New AR Day... couple questions

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Candyman87

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Hi guys-

I finally pulled the trigger on an AR... a Windham Weaponry WW-15 that's Jersey legal (pinned stock, welded muzzle break replacing the A2 birdcage, factory front sight without bayonet lug, and a 10 round magazine)... opted to go Jersey legal since while I live in PA, I instruct both pistol and rifle in New Jersey and still have family over there, so the rifle will be coming back and forth with me to shoot.

It's got a flat top receiver with detachable carry handle (I prefer iron sights both for shooting and teaching) but want the option of using optics in the future.

I'd say I got a good deal on it... put 60 rounds of Armscor 55 grain .223 through it and was happy with the grouping with iron sights.

That being said, I've got a few questions...

1) Since the gun will spend 99% of its time in PA, I'd like to swap out the stock for a truly adjustable stock instead of one that just looks adjustable. Suppose I wish to swap stocks for a day of shooting across the border, is it feasible to swap stocks for a day? How long would it take? Any special tools I would need?

2) What are the basic necessities of AR ownership that are above and beyond other rifles? I've picked up a few 30-round P-Mags and have a few more on the way. I've got a pair of 15-round Hex Mags for use in New Jersey. Other than a chamber brush and a rifle case, what other accessories do I really need?

I want to keep this a fairly stock rifle, no need for quad rails, forward grips, flashlights, etc. I bought this as a shooter, not a home defense rifle.

As an instructor, I'm comfortable with bolt action and lever action rifles, but my experience with one of the most popular platforms is lacking. I'm looking forward to getting more proficient with the AR platform.

Thanks in advance!
 
You are going to have to buy more ammo and clean it more because you will shoot it a lot more. Have fun.
 
It depends on how Windham implemented their pinned stock. You may have to remove the receiver extension entirely to go with a collapsible stock. Depending on how Windham secures their receiver extensions, it may be a 5-7 minute change, or it may take some elbow grease to bust loose the locking nut.

If you already have most rifle cleaning accessories, there really isn't anything extra that you need. I am anal about cleaning my guns, so I bought an OTIS AR kit, which has the tool for scraping carbon off the bolt, but doing that is not really necessary. I also like to take a small bottle of oil which I can squirt on the BCG periodically.
 
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The easiest way to achieve what you want is to buy a complete lower configured for PA. You can get one for a good price from Palmetto State Armory
 
MistWolf said:
The easiest way to achieve what you want is to buy a complete lower configured for PA. You can get one for a good price from Palmetto State Armory
Click to expand...
Easiest, yes. Gets me in more trouble? Absolutely.

Swapping parts will get me in far less trouble than buying another lower :)
 
Well, if you've got time before pulling THAT particular trigger (congrats btw) a non NJ configured lower is the easiest.

But if buying another lower isn't in the cards, I'd invest in an AR armorers tool, or at the least, a barrel wrench. These can be had for a range of prices at Amazon, with the barrel wrench being about $15.

This will allow you to remove the barrel nut, and from there, you can simply swap out the entire stock for whichever one you choose, from an A1 or A2 style fixed stock which would be NJ compliant, the current M4gery pinned stock you mentioned, or any other multi position stock on the market. For a fixed A1/A2 style, different tools will be required as they attach differently than the M4 style. I don't think its anything elaborate, maybe as simple as a flathead screw driver. It's been awhile since I did a full breakdown on an A2, so I'm not remembering exactly how the stock mates to the buffer tube. I do know it threads into the end of the tube, just don't remember the exact hardware.

An additional receiver extension/ buffer tube for the M4 style stock will probably be your best option under the circumstances. That, along with the appropriate barrel wrench will run you less than $100, possibly less if you get a no name RE and stock. It's a very easy and simple swap, just be careful not to launch your buffer retaining pin and spring across the room.

Just one thing to be aware of with your hunt for a new RE and stock, not all are alike.
Mil spec is a hair smaller than commercial (1.15" OD on the milspec tube vs. 1.17" OD on the commercial). The commercial RE will also have an angled end to it rather than the squared off end on the mil spec. Either work, just be aware so you aren't mixing and matching. They're not designed to be interchangeable, but...

I have a commercial spec RE and a Magpul MOE milspec stock and they work fine together. It's a little tight and does not collapse all the way down, but other than that, it works just fine. It locks into 5 of the 6 positions. YMMV.

additional trivia tidbit, the traditional M4 stock is only a 4 position stock, while most on the market are a 6 position. So terms like mil spec are marketing gimmicks, especially when they talk about a 6 position stock.
 
Thanks... M4gery, I'll have to remember that! :)

That being said, the fully extended NJ compliant stock is right where I like it. The future wife will finally have a chance to shoot it on Sunday, so if she's ok with it where it is, I'll leave it for a bit. The money that I planned to spend on the new stock just went to a good deal on American Eagle green tips at Dick's.

So this surgery will have to wait another day :)
 
Why don't you get a fixed stock that fits you? I'm getting ready to replace one of my adjustable stocks with a Magpul light weight fixed stock. The adjustable type stocks are mostly useless to me. I shoot up and close nose to charging handle therefore I have no need for adjustable.
 
What kind of shooting do you plan on doing with it ?
Bench, 3 Gun'ish, standing, prone... etc

Red Dot sights ( with 2 MOA ) , can be very quick on target. So they are great for a SD firearm.

