Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting ;Recommendations on an AR-15 Purchase?

[Buffalo]

While in the service, I shot the M-16 in basic training (Jan. 1966) & have never shot one again. However, I'm rather intrigued by that style of rifle & their popularity & would like to have one. I can't believe the number of them that are now available, especially, after the sales run on them not so long ago. There are now quite a few on the shelves of the local gun shops. I'm still in the learning process & have found that there are a lot of variables to consider before making a purchase. Also, the pricing seems to be getting much better. One shop even will pay the sales tax on what seems to be a good price compared to its competition.
A number of stores are recommending the Windham Weaponry saying they have a number of quality features that are worth considering. Another recommended the Ruger Model saying that it had a specially built (forged or stainless steel?) bolt, chrome lined barrel & something about a gas filled barrel??? The Ruger is considerably more expensive than the Windham Weaponry Model. The Ruger was a piston model as opposed to just the gas recharging the weapon. The gas models require much more cleaning, as I was told.

Any opinions on the best way to go? I won't be shooting this gun, a lot but, don't think I want to go thru life without owning one (I'm 67 y/o. ) I would appreciate your thoughts &, especially, explanations on what the features are & why one is better than the other. Don't think I'll be building a battle ready weapon with all the red dots, flashlights & what ever else you can install on one of these. I understand that some of the receivers are made of carbon fiber & others out of aluminum. Is one considerably better than the other & why? I would think that the aluminum one would be better but, don't really know for sure.

Thanks for your advice.

Joe F.

 

[AMink]

If you're not going to shoot it a lot I think you can stick with a gas gun. The pistons cost more. If you're using it as a plinker there are lots of good guns under $1000. One thing that seems to help is the M4 feed ramp. It is a little bigger than standard and supposedly allows the bullets to feed reliably. Colt, DPMS, Rock River, Olympic Arms, Bushmaster, and more make totally fine guns for most users.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yeah, if you're not going to be shooting it a lot, say 3-400 rounds a year, than anything that you like would suffice. The Windham rifles are good rifles, but perhaps overpriced..... I tell some people that are starting out with one, and unsure if they'll like it, to purchase a cheaper DPMS, Olympic, or Bushmaster. The reason for that is that if they don't like it, they will potentially lose money when they go to sell it. If you get into a cheaper rifle, you won't lose as much, if any, and they'll work fine if you don't shoot all the time and want sub-MOA accuracy at all points in time.



And as far as reliability of gas driven vs. piston driven... . Both have a long line of service. But even piston driven guns have to be cleaned. Carbon will build up in pistons, just like the old M14 rifles... . Direct gas impingement is proven. Quality ammo alleviates any of the prolific problems that were so prevelant during the rifles introduction.

 

[The patriot]

DPMS makes a decent hobby gun.
I hear a lot of people who like Windham.
I'd stick to a DI gun (KISS)
If you plan on shooting 5. 56mm, have the chamber checked to see if it's in fact 5. 56mm, not 223.
I prefer 1/8 or 1/7" twist barrels. You can shoot the heavier bullets with the faster twist.
What's nice with AR's is, theyre modular. You can always change whatever you dont like about it.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Buy a lower receiver and build one yourself. I did and now I totally understand every inch of my AR. it was really easy; even for the average guy.

 

[LFarmer]

Your may want to check out the 300 blackout round that is available in a ar style gun. It uses the same magazines as the . 223. Advanced Armament specializes in that platform.

 

[Sticks]

I've learned more that I wanted to about the AR15 platform in the last 2 years. I have assembled 2 of them from the ground up out of the better/reliable components out there, and I will never buy an "Off the rack" rifle.



I have;

16" basic AR - [8k rounds down the pipe, two - 2 day training classes and not one malfunction]

18" MK12 DMR [2k rounds down the pipe, one - 2 day training class and not one malfunction that I did not create - bad batch of reloads]

Both rifles shoot a 3/4 MOA, although the MK12 has yet to have any MK262 ammo fired through it, only M193 (55gr)



If you are truly only looking for an occasional plinker where you would only be shooting 500 or so rounds a year, the recommendations in the first or second post would be just fine. If you are looking for a rifle that you may start using more frequently, or a SHTF, then I would lean more towards Colt, BCM, Larue, or Daniel Defence (I'd even go with Palmetto State Armory). Buy once, cry once.



The problem being is though the prices have come down a bit since January, they are for the most part still way overpriced unless you buy direct from the manufacturer - they are the only ones not gouging the pubic.



Keep an eye out for this to come back in stock. http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...e-armory/psa-16-mid-premium-patrol-rifle.html



Not sure what the price is, but pre-Sandy Hook, they could be had for IIRC < $1000, which is a smokin' deal with that top of the line $400 optic on top. They are quality rifle (all of their branded rifles - it is just that their customer service is hit and miss). I am not a fan of the A2 front sight post/gas block myself. I prefer a flat top.



If you do go with any of the first or second post recommendations - there are certain things to check prior to purchase on those other than Colt.



Gas key staking, Receiver tube staking, general fit and finish, front sight post stamp if applicable. (IIRC "T" marked is the one you want),fire control group creep and feel, M4 feed ramps... DO NOT BUY ANYTHING WITH "COMMERCIAL" COMPONENTS!!!! Almost all the manufactures will quote "Mil Spec" and that is a lie. Colt is the only one that has the actual 10k page TDP for Mil Spec. All the others that claim it is merely that the general measurements are close. There are also a bunch of them out there that have really crappy imported components or air-soft designed components. Generally optics, but it can be furniture as well. Magpul for one does have a line of air-soft designed products that find their way onto ARs.

 

[Sticks]

Furthermore...

Ammo. Right now, unless you reload, and can actually find components, it's too expensive. If you are paying more than $. 40 a round for non corrosive/brass cased ammo, you are paying too much. My cost for reloads was $. 21 per for match grade, and that is not factoring in my time in making the ammo.

Much like my Dodge, I bought it when food was cheap, then a year later it's too expensive to feed.

 

[JTMATTEL05]

I dont know if you have purchased a rifle or not yet. But i have owned my Stag Arms Model 2T for 4-5 years now. I wouldnt trade it for anything. extremely reliable rifle and extremely helpful staff at the fatory. I would just say from experience to stay away from the chep Wolf ammo or any steel casing for that matter. It will not do your rifle good in the end.