Civillan M4

[ccaleb67]

Hullu all: I have just got back from army BCT and im looking for an AR to practice with that will be as close as posible to the M4 I was issued. I'm on a buget so whatever I get will have to be $1000 at max. Anybody have any recomendations?

 

[USAF_Vet]

A Colt M4 is right in your price range, as are the Smith and Wesson, Bushmaster and several others. Right now, at least by me, places and private sales cat give away ARs. Its a buyers market and your $1000 will go a long way. Even ammo is making a comeback.

 

[rcmodel]

Colt 6920.

Only difference from an M4 is a longer legal 16" barrel.
And no full-auto or select fire capability.

rc

 

[allaroundhunter]

Colt is even marking some of their civilian rifles 'M4' now.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Colt 6920

Others look similar.

The closest you can get barrel wise is a 14.5 with a welded on flash suppressor if you really must mount a bayonet.

 

[fanchisimo]

I would recommend paying attention to sales, particularly around holidays. You can have a full rifle for around 600-650. Palmetto has really good uppers that are often on sale. With the remainder of your budget you can pick up an Aimpoint PRO (the best bang for buck and similar to the ones the army uses). They are occasionally on sale for $360. That puts you pretty close to your $1000 budget.

I will agree that the Colt 6920 is a good rifle, but you can get a rifle with similar specs for a lot less. I have a hard time not bringing up Palmetto State Armory in this aspect. They're products are well known for their quality at good prices. They have some really good sales from time to time as well. Here is a torture test of their rifles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2rG8xXfDbg

Basically, if you use quality parts, and build it yourself, you will be able to familiarize yourself with your rifle.

 

[ElToro]

i built this for just about $1050-1100 all in, this year less the lower i had. its a colt 6920 upper with carry handle and BCG i got for $700 ( I bought the week before Newtown, what luck). LMT lower for $100. colt super stock for $100. lower parts kit and magpull grip for another $100. i got what i wanted and shopped hard and was patient.

if you can get a complete Colt 6920 rifle for that price grab it.

im not as well versed in quality AR uppers as i am in other types of guns, everybody and their brother makes uppers and lowers it seems, so the AR buddies i trusted steered me to Colt, which works for my needs. range plinking and zombie apocalyse. not a duty or hunting gun.

i have another LMT lower to be built. ( got a deal on 2 for $200 a few years back) i may go for a high end heavy barrel varmint/target rifle.

i am now seeing complete rifles offered from 600-1100. varying degrees of quality and barrel twist.

do your research, buy once. cry once.

 

[Jackal]

You can get a complete, mil spec PSA WITH an Aimpoint Pro for $1000 when they are on sale every couple weeks.

 

[Onmilo]

The ACOG was $1000 and that doesn't include the cost of the GG&G quick release mount

 

[fragout]

First off, welcome to the Army youngster.

Glad to have you with us.

Next.........

Before you buy an M4 clone, compare prices at different places first.

A few examples......

Most posts sell M4 types at the PX, which means you wont be taxed to death during purchase.

A 5 day temp on post registration and your set until you can get the permanent one thru your COC.

Others include various gun stores that give Military discounts. This simply depends on which post you will be stationed at.

Last....... Stick with iron sights for practice. Some units allow optics for BRM and some insist on iron sights only. If you are using iron sights, then you will be ready for either later on. ( The better you shoot and better you do during your APFT will give you more promotion points ) Stick with the exact type of rear sight that your issued M4's use.
Also, stick with buying 30rd aluminum GI mags, as the Pmags are not authorized for use through Army weapons. (ie..... You get used to the mags , it will go towards more familiarity with your issued weapon and magazines.

Edit: You will still be required to shoot BRM with an M4 regardless of if you are assigned an M249 or M240.

Hope this helps some.
Good luck and keep your nose clean.

 

[danweasel]

That colt is a good suggestion. If I was you I'd buy the rifle with some flip up iron sights for now and wait until you get to your unit to find out what sight you are going to be issued before buying one. Then you can get the same thing on your "practice" carbine. Of course most support MOS' don't even give you nice sights. At least not when I was in but I've been out almost 3 years now.

