I drank the AR koolade today for the first time.

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Milkmaster

Milkmaster

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I am 54 and have numerous shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc, however I have never owned the AR platform and never really saw the fascination. I am not new to firearms. I just never did much research on the gas operated AR systems. I guess that will change after today. I bought an ArmaLite A4 Carbine today for plinking and to learn more about them in general.

Based on my discussion about wanting to plink and learn, this is what I bought along with 250 rounds of ammo and a manual rear site to get me started.

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=LEC15A4CBK&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=8e8e5de6-5022-483e-812b-822e58014822

I am ready for class to begin, so tell me about what I bought. What is good about it? What is bad about it? Was it a good choice for starting down the road into the AR world?

I hope to clean it and get it sighted in while off work during the holiday season. BTW...do AR's like to run wet or dry lubricated?
 
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That's a nice carbine. I'm glad you got a flattop, as you may find at some point that you'd like to put an optic on it.

The general consensus is that AR's like to run wet. Here's Pat Rogers' take on it:

http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/topic/19367-lubrication-and-cleaning-by-pat-rogers/

I personally use Mobil 1 EP (full synthetic) 5W-30 for my bolt, bolt carrier, and the inside of the receiver, and Tetra Grease for the charging handle bearing surfaces, but you can use oil there too and most people do. A lot of people also like Slip2000 EWL. I'd recommend against using non-synthetic motor oils though.

And you can put a drop or two in the gas vent holes in the bolt carrier to keep the bolt well lubricated during extended firing, if you want:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?15852-Lubrication-of-BCG-Method
 
Join the crowd! I did the same thing a year ago and am happy with the gun I got -- an STI. It's accurate, low recoil, not expensive to shoot -- what more can a person ask for? And this is after 50 years of shooting small caliber centerfire rifles that are NOT as accurate.
 
First, the AR world have fanboys like nobody's business, and unless you are running the very most hardcore and expensive parts they tend to poo poo on you, so take internet opinions with a lot of salt. That said, Armalite as been around pretty much forever. They know how to make a gun as well as anybody, but lets be honest, they're all about the same when comparing brand to brand at similar price point. The AR world is pretty incestuous. Your spikes, armalite, bushmaster, lmt, and noveske probably all have wilson barrels and use the same trigger group manufacturer etc. (those brands are pulled from my brain at random, don't take it as gospel or be offended. It is meant to make a point, not agitate the fanboys)

AR's in general are like legos or barbies, there is always more crap you can buy for them, and it's pretty easy to turn them into a totally different configuration just by throwing money at it. I have found the factory trigger to be lacking but fairly easily correctable by throwing time and minimal skill, or a lot of money, at it. They tend to be disgustingly accurate but I hate the way they recoil (too much noise going on in the stock. AR folks will defend that by saying "get used to it" "that means it's working" or "it's supposed to do that" well a garbage truck drives like a garbage truck, that doesn't mean I can't complain about the way one drives)

AR's like running wet, and I think they are pretty versatile and functional. They are also not my favorite gun, but I've had and built a couple over the years. I appreciate what they are and can do, and I also resent them for what they are not.

Have fun and enjoy it!

PS: they are loud loud loud as a 16" barrel with a flash hider. double up the ear protection.
 
I love am Armalite. Can you really go wrong with the company that originally designed them. I have personally not owned one, but put several thousand rounds through my best friends... It runs like a sewing machine in a Thailand sweat shop.
 
I guess it needs to be said that the "armalite" of today is not the Armalite, division of Fairchild which originally produced the AR10 and AR15.
 
Milkmaster said:
I am 54 and have numerous shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc, however I have never owned the AR platform and never really saw the fascination. I am not new to firearms. I just never did much research on the gas operated AR systems. I guess that will change after today. I bought an ArmaLite A4 Carbine today for plinking and to learn more about them in general.

Based on my discussion about wanting to plink and learn, this is what I bought along with 250 rounds of ammo and a manual rear site to get me started.

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=LEC15A4CBK&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=8e8e5de6-5022-483e-812b-822e58014822
Click to expand...

Congrats to you and your new ArmaLite. :cool:

I am in about the same position as you. I'm half a decade younger, and grew up and have been around firearms a long time but never ever wanted an AR. I had friends with ARs, so I got to shoot them through the years to keep me satisfied. (Two Colts and a Bushmaster)

Yet, this past July I bought an ArmaLite that is very similar to yours. So far it runs well with the PMags and the aluminum GI mags. I stupidly bought a 20 round steel ProMag that jams on the last round and shoves the bullet deep in the case when that jam happens. It's due to not having a non-tilt follower.

