School me on the AR platform

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paintgunner

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I thought I'd never consider getting an AR (or any restricted rifle) but the more I see the more I like! My attitude has always been, "whats the point of a rifle I cant take camping?" After looking at pictures of short barreled rifles, I'm really considering getting one. So I've got a few questions for all you AR guys (and gals) out there...

Its my understanding the M4 is a newer, lighter, shorter version of the M16/AR15 rifle but what are the differences?

Are the upper receivers and other parts interchangeable?

What should I be looking at for a short (or shortest) barreled AR?

Thanks
 
THe M4 is a M16 with a 14.5" inch barrel and 100% prohibited in Canada. Both the M16 and the M4 are military(with burst or full-auto options) versions of the AR-15 pattern. Yes, the parts are interchangeable, just like your winter and summer tires (if you own a car/truck/etc). There are plenty more knowledgable people on this board than me, I'm sure they'll post up soon.
 
The M4 (full auto/ select fire) is prohibited but the AR-15 (semi only) 14.5" is not. The Norc CQA is the cheapest AR-15 14.5" available new.

I just built a shorty as my first franken-build. 10.5" 5.56 bbl. Very fun range toy which I might take on competition this spring.

7jJK4Or.jpg
 
Many knowledgeable people in this game are now considering the 16 inch barrel length to be the optimum in portability and velocity. Noticeably handier than the 20 incher but not a huge loss in bullet velocity. The 14.5 inch barrel is certainly handier for entry and exiting vehicles but that is hardly a consideration for the civilian shooter. I have a 14.5 inch and 11.5 inch upper receiver and I would happily trade for a 16 incher.
 
PSE said:
Many knowledgeable people in this game are now considering the 16 inch barrel length to be the optimum in portability and velocity. Noticeably handier than the 20 incher but not a huge loss in bullet velocity. The 14.5 inch barrel is certainly handier for entry and exiting vehicles but that is hardly a consideration for the civilian shooter. I have a 14.5 inch and 11.5 inch upper receiver and I would happily trade for a 16 incher.
Click to expand...

Velocity is generally not a consideration for the civilian shooter either. Paper targets don't care how fast your bullet is going. The 16" length is an American thing to avoid the SBR registration and tax and so has no real application or point north of the 49th.

The vast majority of CDN shooters would be well served with a 11-12" barrel length. In truth the look you like is probably more of a reason to purchase a particular barrel length than anything else.
 
See you and your new toy in April then.

Silveragent said:
The M4 (full auto/ select fire) is prohibited but the AR-15 (semi only) 14.5" is not. The Norc CQA is the cheapest AR-15 14.5" available new.

I just built a shorty as my first franken-build. 10.5" 5.56 bbl. Very fun range toy which I might take on competition this spring.

7jJK4Or.jpg
Click to expand...
 
O.K. my mistake, I didn't realize the M4 was selective fire (like the M16). I hear lots of people talking about M4's and thought they were available in a semi-auto only like the AR15.
So correct me if I'm wrong but is the Norc CBQ-M4 just an AR with a short barrel?
 
Correct about the norc. Just an AR-15

paintgunner said:
O.K. my mistake, I didn't realize the M4 was selective fire (like the M16). I hear lots of people talking about M4's and thought they were available in a semi-auto only like the AR15.
So correct me if I'm wrong but is the Norc CBQ-M4 just an AR with a short barrel?
Click to expand...
 
Suputin said:
Velocity is generally not a consideration for the civilian shooter either. Paper targets don't care how fast your bullet is going. The 16" length is an American thing to avoid the SBR registration and tax and so has no real application or point north of the 49th.

The vast majority of CDN shooters would be well served with a 11-12" barrel length. In truth the look you like is probably more of a reason to purchase a particular barrel length than anything else.
Click to expand...

The CF switched from 14.5" carbines to 16" ones with heavier barrels. If I'm shooting competitively, I'll be glad to have a 16 incher to make sure that the paper targets are deader than dead over longer distances.
 
M4, from my understanding, is an inaccurate term used for AR-15s generally with 14.5" barrels and collapsible stocks. (please correct me if I'm wrong) M4forgery is another (slightly more accurate?) term that can be used, but most of us just use the term "AR-15". (Again, correct me if wrong.) It avoids the confusion and misinformation, remember: the AR-15 is NOT an assault rifle, or an assault weapon, it IS JUST a tool; a lawful, legal firearm, if you must use such a dirty (to an anti) word.

Sorry if I'm getting... uppity here.
 
Don't look back, its a relatively inexpensive shooter and always turns a few heads. I personally own a 14.5" but the difference to 16" will be neglegable to your everyday target shooter. the 10.5" barrels are definitely a wicked looking unit, and horribly awesome loud !! but range becomes very limited and a bit of a draw back for us shooters who like to poke holes a few hundred out ;)

You may also wasn't to look at the difference between DI ( direct impingement ) vs gas piston - one works by directly applying spent gas to the bolt carrier, racking it back while the other drives a small piston to accomplish the same task. Piston/Gas debates will be futile at best so be sure to do your research ! I don't want to give you my style choice as its nothing more than a personal preference. I would suggest also getting on youtube or some AR specific forums - there is a wealth of knowledge regarding very specific questions you may have.

You will generally see three + variance of all AR builds.
Base ( basic generic parts like, stock, handgaurd, grip and likely no sights)
MOE *or alike ( Generally equipped with Mgapul like products including upgraded stock, handgard, grip, mags, etc etc. )
Tactical ( usually includes the magpul like products as well as a quad rail and possibly iron sights )

keep in mind that the internals or these units are identical ( in the case of variances )

Another term you will see floating around is "Milspec" or commercial. This will refer to the tolerances, threading and size of some specific parts. generally a Mill spec gun will runs premium but you will be guaranteed that parts will fit down the road. That being said, there is nothing wrong with a commercial AR - I have one of each and to be honest, haven't run into a scenario where something hasn't been interchangeable ( aside from millspec stock on commercial buffer tube )
 
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Many people use M4 terminology to describe a flat top upper receiver style compared to the original M16 carry handle style.
There are also carry handles that are removable such as the one on the Norinco CQ-A.
 
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