Questions on getting an AR and which AR to get as my first firearm

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nidh0gg

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Alright so I have dropped the idea of getting an LE6920 as it doesn't really fall into my budget and i'm mostly looking to get either the Colt Expanse ($649) or the S&W M&P15 ($699).

nidh0gg said:
Another question sorry, There is currently a deal going on a my local retailer selling the Colt Expanse (CE1000) for $649 if you buy a Vortex 2 MOA Sparc RDS, i've heard a lot of good things about colt and after looking at several other sites this usually retails for $1000~1500 and looks like a steal since I need to grab a RDS either way. Is the colt expanse better or equal to the S&W M&P15? As well, I do NOT plan on buying another AR/Semi auto, this AR will be the only AR I purchase so I don't necessarily want just a cheap gun that I will need to replace later as if I do purchase another gun it will most likely be either a pistol or bolt-action.

Also I just want to make sure; all AR's are legally allowed to use the 10-capacity LAR15 magazines correct?
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I just got my CFRSC and submitted my RPAL application so hopefully will get that in 2-3 months and I have been looking into what kind of firearm I should get and more or less settled on a restricted AR. My budget is around $1000 but I don't mind paying a bit more (also depends on what kind of sights i'm getting) and after looking through a lot of AR's the Colt LE9620 & S&W M&P15 has really caught my eye until i realized the prices listed on irunguns are in american. So my question is that is the 1400~ price tag on the colt LE9620 worth it or are there other good alternatives/better ARs I can pick up. Also, would it be significantly better/cheaper to simply build my own AR to suit my own preferences? As for building an AR I have no idea how I would do so and what I would need but I really like the colt IUR but I haven't really found any for sale (nordic has one for $1700?? aren't they around $400~600?). Also, as I wont have my RPAL for a while, what kind of things should I be keeping an eye on to buy if it goes on sale?

In Short:
I have about a total budget of 1200~1500 (including sights)
Would prefer a rifle around $1000
Should I Buy a Premade or Build my own AR (IUR)
What kind of sights (RDS) should I get (that preferably wont break the bank)
And what kind of deals/parts/accessories should I be keeping an eye on
 
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I say don't be afraid to" build" a gun.
It is not very difficult, so many resources available if you get stuck.
It's Fun and rewarding and at the end of the day you have something unique,
and don't end up with a drawer or box full of expensive useless gun parts.
 
freezer filler said:
S&W M&P15 are being sold everywhere for 649-699 Canadian at many site sponsors...save up a couple more bucks throw an Aimpoint Micro on it and call it a day.
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Tried looking for some S&M M&P15's and it seems like they are sold out everywhere? any idea when they'd be back in stock?
 
nidh0gg said:
Tried looking for some S&M M&P15's and it seems like they are sold out everywhere? any idea when they'd be back in stock?
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Al Flaherty's has stock $699.99
Danchasse shows in stock $676.99
Both offer free shipping.
S&W M&P 15 is a good beginners AR
 
Another question sorry, There is currently a deal going on a my local retailer selling the Colt Expanse (CE1000) for $649 if you buy a Vortex 2 MOA Sparc RDS, i've heard a lot of good things about colt and after looking at several other sites this usually retails for $1000~1500 and looks like a steal since I need to grab a RDS either way. Is the colt expanse better or equal to the S&W M&P15?As well, I do NOT plan on buying another AR/Semi auto, this AR will be the only AR I purchase so I don't necessarily want just a cheap gun that I will need to replace later as if I do purchase another gun it will most likely be either a pistol or bolt-action.

Also I just want to make sure; all AR's are legally allowed to use the 10-capacity LAR15 magazines correct?
 
freezer filler said:
S&W M&P15 are being sold everywhere for 649-699 Canadian at many site sponsors...save up a couple more bucks throw an Aimpoint Micro on it and call it a day.
Click to expand...

For 1/3 the cost, I say look at Holosun. Basically a Aimpoint Micro copy at $200.

Also I just want to make sure; all AR's are legally allowed to use the 10-capacity LAR15 magazines correct?
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If your rifle accepts the 10 round pistol mag, it is 100% legal.

Is the colt expanse better or equal to the S&W M&P15
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All on opinion. I believe the colt does not come with (either, I forget which) a mag or rear site, the m&p has them both. Some want a "colt" just for the name, others do not care. All in the eye of the beer holder.
 
dacron said:
For 1/3 the cost, I say look at Holosun. Basically a Aimpoint Micro copy at $200.



If your rifle accepts the 10 round pistol mag, it is 100% legal.



