I have finally joined the ranks of the AR guys!

[Phaedrus/69]

Well, I finally got my new CORE 15 M4 Scout Keymod picked up! To be honest, although I grew up a rifleman I must admit that for the last 25 years I've had almost nothing but sidearms. While I do have a couple of PCCs (an HK USC in .45 ACP and a Beretta Storm Carbine in 9mm) I've only had one real rifle in the last decade and that was my Browning A-Bolt Synthetic Stalker in .308 that I sold a few years back. I've been itching to try an M4-gery and I finally found a deal that seemed too good to pass on. This bad boy cost me $700 shipped with a nice keymod rail. I added some BCM stuff to it including: Gunfighter MOD3 Grip, Modular Light Mount, Gunfighter MOD 0 stock and a MOD 3 vertical grip. The sights are offset irons that I got from Amazon; they were inexpensive but they're pretty solid feeling. I also bought an Inforce WML, the Haley version. Lastly I made sure to have a half dozen Gen2 PMags on hand and 300 rounds of ammo.

I haven't really decided for sure what to get for an optic. I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and getting an Aimpoint PRO but we'll see. And I'll need some kind of sling.

I'm also playing with the light options right now. In the pictures I have my Surefire X300 Ultra mounted on the top rail and nothing on the offset Modular Light Mount. The mount works well and it positions the light in the exact same spot that I run on my other long guns (PCCs) which is a plus. But I actually feel like right on top is optimal. I'm also having trouble deciding between the Surefire and the Inforce. The X300 U is much brighter but the WML has a better switch.

It will probably be a couple weeks til I can get it to the local rifle range. Til then though I can drool and at least share some pictures!


I know the rules...pics or it didn't happen, right?

 

[C-grunt]

Any reason the rear sight is so far forward?

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I didn't want to cover the FA or ejection port while I was playing with it. I haven't used the gun at all, just got it and have only been fondling it so far. I've got it at the very rear portion of the rail now.

 

[ClemY]

I confess I came late to the AR party. I first fired one in 1975 while in the Marine Corps. I was under whelmed. I waited until last year before I got dragged into the club. I benefitted from nearly 50 years of engineering improvements. After building my first, I acquired and/or built 4 more. I know. I am having too much fun, and nothing pisses off the liberals than gunnies having fun with guns, particularly the AR.

It looks like you got a nice one. Have fun, but not too much fun.

 

[crazysccrmd]

For a sling look at the Blue Force Gear Vickers combat sling. It's a two point that has an adjustable sliding section, works perfect. Best sling I've used ever.

 

[misterarman]

Welcome to the world of ARs.
I think everyone should have a least one.
I sure do like the key-mod system.

 

[Inebriated]

Looks good, but the rear needs to be closer to your eye. Imagine trying to look through a keyhole from 3 feet away, vs. looking through it from 1 inch away.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

I didn't want to cover the FA or ejection port while I was playing with it. I haven't used the gun at all, just got it and have only been fondling it so far. I've got it at the very rear portion of the rail now.

Putting the rear sight on the very last rail slot shouldn't cover anything. It will also help the peep sight function as intended, your groups will shrink and your lover will find you more attractive! (ok, the last part may be an exxageration, but only slightly... )

Rifle looks good though, welcome to the AR club, it's a fun place. Time to think about getting to an Appleseed shoot to brush up on those Rifleman skills.

 

[Jackal]

Ditch those cheesy offset sights and get some real ones. Those things are a solution looking for a problem. Daniel Defense makes a great set of fixed irons and Magpul flip ups are good for the price.

 

[Inebriated]

^Love the DD sights. Lightweight, but very durable.

 

[JO JO]

I have found AR s Addictive there a fun rifle and very recoil friendly for the family

 

[primalmu]

The only reason to use offset sights is if you plan on using a scope. If you are going to get an Aimpoint, do yourself a favor and get some regular sights that you can cowitness.

 

[henschman]

^^ What he said. And you will not be disappointed by the Aimpoint PRO. I loved my first so much that I just recently bought a second.

I also highly recommend taking your rifle to an Appleseed. You will have a great time.

I like the rifle! My own 16" midlength (with Aimpoint PRO) is my favorite.

 

[amprecon]

Now all you have to do is convert it over to 6.8spc and you'll have yourself a real gun

 

[SuperNaut]

Guys, he's running offsets because he's planning on getting an optic.

I haven't really decided for sure what to get for an optic. I'm leaning towards biting the bullet and getting an Aimpoint PRO but we'll see.

That said, running the light on top is going to cause problems with the optic. I don't think the AP mount is going to get him high enough over the light.

If it were me I'd co-witness and run the light offset, but he ain't me.

 

[AABEN]

Well boys I am also a late comer. I am 75 and in the last year and 1/2 I have bought 3 AR All three are different brand my bushmaster is my play gun my Arma Lite is my target gun and my new one is a Windham VEX-SS varmint I do not have it sighted in yet.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Why do you have your light on the top rail? It is going to block your view even if you use offset sights. I think you would be better served moving the light to the bottom, and getting a regular set of irons.

 

[Inebriated]

Why do you have your light on the top rail? It is going to block your view even if you use offset sights. I think you would be better served moving the light to the bottom, and getting a regular set of irons.

Light at 12:00 eliminates barrel shadow in the main FOV, it's more ergonomic if using a more forward grip, and does not block view or sights with standard sights.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I have an offset mount, too. It takes all of 20 seconds to move the light over. If it doesn't work in practice I'll change it. But I've talked to a few AR guys that run their lights at 12:00 and love it. FWIW it doesn't get in the way of the offset light at all. And I slapped on a PA RDS with a high riser just to see how it worked and while I didn't fire the gun the light wasn't in the way at all. It's far far lower than a front sight would be. And Daniel Defense makes a front sight that's got a ledge on either side to accommodate using the light on the top right in front of the sight post.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I tried the offset irons for awhile when I was running with an optic. Set up to mimic what I saw the 3 gun guys doing, for easier transitions between close and long range shots. Hated it, went back to irons in the traditional spots and ditched the optic altogether. As my eyes age, the optic will return, or if I ever do plan some longer range shooting, the optic will be remounted. Since most of my target shooting is at fixed targets at fixed distances with little to no variation, it seemed silly.

I also gotta agree with the guys who say offset the light. If you've got a remote switch for the light, you can mount it pretty much anywhere, so long as it doesn't interfere with your optic. Not sure if the Aimpoint Pro has enough of a rise to clear the light. Even if it does, +1 on cowitnessing irons with the Aimpoint, which would mean to run the light elsewhere.

Most of this you'll figure out on your own, with or without the guys advise. I knows its hard to resist the urge to try out different stuff to stick to your AR. I guess I'm a KISS mentality.