AR-15 Advice

[LATex79]

I am thinking of getting an AR-15. I've never had one before. I am an avid deer hunter and have had several bolt guns, semi-auto hunting rifles, and lots of shotguns. I will use the rifle mainly for plinking and shooting stuff around my property - hogs, paper plates, old campers, etc. At some point I would get a new upper for deer hunting (from reading tons of posts on here I think you can put different barrel assemblies on the same lower?). I need some suggestions on what to purchase. Keep in mind I am new to AR's and do not understand what A-2, A-4, M-4, or any of that other stuff is.

 

[Jimmie]

What's your budget?

 

[gvnwst]

. Keep in mind I am new to AR's and do not understand what A-2, A-4, M-4, or any of that other stuff is.

different styles: M16 A4=20" barrel, fixed stock, flat top. M16 A2= same as A4 except not a flat top (flat top has rails on it instead of a carry handle) M4= 16" barrel, military 14.5", and collapisible stock.

We need to know your buget in order to help.

 

[LATex79]

I would like to keep it under $1000. I am pretty flexible and can spend more if necessary. On the flat top can you get a carry handle/open sites that are removable? Is this something I can do myself? I see people on here all the time talking about building the lower and ordering an upper. I am assuming the lower is just the receiver and trigger assembly.

 

[possum]

for what you are wanting about any of the makers would do you fine, i highly reccomend bushmaster, and stag. there are other great choices too but we kinda need to know your budget, if you have alot of money to spend i would tell you to seriously look into slr 15 inparticular the "grail"


you just posted your budget as i was posting, so with 1k that is plenty, get you a bushmaster or stag and don't look back. with the money you have left over you could get ammo, mags, etc.

 

[taliv]

On the flat top can you get a carry handle/open sites that are removable?

yes, comes with most A4/M4 types

Is this something I can do myself?

yes

I see people on here all the time talking about building the lower and ordering an upper. I am assuming the lower is just the receiver and trigger assembly.

lower also includes grip and stock

 

[ifit]

which ever ar15 you choose, you could always get a olympic arms dedicated .22 lr upper receiver for plinkering later.

 

[LATex79]

Ok, so I think I am getting the hang of this. I am probably more interested in the A4/M4 because I can add a scope or use the open site/carry handle. Will the 20" barrell be more accurate than the 16" barrel? I could see where the 16" barrel would be more portable, but then again I am used to carying 24" deer hunting rifles. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the 16" vs. the 20"?

 

[gvnwst]

Will the 20" barrell be more accurate than the 16" barrel? I could see where the 16" barrel would be more portable, but then again I am used to carying 24" deer hunting rifles. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the 16" vs. the 20"?

not more accurate, if made right, just higher velocity and so better down range performance. you got it. 20", better ballistics, 16" better portability. a good length is 18", and a collapisable stock. fairly portable, and good ballistics nonetheless.

 

[FLRon]

Here are two great links with tons of information.

This one is a buyers guide.
http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81462

This one is information on building your rifle.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782

 

[ugaarguy]

I will use the rifle mainly for plinking and shooting stuff around my property - hogs, paper plates, old campers, etc.

If it's primarily going to be a plinker I'd get a 16" upper. If I was buying an upper specifically for hogs I'd get a 16" upper chambered in .450 Bushmaster, mostly because Hornady is loading factory ammo for it.

At some point I would get a new upper for deer hunting (from reading tons of posts on here I think you can put different barrel assemblies on the same lower?).

Upper assemblies swap out by pushing out two detent retained pins, taking off upper one, putting on upper two, and pushing the pins back in. It's that easy. If you get a 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrel on your .223/5.56 upper you can shoot heavy (up to 80 grain) .223 bullets. If you want to go heavier, 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel are nice calibers with more range than the big bore .450 BM and similar cartridges.