A couple questions about my first ar-15

[p89cajun]

So I have been researching and have finally decided on an ar-15. The bushmaster m4 type a2. http://bushmaster.com/catalog_military_MCWA2F14M4.asp Now that that is out of the way I have a few questions. It won't be used for HD or anything specific, it is more just to say I have one and play around with at the range. That being said I would like to keep it from having stuff hanging off everywhere.

1) What is a gas block and what does it do. I tried to look it up in midways dictionary but couldn't find it.

2) I saw a three point sling on guns and ammo and thought it was pretty cool but is it any better than a regular ol' sling?

3) The only Accessories I would like to have is a bipod and a vertical foregrip. Would it be better to get seperate ones or go with something like the grip pod? http://www.mountsplus.com/miva/merchant.mvc?page=MSP/CTGY/GRIP_POD I would like to keep the stock handgaurd and was thinking I would attach it with an add-a-rail. http://www.mountsplus.com/miva/merchant.mvc?page=MSP/CTGY/GRIP_POD Is this a good ideal or if I go with seperate accessories could I still use the add-a-rail. If seperate ones are better which do you suggest?

4) I know going with an A2 my scope mounting abilities are limited but the want for a permenant mounted handle won out so if I ever decide to put optics on it what would you suggest for a handle mount just to plink around with. I want to still be able to use my iron sights. I am not looking to shoot super accurate long range shots just play around.

 

[glockman19]

Check out:

http://www.ar15.com/

You will find the answers to all of your questions.

 

[Nhsport]

In the basic AR the gas block is part of the front sight.There is a tube (gas tube!) that connects from the gas block which covers the gas port (hole in barrel). After the bullet passes down the barrel gas bleeds through the port,block and tube and then goes into the gas key and unlocks and moves the bolt to the rear. In some types of ARs without a standard front sight the gas block is just a lump that clamps onto the barrel (sometimes under a handguard instead of in front of it) Some gas blocks have small rails on them for a small sight.
Sling types are dependent on intended use of the firearm. Straight military sling would be for a service rifle match, three point slings are generally for SD,LE or competition such as three gun where you might be useing or changing between firearm types. Within the general "three point" catagory
there are quite a few different designs and types.
Again with bipods and vertical grips there are many types out there with different folks likeing different ones . I don't use either but it seems the combo jobs are a compromise that doesn't do either job very well . I have tried on one of the add on rails and it was kind of loose and not very solid.
I have several A2 types that I use for competition or when I am in the mood for a simple no frills gun and they are great for that but I also have several flat-tops for when I need to use some type of optic. The clamp on carry handle is really a very solid unit ,it's not at all a compromise unless you are shooting 600 yard service rifle matches. The flat-top is usually the prefered choice for a general purpose rifle or carbine. There are all sorts of clamp on mounts and rails for the A2 but the heigth above stock.eye relief and ballance all becomes a compromise That I feel takes away from the fine rifle the AR can be.
Like the earlier poster said- AR15.com is your friend for all things AR.

 

[HorseSoldier]

2) I saw a three point sling on guns and ammo and thought it was pretty cool but is it any better than a regular ol' sling?

Personally, I think three points just get in the way and don't do anything a good tactical two point sling doesn't do (I'm not a fan of single point slings, but some people prefer them). I'd take a Viking Tactical Sling or a Vickers Compbat Applications 2 Point Sling over any three point design I've ever messed with.

The only Accessories I would like to have is a bipod and a vertical foregrip. Would it be better to get seperate ones or go with something like the grip pod?

Grip Pods are nice. Kind of a compromise design -- there are better forward grips out there, and definitely better bipods -- but it gets the job done and lets you get the benefits of both without altering the weapon's furniture. More of a benefit for real world combat shooting than going to the range, but if you don't mind the price they're a good bit of kit.

 

[rhubarb]

As for the A2 upper, I would suggest you reconsider. I understand wanting the carry handle to look the way it's meant to be, but I wish I had a removable carry handle on my Bushmaster. I can do a lot better than the broad side of a barn with the iron sights, but I have a scope mounted awkwardly atop the carry handle. If yours is anything like mine, you will want to mount a scope when you see how well it shoots.

I don't know that I've ever carried mine with the handle.

My next AR upper will be a flattop.

 

[rich0372]

I know going with an A2 my scope mounting abilities are limited but the want for a permenant mounted handle won out so if I ever decide to put optics on it what would you suggest for a handle mount just to plink around with. I want to still be able to use my iron sights. I am not looking to shoot super accurate long range shots just play around.

I have a bushmaster with a fixed carry handle and I mounted a Leupold 2.5 X 8 scope on top with a A.R.M.S mount and and rings I think it works out really good. The mount lets you still use your factory iron sights. Plus with A.R.M.S. quick connectors you can take it off and as long as you put it back in the same spot it will hold zero.

http://www.armsmounts.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=41

 

[wraith56]

The three point sling is a huge improvement over the original two point sling. If you will be wearing a rifle every day, week after week, a fancy modern sling is the thing to get.

I liked the three point sling. I have no personal experience with a good two point sling, so check it out yourself. In my experience, a one point sling belongs with body armor.

 

[DougW]

Based on experience of my soldier son (who just got back from Iraq), we have converted all our 3 point slings to 2 point. The strap running down the left side of the rifle interfears with gear and is cumbersome when in full tactical battle rattle. 2 point slings will help retain the rifle as well when transitioning to a side arm in an immediate action drill. I have learned to perform that while maintaining control of my rifle with my weak hand and shooting one handed (pistol transition). One point slings are also good for the IA drills, but I prefer a 2 point. YMMV!

 

[Onmilo]

I like a single point sling for tactical shooting.
You can transition from right to left shoulder or vice versa much easier using a single point sling and when running you will have to use one hand to keep the weapon tight against the body because it will tend to flay around a bit, no biggy there.

If you are not using a free float forend I will not recommend trying to use a bipod on the weapon.
A bipod attached to the barrel or attached to a forend that is not free floating will cause dramatic shifts in impact at ranges past 100 meters.

I have noted vertical impact changes from 4 to 8 inches at ranges up to 100 meters and it only gets worse at longer ranges.

I have mounted adapter rails on tubular free floating handguards so the owner could use a bipod such as the Versa Pod or the Harris with a tactical rail adapter instead of the bulkier sling swivel stud mount.