I was able to spend an afternoon shooting a well worn Colt HBAR at lots of different distances and targets.
Even though the Colt stock was way too long for me and the scope seemed to be mounted ridiculously high on the carry handle, I am hooked and want to purchase my first AR.
There are so many acronyms/configurations that my head starts to spin trying to grasp it all.
I am inexperienced with a rifle of this type and most likely do not know what I am talking about or really want. I have plenty of bolt/lever rifles with scopes but I believe I would most enjoy something this small and light with iron sights - but I do not want to rule out mounting optics.
In part due to New York state laws regarding these types of rifles I have narrowed it down to two choices.
They are an S&W M&P15 that is flat top with a 16” heavy barrel at $850 and a Stag Arms model #2 that is equipped with 16” normal width barrel, muzzle brake, A2 front sight and flip up rear sight mounted to the flattop at $760.
With this in mind the Stag Arms model #2 which would already be equipped with iron sights seems like a good choice.
But if you have a flat top rifle with the tall fixed position front sight that is integral to the gas block, does this create clearance problems when mounting optics?
Or am I better off with the “sightless” S&W M&P15 and adding my own iron sights afterwards?
Both seem like good choices but I liked the balance and feel of the Stag better than the S&W.
Just not sure if I will regret the fixed front sight of the Stag Arms.
What are your thoughts?
Even though the Colt stock was way too long for me and the scope seemed to be mounted ridiculously high on the carry handle, I am hooked and want to purchase my first AR.
There are so many acronyms/configurations that my head starts to spin trying to grasp it all.
I am inexperienced with a rifle of this type and most likely do not know what I am talking about or really want. I have plenty of bolt/lever rifles with scopes but I believe I would most enjoy something this small and light with iron sights - but I do not want to rule out mounting optics.
In part due to New York state laws regarding these types of rifles I have narrowed it down to two choices.
They are an S&W M&P15 that is flat top with a 16” heavy barrel at $850 and a Stag Arms model #2 that is equipped with 16” normal width barrel, muzzle brake, A2 front sight and flip up rear sight mounted to the flattop at $760.
With this in mind the Stag Arms model #2 which would already be equipped with iron sights seems like a good choice.
But if you have a flat top rifle with the tall fixed position front sight that is integral to the gas block, does this create clearance problems when mounting optics?
Or am I better off with the “sightless” S&W M&P15 and adding my own iron sights afterwards?
Both seem like good choices but I liked the balance and feel of the Stag better than the S&W.
Just not sure if I will regret the fixed front sight of the Stag Arms.
What are your thoughts?