Going to blow the dough this week...

Silverado

Silverado

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I think I should thank Jim Zumbo for my introduction to black rifles.

Not directly per se, but rather as I followed all the brouhaha surrounding his comments recently, I got more interested in black rifles... almost like gravity.

Suddenly I find myself thinking about Service Rifle and 3 gun matches, optics and tactical gear, and on and on...

The only question I haven't answered is where the best value lies. I've settled on either a Stag from Arms East, or a Rock River from Questar. My budget is between $1500 and $2000 not including optics and accessories.

I also need a couple of things clarified: WTF is a forward assist? What are M4 feedramps, do either of those rifles have them, and why do I need them? Edited to add: What about the carbine/mid-length gas system? What's the difference, and is it important?

Is there really much difference in quality and value? How about warranty and/or service from the distributors?

Accuracy? Reliability?

I also have a very important (to me) question going in the Optics forum: Elcan Specter DR or ACOG with the Docter Optic on top?

Help me blow some dough fellas... and get me in the cool club. :rockOn:
 
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The forward assist is on the right side of the receiver (look behind the ejection port) that you hit in order to lock the bolt if it doesn't fully close.

M4 feed ramps are (I believe) two grooves cut into the breech that allow the bullet to feed more reliably. Not totally sure.... and sorry for the laymans description.
 
Forgot to add, sorry I don't have enough experience to comment on the other things you asked about.

Welcome to the club...
 
M4 carbines have what appear to be notches cut in both the lower and the barrel throat to assist feeding (hence the name feed ramps). So essentially Steyr M is correct. On a semi-auto they aren't 100% necessary, but they are cool to have. The debate about carbine vs. mid length refers to the gas system, some folks with valuable real world experience suggest that an AR pattern rifle with a mid-length gas system will last longer and be less prone to problems. I'm again unsure if there would be a real or noticeable difference with a 5-10 shot range rifle, these guys are going and doing in some places I wouldn't feel all that safe flying over, never mind driving through. Even the truly hard core competition shooters here - guys who shoot thousands of rounds a year, seem to have very few problems with their rifles considering how hard they are using them. I don't think the average shooter is going to scratch the surface of what the AR platform from any quality supplier is capable of. Any of the rifles sold by the major Canadian suppliers is very well supported so it pretty much comes down to getting the model that suits your fancy the best. They'll all outlast the average shooter, and if there's a problem the suppliers will be right there for you, really it's a no lose proposition.
 
Re: Optics...
I have both the Elcan Specter and an ACOG RCO (non-DOC)...
I like the Specter, and in my hands (range queen), seems to be reliable and durable...some have questioned the return to zero issue with magnification switch..mine seems to be OK.
I had the ACOG with the Doctor Optic...seemed to be OK, but awkward...again, under the conditions that we're likely to use them, I think either would serve well...comes down to personal preference.
It's going to be easier to find an Elcan, as the ACOG's require an export license if one were to import it legally.
 
Silverado said:
I also have a very important (to me) question going in the Optics forum: Elcan Specter DR or ACOG with the Docter Optic on top?

:rockOn:
Click to expand...
Broaden your horizons when it comes to optics.

Like has been mentioned the Elcan DR has issues with different zeroes due to the fact that it uses two different lenses. A much better option if your pockets are deep enough is the S&B short dot. I don't have that kind of coin to blow so I settled on an IOR 1.1-4x CQB. Excellent do it all optic, my only complaint so far is that the illuminated reticle isn't visible in full sun, it is visible in indoor environments though so it's not too bad. Lots of good optics out there, try to get your hands on as many as possible before you buy one.
 
When it comes to optics, I like to buy, try and sell/trade if I don't like it. I also always budget optics seperately from the hardware itself, so I'm not too worried about which one I end up with, so much as which one I should start with...
 
Silverado said:
When it comes to optics, I like to buy, try and sell/trade if I don't like it. I also always budget optics seperately from the hardware itself, so I'm not too worried about which one I end up with, so much as which one I should start with...
Click to expand...

An ACOG is all you'll ever need for a combat optic.
 
Well, I was at TSE this evening taking my sis and her fiancee shooting again.

And again... something there caught my eye. They had a very slick looking Stag 15 with tan furniture on the rack. Guess I'll be going back tomorrow LOL

Also need a Zombie shotgun... I'll just bet they'll sell me one.
 
I own 3 stagarms, 1 RRA, 2 Armalites and one colt (( ya I know I'm a whore) in less than a year) and I have to admit that my stags are the ones that have been giving me the least amout of troubles with the least amount of maintenance (ie drench it in CLP after about 5k round, wipe barrel, reload and fire). As for optics well I'm just upgrading from irons myself...
 
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