The other thing I didn't care for is the Armalite issued cheesy "silent sling". I used it once or twice and replaced it with the sling shown here. It is cheap in price, but is made with thick webbing and the metal is sturdy. It is much improved over the other sling.

Below is a photo of what mine looks like. After much thought on the state of current ARs, I like the standard issue handguard and collapsible stock. They are simple, but work just fine. I also like the ArmaLite two stage trigger, it reminds of of my Swiss K31 trigger. While not as nice as the K31 trigger, it is pretty nice compared to the other standard issue AR triggers I've sampled.

arma-m15-2013-1.jpg
 
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Get ready.... they multiply. I never thought I'd deviate from the blued steel and walnut rifles. Then I got an AR. Then I got another. Then I got another... and danged if some of them aren't more fun and accurate than some of my dedicated varmint rifles!

Have fun!
 
What is the rail mounted sight that you have in the picture of your AR Chicharrones? I am thinking holographic eventually. I want a chance to play around a while before deciding.
 
Milkmaster said:
What is the rail mounted sight that you have in the picture of your AR Chicharrones?
Click to expand...

It's a Troy fixed rear sight as seen here. https://troyind.com/products/fixed-rear-sight-blk
I bought it at the same time as buying the rifle. I didn't get the EOTech 517 until I gave the open sights some range time.

Beware that Troy has done something that has made them unpopular at this time towards the civilian firearms world. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2_397/239784_Troy_Industries_Statement.html

Maybe the Daniel Defense rear sight is worth a look? https://danieldefense.com/components-parts/sights/a1-5-fixed-rear-sight.html
 
Armalite makes a good AR15, I'm sure it'll give you many years of faithful service.

ARs like to run wet. To that end, a whole sub-industry has sprung up to provide lube for it. Bottom line up front - they all work. Some better than others, but almost anything will do in a pinch. Over the course of my 30 year exposure to the M16 Family of Weapons (FOW) I've used everything from CLP to EWL to STL (Suntan Lotion.)

And it's not like the AR will immediately lock up if it's fired dry. Just before retiring, my company was running an EIB qual range and we had a few thousand rounds left over. Earlier my range cadre was discussing various lubes with me. Which got me to thinking, so for gigs, I had one of my Soldiers wipe down his M4 til it was dry and then I took it to the firing line and shot it until it choked. At round 103, the carbine failed to eject.

So throw a little lube in your new carbine, grab some ammo and go shoot that thang! Being new to the AR, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and impressions.
 
Good info above.

I like to run new to the point that it spits a little. After they settle in, not so wet. I use Mobile One.

My brother lives a mile or so from 'That Gun Store' on the NE side of I-24 just south of you. Nice stuff and nice prices :eek:
 
I have always liked Armalite, from the first time the gunsmith I worked for showed me his AR-10 with the green plastic and 24 inch barrel. I think they make a good product, but then again I also like DPMS, which seems to be unpopular as of late.
I run my ARs pretty dry. I am not into tearing them down every time I get out of the pickup to clean the dust off of them when they are sopping wet with oil. I tend to scrape the hard stuff off and add a couple of drops if im in the mood. I like the look of the Fail Zero process.

I am not sure how the soldiers and Marines like to maintain their's, but would do like them if I was in their situation, which I am not.
 
I think you did well with an Armalite, but I have never shot one myself. I have had a DPMS for years that has been great. Not gonna win a popularity contest, but I couldn't care less. I recently bought a Bushmaster that I am disappointed with. It runs good but has a WAY out of spec front sight base. I am now in the process of building my first one. FWIW I run mine with a bead of lube at the contact points, especially the cam pin and the carrier where it rides in the receiver. On a new rifle you will see the finish wear off the carrier and other places that need the lube. I carried this platform in the military and lubed it the same then with no problems. Hosing it with CLP rarely solved any problems as it was usually an overreaction by someone to a bad magazine or other mechanical problem. Then it is a stinky, slippery, dust magnet. Proper maintenance works wonders on any firearm. Enjoy yours, and like others have said, it likely won't be your last one.
 
You did good Milkmaster.

I've had the same rifle for about 6 years now. It runs the cheapest nastiest stuff I can get my hands on just fine. Does real well with 55 gr Tula steel cased ammo.
I don't think I 'baby' this rifle at all. Sometimes I squirt some CLP in it. Sometimes I wipe the gunk off and squirt it some more. It hasn't stopped running yet and nothing has broken after ~1k rounds or more. My friend has the mid length version and his has jammed but he doesn't lube all that much.
I'm not sure but I don't think it's mil spec. If it isn't my rifle hasn't noticed and I don't care. From time to time it wears a red dot but I mostly leave it off and use a Troy folding rear site. No idea what model it is but I like the rifle bare bones and light weight as possible.
I have zero complaints of Armalite or the rifle.
 
