New AR-15 owner

[lostdog]

I am in the process of building my first AR-15 here's what I have so far: Double-star forged lower w/trigger group, an RRA 16" standard upper (on order) an AR-FX stock(to be ordered) and the fobus weaver hand guards.

Here is what I need from you guys.....1) Where to find USGI or other good mags, pref 20rnd
2) M-193 ammo(55grn)

3) advice on a good trigger group

4) anything you feel the need to share with a new AR owner

This rifle will be mainly for patrol and personel defense, so keep that in mind.- Thank you

 

[j.wise]

I've got a 2-stage Bushmaster trigger on order. They come highly recommended, and I've had a chance to play with one (very nice.)

Glad to have you aboard the AR bandwagon. I've got two, and love them! Hope your's brings you as much happy memories as mine have brought me.

BTW, I use one of mine as a patrol rifle as well. Excellent choice.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

1) Can't help you there.

2) M193

Scroll down and look for the Winchester Q3131A or the Federal XM193.

3) Triggers that I like are (not in any particular order)
Rock River Arms two-stage
Jewell two-stage
Both of these triggers have their very own cult followings.

4) Have as much fun as you possibly can with your new rifle!

 

[Engineer]

1) Check the Equipment Exchange of AR15.com for magazines

2) Ammoman, Natchez or Cheaper than Dirt

3) Rock River Arms or JP

4) Go out, shoot your rifle and have fun. Try to resist the urge to add all sorts of high-speed, low drag parts until you know what you want. Go to AR15.com and read the posts in the AR forum.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Here is my AR experience: I started out buying one in 1989 and eventually went to work for a class III manufacturer who also dealt in ARs. He was building them from Nesard parts kits (My apologies to anybody who actually bought one of these - it was one of those cases where you think you know more than you actually do). I did five years in the military with the Navy and had minimal AR experience there except when I got to play with the Army or Marines. I've been a recreational shooter ever since my first one.


A lot of the AR problems I have seen have been with non-stock trigger groups. I know that several serious instructors recommend you stay with the stock trigger for a defensive or patrol rifle because they don't feel that the aftermarket triggers are reliable enough. What experience I have bears them out on this.

I've had pretty good luck just buying several sets of triggers and hammers and just playing mix and match until I get a trigger pull I like. You can usually come up with two or three reliable good triggers for about half the price of a match trigger. It might not suit a High Power shooter; but it will work fine for a patrol rifle.

If you are absolutely going to go with a match trigger, I'd weed out any candidates that can fail in such a way that the trigger stops working entirely (a lot of the set screw versions).

 

[gun-fucious]

check out www.ammoman.com or www.cruffler.com for mags

 

[lostdog]

thanx

Thank you all for the advice..keep it coming. Any opinions on the diffrence between m-193 and m-855/ss109 when fired from a 16" 1:9 gun?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Unless you are shooting past 300m, M193 has the advantage in all areas (cost, ballistics, terminal performance, penetration). Past 300m, M855/SS109 has better ballistics and penetration; but still costs more and is a lot more variable from lot to lot of ammo (due to more complex construction of the bullet)