So I bought an AR15...

A

angrypanda83

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New to the club, not new to the firearm(ish)... I've never had to take care of this child before, I only babysat for 7 weeks straight and then for a day or two for annual recert... So I have a few questions for the seasoned fathers...

1. Cleaning the carbine, I've put some CLP on the outside of the firearm and using my extra blue T-Shirts she ends up still looking dry... Is that normal? Has the CLP worked it's way into the parkerizing/bluing?

2. What optic is best optic...? What do you guys prefer? I like both worlds of CQB style shooting and ranged precision shooting. Is there such a thing as the best of both worlds without breaking my wallet down into a sobbing mess?

3. Foregrips/angled grips and stuff... What do they really do for the shooter? I can watch all the youtube videos on the internet until my eyeballs bleed but I need real answers from Canadian firearm people.

and finally...

4. Even with all the proper paperwork, has anyone ran into any issues rocking LAR-15 or Beowulf magazines at the range, specifically my fellow Ontarians (working here not born and raised)? I'm a little nervous with emptying 10/14-15 rounds at a range the OPP frequent, and having all my fun melted into an ashtray that will never get used.

Thanks for your time lads, I appreciate any insight.

P.s: I bought a Windham Weaponry 14.5" barrel AR-15 from the lovely people at SFRC. Currently waiting for my ATT from the range/CFO, and my tax return to come in to buy a few rounds.
 
For a quality optic of the nature you describe, I highly recommend an Elcan Specter DR 1-4x if you can manage, very pricey indeed but many would argue it is the best solution to the traits/class of optics you are filtering through.

I own 2 Specter DR's in 1-4x in 5.56 and 1 in 1.5-6x 7.62. and will probably aquire more as needed. :p

There is a 1-4x on the ee right now LNIB for $1750, new they start at $2300+tax n shipping.


As for all the tactical kit you can bolt on, I have come to learn that one rifle cant be set up to do it all with out making it only a brnch rifle due to weight and mobility reasons.

If a piece (usually grips, lasers, flashlights, rail covers, etc) doesn't serve a genuine purpose/use on your rifle, its only adding weight. Put thought into every ounce of weight gained or lost due to your parts swap or add on, it will save you money, time, and frustration in the end.
 
angrypanda83 said:
4. Even with all the proper paperwork, has anyone ran into any issues rocking LAR-15 or Beowulf magazines at the range, specifically my fellow Ontarians (working here not born and raised)? I'm a little nervous with emptying 10/14-15 rounds at a range the OPP frequent, and having all my fun melted into an ashtray that will never get used.
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I have never had a problem with LAR or Beowulf. I use them at the local ranges all the time, no one really cares.
 
Welcome to the club! Make sure you got room in your safe because it won't be the last one you buy lol

As for optics I have an elan c79 3.4x on my 20" and is great glass. On my mk18 I have an eotech exps 2-2 I was running a 3x magnifier but took it off to save weight.
I feel that you really need to pick an optic and go with it unless you want to take the time to swap optics and reset zero. I think with a 14.5" a hws or rds is your best bet

The accessories are the fun part! You can bolt on all sorts of fun #### but in reality optic and fore grip is really all you might want on there. I also don't like the full length foregrip and I use a tangodown qd stubby.

As for the mags you will have no problem with the lar pistol mags just keep a copy of the rcmp regs from their website in your range bag. Beo mags I can't comment on since I don't own any myself.
 
onetwentyish said:
For a quality optic of the nature you describe, I highly recommend an Elcan Specter DR 1-4x if you can manage, very pricey indeed but many would argue it is the best solution to the traits/class of optics you are filtering through.

I own 2 Specter DR's in 1-4x in 5.56 and 1 in 1.5-6x 7.62. and will probably aquire more as needed. :p

There is a 1-4x on the ee right now LNIB for $1750, new they start at $2300+tax n shipping.


As for all the tactical kit you can bolt on, I have come to learn that one rifle cant be set up to do it all with out making it only a brnch rifle due to weight and mobility reasons.

If a piece (usually grips, lasers, flashlights, rail covers, etc) doesn't serve a genuine purpose/use on your rifle, its only adding weight. Put thought into every ounce of weight gained or lost due to your parts swap or add on, it will save you money, time, and frustration in the end.
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Listen to this guy. He knows of what he speaks!
The only suggestion I may make is maybe get an Eotech or Aimpoint with a 3x magnifier. Cheaper than an Elcan. Having said that, I would love an Elcan except my wallet would be broken into a sobbing mess! The 1-4x on the Elcan is just fast and plain cool to use!
If you are playing toy soldier, bolt on all the toys you want. If you are competing, get rid of all unnecessary junk, like lights and lasers. I started with all the doodads on my AR and ended up removing most of it!
 
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Re: LAR and Beowulf mags... Keep a copy of RCMP Bulletin 72 in your bag. That should keep them off your back...