I appreciate all the advice and comments so far gentlemen. I am getting the point to run the AR a little wet and keep it clean.

I have to work on the disassembly process. I know how to drop the lower end from the back, pull the recoil spring out, and remove the bolt. I don't know yet how to disassemble/clean the gas system towards the barrel. Up until now, I haven't shot any .223 ammo of my own. In general is it a clean ammo or dirty? How many rounds before I have to clean the gas system thoroughly?

BTW...Please don't hijack this thread arguing who said this or that. All of it is opinion here and no need to crucify one another this close to Christmas!
 
Milkmaster said:
I am 54 and have numerous shotguns, rifles, handguns, etc, however I have never owned the AR platform and never really saw the fascination. I am not new to firearms. I just never did much research on the gas operated AR systems. I guess that will change after today. I bought an ArmaLite A4 Carbine today for plinking and to learn more about them in general.

Based on my discussion about wanting to plink and learn, this is what I bought along with 250 rounds of ammo and a manual rear site to get me started.

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=LEC15A4CBK&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=8e8e5de6-5022-483e-812b-822e58014822

I am ready for class to begin, so tell me about what I bought. What is good about it? What is bad about it? Was it a good choice for starting down the road into the AR world?

I hope to clean it and get it sighted in while off work during the holiday season. BTW...do AR's like to run wet or dry lubricated?
Click to expand...

Like CharlieDeltaJuliet and others who've posted, I have a fond spot for ArmaLite. Even though they're not the original designer of the AR-15, as the new ArmaLite and formerly Eagle Arms they have been selling ARs much longer than most other companies around today. They don't make the best AR nor are they anywhere near the worst. Pretty much right in the middle.

Like you I was late to the game in buying an AR, I was 60 and pieced together my first one using an ArmaLite midlength upper then later built an ArmaLite lower. Along the way I've done three AR builds and passed on the ArmaLite upper because it was so darn heavy. The lower has worn Daniel Defense, BCM and now a PSA lightweight midlength upper. Your LEC upper isn't as heavy as mine was so you'll probably like it.

One suggestion, if you don't have an H buffer you might look in to that. Years ago ArmaLite did use H buffers, but I didn't see it in the link you provided.

Oh, remember AR stands for ArmaLite! :D:D:D
 
Explain the buffer please Quentin. I am assuming it is there to help with recoil? I found this link, but there is too much arguing in it to understand the discussion fully.

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=513134

My manual does show the buffer in the disassembly instructions. Specifically it calls out that the carbine buffer is a different part number etc.

Please understand I just got the AR yesterday and haven't become nearly as familiar with it as say my Beretta shotgun systems.
 
Milkmaster said:
I appreciate all the advice and comments so far gentlemen. I am getting the point to run the AR a little wet and keep it clean.

I have to work on the disassembly process. I know how to drop the lower end from the back, pull the recoil spring out, and remove the bolt. I don't know yet how to disassemble/clean the gas system towards the barrel. Up until now, I haven't shot any .223 ammo of my own. In general is it a clean ammo or dirty? How many rounds before I have to clean the gas system thoroughly?

BTW...Please don't hijack this thread arguing who said this or that. All of it is opinion here and no need to crucify one another this close to Christmas!
Click to expand...

You don't need to disassemble/clean the gas system on the barrel (gas block, gas tube). You do want to clean the BCG after hundreds of rounds but a lot of us let it go longer. Just keep the BCG wet and you'll be ok. .223/5.56 ammo is no dirtier than other calibers. Some steelcase is dirty but not enough to matter. My ArmaLite had no problem with any ammo I tried.
 
Milkmaster said:
Explain the buffer please Quentin. I am assuming it is there to help with recoil? I found this link, but there is too much arguing in it to understand the discussion fully.

https://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=513134

My manual does show the buffer in the disassembly instructions. Specifically it calls out that the carbine buffer is a different part number etc.

Please understand I just got the AR yesterday and haven't become nearly as familiar with it as say my Beretta shotgun systems.
Click to expand...

Does your buffer have an H stamped on the face? You have a 16" barrel with carbine length gas and normally it performs better with an H buffer or even H2. A standard carbine buffer has no H stamp, the H buffer weighs about an ounce more, the H2 is two ounces more, the H3, three ounces more.
 
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