I will suggest a more accurate in expensive ammo...I have never seen anything bad written about it.
PSA seems to raise and lower the price... as low as $5.79 / 20.... read the reviews.
http://palmettostatearmory.com/catalog/product/view/id/4550/

Also a better trigger is a quite common upgrade. The $62 trigger is a VERY good deal.

https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=434&CFID=524217115&CFTOKEN=44440356
 
Candyman87 said:
Thanks... M4gery, I'll have to remember that! :)

That being said, the fully extended NJ compliant stock is right where I like it. The future wife will finally have a chance to shoot it on Sunday, so if she's ok with it where it is, I'll leave it for a bit. The money that I planned to spend on the new stock just went to a good deal on American Eagle green tips at Dick's.

So this surgery will have to wait another day :)
Click to expand...
Be careful with the green tips. If it is XM855 ammo (steel core), most indoor ranges and some outdoor ranges won't allow it to be used. I found out the hard way. When I first got my AR, I bought a bunch of bulk XM855 green tips online, only to find out I couldn't use them on the indoor range that I frequently go to. Fortunately, I was able to sell most of it and use the money to purchase M193 (5.56 55 gr.) that can be used on the indoor ranges.
 
bfoosh006 said:
What kind of shooting do you plan on doing with it ?

Bench, 3 Gun'ish, standing, prone... etc



Red Dot sights ( with 2 MOA ) , can be very quick on target. So they are great for a SD firearm.
Click to expand...
Mostly standing, some prone, some bench. I'm very happy with iron sights, so much that I put Tech Sights on my 10/22.

It's not going to be used for home defense due to tight corners in my apartment.


Regarding ammo, my LGS has good deals on Armscor .223 that I can blast through. Also have XM193 and XM855
 
We make out that adjustable stocks are a better thing to have - but the Service Rifle match shooters live with what the military issues. And they aren't plinking with them.

Having seen what the "one size fits all" M16 does in the hands of 250 different shooters on range qualification in Basic over and over as a Training Officer, I can't tell you that a stock 1/2" longer isn't going to keep you from scoring expert. Lack of practice will, poor ammo will. a breezy fitful day sure can, but stock length adjustment isn't a deal killer on shooting well. Do I prefer a shorter stock, yes - but when we transitioned from A-noting to A1 and then A2 my scores didn't slip. I still shot expert despite the fat uncomfortable A2 grip or 5/8" longer McMarine sized stocks.

And it didn't make a significant difference shooting in the spring with just the BDU jacket one year, or an additional fleece jacket and M65 on top, either. We like to play with adjustable stocks to get the same cheek weld, but it's top tier shooting to actually see any recordable difference in the changes. For the most part we still hit the bullseye or down our deer.

The traditional gun shooters don't even discuss it much - it's not an option, and it's pretty much ignored. Custom length of pull is high end for long range precision shooting. Now that every AR can, it's given more importance than maybe it needs.

As a political football it's given far too much credit.

Swapping stocks to go shoot one state or another is more work and expense than it will return. Practice and skill deliver more. I put it into that category of "just because we can doesn't mean we should." Most adjustable AR stocks are set to one specific length and the owner leaves them there 99% of the time. It was never much issue to me until I could play with one, and I can't tell you it's helping any.
 
I like the adjustable stocks because I shoot in colder werather as well as summer. I can adjust for light jacket or heavy coat.
 
Tirod said:
We make out that adjustable stocks are a better thing to have - but the Service Rifle match shooters live with what the military issues. And they aren't plinking with them.



Having seen what the "one size fits all" M16 does in the hands of 250 different shooters on range qualification in Basic over and over as a Training Officer, I can't tell you that a stock 1/2" longer isn't going to keep you from scoring expert. Lack of practice will, poor ammo will. a breezy fitful day sure can, but stock length adjustment isn't a deal killer on shooting well. Do I prefer a shorter stock, yes - but when we transitioned from A-noting to A1 and then A2 my scores didn't slip. I still shot expert despite the fat uncomfortable A2 grip or 5/8" longer McMarine sized stocks.



And it didn't make a significant difference shooting in the spring with just the BDU jacket one year, or an additional fleece jacket and M65 on top, either. We like to play with adjustable stocks to get the same cheek weld, but it's top tier shooting to actually see any recordable difference in the changes. For the most part we still hit the bullseye or down our deer.



The traditional gun shooters don't even discuss it much - it's not an option, and it's pretty much ignored. Custom length of pull is high end for long range precision shooting. Now that every AR can, it's given more importance than maybe it needs.



As a political football it's given far too much credit.



Swapping stocks to go shoot one state or another is more work and expense than it will return. Practice and skill deliver more. I put it into that category of "just because we can doesn't mean we should." Most adjustable AR stocks are set to one specific length and the owner leaves them there 99% of the time. It was never much issue to me until I could play with one, and I can't tell you it's helping any.
Click to expand...


The biggest reason I want the adjustable LOP is that I often take others to the range. I'm an instructor and use my guns to reach with. I also bring along anti-gun people with show them there is nothing inherently evil about guns.

That being said, I like the option of fitting my guns to new shooters to make them more comfortable when possible. For this it seems like it's more work than it's worth to stay Jersey legal so I'll leave it alone.

As for me, I'll shoot anything from a youth model Crickett to my Mosin 91/30 and not complain about different LOP.
 
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