Want AR15....guide me!!!

[kostarae]

So I decided I need to own an AR15.

I went to my local Academy and they had an S&W MP-ORC for $899

From searching on the forums, I understand that RRA & Stag both make good 'bang for buck' AR's and I also read on here that the S&W is a relabeled Stag AR.


My question is, What options or features should I be looking for?

I think I would like a 16" barrel as this would hopefully be accurate enough but I am still undecided on that.

I would also like to put an EOTECH sight on it.

What else should I be looking for? --- I see some have the handles in front. Is it better to have one? Looks more comfortable to me

Please help me.

Thanks!

 

[Gord]

There shouldn't be much of a difference in mechanical accuracy between 16" and 20" barrels, if any.

Get one with a flattop receiver. Much easier to mount optics, and if you really dig the carry handle, you can buy a detachable one.

 

[lmccrock]

Hard to know where to start. The thing about the AR system is the flexibility. RRA and Stag and S&W all have a good rep.

A 16" is handy, and barrel length does not impact accuracy if you are using a scope. If you use iron sights, longer means a longer sight radius which is easier to shoot accurately. Longer increases muzzle velocity but that does not mean smaller groups.

A vertical foregrip is used by some, but it gets in the way, too. It can be added later, if you wish. You can wrap you hand around the mag well and mag.

Unless you really like iron sights, a flattop is the way to go so you can add whatever sights you like.

Lee

 

[ugaarguy]

I understand that RRA & Stag both make good 'bang for buck' AR's

RRA got a great reputation by putting a two stage match trigger as standard item in every complete rifle they build. The rest of their builds leave much to be desired. For a complete rifle Charles Daly and S&W are offering the best ARs going for under $1000. Stag is very close behind them.

I also read on here that the S&W is a relabeled Stag AR.

They were very early on. S&W has been building them in house for a while now, and building them better than Stag.

I think I would like a 16" barrel as this would hopefully be accurate enough but I am still undecided on that.

The 16" bbl is more accurate than most folks can shoot an AR-15.

My question is, What options or features should I be looking for?

Go here and read http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&hl=en . Decide what features are important to you, and what features don't matter to you. Buy accordingly.

I see some have the handles in front. Is it better to have one? Looks more comfortable to me

That all comes down to personal preference. You can buy one of these NcStar bolt on rail / grip kits for just a few bucks to try it and see what you think before sinking serious money into a quad rail. http://www.ncstar.com/store/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=193

 

[kostarae]

Great answers.

Thanks ugaarguy for all the great information.

I agree it seems the vertical handle will get in the way and be terrible from the prone position.

Are there any other sights to look at besides the EOTECH...maybe something a little cheaper in price but still on par in quality?

Thanks again.

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks ugaarguy for all the great information.

The info in the link was compiled by Rob_S. He's a member here and on several other sights, including m4carbine.net where that info was first posted. Take a look at the reading library sticky up at the top of this forum (rifle country); Bartholomew Roberts has compiled some great info there.

Are there any other sights to look at besides the EOTECH...maybe something a little cheaper in price but still on par in quality?

For the same money, entry level Aimpoints offer extremely better battery life - we're talking leaving the sight on constantly for 2 years before changing battery. For something similar to the EoTech, still high quality, but not running a convoy in Iraq tough, the Bushnell Holosights will work fine. The Millett DMS-1 has gotten great reviews on AR15.com, but I have no personal experience with those.

I agree it seems the vertical handle will get in the way and be terrible from the prone position.

It just depends on how you primarily shoot. There are vertical foregrips with built in bipods too. The beautiful thing with an AR is that you aren't stuck with anything permanently.

 

[kostarae]

I have read that the S&W MP15 has trouble using PMAGS.

What are other ARs to look for?

Stag? RRA?

Who else makes quality rifles? Any to AVOID?

I'd like to buy from a local store but that also limits my options.

Thanks again.

 

[spyderdude]

I do believe the earlier S&W M&P15s had trouble accepting pmags because the mag well was a hair too thick. Smith & Wesson has since addressed this issue, and the M&P15s with serial #s 50XXXX and up should be able to accept them without any issues.

I love my M&P15!

 

[hereiamnia]

I got my Stag 2 months ago and couldn't be happier. 16" barrel, removeable carry handle, and adjustable butt stock. 1000+ rds with no problems.

 

[hceptj]

i think you'll be happy with any of the major players...s&w, stag, bushmaster, etc...

i would suggest a 16" ar...my first was a 20" and while I loved it, I like the 16" ar i picked up later on much better and for the distances most people shoot, a 16" is just fine...

...i just got an eotech a few weeks ago and love it...i have a foregrip but take it off most of the time when i go to the range...i do like having flip up iron sights as a backup if something went wrong with my scope, and i shoot with them quite a bit even though i have a scope...

lots of good suggestions above, gonna look into ...the only other thing i would mention is to plan on buying a few extra mags and lots of ammo...

 

[kostarae]

thanks hceptj...

i ordered some pmags today (even though i dont own an AR yet)

Would a Colt 6920 be worth the extra money over these other guns?

I might have to rely on this gun along with my shotguns/pistol if SHTF.

What do you think?

 

[cbrgator]

Would a Colt 6920 be worth the extra money over these other guns?

