AR's in general.. First buy

Lots of mixed opinions but that's how I am too. I'm mainly going to be using it for just some fun and plinking. I'm more into North American made guns than Chinese though so maybe my first step would be finding the cheapest NA made AR. the core 15 looks beautiful. As dumb as it is looks also play a factor into it.

I can tell guns get customized from the EE forum but seeing one version of the core 15 priced at 1299 and one priced at 1699 I can't see how they would change it that much. But I guess that's what I have to learn!!
 
Seriously, look around, shoot a bunch of different ar's ( most people at the range will let you try their baby, especially if you pay for the ammo), and buy the brand you like.
Honda, porche, weiner dog, who cares? Got tired of the my d@!k is bigger than yours years ago. If you make fun of this post I'll tell my dad 'cause he can beat up your dad!
 
rednekhuntr said:
Seriously, look around, shoot a bunch of different ar's ( most people at the range will let you try their baby, especially if you pay for the ammo), and buy the brand you like.
Honda, porche, weiner dog, who cares? Got tired of the my d@!k is bigger than yours years ago. If you make fun of this post I'll tell my dad 'cause he can beat up your dad!
Click to expand...

I just joined a range so I might be completely off base but I'm generally thinking the members aren't into AR'S. only met a few members so far though so I could be wrong. Hopefully.
 
wolfsblood said:
Lots of mixed opinions but that's how I am too. I'm mainly going to be using it for just some fun and plinking. I'm more into North American made guns than Chinese though so maybe my first step would be finding the cheapest NA made AR. the core 15 looks beautiful. As dumb as it is looks also play a factor into it.

I can tell guns get customized from the EE forum but seeing one version of the core 15 priced at 1299 and one priced at 1699 I can't see how they would change it that much. But I guess that's what I have to learn!!
Click to expand...

Sometimes the only way to understand the thing is with a spreadsheet and a diagram. The difference could be one expensive part, or a few smaller changes.

Here's a riddle. If someone buys a Norinco CQ-A, replaces the stock with a magpul one, switches to a complete Stag upper, and a complete Motiuk lower, is it still a Norinco? ;)

Lots of the ARs I've heard about are mutts, pieced together from all sorts of brands. It's like getting a Remington 700, putting a Ruger M77 bolt in it, putting in an Enfield action, getting a Winchester barrel, and a Savage accutrigger. You can do things that would make other gun nuts crosseyed. It's fun.
 
There is the issue of the look and feel of the gun. And then there is the issue of what you can hit with it.

The former is subjective, and may or may not matter to you. The latter is shooting practice. The Norinco and the ARs at double the price actually shoot about the same.

If your ability to get out and shoot (practice) is at all dictated by cost, then buy the Norinco and spend the extra $600 on a case or two of ammo (and a Rock River trigger).

I have quite a few ARs and am only interested in shooting them. Fit and finish mean squat compared to reliability.

If you are going to shoot it reasonably stock, buy a Norinco. All it needs is a trigger job. If you want to invest in dressing it up, then buy something like a DD that is already equipped with a lot of the goodies you want, like a floated barrel and railed forend.
 
andrew3081 said:
Buy norinco ar15 for $700 and have fun with it.
You will learn lots
Click to expand...

I would have to agree with this...

I typically by high end but from the sound of the OP, he/she hasn't decided whether they want to get that deep into it. Just asking this question suggests price is an object. If you spend the $700 on the Norc, you will have lots left over for a nice optic and lots of ammo. If you want to turn things up a notch, sell the Norc for $500 used and move on up the food chain. Otherwise, not lots lost on the investment if you don't get too into it. By the way, I would not recommend doing any "upgrades" on the Norc as you will net get it back on resale.
 
Price isn't really an issue as long as its worth it. I'm really considering the core 15. So not too high up the ladder but still a good gun. I would love to customize it, but will need to learn more about that as well.

If anyone else wants to help more in depth feel free to pm me and explain some key parts to the AR
 
I have put around 340rds on my new WINDHAM WW-15
Flawless functionality, I used P-Mags pinned to 5rd and LAR-15 pistols mags...not one issue
Trigger is ok...but I ordered a Timney Drop in Trigger pack, around 3-4lbs small pin
PWS FSC 556, CTR stock and MOE grip.
The upper lower are nice fit, no wobble or space and excellent finish...
I bought it new from SFRC around $1199 and free shipping...
Windham was the old Bushmaster facility and made a few improvements...
I also wanted a 1/9 barrel twist because I mostly shoot 55gr and sometimes 62gr...
I'm anxious to get to use this for next seasons Service Rifle matches :)
 
wolfsblood said:
I just joined a range so I might be completely off base but I'm generally thinking the members aren't into AR'S. only met a few members so far though so I could be wrong. Hopefully.
Click to expand...

What range? where are you located? If you are in my area, I may be able to arrange some "test pilot" opportunities for you.
 
I am also just getting into the AR game... yeah lots of fun to be had for sure.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the "buy a Norinco" suggestion, but it is certainly assuming that you want to spend as little money as possible just to get into the game and that you don't necessarily care about "little" things like fit and finish, political views such as not caring about the country of origin etc...

Well...we all have our own set of criteria to meet and this drives out the planning and then purchase, which is a good part of the fun... for me anyway. :)

My personal criteria:
Fit and finish... I absolutely *do* care about how it feels and operates. I've handled the norinco, NEA and also a few other ARs in the 1-2K range. I've also handled an ATRS custom build. Well... because I can afford it I'm inclined to take the ATRS build any day of the week, but I am still feeling out the market in terms of what is available to us Canucks.. At the end of the day I know that I'll be much happier with an ATRS and be much less inclined to be constantly buying/selling on EE. The ATRS lower is rock-solid and has the features I want. It's a great base platform for the 2-3 different caliber uppers that I am thinking about, and is also available with a side-charging ASA billet upper.. I love the side-charging handle!

Usage... casual plinking of about 10-20 times per year over the next 20-30 years, and not excluding the possibility of some competitive shooting down the road if I get good enough. Base platform therefore should accommodate this possibility.

Looks.... personally I am not really fussed about this so much

Country of origin... It's gotta be made in north america.. preferably Canada. Not a can of worms I'm willing to open but I want to keep the dough onshore....

In summary, assess your planned usage and buy what you can afford, leaving money left over for the optics and accessories that you may also want. Of course, do the research to ensure that the $2500 gun you are looking does indeed have your perceived $1000 "value" over the $1500 gun that you also looked at. Perceived "value" of course meaning completely different things to different people... Get out to a few shooting stores and handle as many low to high-end ARs as it takes to get a feel for what you really like.

This forum has been a great read so far... lots of really helpful people taking time to share their views. Also mildly entertaining to see some of the personal biases creep into play...

And that is the 2 shiny pennies contributed from a complete AR newb... means nothing to anyone but me at the end of the day....
 
At the end of the day the best advice I can offer is buy the gun you want, and don't focus so much on price - unless that's your sole criteria. More often than not you'll spend the equivalent in time and money upgrading something to what you originally wanted in the first place... Ultimately you're going to spend far in excess of the rifle on optics and ammunition anyway.
 
Well I live in Winnipeg. The range is a bit west of portage la prairie. If anyone is located near Winnipeg I'm willing to drive wherever and pay for bullets/ usage of the gun even. Let me know.
 
wolfsblood said:
Well I live in Winnipeg. The range is a bit west of portage la prairie. If anyone is located near Winnipeg I'm willing to drive wherever and pay for bullets/ usage of the gun even. Let me know.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I'm in Ontario or I would have helped you out. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom