Decided to step into the world of AR's...

[shlike]

After resisting for a long time, I finally decided to enter the world of AR's. I have no interest in building a custom gun, you know- "uppers" and "lowers" and all that. I just wanted a simple, basic, brand-name AR that I can enjoy on the beautiful outdoor range at my gun club. After much research, I narrowed my selection down to either the S&W M&P15 Sport, or the Ruger AR-556. Hickock 45's review ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdSz_UQLmlg ) tilted me in favor of the Ruger ( http://www.ruger.com/products/ar556/models.html ) so yesterday afternoon I ordered one from Grab-A-Gun for $600.00. I checked on my order today only to discover that my order had already been shipped!! It is due at my FFL on Friday.

I ordered some ammo and a few extra Magpul 30-round P-Mags from SGAmmo. Being new to the platform, I wasn't sure about ammo selection. I plan to use the gun only for target and plinking, so I ordered a 420-round can of "5.56 mm XM855 LC1AC1 Lake City M855 Green Tip Ammo with AR15 Strippers" . The price was $189.95. I would appreciate input from those with more experience with this platform if that is a good choice of ammo, or if anyone has a recommendation.

After I familiarize myself with the gun and it's factory iron sights, I may add an optic; either an inexpensive Red-Dot or an inexpensive scope. That is really the only custom item I am considering at this time.

Of course I will post photos and a range report after I shoot it for the first time on Sunday.

I would appreciate any input and advice, keeping in mind that that he intended purpose for this gun is just for casual fun; I am not looking to create an expensive custom "race gun".

 

[No4Mk1*]

M193 will be cheaper than M855, so consider that. I just use IMI M193 from wideners.com but Federal / Lake City / American Eagle is fine too.

 

[Welding Rod]

I'd put a good trigger in it. Makes it a whole different gun.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I bought the M&P Sport and its awesome. I would also go with XM-193 ammo, its cheaper. I just loaded up on a Cabela's sale for $6/box of 20....bought 50 boxes, lol.


I'm just like you, just want to have casual fun at the range and this gun fills that bill perfectly

The one thing I like about the S&W, its all mil-spec from top to bottom. The Ruger has a couple of proprietary parts.

 

[HammsBeer]

Federal M193 is what you want for plinking. Shop around and you can find it between $300-350 per 1000. The stuff you bought is ok but usually a bit more expensive, and can damage steel targets.

Trigger, get an ALG ACT trigger for $65. Reliable and crisp.

If you want good aluminum USGI mags, look for NHMTG or OKAY industries 30 rounders with magpul followers. 44mag.com

 

[Glockpride]

Good choice. Nothing wrong with the ruger.
I would go to 55gr fmj as it will be less expensive.

Primary Arms has so good red dots for not a lot of spend. Might check them out online.

 

[basicblur]

Nothing wrong with that choice - if I was in the market for another AR, I'd probably walk out with the Ruger.

I don't think I've seen anything but glowing reports on the Ruger, but the owner of one of our local shops said all eight he had sold had a little something funny going on with the forward assist.

I didn't catch all the particulars, but I think in certain positions the forward assist did not function. They tore one apart trying to figure out what was going on, but couldn't really determine - he said they figured a cut etc. was probably slightly off, causing the forward assist to not function.

Might be something to do a little research / testing on with yours?
I went looking for info on the 'Net regarding this problem the other day and came up with 'nuttin.

 

[NWcityguy2]

I agree that 55gr FMJ is cheaper and has no real downside compared to M855. It will do just as much damage, if not more, to steel targets though, due to its higher velocity. Speed kills steel in non-AP ammunition. For ammo, I don't recommend you spend extra on 5.56 pressure over 223. There isn't any benefit for civilian shooters.

I recommend a low powered optic over a red dot. They are much more versatile over a red dot and not much worse inside 25 yards, where the red dot holds the advantage. Something like this, http://palmettostatearmory.com/inde...r-optics-1-4x24mm-bdc-riflescope-ar91424.html Shop around and find the best price though.

 

[1911 guy]

M855 was designed specifically for a penetration requirement set forth by Army Ordnance. M193 is superior, in my opinion, in every other way.

 

[Jackal]

Merry Christmas, here's the best affordable bulk brass cased ammo available. http://www.targetsportsusa.com/wolf-gold-223-remington-ammo-55-grain-fmj-wg59-p-4316.aspx

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I put an Osprey red dot on my AR and really like it. It has 3 reticles, red and green, plus the standard dot. I paid $80 for it.

 

[primalmu]

For plinking, its hard to beat Wolf ammo. At $300/1000 rounds of Wolf Gold (or $220/1000 for steel), I doubt I'll ever find the need to go with 5.56 ammo. There are a lot of "purists" out there who will only use 5.56, but I look at 5.56 as paying a premium price for ammo that may be a bit faster, but not necessarily more accurate.

For an inexpensive, high value scope, I recommend the Leatherwood 1-4x CMR tactical scope. (http://swfa.com/Leatherwood-1-4x24-CMR-Tactical-30mm-Rifle-Scope-Kit-P47565.aspx)

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

How clean is the wolf ammo? I know the 7.62x39 stuff is like shooting tar, lol.

 

[Jackal]

How clean is the wolf ammo? I know the 7.62x39 stuff is like shooting tar, lol.

Brass cased Wolf Gold is made in Taiwan to Nato specs. Its cleaner than U.S. surplus and usually more accurate. Its good stuff and while I'm no professional, I endorse it 100%.