You are going to get opinions from both sides about this question. While I don't know personally if it is worth it, I will tell you that my Stag is my SHTF rifle and I don't have any hesitation about relying on it. Hope that helps. Good Luck with your purchase! No matter what you do you will love it!

 

[RP88]

CMMG offers a nice mid-length from what I've *seen*. a midlength is the way to go for a 16" bbl. I'm currently looking into them, but I'm also looking into Stag and S&W as well for other rifles.

also, +1 on the A3/flat-top; that should be a must for any AR, even if you don't want/have optics. it's always nice to have the comfort of full modularity, plus knowing that someone else will see the same in it should you ever have/want to sell it

 

[Tarvis]

If you are going the flat top route, I recommend getting iron sights to start, then adding a dot sight later. There are a lot of cheap sights out there, but the cheap ones I have looked through tend to wash out when it's bright and make me nervous as far as durability goes. I like the Aimpoints, but the cheap EOTech is still pretty cool. Spending the extra dollar is usually worth it.

Also, I like Bravo Company Manufacturing's uppers; about as close to milspec as a commercial rifle can get.

 

[ugaarguy]

I have read that the S&W MP15 has trouble using PMAGS.

That was with the early ones that Stag built. Stag was using slightly out of spec receivers on the M&P-15s that they wouldn't use on their own guns. That was a big reason S&W brought production in house.

 

[ralpho1]

Bushmaster is a good one. They are now packaging instructions for the 15 min. trigger job. After that, good to go.

 

[Guns and more]

Check this link. I learned a lot.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81462&highlight=jwise

 

[TonyDedo]

I'd suggest you go the 'build your own' route. It's surprisingly easy to do, you can build a gun 'custom' to your specifications, pay for what you want and not for what you don't, and when you're done you have a unique rifle. Plus you learn all about your firearm and get a wonderful understanding of how it works. I got my first AR off the rack, and built my first recently. Now I wish I'd just built from the beginning.

You can get a stripped receiver for a little over $100 (any receiver will do, they're all made by the same 6 companies anyway).

A lower parts kit will run you $50, a stock of your choice can go anywhere from $50 to $250.

The pick up a compete upper - Legal Transfers, LLC has them for under $500. Or you can go crazy with a LMT monolithic rail system for about $1200. The sky is the limit.

I think optics are overrated. I'd suggest an M4 setup with rear BUIS, but that's just me.

The best upgrade you can give any firearms is a better trigger. Timney makes an awesome drop-in trigger for under $200. It's a great option for a trigger job.

Remember, the best gun is completely useless with sh*tty magazines.

 

[Frog48]

Would a Colt 6920 be worth the extra money over these other guns?

The internet commandos will say that Colt/LMT/Noveske are the only brands worth looking at, and that everything else is crap. I guess they have to justify their overpriced brand-of-choice somehow...

There are plenty of federal agencies and local PD's & Sheriff's offices that use "lesser" AR's without issue, ie Bushmaster, DPMS, S&W, RRA, etc.

 

[Smith]

The internet commandos will say that Colt/LMT/Noveske are the only brands worth looking at, and that everything else is crap. I guess they have to justify their overpriced brand-of-choice somehow...

While I wouldn't say that it's the ONLY brand worth looking at, Noveske makes some great rifles.

 

[Erik]

FN and Colt hold the top tier; FN is unavailable to the general public. Noveske and LMT hold positions near the top tier; and for all practical purposes are indistinguishable from the "bench mark" set by the top tier. The rest of the field, for the most part, offers compromises which may or may not be of importance, depending on the intended role of the weapon, and are usually price point driven.

But were not talking custom 1911s here; top tier/ near top tier ARs are within reach of most people. Educate yourself, decide on your needs, consult your budget, and pull the trigger. And for those who pull a lesser trigger, so to speak, take corrective action as necessary: http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7376

 

[David904]

I have an LMT Monolithic Rail Platform CQB 16" rifle.

It's a great rifle and absolutely reliable. I previously had an RRA that looked great and shot fine. However once I took a more educated tour of the insides, I discovered a lot of shoddy workmanship. I'd never trust it in a real situation. I ended up selling it as a plinker to a guy who loves it. It really is a nice little rifle, but I wouldn't want to rely on it.

I have a friend who has worked in the areas of special operations that do not bear public discussion and now trains people for a high profile, well known organization. He like the Bushmaster rifle. Granted, he tweaks things here and there, but he keeps things pretty simple. That man can shoot. And that gun doesn't fail. Ever.

I'm going to try to find a couple of Bushmasters for my kids for once they get old enough to shoot them. If they are good enough for my friend, they are good enough for my sons.

But by God, I love my LMT!

 

[Z71]

Well? First off, to get a decent unobamainflated price, you will need a time machine.

Then you can go back in time a month or two and shop to your hearts content.

Go back in time a couple months and you can go to the gunstore with my buddy and myself in September. They had quite a few in stock then for fairly reasonable prices. Thats when we bought our guns I bought an AR15 A2, and he got a Saiga .223 rifle.

The prices and choices I've heard of since the election don't impress me much. AR rifles are about gone, gone, already spoken for, out of stock, back ordered, or otherwise unavailable. Prices are inflated over a month or so back.

Good luck!