Good first tactical rifle

[mini14gb]

Doxie,
You can get something functional for $100 but don't expect to be blown away by how good it is. I have a few Aimpoint 9000sc and its perfect for the AR. You can get one on ebay used for about $200. You can always add a magnified scope later and have them both on removable mounts for whatever kind of shooting you might be doing. For a good quality magnified scope expect to pay at least $300 IMO. Nikon Buckmaster is a good scope for about $300. I have a Leupold VX-ll on my AR's 2-7 power plus the Aimpoint.

 

[Fuego]

My advice: Go cheap.

If tou want to put a bullet into a 5" target at 100yards, an AKM, a Mini14 or Mini30 or AR will do the job just fine.

But if you want to impress the commandos at the range with your tricked out cool rifle, I guarantee your rifle will not be cool enough!

Just think about the following: Cost of the rifle. Cost of ammunition. Cost of magazines. Cost of that cool scope mount. Cost of the scope.

A good battle rifle will shoot 30 rounds into 5" at 100 yards. Period.

There is no need to spend a fortune. Only an idiot with more money than brains would.

 

[Doxiedad]

maybe I should start with some flip up iron sights? I'm gonna want them as back ups anyways. I like the look of the flip up style over the regular carry handle/front sight post.

 

[mini14gb]

Fuego,
Did you everthink that he might want to use it for something else like maybe gopher shooting? A good scope it worth more than impressing people at the range. Some folks do use there rifles for much more than target shooting. You obviously don't understand the value of good glass.

 

[CraigC]

There is no need to spend a fortune. Only an idiot with more money than brains would.

I reckon anybody who spends more than $500 on something like a Saiga is just trying to look cool and throwing money away in the process. Please.

 

[Doxiedad]

Ok not trying to start a fight over optics. I wouldn't mind spending $200-$300 on good optics, but it's not in the budget right now.
With that OR ready S&W I can still install flip up iron sights right? If someone could point me to a website that has a good selection and maybe a pointer or two I'd be most appreciative

 

[mini14gb]

Yes, with the Smith or any other ORC you can use flip up irons. Try OpticsPlanet.com for a large selection, find what you want there, then compare prices through out the internet. Be advised you need to have REAL IRON for the front sight as it mounts on the gas block and get very very hot not plastics or polymers. Yankee Hill, GG&G, Magpul among many others are great sights.

 

[Doxiedad]

Ok so with the Orc I need to add about $100-$200 for iron sights, maybe I should get one with an a3(?) upper?. Just not a fan of the traditional front sight.

 

[mini14gb]

Doxie,
There are just somethings I won't be a cheapskate with and sights and optics are one of them. I run solid middle of the road gear scopes in the $300 to $500 range and gunsights in the $200 range. I use my stuff to hunt with ect and knowing your gear is going to perform is key not to mention I live in the REAL wilderness 13 miles from the nearest paved road in Montana. You can do what you want but a good set of sights or optics makes all the difference in the world especially if you think you might depend on that weapon for defense or food. Honestly whats the point of buying a good effective rifle if you can't be sure of premium shot placement. Aside from my AK-47 I like my rifles to serve multiple roles and even the AK is more than capable of taking deer with good sights.

 

[Doxiedad]

Ok I know i'm probably getting annoying, just want to make sure I got things right.

If I get the M&P15OR M&P15OR I'll need front sights MI Front ($80) and rear MI rear ($94) .

While if i get the M&P15A M&P15A I like the rear sights but would want to replace the front sights.

Since the ORC has a rail up front I could pretty much pick whatever front sight I liked that attaches to a rail while the 15A I would also have to install a rail or find a front sight that attaches to the barrel like the stock one right.

I'm just trying to figure the most cost effective way to get the setup I want.

Looks like the ORC plus sights will be the way for me to go.

 

[JustinJ]

Check out the chart below to help you choose. SW is good and close enough to milspec to make the savings probably worth it but I'd personally stick with Colt.

Stag, Bushmaster, RR, DPMS, CMMG aren't bad rifles for plinking and light use but if you can get higher quality for the same price or slightly more there is no reason not to.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kneubert/Gun02#5284494145303823618

 

[Onward Allusion]

Doxiedad

Good first tactical rifle

For $800, get a decent (nice) AK patterned rifle and spend the rest on extra mags/ammo. I know that you can get an inexpensive AR rifle for around $700-$800 but that is lower end stuff.

