First AR.. Read the threads. Read reviews.

MackForce

MackForce

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I am about to pull the trigger on my first restricted black rifle. I've held a few, fired a few, read the threads here, read reviews.
I think I want to go used, to save some coin and get a better rifle for the money. I don't want to build my own. I want my first to be a complete and a shooter "out of the box".
I've been watching the EE and paying attention.
I'm stuck between a new bushmaster for around 1400, a $1000 EE deal that pops up from time to time or maybe spending closer to 2000 buying new and waiting longer to save up for an optic.
I have a question. Why is there so many ddmk18s on the ee? They look like great rifles and more than I need. It just seems like there is an influx in them for sale and it makes me think twice?...
I've read many threads with comments for first Ars.
I think I want minimum 16" barrel.
Any comments before I make this purchase to help me out?
The 1400 ish bushmaster new, and head to the range?

Thanks for reading a thread that has been posted many times by many others.
 
I can't help your AR choice but applaud the way you have done your research, stated your needs/wants and asked a couple straightforward questions. The AR guys will be along directly to answer I'm sure.
 
Well I think you should shop around a bit, Irunguns got plenty off deals on theres us stores there even a dpms for 550 ish us and there like 10 or so guns between 600 and 800$
 
you cant go wrong with dd, the ee is weird sometimes.
one week you'll see 7 tavors for sale and you would think theres something wrong with tavors

the mk18 is a short little expensive AR on a rail platform that isn't on the cool factor now, that doesnt always fit the fashion of the moment
 
I haven't been on irunguns in a while. I guess Ive never wanted to wait so long, after waiting so long for the restricted transfer and all.. I'll check them out.
I've been looking at colts. The ar guys talk about colts so much deeper than I go. Us built, Canadian built, different models, etc.
I literally want a 16-18 barrel and one that works. My buddies have every different one and when I handle them I feel like I don't even know wth I'm looking at. Haha I'm not new to them, just want some quality and accuracy... I know it's the beginning.
I don't see colts on the ee often.
 
Also, if you guys don't mind, where does everyone buy their pmags from? Looking around for a decent deal on a few.
I have seen some new Ars for 1000 ish from some site sponsors, but they look so basic, I feel like I'll be spending another 300-600 in parts alone. I want a decent set up ready to go.

Thanks again
 
MackForce said:
I haven't been on irunguns in a while. I guess Ive never wanted to wait so long, after waiting so long for the restricted transfer and all.. I'll check them out.
I've been looking at colts. The ar guys talk about colts so much deeper than I go. Us built, Canadian built, different models, etc.
I literally want a 16-18 barrel and one that works. My buddies have every different one and when I handle them I feel like I don't even know wth I'm looking at. Haha I'm not new to them, just want some quality and accuracy... I know it's the beginning.
I don't see colts on the ee often.
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Where are you on the West coast? If you are in the Fraser Valley, send me a PM.
 
I'll be in the kootenays I'm 2 weeks. Moving down after a few years in the Yukon.
Thanks for the offer. The closer I get to the purchase, the harder it is to make up my mind.
 
Get a KAC! only 3 grand and it's setup perfectly...

Kidding, probably not the best first AR although they are amazing to shoot.

Most guys don't bother with PMAGs or standard 5/30 pinned magazines. Instead most of us run pistol mags which allow 10 rounds or even .50 beowulf magazines which allow 13-14 rounds of .223 (still pinned to 5 rounds of .50 beo)

Colt Canada makes great AR's although they aren't as customizable due to the monolithic upper design (Handguard/barrel shroud and upper are all one piece)

I'd honestly just keep an eye out on the EE and pickup something that catches your eye and you consider a good deal. If you're not looking for something specific other than barrel length you can score some pretty wicked deals buying lightly used AR's

I would personally stay away from the full quad rail AR-15's. A hybrid is fine (such as the IUR) and isn't quite as heavy. But the old school full quad rail setup's are a thing of the past and just aren't as enjoyable or practical to shoot (in my opinion) Perfectly fine as a 2nd or 3rd AR-15 but as your first AR I would look for a more ergonomic tube type handguard setup.
 
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Thanks for the info. I'm not really sure about what catches my eye though.. I like the magpul setups for furniture...
I see a sponsor has base colt expanse or base bushmasters for 1g. Mayne pick one up and change furniture? But where does it stop at that point? The same stuff I do to all my rifles... Go until I'm satisfied...
So I see a sponsor has a Colt LE6920MPG done up in magpul furniture, looks good and has 16" barrel. Leaning toward that type of thing...
So lar mags? Skip the pmags?

Thanks again fellas
 
Well I have a mp le6920 thats like new I shot about 30-40 rounds true is since I bought it new if that could interest yoy.
 
Can't go wrong with either the bushmaster or the DD. I would say the DD is a little bit better overall than the bushmaster. Good idea using 16" as a staring point. I use my cc iur 15.7 for cqb as well as a target setup and get decent results.
 
MackForce said:
Thanks for the info. I'm not really sure about what catches my eye though.. I like the magpul setups for furniture...
I see a sponsor has base colt expanse or base bushmasters for 1g. Mayne pick one up and change furniture? But where does it stop at that point? The same stuff I do to all my rifles... Go until I'm satisfied...
So I see a sponsor has a Colt LE6920MPG done up in magpul furniture, looks good and has 16" barrel. Leaning toward that type of thing...
So lar mags? Skip the pmags?

Thanks again fellas
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AR rifles very modular so if you have the itch to change furniture then maybe an expanse is a good option.in regard to mags skip pmags. Use the lar pistol with added bases to get to standard length magazine height.
 
Ok I will chime in. If you want PMAGS consider waiting for a sale they come up often enough and can be had for about 12 dollars when on sale. As for build it or buy it I am in the buy it camp. You can put in a mix of good parts but most here will consider it a frakenbuild and will discount the value accordingly. Also when you start factoring in multiple shipping costs it is not really cost effective either. I would go with whatever suits your fancy and your budget.

Finally you should consider what you actually going to use it for. If you are thinking 3 gun consider that the guns are going to get banged around quite a bit in competition. For 3 gun I use something that I do not mind getting scratched throwing it in a barrel.
 
I recommend that you don't wait for the optic...if budget is a factor I would say go for a vortex sparc AR red dot...they greatly enhance the experience
 
A good American made AR can be had for $700 to $1,000.

I have tried several, including Dan Defence. Still use a Palmetto State Armory (one of the cheaper choices).

Whatever you buy, a quality trigger is a good upgrade. I just bought and installed a Rock River Match trigger. I have that trigger on all my ARs. Varmint model is 3-4 pounds. Match model is 4-5 pounds. And crisp.

The other mod made to most of them is a Hogue pistol grip. I don't like the feel of the stock grip.
 
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What do you want to do with the rifle? Plink, use it for matches, maybe do matches in the states? Just to go in the states the barrel needs longer than 16"
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This is a comparison chart for AR platforms. The check list is compiled of military requirements. It's just something to think about
 
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The Colt 6920 you're looking at is a great carbine, I have one. I put a not at all fashionable DD quad rail on it (I wanted to free float the barrel) and run a 3x Elcan on it. Great kinda do everything carbine.
 
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