You're probably just gonna end up with a SAW anyways.... Hahaha. Thanks for all you do.



-Dan

 

[henschman]

PSA's are made to the same specs as Colt, but are a few hundred cheaper. If you have $1100 to lay out for a Colt, you can get a PSA rifle with package deal including an Aimpoint PRO (a very good red dot that is very similar to the military issue one) for that same price.

Or you can pay for the name and the horsey on the side... oh, and have it actually say "M4."

 

[Torian]

Colt 6920.

Only difference from an M4 is a longer legal 16" barrel.
And no full-auto or select fire capability.

rc

Yep. Also, get used to doing a zero first with irons, then with an Aimpoint. I never saw my first ACOG until I deployed.

 

[Fishbed77]

Simple answer:

1.) Drive to Wal-Mart.

2.) Buy a Colt 6920 for $1097.

3.) Done. You have a great rifle that is as close to a military M4 as you can buy. Some even say "M4 Carbine" on the receiver.



More complicated answer:

1.) Buy this kit for $500 from PSA: http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...16-m4-cmv-chrome-lined-premium-rifle-kit.html

2.) Buy a stripped lower and assemble the kit (easy and fun, with a great sense of accomplishment).

3.) Done. You've saved $400, and have a rifle of equal quality. The only difference is it doesn't have the prancing pony on it.

 

[Warp]

Colt LE6920. It's basically the same gun, just a 16" barrel instead of 14.5", and semi auto only.

It even says Colt M4 on the side.

Mine:

 

[justice06rr]

Do you have the time and inclination to build an AR15 (and save a bit of money)? Then get the PSA.

If not, then buy a complete Colt M4 from Walmart. Can't get any closer than that...

 

[Torian]

Colt LE6920. It's basically the same gun, just a 16" barrel instead of 14.5", and semi auto only.

It even says Colt M4 on the side.

Mine:

I like those photoshopping skills to obscure that serial #.

 

[YZ]

No worries man. We never saw it okay?

 

[X-Rap]

Thanks for the heads up on the PSA kit Fishbed77, just ordered 2 and passed on the link to a buddy who wants to try his hand at a build.
I picked up some Spikes lowers a while back and will use 2 on these. $600 for a quality AR is as good as it gets.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Also, stick with buying 30rd aluminum GI mags, as the Pmags are not authorized for use through Army weapons.

Did they make that a real policy in the last year? There was the TACOM message about only using USGI mags from last June or so, which we just ignored in theater (at least where I was) and which apparently wasn't actual policy. Nobody in RC-West ever batted an eye at my PMags or the Surefire 60 I carried, though admittedly RC-W was blessedly lacking in underemployed senior NCOs and staff officers with nothing better to do helping ensure that garrison broke out in a war zone . . .

 

[Al Thompson]

Also, depending on your duty station, you may or may not get to take your rifle with you. Have a place to store it (close friend or family) till you find out.

 

[Warp]

I like those photoshopping skills to obscure that serial #.

Why do something electronically when you can do it manually, I figure

 

[Akita1]

I like those photoshopping skills to obscure that serial #.

looks like a piece of tape; nice touch

 

[Warp]

looks like a piece of tape; nice touch

It is. It's a lot easier to to put a little piece of electrical tape over the serial number than to check/doctor photos before I hit the PhotoBucket icon and then post them online.

Though I'm not overly paranoid/concerned with the serials being visible for firearms that have my name on a 4473, anyway.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Did they make that a real policy in the last year? There was the TACOM message about only using USGI mags from last June or so, which we just ignored in theater (at least where I was) and which apparently wasn't actual policy. Nobody in RC-West ever batted an eye at my PMags or the Surefire 60 I carried, though admittedly RC-W was blessedly lacking in underemployed senior NCOs and staff officers with nothing better to do helping ensure that garrison broke out in a war zone . . .

It's still supposedly in effect but no one cared while I was there. Just got back a little over a month ago.