Some AR-15 Advice?

LeeEnfieldNo.4_mk1

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Alright Ive been saying this since I got my PAL, and Im finally going to get an AR-15.

I was going to go the Non-restricted route but after some thought i realized i don't do the whole bush shooting thing as much as I used to (shooting buddy gone plus gas prices equals a range bound shooter) so I decided that in a few weeks after I save up some cash as pay of the CC ill give Arms East a call for a Stag Model 4 (20 inch).

I was going to leave it all bare bones, as I tend to be a non-flashy guy, but I cant resist the look of the quad rail set ups. I was looking at some of the Daniel Defense and KAC offerings and was wondering if one is better then the other? I am particularly interested in the Omega 12 rail from DD as it seems to be very easy to install, is this a decent rail? The KAC and the DD both seem to be evenly priced.

Another thing I was wondering, is who makes a decent set of flip up or fixed rear sights? I want metal as I don't really like plastic all that much. Would like both Windage and elevation and a aperture sight is preferred. Ive had a boo at some of the sponsors but none seem to have anything in stock so who might be able to get be a decent sight?

Thanks, Ill probably come up with more as im quite excited about this buy, almost as much as my first rifle.
 
I love the idea of Back up Iron sights but in reality I think most shooters are better served by skipping them and investing in higher quality optics. Good optics need a bullet to put them down and very few people are in drawn out running gun battles at the local range.

I love my Stags.
 
You mentionned that you liked the looks of a quad rail.....
Unless you have a need to hang shzt all over your rifle, perhaps looks are the only reason to get a quad rail. Unless it is going to somehow improve the shooting capability of the rifle, why bother?
If you go with an optical sight that depends on a battery to function, back up iron sights are a good idea. It has been said that electronic sights are in one of two conditions - they have just let you down, or are about to.
If you get a good optic that functions without a battery, you won't need back up sights.
Of course, if you just want to play Mr. Dressup with your rifle, have at it.
 
If you don't "need" a quad rail but want a FF, look at the Troy TRX Extreme rail. I have the Troy/VTAC 13" on my 14.5 middy and love it. Slim, easy to grasp and comes with 3 rail sections that can be moved anywhere. For BUIS my vote goes to Daniel Defensen non-folding - awesome.

While in theory I agree with Gunnerlove regarding good optics I can't seem to get away from the "2 is 1, 1 is none" mind-set and as a result still feel a real and pressing need for BUIS in addition to my Aimpoint or magnified optic.



blake
 
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As far as quad rail goes... I like the Daniel Defense Omega X rails because of the light weight & slim profile of them... But, it's a personal preference thing.

Flip up irons... Troy & Midwest Ind. are very good... I also like the Magpul ones, though keep in mind that they are polymer and some users have had issues with them cracking in "extreme cold". For me, thats not a huge issue, but it may be for you.
 
Another thumbs up for Troy, solid piece of gear no shakes or wobble, there are a few style to choose from, folding, fixed, M4 or HK style, Tritium or Di-Optic and Micro.
 
I've had Magpul BUIS and they were...OK-decent bang for buck. I currently run Midwest ind. folding A2 style rear/hooded H&K style front and love them,solid kit for @$250. Arms folding sights are also top notch gear but a little more pricey.
As for a freefloat rail check out JP-Vtac tube...simple,solid,clean and you can add rails where you need/want.
Optics--Saved my money for EoTech and as mentioned before its not a matter of IF they fail its WHEN??? Learn to shoot with irons efficiently and you will find that all that knowlege will pay dividends when you add an optic later on. I personally have stepped back from optics(close range shooting) and find that my speed and fundementals are improveing.
Welcome to the AR addicts club.
 
Yes, as Heckler said, Welcome to the club. The club fees are a little high, but you'll enjoy yourself.

First; you're doing the right thing buying a Stag, and especially from Arms East. I bought my Stag (16" 2R) from Arms East, and I LOVE it. Steve and Walt are great to deal with!

Second; shoot it for a while and then start adding things to it. You won't know what you need (want) until you've fired it for a bit. I bought mine bare-bones and I'm happy that I did; I had extra money to spend on pmags and other tactical gear.

I actually went out shooting with a large group of guys (ORA) before I bought anything. I'm glad I did.

I have put 1000 rounds through my rifle since March, and I have neither added, nor will I add, anything to it for another few thousand rounds.

Mine came with BUIS (IS, in my case) from Troy, and they out-perform me, so I see no reason to upgrade them. Shoot with your IS for a while before you spend money on other optics. The best optics are your own eyes.

You also need to consider what you are going to be using it for. You mentioned buying a 20" barrel, so I assume you are doing some long range stuff (are you planning on shooting Service Rifle?). If that is the case, you aren't going to need lots of fancy quad-rails. You need a really good scope (there are lots of threads on this) and some practice.

If you are shooting close, like CQB (which you should do if you can; funnest shooting there is right now!), what you really need is the right tactical gear; a good load-bearing vest and lots of mags.

I totally get the desire to dress up your AR. I overcame it though, and I'm glad I did; I had more money to spend on actually making my AR go BANG!
 
Optics--Saved my money for EoTech and as mentioned before its not a matter of IF they fail its WHEN???

That is kind of my point, the money spent on irons is the difference between your EOTech and an Aimpoint Comp M4 which is a tough battle proven optic.
I have been working with local LE and their choice of the EOTech continues to baffle, and fustrate me and the shooters "It worked before lunch". Then again I thought G36s were suppposed to be reasonably reliable.

I guess I am an EOTech hater.

You can always purchase back up irons later when you have some cash lying around. Upgrading your optics you will lose money.
 
That is kind of my point, the money spent on irons is the difference between your EOTech and an Aimpoint Comp M4 which is a tough battle proven optic.
I have been working with local LE and their choice of the EOTech continues to baffle, and fustrate me and the shooters "It worked before lunch". Then again I thought G36s were suppposed to be reasonably reliable.

I guess I am an EOTech hater.

You can always purchase back up irons later when you have some cash lying around. Upgrading your optics you will lose money.
I will never buy another one and not recomend one to anybody either EoTech=POS(IMO) Will eventually get an Aimpoint or Elcan
 
Thanks for the advice.

i really did not intend to put optics on it just yet, I was gonna use irons most of the time, but I was thinking of eventually getting an Elcan to do kinda of a C7 build.

As for the rail, who deals with troy and Larue like mentioned?
 
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