Buying first AR soon

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Here is my two cents.

I own a Norinco M4, on of the first few hundred in the country, a few years back.

The rifle is reliable. Out of a 14.5 inch I got 3/4-1 inch groups at 50 yards the other day. And I'm no amazing shot either. At 100 yards I can hit a 6 inch steel plate all day. And at 240 yards I have a 2 ft gong that is childs play.

The fit and finish aint too great. The rifle for upgrading is a nightmare. I had to replace handguard cap to install a rail system. The gas tube didn't fit my upgraded gas block, and my gas block/front site had to be cut off because it had what felt like welded pins.

Trigger is rough, but for what I do I'm happy.

My honest opinion. I wish I had save a few more bucks and built on a nicer platform.

Norinco M4: get this to buy and shoot out of the box.
Nea ar-15: save some cash and support canada ( but it does hold a military contract, nor will it have matched up parts.)
Core 15: military contract, matching parts, life time warranty.
S&W MP15: very nice rifle, shot it once, very good platform.

Me personally, if I had to do it again, I'd get a base american made, quality rifle and shoot it. Once you are ready to upgrade, pick the parts you like.

If you want to spend time and save money. Wait for used rifles on the EE forum. So many deals all the time.

Even if you want something new. Wait for an almost new rifle. You save on taxes, shipping and 10% or so. And get an almost new rifle.

One last thing. I think buying your first rifle as a base model and upgrading is a great thing for a new ar owner. You will learn your rifle, your market available prices and parts, and you will have a more personal rifle.

Good luck.
 
Can someone tell me what the barrel lengths are for AR's?
And what the legal minimum length is in Canada. Just trying to understand the 18" min barrel length rule here.

thanks
 
KMAX said:
Can someone tell me what the barrel lengths are for AR's?
And what the legal minimum length is in Canada. Just trying to understand the 18" min barrel length rule here.

thanks
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You can get any barrel length, usually it's around 10.5-14.5 for most people. It doesn't matter because ARs are restricted regardless of barrel length. The 18.6 min barrel length rule only applies to unrestricted firearms like the XCR.
 
Bomiheko said:
You can get any barrel length, usually it's around 10.5-14.5 for most people. It doesn't matter because ARs are restricted regardless of barrel length. The 18.6 min barrel length rule only applies to unrestricted firearms like the XCR.
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Just don't buy a 7" and shoot it with out hearing protection.
[youtube]7bHwH0pTiOw[/youtube]
 
NoChanceCW said:
Here is my two cents.

Nea ar-15: save some cash and support canada ( but it does hold a military contract, nor will it have matched up parts.)
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... You've been misinformed. You'd be surprised where our rifles are, and are going. And I'm not sure what you mean by "matched up parts", as every rifle is individually fitted and are as tight as a frogs arse.
 
cote_b said:
So Ive deciced to buy an AR soon. I just want something stock, carry handle or BUIS sights, fixed or coollapsing stock, ready to go and not too expensive. Ive been looking at some Armalites, S&W and some Stags. How do these rifles compare in quality? Are they all similiar in those terms? Any other ideas? I really dont want to buy a Norinco.
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For a first time buyer, I will recommend a proven brand supported by an importer with good track record of taking care of issues and having good inventory of parts.

Another approach is to buy a cheap norinco, learn about aR so you know better when you are ready to go for a higher end product.
 
... You've been misinformed. You'd be surprised where our rifles are, and are going. And I'm not sure what you mean by "matched up parts", as every rifle is individually fitted and are as tight as a frogs arse.
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Yes I have been misinformed. Im going to just stop and say, wow people are talking and writing so much, frankly put, crap, about NEA AR's you kind of shake your head. I had a lot of down time last night at work and read for about 4 hours on the nea ar's. I have to say, I'm about ready to sell my norinco and upgrade.

and as far as i've read NEA doesnt have a north american military contract. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

As a side note. The reason I want an NEA product more than any of the many good reasons, is the way they have reacted to all the negative comments. I am very impressed with their service efforts and the way NEA is standing behind their product. Something to be said about a company with morals like that - far a few, I tell ya...

Once again, Sorry NEA. I don't wish to be on that negative band-wagon.
 
I wanted to get into owning/shooting an AR about a year and a half ago. I did a lot of research on the AR's available in Canada, compared costs, decided what shooting I was going to do and then "took the plunge"!

As we don't get to shoot 30 round mags, or full auto (i.e. heat cylces and wear), I couldn't justify a Noveske, Daniel Defense upper, as these are designed/built for this purpose and the cost reflects this.

I have read a lot of comments on the value of a Norinco AR, recently a CGN member that has put 12K rounds through one in 2 years, which impresses the hell out of me!
However, these days I do everything I can to not buy Chinese products (which is difficult!) and if I am able to, I buy products made in North America, Canadian products being preferred.

As Canadian made AR choices were very, very limited a year ago, I ended up buying a LMT 16". My first AR ended up being such a "hoot" to shoot, I now own a 10.5" LMT as well, which is probably even more of a hoot to shoot!!

That being said, if the NEA AR was available when I was researching/buying my AR's, I am fairly confident I would have purchased an AR (or two) from them.
I paid a lot more than a $1000.00 for my LMT's.
Plus I'm sure the average Canadian AR owner will never wear out an AR built using the quality of parts they are putting together. Also if required, replacement parts are "local".

If you are planning to get into AR's for the first time, I'd definitely consider purchasing an NEA AR.

Oh, you may as well start saving up now for ammo and all the damn AR "add ons" that are available!!!
 
Oh here's nester again. Somehow has a pickle up his a$$ and hates NEA.

We get it man, you won't buy one without personalized pictures of the gun with the pope and mother teresa.

Stop ####ting everywhere - your 15 mins are up.
 
hey fellas , you guys already got a warning to play nice from a mod and you guys are still at it .... locked .
 
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