 

[kennedy]

welcome to the ar-15 world, I, like you also did not want a mixed parts gun and bought an armilite flattop several years ago, found a used JP trigger group and a used 3x9 leupold scope on ebay cheap. I bought a case of the lake city x193 ammo and now use those cases to reload for it. bought a couple of 30 rd steel mags at a gun show and have them loaded up for emergency. I use the factory 10 rd at the range.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I scored a case of Federal XM-193 from Cabelas for $300 shipped, good deal! Next go around, I'll give the Wolf Gold a shot.

 

[Ibmikey]

M 193 is relatively cheap now but may not stay that way, stocking up is always a good idea in these feast/famine times. I tend to keep a cushion of 10,000 .223 and 25-35,000 rouunds of rimfire on the shelf at all times, the recent insanity had no effect on my weekly shooting trips as i try to keep the soup can and dirt clod problem in check.

 

[NWcityguy2]

As more people buy ARs, and guns in general, there will be a greater need for ammo in the future. It may be very possible that in the next scare, and we all know there there will be one, the crunch on ammunition and reloading supplies could be much worse.

Before the last panic, it was generally thought that having a one year supply was prudent. For many things though, it was simply not long enough.

 

[Theohazard]

The one thing I like about the S&W, its all mil-spec from top to bottom. The Ruger has a couple of proprietary parts.

Neither of those rifles are mil-spec at all. The term "mil-spec" doesn't mean whether or not the parts will fit, "mil-spec" means that each part was made to the exact military specifications when it comes to materials, finish, quality control techniques, etc.

I know for sure that none of any of the major parts (barrel, upper and lower receivers, bolt carrier group, buffer tube, etc.) on either of those rifles are mil-spec, and it's likely that none of the small parts are either.

That said, either of those rifles are still excellent choices. If you're not going to be punishing your rifle with hard use and extended rapid-fire sessions, there's no need for a rifle that's built with mostly mil-spec parts (like a Colt).

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Theohazard, thanks for correcting me, its good to gain knowledge like that.

 

[shlike]

UPDATE WITH PHOTOS!!!

I am the OP.

So I got my new AR556 with the intention of keeping it stock except to maybe add an optic or red dot. But as others have warned in this thread, I am being sucked into the world of AR Bling and Accessories, which is going to be difficult to control, I fear. On my first range trip, the gun proved to be 100% problem-free after 100 rounds or so of .223 55gr. ammo. I used a cheap laser bore-sight from Amazon prior to my first range trip just so I could adjust the iron factory sights to just be on the paper at 25 yds. Once I made a slight final adjustment at the range for elevation, the gun was dead-nuts accurate. My next range outing will be on the outdoor range at my gun club where I can shoot out to 50, then 100 yds. As the photos show, the world of Magpul beckoned and I could not resist adding an MOE Stock, MOE pistol-grip, and MOE hand guard. That stuff sure makes the gun pretty, don't you think?.. Anyway, the next addition will be a 1-4X scope mounted to co-witness with the BUIS. Then I should be finished..........I hope.

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[basicblur]

Congrats and keep us posted on how it goes!

Anyway, the next addition will be a 1-4X scope mounted to co-witness with the BUIS.

Since some of the 'Net Ninjas are already going to heap scorn on you for buying the Ruger, might as well go all in!

Before you buy an optic, do a little research on the Bushnell Throw Down PCL.
My review is the second on the site above.

Yeah, you'll get more scorn because it's not one of the name dropper brands, but I really enjoy mine (as do friends / gun shop employees) that played with mine.

Maybe a little heavy, and I don't know about longevity yet, but it's one of my favorite optics and the first inexpensive optic I've bought (now have two of them).


EDIT: Forgot to add - it's a FFP reticle, which I much prefer!

 

[shlike]

Congrats and keep us posted on how it goes!


Since some of the 'Net Ninjas are already going to heap scorn on you for buying the Ruger, might as well go all in!

Before you buy an optic, do a little research on the Bushnell Throw Down PCL.
My review is the second on the site above.

Yeah, you'll get more scorn because it's not one of the name dropper brands, but I really enjoy mine (as do friends / gun shop employees) that played with mine.

Maybe a little heavy, and I don't know about longevity yet, but it's one of my favorite optics and the first inexpensive optic I've bought (now have two of them).


EDIT: Forgot to add - it's a FFP reticle, which I much prefer!

Thanks! The Bushnell is actually one of the scopes I'm considering. The $200.00 price point is about where I want to be. I don't want to mess with the front sight post on the gun. Can the Bushnell be used with the existing front sight post? Would I need to use a riser under the mount so the sight post doesn't interfere with the view through the scope?

 

[Theohazard]

I don't want to mess with the front sight post on the gun. Can the Bushnell be used with the existing front sight post? Would I need to use a riser under the mount so the sight post doesn't interfere with the view through the scope?

You can keep your front sight and still use the scope without a riser mount. The front sight will be blurry at 1 - 2 power but you can easily ignore it and it won't mess with your sight picture. And at 3 - 4 power it will almost totally dissappear. It might be completely invisible at 4 power, but if you can see it at all it will just be a small grey shading at the bottom of your view.

Keep in mind that the Marine Corps uses 4 power ACOGs mounted on the same sight plane as their front sights, and they don't have any issues. And it's not a good idea to use a riser because this will mess up your cheek weld.

 

[basicblur]

What Theohazard said.

I just recently bought my first few AR's with folding front sights - I've always preferred a fixed front sight and it never bothered me as it disappeared when you crank the scope up.