All on opinion. I believe the colt does not come with (either, I forget which) a mag or rear site, the m&p has them both. Some want a "colt" just for the name, others do not care. All in the eye of the beer holder.
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Is there a big difference between the Holosun and aimpoint micro? Also, how well does a Vortex 2 Moa SPARC RDS fare?

the colt is $50 cheaper so I don't mind if it doesn't come with the rear sight (wouldnt use that anyways) and dust cover as the 50$ would cover it if i wanted it, my real question here is that how solid is the Colt Expanse platform and how much difference does the chrome lined barrel make (colt expanse isn't chrome lined i believe) as i may want to try out 3 gun competitions or something down the line and I dont want to have to buy a new rifle.

After either one I probably will change the handguard to a quadrail or something, add a foregrip and possible change the stock
 
Nothing wrong with Vortex of course but I agree with dacron; get an HS503C HS502C or my favorite HS510C.

LAR mags obviously are legal in all AR or non-AR platform: it's the mag not the gun...

The colt expanse I (ce1000) does not come with a rear sight, dust cover or forward assist. It is ready to accept the parts though so you can just get them later. The newer expanse II (ce2000) does come with those. It is sold about 1000$ right now but the way gun buying has cooled off in the states post election, you can expect lower prices on ARs and Glocks for a while.

I think the S&W is a better overall rifle. I would get the S&W and buy a low profile gas block and free float handguard. That'll get you to 900$~1000$ + 300$~400$ Holosun optic.
 
nidh0gg said:
Is there a big difference between the Holosun and aimpoint micro? Also, how well does a Vortex 2 Moa SPARC RDS fare?

the colt is $50 cheaper so I don't mind if it doesn't come with the rear sight (wouldnt use that anyways) and dust cover as the 50$ would cover it if i wanted it, my real question here is that how solid is the Colt Expanse platform and how much difference does the chrome lined barrel make (colt expanse isn't chrome lined i believe) as i may want to try out 3 gun competitions or something down the line and I dont want to have to buy a new rifle.

After either one I probably will change the handguard to a quadrail or something, add a foregrip and possible change the stock
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M&P is not chrome lined either. Unless I'm mistaken it is armoride or something. It's probably a finish similar to melonite.
 
OldFrankHog said:
M&P is not chrome lined either. Unless I'm mistaken it is armoride or something. It's probably a finish similar to melonite.
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ahh thanks, btw what would the low profile gas block be for? Currently leaning towards colt atm though as I've heard many good things about Colt especially since they are pretty much the same price if you factor in the cost of a FA, dust cover
 
The low profile gas block is to fit under a free floated handguard. The stock gas block on both these rifles are the sight base. So unless you want to cut the sight off you will need a low profile gas block.

I'm not saying the colt is not a good rifle. It is excellent. *Correction*: I would still take the Smith. 1:9 melonite (or whatever they call it) instead of 1:7 phosphate coated. Colt also has a notched hammer. If you plan on ever running a .22lr kit you will need a rounded hammer.
 
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OldFrankHog said:
The low profile gas block is to fit under a free floated handguard. The stock gas block on both these rifles are the sight base. So unless you want to cut the sight off you will need a low profile gas block.

I'm not saying the colt is not a good rifle. It is excellent. I would take an expanse II over the S&W.
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Thanks so much for answering these questions, I was quite lost before but I've pretty much narrowed everything down thanks to you. Hopefully last few questions, is there a free floating hand guard (quad rail) you recommend? I'm not sure if the cheaper $50-75 are good / suffice or if i'm better of biting the bullet and getting a more expensive one (and im assuming the low profile gas block doesn't really matter, i can just get a cheap one).

Thank you very much
 
Yeah they go from 70$ to 500$. It's all about getting a good value for what your intended purpose is. Then you have to decide keymod, MLOK, quad, plain. MLOK seems to be the trendy choice nowadays. I kind of like the look of the True North Arms MLOK-like ones. They aren't true MLOK spec but apparently work well with most accessories, and let's face it, at 80$ if it don't work out, not a big deal. If you want something better look into big US names like Midwest Industries. Gonna get flak for this again but... look at the NEA ones from SFRC. Canadian made. Look pretty nice. Affordable.
 
OldFrankHog said:
Yeah they go from 70$ to 500$. It's all about getting a good value for what your intended purpose is. Then you have to decide keymod, MLOK, quad, plain. MLOK seems to be the trendy choice nowadays. I kind of like the look of the True North Arms MLOK-like ones. They aren't true MLOK spec but apparently work well with most accessories, and let's face it, at 80$ if it don't work out, not a big deal. If you want something better look into big US names like Midwest Industries. Gonna get flak for this again but... look at the NEA ones from SFRC. Canadian made. Look pretty nice. Affordable.
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ahh so if i get keymod/mlok/quad rail guards I must used accessories specifically for them or compatible with them (they arent universal?). And what length rail am I looking at for an Expanse?
 
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