scopes go. It kind of what your end use is going to be. I would spend the money on a high quality rifle. Mag's And Ammo. Pic up a good quality BUIS rear sight or Carrey handle and spend time learning to shoot your new toy with the Irons. Bye then you will have a feel for what you want for optics. Other good makers out there. Stag, Bushmaster, RRA and for the money Del-ton is good. Also Double Star very well made. |
Get some folding sights or a detach carry handle. If you must get a red dot, get an eotech 512. You might consider getting a free float fore end, preferably something with rails. I am partial to the looks of a monolithic "specter" length fore end with the sight attached to the top rail. something like this in the 10" version with some folding sights would be pretty sweet. But this is stuff you can add at a later date too. Personally I try to do it right the first time. You can really go bankrupt spec'ing out a rifle. |
For a red dot the Eotech is the way to go. I have a 552 on my HK91 and a 512 on the FS2000. The sight is tough and easy to use. I just find a spot on the Pic rail, push the sight forward, and spin the nob. After I can't turn it by hand anymore I take a nickle and put it in the slot on the nob, give it a quarter turn and I'm ready to shoot. When I pop the holo sight on and off and use this method I have only been off by 1" at 100 yards every time. There are tons of scopes avalable for the AR-15. When I bought my Colt it came with one of those 4 power carry handle BDC scopes you can find in the Shotgun News for 60 bucks. I'm not sure were mine was made but I can't find the buzzkill of "made in china" anywere on it. I'm gonna guess it made in Japan. The previous owner said he got it with the rifle back in 91, if anyone knows more about these scopes please IM me or post about it. I popped the scope on one day in a quary for poops and laughs and it was right on at about 100 yards, but I haven't checked the BDC for accuracy. My AR now sport an ACOG. The sight is clear, the reticle is easy to use, the carry handle mount works well but it makes one use a chin weld instead of a cheek weld, but these are very expensive. Spambo has a nice Leopold tacticle scope on his AR, I think its a 2 to 5 variable, the reticle is a red dot with a large red ring around it. These run around 600$, were the ACOG could be a grand or 1200$. I did mount a Springfield Goverment model 4x14 power scope on the AR. After the carry handle adapter and the rise from the scope rings I found it to suck ass to shoot, I almost had to use an "Adams Apple weld" just to see throught it. With the bore of the rifle being 3.5 inches from the scope I doubt the BDC was worth a damn. I strongly agree with former posters directing you to a flat top. If you get a flat top spend the 75 to 100$ to get the carry handle iron sights. There is something real satisfying to sight it in and use the rear sight cam to hit targets at longer ranges. |
I'm sorry, and no offense JD42, but every time I see or hear someone say that one particular brand of AR is "by far better" I can't help but laugh and shake my head. Most of the parts used by different manufacturers are made by very few companies, and quality is for the most part identical. If it weren't for the markings added by the manufacturers, there would be almost no difference between most them. to the OP: if you purchase an AR from any of the reputable companies, and run good ammo through it, you won't be disappointed. It will most likely last long enough for your grandkids to get lots of use out of it. |
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I'm going to go against the grain a little. In the past 3 months there have been several lowers and complete functional rifles available on the EE locally for really reasonable (read: damn cheap) prices. I have even seen 4+ rifles in the last three months (at least 2 were Bushmasters) for under $600.00. Shoot a buddies and decide what you want, then have some fun with it. Many don't care for the old A2 iron sights but they work just fine and you may find that you like them better. Not to mention that a 'good' red dot sight will cost you a substantial part (1/3+) of your overall budget. Remember that your first AR will not be your last and you can always sell an upper receiver or barrel if you don't like it. My personal favorite is a 14.7 inch A2 carbine, to switch that to an A4 is only $100 and you can sell the A2 upper on the EE for almost as much (several on sale now for $90). Shoot, you can also sell a 20 inch barrel if you decide that isn't for you. I think the key is not to try too hard to make a $2K+ rifle out of a sub $1K budget. Shoot, on the EE right now is a 20 inch Essential arms A2 with a 1/12 barrel for $600. Sell the barrel and stock assembly on the EE and....decide what you want from there... |
| Hi The Gilil is a great rifle. But most you will run into are kit guns. Also kind of heavy and hard to get parts and mag's for. A lot more expensive to run over a Ar. Ak family of firearms are great. Very reliable. There are a lot out there. The 5.45x39 is a good deal. Ammo is quite inexpensive relative to 5.56. Not as accurate as the Ar. Also kind of limits you. You can have several uppers in everything from .22 to 50cal with the Ar. And use the same lower. Also the Ar is a better optic platform. I would spend some time shooting both to get a feel for what you want. |
I perfer you get a Olympic arms ar with a A2 sights not a flat top. To master Iron Sghts then its easier to master a Scope. 
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| forums.officer.com/showthread.php?t=81462Take the time and read that link. It should give you a good start. |