I would like to get a AR-15 but have no idea what length, rail or no rail, handle or no handle etc. Can anyone give me some pointers as what I should research. It is just something I really want in my collection. Are there pros and cons to 14" opposed to 20"? I am just starting to look so excuse my ignorance. Where should I consider buying one? What price is good? Thanks in advance.
Ar-15 ???
- Thread starter Thad
- Start date
Get yourself a 16" carbine or mid length. 1/9 or 1/7 twist makes no difference because you'll probably be shooting 55Gr anyways. Get yourself a plain jane M4 "style" carbine. Don't worry about accessories now, just make sure its a flat top and then get a carry handle, or invest in a nice flip up BUIS (to use with the RDS or scope you will buy later) and just practice practice practice. Spend the rest of your money on ammo and magazines. Shoot the gun and then find out what you think will make it better tool for you to use.
Look around at the sponsors up top. Most of them carry AR-15s from the different manufactures and in different styles. Dlask is making some AR-15 uppers in 10.5 if you are looking for a shorty upper. If you want you could get a shorty 10.5 and a longer target 20" later if you want to punch some paper at longer distances.
What do you want to use the gun for?
and if you must, you can change things like the grips, trigger guard and stock when you get it to personalized it but wait for things like a rail and the more expensive stuff unless you just want to spend money and have 5K+ ammo lying around.
Look around at the sponsors up top. Most of them carry AR-15s from the different manufactures and in different styles. Dlask is making some AR-15 uppers in 10.5 if you are looking for a shorty upper. If you want you could get a shorty 10.5 and a longer target 20" later if you want to punch some paper at longer distances.
What do you want to use the gun for?
and if you must, you can change things like the grips, trigger guard and stock when you get it to personalized it but wait for things like a rail and the more expensive stuff unless you just want to spend money and have 5K+ ammo lying around.
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rifle
There've been some decent deals on the EE lately; from personal experience, I'd go with a flat top (I started out with A2 carry handles on mine, and just ended up upgrading so I'd have more flexibility with optics - don't make my mistake!), and depending on your priority, either look for a 'name-brand' (Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Stag, etc, etc) for around $1100 - $1200 on the EE, or a cheaper (ie Olympic? and a few other 'second string' manufacturers) one for around a grand, OR a Norinco (which are fine, I can say from personal experience, having owned one... but they come only in 20", are not flat-tops, are rifled for light bullets, and get funny looks from many of us AR snobs
) for around $600
however you do it, have fun!!
There've been some decent deals on the EE lately; from personal experience, I'd go with a flat top (I started out with A2 carry handles on mine, and just ended up upgrading so I'd have more flexibility with optics - don't make my mistake!), and depending on your priority, either look for a 'name-brand' (Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Stag, etc, etc) for around $1100 - $1200 on the EE, or a cheaper (ie Olympic? and a few other 'second string' manufacturers) one for around a grand, OR a Norinco (which are fine, I can say from personal experience, having owned one... but they come only in 20", are not flat-tops, are rifled for light bullets, and get funny looks from many of us AR snobs
) for around $600however you do it, have fun!!
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Buy ANYTHING AR and go from there. There's really no perfect place to start but everyone should be familiar with our nations battle rifle.
The great thing about the AR platform is that almost anyone can fix or build upon it.
ar15.com is a great resource, as is CGN.
The great thing about the AR platform is that almost anyone can fix or build upon it.
ar15.com is a great resource, as is CGN.
As stated already we can't tell you what style or options until you tell us what kind of shooting you see yourself doing.
That's kind of like walking into the Ford store and having the guy sell you a truck without asking you what kind of driving you want to do. Maybe you needed a car....
That's kind of like walking into the Ford store and having the guy sell you a truck without asking you what kind of driving you want to do. Maybe you needed a car....
What I mean is are you doing precision stuff for groups, 3 Gun or IPSC shooting, Service Rifle, general plinking, LCF, etc? Each of those can look for a different AR-15 rifle.
Shorties are fun for general blasting and are compact for easy packing to the range.
But factor in where you will shoot it. Remember, if you go to the VFGPA range, there is no rapid fire permitted. I don't know the status of Juan de Fuca range these days. There aren't many range choices around Victoria.
But factor in where you will shoot it. Remember, if you go to the VFGPA range, there is no rapid fire permitted. I don't know the status of Juan de Fuca range these days. There aren't many range choices around Victoria.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I'm in the same boat as I'm also looking at possibly getting an AR. I hefted a standard colt HBAR and damn it felt good.
How many rounds can these things go through before they are trashed?
What do you guys think of the sites on the carrying handle? I really don't see the use for fancy optics as I am at an indoor range out to 70 yards.
For a standard Colt HBar with very low rounds (around 500) is $1200 a fair price?
How many rounds can these things go through before they are trashed?
What do you guys think of the sites on the carrying handle? I really don't see the use for fancy optics as I am at an indoor range out to 70 yards.
For a standard Colt HBar with very low rounds (around 500) is $1200 a fair price?
9mikemike
CGN frequent flyer
I went with an A2 (carry handle upper) with a 10.5" barrell, then I got an A3 upper with a 14'' barrell. Now I want a 20" HBAR, I like the longer range reaching out and touching something style of shooting rifles. I have a .22 A3 upper as well, works good for the gophers at the range and teaching on it without the bigger BOOM.
