Buying an AR15 - Question to ask to look intelligent :)

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dukeNukem

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Hey all,

I am looking at buying an AR15 A2 , unfortunately here in NZ i am having to pay around 6-8K for one :(

I have use m14 rifles for the last 3 years and consider myself knowledgable on this rifles thanks to all the help from the MBR forum here on gunnutz.

My problem however is would not really know the first intelligent question to ask the gunshop if the rifle that i am getting for 8K is a dud or not.

Any information / questions that will help me secure a qood rifle most appreciated.
 
i think if you go through some of the AR posts in black rifle forum, you should be fine holding your own at the store, and may even know more than the fellow at the counter, but you know look through that website, you're probably better off with an FN FAL/variant than an AR...
 
dont get an A2 get a flattop it's much more versatile as you can mount the optics you want. carry handle A2 are pretty much dead. other than that if you stay with a big-name like colt, bushmaster, armalight or another big-name you should be okay. more importantly you should tell us what you want to do with the gun. they are very nice gun and simple to operate and maintain.
 
dukeNukem said:
Hey all,

I am looking at buying an AR15 A2 , unfortunately here in NZ i am having to pay around 6-8K for one :(

I have use m14 rifles for the last 3 years and consider myself knowledgable on this rifles thanks to all the help from the MBR forum here on gunnutz.

My problem however is would not really know the first intelligent question to ask the gunshop if the rifle that i am getting for 8K is a dud or not.

Any information / questions that will help me secure a qood rifle most appreciated.
Click to expand...

Although there is a lot of information on this board vis-a-vis AR15's, the ultimate forum for AR15's is here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3. Go there to learn everything you ever wanted to know about AR15's :)
 
Things to consider:

A2 has the stupid carry handle
A3/4 doesn't (they're flat tops)

The newer ones have 1/9 or 1/7 twist barrels. These are more versatile as the original 1/12 twist barrels will only stabilize up to a 55gr bullet. So I'd go with 1/7 twist barreled one.

Chrome lined barrel is better (longer lasting, easier to clean).

5.56 chamber will let you shoot .223 safely, but a .223 chamber won't let you shoot 5.56 safely. So I'd go for a 5.56 chamber.

Beyond that there are brand names, and options... Has it had any customization? Is it Colt, Bushmaster, Olympic, Stag or some mystery brand?
Rails, mounts, hand grips, free floated barrel? Aftermarket single stage or two stage trigger?
Barrel length? I've seen every thing from 8.5" to 24"
 
I think NZ cut off the importation of AR15 rifles in 1992, so what dukenukem will be limited to is pre ban rifles of that era already in NZ.

If I'm wrong, somebody please correct me.

Any of the Colt A2's will be good. You didn't say if you wanted A2 sights, or just A2 furniture. If I was in NZ, I'd look for the following: Colt Sporter 2 with the 1/9 heavy barrel. Colt Government Model with the 1/7 gov profile barrel, Government Carbine, or even a Colt Sporter Target Model, 1/7 gov profile barrel, if any made it in before your ban.

Don't know how NZ handles gun parts, you might be able to make an A3, A4, or M4. Check your local regulations.
 
The Carry handle isn't stupid. It is very handy if you are carrying more then one rifle. I have shot just about every model you can think of (and their are a hockey sock full of them out there) and I have liked them all. I think the version is more of a personal preferance. If you wanna look real smart check this place out.

http://biggerhammer.net/ar15/
 
I think NZ cut off the importation of AR15 rifles in 1992, so what dukenukem will be limited to is pre ban rifles of that era already in NZ.

If I'm wrong, somebody please correct me.
Click to expand...

I believe one quirk of NZ law is while the number of guns may be fixed, the individual guns are not. My understanding is it can be possible to import a new AR, but it would require turning in an existing one.
 
Go for the A2, I prefer them to flattops anyhow :D Thay have a far more classic look, and are marginally stronger, plus undoubtedly more common in NZ.

Things to look for when shopping:

-cracks in upper/lower receiver alloy

-gas tube cleaned, and straight/not dinged where it enters the upper receiver (can be viewed but popping out the rear pin, tilting up the upper reciever from the lower, and removing the charging handle/bolt and carrier group.)

-now that the bolt is visible check the lugs for overly worn or sheared lugs (if they are, you'll see them, deformed etc it's very clear and easy to spot but finish wear is normal)

-make sure it does not take undue force to put the bolt into battery on a soft close on and empty chamber (lower the charging handle slowly and let it rest where it stops naturally, then one easy push on the forward assist should lock the bolt into battery)

Check the usuals while you have the rifle open, bore etc, look at the hammer for undue wear on the face. Overall this rifle looks pretty clean by the pic, and I have 2 colts like that, good guns, great to shoot.

Single biggest worry in my opion on AR's is cracks in the alloy receivers, in my opinion, usually due to negligence like overtightening an A2 mount. I'm no expert, this is just things to look at off the top of my head. :)
 
$8999 NZ is 5849 USD...

that's not bad for a full auto M16 ...
15-18 USD a box for 223 isn't that bad a price... Not great but look where they are...
 
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