AR 15 (M4) Advice please

[briang2ad]

After all the consternation, I think I may just pull the trigger on a Spikes MID LE M4. Only downside is the forearm. I THINK I like Magpul plastic the best, but Spikes has a way cool rail system:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=63_134&products_id=449

Only problem is that it is the typical large diameter as in the pic, and I'm not so sure that I would like the feel - and I'm also not sure about using a vertical grip. If I could I would get the Magpul and save money and be a little more comfortable. But... no one knows when Magpul will every accomodate middies - I've heard 1 month, but that has been going on for some time. I have to wait for the gun about that long.

Local shop has the aluminum kind that is nice and slim and round, and is $165 installed. That is about $40 more than having the cool one from Spikes.

What are the real pros/cons. I guess I could wait and hope for Magpul, and if nothing budges, get the round one. Or... is the larger Spikes one something one would adapt to - any experience out there???

The gun WITH the Spikes rail is about $940. I also suppose this is better deal than a Stag, RRA (Entry Op 2)?

Thanks.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I would definitely go the spikes route, look at the lightweight bbl configuration unless you are actually going to use a grenade launcher.

 

[briang2ad]

The Spikes Mid length comes with a mid weight barrel which has NO M4 cut.

Why do you say "go Spikes"?

 

[Zerodefect]

After all the consternation, I think I may just pull the trigger on a Spikes MID LE M4. Only downside is the forearm. I THINK I like Magpul plastic the best, but Spikes has a way cool rail system:

http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=63_134&products_id=449

Only problem is that it is the typical large diameter as in the pic, and I'm not so sure that I would like the feel - and I'm also not sure about using a vertical grip. If I could I would get the Magpul and save money and be a little more comfortable. But... no one knows when Magpul will every accomodate middies - I've heard 1 month, but that has been going on for some time. I have to wait for the gun about that long.

Local shop has the aluminum kind that is nice and slim and round, and is $165 installed. That is about $40 more than having the cool one from Spikes.

What are the real pros/cons. I guess I could wait and hope for Magpul, and if nothing budges, get the round one. Or... is the larger Spikes one something one would adapt to - any experience out there???

The gun WITH the Spikes rail is about $940. I also suppose this is better deal than a Stag, RRA (Entry Op 2)?

Thanks.

You can put Magpul XTM rail covers on.

You'll need some sort of rail cover, shooting an AR without plastic covers is as much fun as grating cheddar cheese when you've mistaken your hand for the cheese. I like thicker grips. The magpul XTM rail covers are tight and flex free on my DD lite rails.

I'm not digging those Spike rails.
I prefere something more like this:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...r-Receiver-LaRue-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 bfh lt9.htm
Or some rifle length rails and a flip up front sight.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...-Receiver-LaRue-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 bfh lt12.htm

 

[Skylerbone]

If you don't plan to hang anything from the rails you'd be advised to cover them. Plastic rail covers will run you less than $20 and save your hands the torture.

I'd still recommend the RRA as an excellent weapon, despite what one person had to say.

 

[briang2ad]

Maybe this is the solution. I can get one of these installed at my local shop for $165 (which come out to about $28 more):

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/VTAC-Troy-TRX-Extreme-Battle-Rail-p/vtac troy strx-eli-e0bt.htm

SHot my buddies RRA this afternoon - VERY nice trigger, and very well finished. Also, the feed ramps looked nice - almost as long as the M4 ramps.

 

[Skylerbone]

My RRA Elite Operator

Shoots better than I do, hasn't failed once with just under 1k rounds. Clean it, oil it, practice with it and treat it as if your life depends on it. Those are what make it truly reliable.

 

[AR27]

my new spikes m4 le dont run to well, at least two stopages per mag, and this is my second replaced upper for the rifle from spikes. using pmags and xm193

 

[ms6852]

I'd go the spike route looks like a great a built.

 

[Tirod]

The Spike's rail is a free float. It has it's own barrel nut, so the Magpul handguard will probably not mount as the delta spring, ring, and front cap are missing.

Spike's sells the rail with scalloped slots for comfort, and handguard covers because it's apparently not good enough for some. At that point the rails start weighing more than GI handguards and a vertical grip might be added for support, making it even more heavy. That's a relative thing, but there are consequences.

There is also the elephant in the room - do you need 36" of rail space for all those accessories? Probably not. That's the problem with the M4, it's an institutional compromise saddled with universal options to fit a variety of users, not a trimmed down simple carbine. Most of the stuff a government user clips on is large footprint big battery old technology equipment, because it took that long to get it type approved. It's obsolete the day it's issued. For many, a simpler tube with a bolt on rail will be more user friendly, and lighter.

The Magpul handguard should be sampled to make sure it's not as bulky as it might feel. Even the carbine will give a good indication of whether it really is what you want.