AR platform - Newbie Lookin' to learn

[heavydluxe]

Hi all.

I've posted before about my interest in the AR-type platform.

I just started watching a series of vids on the Brownell's site re: assembling your own AR15... At a couple points in the video, they reference the books, _Black Rifle_ and _Black Rifle II_ by Stevens as a great resources to learn more about the platform. Being a book guy, I went to Amazon intending to order right away. However, each book is $45 (or more).

Anyone know any cheaper sources for these books, or be able to suggest some alterative titles?

I'd still love to get an AR - I think starting with an AR that shoots .22lr, both to save on ammo in the short term and to just learn shooting/marksmanship. I definitely want to buy a platform that's accurate and capable of scaling up to the big boy calibers when we're ready (or when the budget allows).

Thanks!

- Dluxe

 

[Varob]

Check out some of the Youtube vids. There are a few real good ones on building lowers

 

[Polar Express]

HeavyD,

I'd recommend considering a 5.56 AR, (you can safely run .223 rem & 5.56 NATO, there are lots of threads on this) and then spend the few $$ on the CMMG conversion kit.

I agree with you that .22lr is cheaper, and great to learn marksmanship, and solidify great safe firearm habits with, but then, you can pull out the CMMG kit, and violla! you have a Ar-15!

just my .02

PE

 

[RentAChik]

I agrees with Polar Express. I would get a 22lr conversion. I have the ciener 22lr conversion. Picked it up from CTD.com for $160 or so. You can get complete dedicated22 uppers... but you are still gonna pay for them. Might as well spend the extra $100 and get one that shoot 556. Later you can buy the 22 conversion. There really is no need to buy the 22lr version as a "beginner" version.

I am also a big fan of buy that you really want the first time. Otherwise you'll wanna upgrade/modify and in the long run you'll have spent more money.

Just my $.02

Brad

 

[heavydluxe]

Thanks for the posts, folks! I appreciate.

The big issue is, simply, that a .223 (regardless of cost) really wouldn't be something I could shoot a lot right now. And, budget being what it is, I'm not sure the right course is buy a .223/5.56 AR + .22lr conversion. But I could be convinced otherwise.

Good to know that people have had good luck with the CMMG conversions. I was actually looking at CMMG as a vendor. I like the S&W M&P15s, as well.

re: buying what you want the first time: I *totally* agree with that. The trick is that I have pretty expensive tastes. My long-term interest is high power precision shooting. So, I'm looking for long, bull barrels and good ammo. The result is that costs pile up quickly. Since I also want to have my kids shooting, I need to moderate my desires somewhere or something else has to give.

Welcome other thoughts! Thanks so much.

 

[Semyon Vasilii]

well, an AR15 would not be a rifle for any "high power precision shooting"....

and 5.56 ammo is what i consider to be dirt cheap. as far as centerfire rifle ammo, its very inexpensive as im sure you know. you would do better to spend the money you were gonna spend on the .22lr rifle on 5.56 ammo to practice with in your new 5.56 AR.

check out a del-ton kit maybe? since you were looking into building one.

or for complete rifles or complete uppers and lowers, check out spikes tactical for less expensive rifles that are closer to mil-spec, and check out those M&Ps and cmmgs. IMO, if you dont want a dust cover or a forward assist an M&P would suit your uses pretty well

 

[NOLA-5.56]

just my .02... I would just buy the AR of your choice chambered in 5.56NATO, and then buy a cheap semi-auto .22LR rifle. you and your kids can practice all the basic fundamentals of marksmanship on the .22, the only real difference being the lack of a pistol grip.

I mean, all the basic principals are the same. learning target acquisition, lining up iron sights. of course the sights would look drastically different between the two rifles, but the basic principal remains the same.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Down load a copy of the 23&P, it's the only AR book you need and it's free.

If you want to buy a AR book get any of the Walt Kuleck books, they are the best.

 

[Guns and more]

Start with this web site. I learned more here than at the high tech sites that assume you're a former marine.

http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

It's by a cop but it hits all the high points to look for in buying.
I didn't buy what he recommended, but I knew why, and I'm a happy owner.

 

[john5036]

well, an AR15 would not be a rifle for any "high power precision shooting"....

If you are going to learn marksmanship of this type, you'd be better served with a 10/22 Ruger (or similar). It's cheaper, and whatever you learn here would readily translate as you get into the higher calibers. The AR conversions are fun and all, but their purpose is mostly for economical reasons with regard to training drills, and that does not appear to be one of your purposes.

But hey, it's your money!

 

[UltimateReloader]

I published a complete set of HD AR-15 build and reloading videos if you're interested:
http://ultimatereloader.com/ar15

Brownells sponsored this project - so these videos are a complement to what they have on their site. (A focus on building a match-grade A3 style AR-15).

Hope that helps.

Thanks,
Gavin

 

[sig228]

+1 on the youtube videos. Here's only that really did a great job of guiding me through the lower build, step by step:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_Vkb2UB1w (part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4KfUaVp8M&feature=related (part 2)

Excellent tip on holding down the detent spring with a razor!!!

 

[Strykervet]

Get a good AR. A good one. If you aren't familiar, stick with staples like Colt and such. Building your own is great, I've done a few, but owning a good one first gives you that edge. It is easy to ruin good parts with lack of knowledge. The books are good once you have some practice. I recommend getting the armorers manual for the M16. LOTS of good stuff in there, and cheap at your surplus store or gunshow too.

For practice .22, gotta agree with the above: get a Ruger 10/22. I grew up on one and have one to this day. It is the "fundamentals practice" arm, not to mention a FAVORITE with everyone I shoot with.

You won't be dissapointed, and you'll have two dedicated platforms. Oh yeah, you don't need to upgrade 10/22's unless you use them competitively. They come fine out of the box for their intention.

 

[heavydluxe]

Gavin,

Thanks... I've subscribed to your feed and tagged all the prior AR-build posts. I'll be starting to work my way through.

Take care!

 

[dnthmn]

Another option is to find a nice, used AR-style .22 for a good deal like the M&P 22 or whatever one is the highest quality and most reliable. You can shoot it on the cheap until you've outgrown it and them resell it for about what you paid. They're all less than a decent quality 5.56 AR. If you do it right you'll save money now and later.

 

[heavydluxe]

Thanks for the post, dnthmn. I very, very, very seriously considered the S&W M&P15-22. In fact, I would've plunked down cash to buy one already except that I've heard really poor things re: accuracy. The AR-platform has some good benefits for me in other ways, truthfully, including ergonomics as would apply to shooting with my young kids.

The 15-22 would be a perfect fit... But, part of what I want to do is work on training for target shooting. Everyone has pounded the M&P15-22's accuracy (>4MOA). While I know it'd be a ridiculously fun plinker, I'm looking for something with a little more precision than that. If I heard that the new M&P15-22s were better in that department, it'd be case closed.

Thanks!

 

[dnthmn]

I know a number of people that really like theirs. I haven't shot one or any of the other .22 AR's myself, so I can't speak from personal experience. I have a Spikes .22 conversion and just picked up a dedicated upper.

Like I said, pick up a used one for what they're selling for or less and if you don't like the way it performs, resell it. You're not out anything but a little time and even if they don't live up to your accuracy expectations, I bet you'll be able fun with it.