Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Which AR-15 to buy?

[pwknapp]

Ok, I think I'm finally ready to buy that AR I've wanted forever. I need some education on what to look for etc. Mainly used for fun, some varmit shooting, and some "because I have it" protection. Any help would be appreciated.



Thanks, Paul

 

[JDiepstra]

I was actually wondering the exact same thing, except I had more "political" reasons. By that I mean I want to get it while I can!

 

[kenny61]

Ok, I think I'm finally ready to buy that AR I've wanted forever. I need some education on what to look for etc. Mainly used for fun, some varmit shooting, and some "because I have it" protection. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Paul

What to look for you mean brand , barrel lengths, sights accessories?????

Do you have any experience with them or are you a newbie no offense intended just trying to get a base line

 

[schv]

If you're buying a complete rifle, stay with Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, Armalite, DPMS, or other well known name brand. Keep it simple to start - you can always upgrade and modify to your heart's content once you are familiar with the gun.

 

[kenny61]

Keep in mind a rifle is kind of use specific, A good varmint shooting rifle has a long heavy barrel for long range tack driving. Far shot small target. You can use this as multiple use if you are planning on becoming a sniper. A home defense and urban combat rifle has a shorter lighter barrel and usually a folding stock. These come in handy for clearing rooms and the longer barrel is not needed because you dont have long shots in an urban enviroment, but then its nice to pick up something like a barrett 50 to punch through walls. You may need to buy 3 or 4 rifles and a handgun to cover all the points. Also don't forget the shotgun... very important


I know I got carried away, it happens, but seriously you have to know the main use of what you are looking for and go from there

 

[BRobertson]

Noveske from Grants Pass Oregon if you can afford it!! Realistically, the way it is now, you will have to settle for any thing you can find!!!

I would choose the newer Smith and Wesson ARs or the Charles Daly over any of the other factory ARs.

I built all of my from carefully selected parts.

 

[kenny61]

I built all of my from carefully selected parts.

2nd that motion, Thats what I did

 

[The patriot]

What they said.....what's it for?

Noveske, Sabre defence, LMT,S&W and Colt are my picks, no perticular order as long as Noveske is at the top.

I sell Rock River, DPMS and LMT's. I DO NOT have an FFL, so I cannot get you the lowers. I can get you a smokin deal on the LMT and a pretty good deal on the DPMS, but RRA's markup is not very much. I can also tell you if youre being ripped off on the lower.

DPMS, Bushmaster etc is OK for a plinker, but if I was depending on it for my life, I'd go with one of the above.
The M4 carbine board has a pretty neat chart, but I cant find it now.
10-8 forums will have some good info too. These guys shoot more in a weekend of training than most do in a year. They know what works.
Remember, everyone is about 8-12 weeks in a backlog and it's getting longer every day. Do it soon!

 

[The patriot]

Found it!

Comparison Chart of Major AR Brands - M4Carbine.net Forums

 

[KnightR]

I would'nt panic yet. You have the protection of 56,000,000 bible and gun totin citizens that we know of. Now on the other side of the country split you have a 66,000,000 lost idiots with love and reasoning to protect you.

 

[p-Bar]

Found it!

Comparison Chart of Major AR Brands - M4Carbine.net Forums

Interesting forum, never knew this,

5. 56 Chamber

There is a common misconception that . 223 and 5. 56 are the same thing. They are not. 5. 56 is often loaded to a higher pressure, among other things, which is the most critical issue. There are other dimensional differences pertaining to throat, bullet seat, etc. but what it comes down to in practical terms is that you can shoot . 223 in a 5. 56 chamber but the reverse is not a good idea. Generally speaking the barrel will be marked with one or the other but unfortunately those markings cannot always be trusted. If you think you may ever shoot 5. 56 ammunition it is a good idea to get a 5. 56 chamber from a maker that can be trusted.

More information about chamber dimensions can be found here http://www.ammo-oracle.com/body.htm

 

[kenny61]

Wow I did not know that either! Now I must see if its the same with 7. 62 a 51 and . 308



Winchester Law Enforcement



News and Press Releases



. 223 Rem VS 5. 56mm



Paul Nowak

5/4/2001

. 223 Rem VS 5. 56mm



There are a lot of questions about these two cartridges. Many people think they are identical - merely different designations for commercial and military. The truth is that, although somewhat similar, they are not the same and you should know the differences before buying either cartridge.





The cartridge casings for both calibers have basically the same length and exterior dimensions.

The 5. 56 round, loaded to Military Specification, typically has higher velocity and chamber pressure than the . 223 Rem.