 

[CraigC]

I would suggest the ORC and the sights of your choice. You're on the right track, the ORC has a gas block rail tall enough to facilitate "same plane" sights. I bought one of these several months ago when CDNN had them for $599. It's been dead reliable and shoots MOA with Federal XM193. Although I ended up installing a low profile gas block and rifle-length free float forend. If you plan on using iron sights I'd also suggest a detachable carry handle or fixed rear sight.

 

[Doxiedad]

Hmm I can get the S&W M&P15A for $983, or I found CDNN has the Colt 6920 for $1109 shipped. With either one I'd want to change the front and rear sights. So is the Colt worth the extra $126? And if so why other than the name Colt.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

A scout rifle. Once you learn to shoot like a real rifleman, you can move to those semi auto types.

 

[pwrstrkd]

Unless your shooting tramendous amounts you will not notice the difference other than the name colt on it as you said. Save that $126 and put it towards a good optic. Check out stag model 3. Has all the features you mentioned

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

The Colt 6920 is an excellent choice. It is a top tier gun that other guns are compared to. They were selling for $1800 at gun shows here in early 2009. There is no doubt of the quality of these.

You could add a magpul MBUS rear sight to it for around $50. Then put a good red dot sight on it.

 

[CraigC]

Just like with any of their other guns, all you're paying extra for is a name and I see no reason to do that. Other companies make better SAA's, 1911's and AR's for lower prices.

 

[imac98374]

Just get a decent AR-15 for about $900. Plenty to choose from.

Personally, being on a tight budget I'm looking at the new S&W M&P 15 Sport. Talked with owners, miltary guys and S&W customer service, it's quite a deal for $599.

I had a Saiga conversion for a number of years. It was alright, had some fun with it but once I fired an AR during a match, all that changed. Darn thing kicked like a 22LR, super easy to get back on target.

I picked up the sport for an even 6 bills a few weeks ago, and I'm pretty impressed with the thing thus far. I've only had the chance to put ~100 rounds through it, a mix of xm885 and wolf poly coated, and it ran without incident. It has quite a few departures from "mil spec" but it's almost as much fun as my high-dollar AR. I'm a fan of the M&P. Plus, you don't have to buy sight. $600 + tax, some ammo, and you're ready to head to the range.

 

[m1k3dasa1nt]

AK is an outstanding weapon and VERY affordable. I've put thousands of rounds through the M16. Also a fine weapon but...Recently I had the option to purchase an AR and I actually went with the Mini-14. I will look into all the above suggestions though for my next one.

 

[Doxiedad]

I've narrowed it down to the S&W M&P15. Now i'm trying to decide between the ORC model that's listed as optics ready or the A model with Troy Adjustable, Folding Battle Sight and a standard fixed front sight. As far as I can tell that's the only difference. The best pricing I've found is at Bud's gun shop. The ORC is $799 and the A model is $983.

With the A model I can shoot it right away. With the ORC I'd have to get a set of iron sights.

How much will a set of decent iron sights run? Plus I don't know what a set of good ones are so that's little help, would appreciate some insight.

So basically will i be able to get a good set of iron sights for the $184 difference? Are there any other differences between these two models I'm not seeing?

Thanks.

 

[Gordon_Freeman]

Magpul makes quality sights called MBUS. They are inexpensive and good quality.

 

[Rmiller31]

For a 983$ pricetag you can piece together a better rifle. You might not notice the difference but if your paying close to 1k you might as well get the most for your money.

I'm not at all saying the smith is a bad rifle just wouldn't be my pick if I had a grand to drop on a AR

 

[mc223]

You seem much closer to a decision than at the start of this.


I, by no more than bum luck ran into a S&W M&P15 OR, new in a pawn shop for a very good price. I picked up a $100. Mueller red dot for a sight. This is my truck gun. It gets stuff put on it sometimes. I stepped on it once when dragging out the jack. I shoot it as a plinker and a varmint and coyote gun. It has not failed. It is as accurate as I need it to be at the normal ranges in my area. Couple hundred yards is a very long shot. Usually cant see nearly that far for the trees or the swamp grass.
The point is simply the S&W is as good a rifle as most out there. You dont have to break the bank.

I also have no patience.



o

 

[CarolinaJack88]

I must echo at least checking out the Kel-Tec SU 16