AR15: Should I go Midlength?

[Varminterror]

I recommend you hold off on any "upgrades" to your Colt until after you finish your class.

Not bad advice - the class will give you a fast forward learning opportunity to elucidate which upgrade(s) you may really want in your rifle.

 

[BSA1]

O.P.,

Many years ago when IPSC was really popular there were new parts being made and mods being done constantly all of which were suppose to reduce your time a fraction of second. If you added enough of the latest, greatest parts and/or modifications you come shave seconds off of your time without even practicing.

Or so more than few shooters believed.

However the top scoring shooters guns finish was well worn from thousands of draws for the holster and the trigger smooth from thousands of time dry firing. This was along with taking time for work to go the range to practice a lot.

You are getting caught up in the equipment race when, what is being said, is to put your money into ammunition and practice time.

Shoot your gun. Shoot it a lot. Take it to the Carbine Class and don't be afraid to run it hard. If something breaks then you will know if the part was weak or if it is the gun itself. In the meantime you will discover what features you like best.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I find it hard to believe that some are trying to talk the man out of buying another gun. Don’t we all have an addiction to guns and one is never enough. A man with one AR is a man that needs another.
I think that every one should have a standard carbine. Or two.



Then they should get one with a rail.


But then you’re going to need a rifle or two.



Then go wild.


BluedRevolver
Your Colt is a great gun and you should shoot and enjoy it. If you’re not sure what you want your next gun to be, do some homework. Go to the shops that sell AR’s and put some in your hands to see how they feel. If you have friends that have AR’s, go shooting with them .
The problem I have is I just can’t decide. I know which ones I like the best but then there are some that are just fun.

 

[BluedRevolver]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’m going to stick with the Colt as my go-to rifle. GunnyUSMC is right about it being hard not to get more. Chances are I’ll end up with a DD or similar at some point, but the Colt will likely always remain the AR I pick up to use most of the time. I don’t mind it getting dinged up and I know I can rely on it.

I think it’s interesting to note also that my S&W M&P had a seemingly nicer fit and finish than my Colt but it was nowhere near as reliable. I guess cosmetics aren’t everything.

 

[IndianaBoy]

More.... must add more.....
I got a SCREAMING good deal on this Mega Machine monolithic upper receiver. Nice.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’m going to stick with the Colt as my go-to rifle. GunnyUSMC is right about it being hard not to get more. Chances are I’ll end up with a DD or similar at some point, but the Colt will likely always remain the AR I pick up to use most of the time. I don’t mind it getting dinged up and I know I can rely on it.

I think it’s interesting to note also that my S&W M&P had a seemingly nicer fit and finish than my Colt but it was nowhere near as reliable. I guess cosmetics aren’t everything.

Cosmetics are so low on the list of priorities for a working/duty grade AR that they might as well be an afterthought. Frankly a ruthless devotion to function has a beauty all its own, think prototype race car, fighter aircraft type aesthetics. All go, “show” is a result of functional necessity, and you either get it and appreciate it or you’re ignorant and your opinion doesn’t matter.

As others mentioned and I pointed out, take your Colt to class and shoot the gun. Shoot it a lot. Skill at fundamentals will count for a lot more than some latest greatest high speed low drag gear. I’d rather be squaded with a dude who is on his 3rd barrel and bolt on a stock Colt because he trains constantly than some dude with a fancy AR who shoots 2 boxes a year of ammo.

Once you’ve shot the gun a whole bunch you’re going to have a much much better idea of what you actually want. I know shooting the gun a lot has certainly changed my outlook on what I want in a 5.56 NATO carbine.

For example I used to think heavy barrels were a must have, until I ran one in a high round count class. Two days of drills with a near 9lb with optics, sling, and magazine rig changed my outlook drastically. Sprint around with that pig, and do up drills for two 8 hour days.... yeah not anymore. Recently acquired a Knight’s Armament SR-15 E3 Mod 2 M-Lok, starts at 6.5lbs, right at 7.5lbs with glass and sling. Much much handier, less front heavy so it’s not a wrist killer during reloads. Tested the other day and the KAC is still as controllable, and gets first round hits out to 550 yards just like the heavy Daniel Defense V11 Pro I used in class. The V11 Pro might stay, but more than likely will be shot very little going forward. If we see another panic the Daniel Defense and my Frankenstein AR might be sold at scalper prices to fund other things. I’d be happy with the KAC and my Colt M4A1 SOCOM II, the Colt SOCOM profile barrel is a freak and shoots sub MOA 10 shot groups with 69gr SMK’s.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I couldn't help it, I built another Middy yesterday.

I built it with the upgrades I wanted. Here is the topic that covers the build.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/just-another-ar-build.839086/

 

[BluedRevolver]

I couldn't help it, I built another Middy yesterday.

What upper is that?

 

[Varminterror]

What upper is that?

Looks like a plain Jane forged upper from Cerro forge, machined and sold by hundreds of brands.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

What upper is that?

It's a Matrix T-marked Upper with a Delton barrel, and Toolcraft BCG.

 

[BluedRevolver]

It's a Matrix T-marked Upper with a Delton barrel, and Toolcraft BCG.

nice. I've heard nothing but good things about Toolcraft BCGs. Might pick one up to have laying around for a build.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

nice. I've heard nothing but good things about Toolcraft BCGs. Might pick one up to have laying around for a build.

I picked up the BCG on sale around Christmas time. They are on sale at Joe Bob Outfitters right now for $79.95.
https://www.joeboboutfitters.com/To...Carrier-Group-AR15-M-p/tool-tooauto-011bn.htm

 

[BluedRevolver]

I picked up the BCG on sale around Christmas time. They are on sale at Joe Bob Outfitters right now for $79.95.

Wow... a full $90 less than a BCM bcg.