The 5. 56 cartridge case may have thicker walls, and a thicker head, for extra strength. This better contains the higher chamber pressure. However, a thicker case reduces powder capacity, which is of concern to the reloader.

The 5. 56mm and . 223 Rem chambers are nearly identical. The difference is in the "Leade". Leade is defined as the portion of the barrel directly in front of the chamber where the rifling has been conically removed to allow room for the seated bullet. It is also more commonly known as the throat. Leade in a . 223 Rem chamber is usually . 085". In a 5. 56mm chamber the leade is typically . 162", or almost twice as much as in the 223 Rem chamber.

You can fire . 223 Rem cartridges in 5. 56mm chambers with this longer leade, but you will generally have a slight loss in accuracy and velocity over firing the . 223 round in the chamber with the shorter leade it was designed for.

Problems may occur when firing the higher-pressure 5. 56mm cartridge in a . 223 chamber with its much shorter leade. It is generally known that shortening the leade can dramatically increase chamber pressure. In some cases, this higher pressure could result in primer pocket gas leaks, blown cartridge case heads and gun functioning issues.

The 5. 56mm military cartridge fired in a . 223 Rem chamber is considered by SAAMI (Small Arm and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) to be an unsafe ammunition combination.





Before buying either of these two types of ammunition, always check your gun to find what caliber it is chambered for, then buy the appropriate ammunition. Most 5. 56mm rounds made have full metal jacket bullets. Performance bullets - soft points, hollow points, Ballistic Silvertips, etc. - are loaded in . 223 Rem cartridges. Firing a . 223 Rem cartridge in a 5. 56mm-chambered gun is safe and merely gives you slightly reduced velocity and accuracy. However we do not recommend, nor does SAAMI recommend, firing a 5. 56mm cartridge in a gun chambered for the . 223 Rem as the shorter leade can cause pressure-related problems.



Winchester Law Enforcement Ammunition



East Alton Illinois

 

[kenny61]

Answered my own question



. 308 Winchester vs. 7. 62×51 NATO | The Firearm Blog

 

[GCroyle]

Mine is RRA, I like it, no problems. At home I have a reply from RRA about the . 223 vs. 5. 56. They stated they can handle either with their Wylde chamber cut, might want to investigate RRA further. NRA Rifleman just did an article about the . 223 vs. 5. 56 recently if I remember correctly.



Went to a show in Columbia SC this weekend, wall to wall, line to get in, slim pickings on certain comsumable items.

 

[KLockliear]

As mentioned, any of the big brands are fine. Even most of the smaller brands are just rebadged/custom run stuff. You can buy any lower and match it up to any upper rather easily - also making it so you could have an upper setup for varmit shooting and another for "home defense. " Lots of options out there.

 

[The patriot]

Yea, if possible get something chambered in 5. 56. You can shoot what was once cheap mil surplus ammo. Now no ammo is cheap. It will also be a bit more tolerant of dirty environments.

Just because it's stamped 5. 56 dont necessarily mean it is chambered in 5. 56.

Some manufacturers still dont know the difference. :{

You might want to run this through the old printer for future reference. :{

Ikonboard Message

If possible, buy yourself a few extra lowers. Store them away for a rainy day.

 

[kenny61]

Gotta log on what was it you were linking too

 

[BillyHall]

I own a DPMS in the carbine configuration and a RRA in the standard rifle configuration. I like them both, but I think the RRA is a better built gun. The overall "feel" of the RRA is much tighter. I would agree with most posts - stay with a reputable manufacturer and you should be very happy. I would like to build one myself - but I think the parts (lower) may become very hard to get in the very near future!

 

[jray]

I own 3 Colt's and 1 Rock River Arms and I like them all. Because my state ( The Peoples Republic of California ) doesn't trust me to own such weapons I keep the rifles in Oregon. I visit them monthly.



When I first saw this thread I expected it to turn into a which transmission builder is better war. The truth of the matter is, black guns are fun. Which ever rifle builder you pick, that rifle will soon become one of your favorites. I happen to like both Colt and Rock River Arms.



Good luck with your decision and let the fun begin.

 

[WCPoe]

S&w M&p15t

I had been looking at AR15s and stumbled on a S&W M&P15T, which is their Military and Police version. Found these pics on the internet as the photos on the S&W website are terrible. It looks interesting with the full quad rail set-up and the Troy Industries folding battle sights. Would love to have one of these and add some optics, laser, verticle foregrip with a tactical-light.

Now I just need to go out back find a new money tree since someone apparently cut my old one down!!!!