For optics: I see my padawan Still Alive has already preached the gospel: an EoTech with a 3x magnifier is a great setup for CQB and the 3x magnifier will take you out to range without problems. Still, you're looking at $1100 or so for an EoTech RDS and magnifier, or at least $600 for a Vortex SPARC/VMX3T setup. Some also like a 1-4x scope... The I've seen and used the Bushnell 1-4x and Nikon AR223 optics. They work quite well, though I don't like them anywhere near as much as an EoTech for CQB as they are more finicky around eye relief.
 
Nothing wrong with the eotech switch to side magnifier combo, but I personally chose to stay away from it for various reasons, primarily bulk and weight.

I also like the etched non electrical dependant reticle and superb glass in this relatively compact design only Elcan has been able to provide. Thing is, its likely excessive features and price for most plinkers, but hey, you get what you pay for and its canadian made to! ;)
 
I agree, 100% elcan if you want to go high end,
vortex 1-4 is good too if you want go middle range.
aimpoint micro for top tier red dot (simplicity, light weight)
holosun(red dot) if you have a small budget.
bushnell AR 223 1-4 for budget zoom scope.
I wrote a short review on holosun if you care to read it.
 
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kgb81 said:
I would recommend an eotech sight. Great for distances out to 2/300 yards.
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Yes, if you like changing batteries every few days, I would agree, lol. Also the auto shutoff thing would bother the hell out of me.
Get an Aimpoint OP. You can leave the sight on for years at a time.
 
Benito said:
Yes, if you like changing batteries every few days, I would agree, lol. Also the auto shutoff thing would bother the hell out of me.
Get an Aimpoint OP. You can leave the sight on for years at a time.
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I guess you haven't used a eotech before? The auto shut off is 4 or 8 hours. I've yet to have either of mine shut off in the entire duration of being at the range.

As for replacing batteries every few days that's hardly the case. I put a new cr123 in mine late oct? I'm still running that same battery currently. I think the field of view is much better with the eotech vs Aimpoint. I sold my comp ml3. Btw I kept a spare battery in my range kit for the aim point too.
 
angrypanda83 said:
1. Cleaning the carbine, I've put some CLP on the outside of the firearm and using my extra blue T-Shirts she ends up still looking dry... Is that normal? Has the CLP worked it's way into the parkerizing/bluing?
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On the outside ?

That's not necessary. It's aluminum which is hard coat anodized. It's not like the bluing on your typical hunting rifle, you don't need to oil it.
 
Benito said:
Yes, if you like changing batteries every few days, I would agree, lol. Also the auto shutoff thing would bother the hell out of me.
Get an Aimpoint OP. You can leave the sight on for years at a time.
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The Eotech, has an auto shutoff ? Oh yeah, forgot about that, never came up.

I can't remember the last time I've changed the batteries in my Eo. I have changed them. Maybe a few times in the 4 years I've had mine.
I would guess I get a years worth of average range use at least out a set of AA's on my 512.

Having owned and used one for years, I really don't get why people fuss over the battery life.
 
A decent lower powered variable scope will be just fine. Repeatable, easy to set elevations settings are important. Multiple aiming points in the reticle are usable, as long as you won't use the wrong one when in a hurry, or under stress.

The sky is the limit when it comes to accessorizing one of these rifles. Decide if something is going to actually improve your shooting; loading the rifle down with tackiekewlcrap for appearances sake is a waste of money. Money better spent on range time and ammunition.

Anything that is battery dependent can let you down, and when it does, it will most likely be at an inopportune moment. It happens. There are excellent options which are not totally dependent on electricity.

A swing over magnifier is an ingenious solution to a problem that need not exist in the first place.

Don't worry about being hasseled about magazine capacity if you are shooting CQB or Service Rifle. Magazines used will be covered by competition rules, and the number of rounds which may be loaded will be specified, regardless of the actual magazine you are using.
 
I have an SWFA 1-4x sight on my stag, really nice at 1x to 25 yds keeping both eyes open (true 1x) and 4x out to 100 yds is so easy.

and I use lar-15 mags, never a problem.
 
TheM4chef said:
I guess you haven't used a eotech before? The auto shut off is 4 or 8 hours. I've yet to have either of mine shut off in the entire duration of being at the range.
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X2... I change the AAs in my 512 every January, and haven't had a problem despite running it several times per week. The auto-shutoff is at least 8 hours. Mine doesn't go off while at an all-day match... The battery thing is an overwrought fallacy perpetuated by Aimpoint fanboys.
 
I like 1X red dots on my short rifles--I like keeping the them as light and handy as possible. Although I don't own one now I've used Aimpoint PROs in the past and really like them--you can find them on the EE for around $400 or so. If most of your shooting is 100m or closer a 1X sight is fine.
 
See if you can try both an Aimpoint and an EoTech before you buy. They use different technology and the EoTech is fuzzy for me due to astigmatism, and others find this as well.
If both work for you then it just a matter of which you like better.
 
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