Im an ar-15 noob, but I need help.

[Pistolman36]

Ive decided to get an AR15 as my next rifle. Ive been looking around at the styles and like the M4 configuration. The one thing I dont like on it the front sight. I also dont like the barrel being so long in front.

My idea was to remove the front sight and put a long railed forend on. The barrel is the 16in and I was thinking of the forend being a few inches off of the end of the barrel. Is there a gas block I could get that could be covered by the forned? Do I really need the front sight? I was wondering if I need something on the front of the forend to hold it on.

About the gas tube, Do I really need it or is there another way?

 

[esheato]

The barrel is the 16in and I was thinking of the forend being a few inches off of the end of the barrel. Is there a gas block I could get that could be covered by the forned?

Absolutely. Get a low profile gas block and it should fit under the forend. Double check dimensions before ordering to be sure.

Do I really need the front sight?

Need it? No...it depends on what sighting system you're going to use. Red dot? ACOG? Irons? If you're going the red dot route, you can do without front and rear sights. Most guys like them in case the primary sighting system goes down (batteries, malfunction, etc). It also depends on what you're building the gun for...a real fighting gun? You need them. A plinker or a budget build, you can do without. Some people keep the standard front sight and only put a flip up rear sight on. Co-witnessing the iron sights through the red dot is a popular option.

I was wondering if I need something on the front of the forend to hold it on.

Hold what on? The front sight? Most flip up sights attach directly to a section of picatinny rail. It depends on what type of handguard you purchase. If it's a railed handguard (Larue, DD, etc), you just attach the front sight to the rail. Those types of handguards are called free float because they're only attached at the upper receiver and don't touch the barrel at all, "floating" out there. FYI, they also make gas blocks that are railed on top so you can attach stuff to them....personally, just put a low profile gas block on, then get a free float of the length and flavor that you want and attach the front sight to that.

About the gas tube, Do I really need it or is there another way?

Yes. 223 semi-automatic AR-15 pattern guns operate on the principle of bleeding off gas from powder combustion to operate the action. Without the "fuel" the engine won't run.

On the other hand, if you wanted a 9mm AR carbine, they operate purely on blowback...ie. no gas system.

What I would do is start looking at pics of ARs and looking at parts lists to figure out what is what. Then you can figure out what you like and what you don't. You could even find a pic of one you like, then shop around and build it similar.

What you need to really understand is that barrel length, handguard length and gas system length are three independent entities.

See this graphic:

Ok....mix and match. Choose the barrel length you want, the gas system length and the handguard length.

 

[greyling22]

you can put on a different gas block, it's not too hard. Or you can just cut yours off with a hack saw, sand it smooth, and paint it black. see this site, about 2/3 of the way down. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/22...__GAS_BLOCK___Step_by_step_instructions_.html

you can them put on a free float rifle length forend to cover it up.

 

[taliv]

if you sort through the "uppers" page at bravo co, you will find many uppers with 16" barrels and either mid-length or rifle-length rail systems. each will have a lo-profile gas block underneath and the appropriate length gas tube.

you do not need a front sight to hold most rails on. some you do though. pick one and ask about it.

 

[Zerodefect]

Check out Bravo Co. USA. They have a huge selection of complete uppers. You shoud be able to find one that is exactly what youre after.

If you get an upper that has it's gas block covered by the rails, BCM uses a really nice pinned low pro gas block. I prefer pinned gas blocks, and will go as far as using regular front pinned sight gas blocks and chop the sight off and sand them down into a low profile. Pinned gas blocks don't loosen or apart.

More expensive free float rails only contact at the reciever, nothing touches the barrel. I'm taller than most, I use a 13.5" larue rail on 14.5-16" carbines, and a 14" DD Lite on 18" rifles.

I'd recommend the standard BCM 16" upper with mid gas, with a 12" Larue rail, a PWS 556 flash hider, and a standard auto BCM bolt carrier group. Also, don't overlook 14.5" carbine gas and mid gas uppers with permanent flash hiders.

Then just order a complete LMT lower from your LGS and snap it all together.

 

[wingman]

I hate the front sight design of the AR so I purchased a flat top, add flip up
sights if needed problem solved.

 

[Pistolman36]

I like the 13.2 in forend with the 16in barrel. I ordered a pair of knock off flip up sights and im gonna add an Ultra Shot holographic sight too.

Just have to pick out a nice vertical grip for the front end.

 

[esheato]

16" with a 13.2" rail.

 

[Pistolman36]

Wow, thats exactly what I want to do. I just gotta do this really really cheap.

 

[Eb1]

I just purchased the PSA Dissipator HF FN barrel 16" Mid-lenght gas system. You can remove the front sight.

here it is: http://palmettostatearmory.com/8974.php

I am going to leave the front sight, and I am leaning towards the DPMS Detachable A2 sight for the rear sight. I have an Aero lower with A2 buttstock for it to go on. You can mount grips and lights on the MOE hand guards as well.

 

[Tirod]

"Style," M4, and what is liked and disliked seem to be less than tangible answers to what might be needed.

What ranges, at what kind of target? We haven't a clue about whether any recommendation actually will match what needs to be done.

 

[JPG19]

Just save a little at a time and look at the MAGPUL folding sights. More reliable and worth the money, IMO. Then again, if this is just a range toy, I suppose it doesn't really matter. I just have an addiction/mindset to buy quality once, don't cry later. In the end, if saves me money.

 

[Pistolman36]

Im personally just looking for a range toy. Believe it or not, I have yet to fire most of my gun collection. In fairness, they look really cool on my wall. Im going with Magpul for most of my accessories. A local Fleet Farm has good prices.

I just think that if someone HAS to have at least one gun, it should be an AR. That way when the zombies come, or liberals, you are prepared.

 

[Hacker15E]

I just think that if someone HAS to have at least one gun, it should be an AR. That way when the zombies come, or liberals, you are prepared.

Well, I think that just about brings to an end the need for legitimate discussion in this thread...

 

[MistWolf]

Im personally just looking for a range toy. Believe it or not, I have yet to fire most of my gun collection. In fairness, they look really cool on my wall. Im going with Magpul for most of my accessories. A local Fleet Farm has good prices.

I just think that if someone HAS to have at least one gun, it should be an AR. That way when the zombies come, or liberals, you are prepared.

I believe it. Judging from your posts you have lots of enthusiasm and little experience.

Before getting or attempting to assemble an AR, you need to get out & shoot. Then you need to get out & shoot more.

Leave off the comments about needing a rifle to prepare for the coming of liberals. It's bad form