So you want to buy an AR-15, huh? (Vanity?)

Officer.com ^ | 1-23-2008 | jwise

[scott7278]

INTRO

Let me guess, you have seen a few models in your local store, you have seen some ads in the gun rags, and a "guy" you know thinks his rifle is "the best." And now you need some help separating the wheat from the chaff, and have come here to find out what is best for you. Am I close?

I am going to assume you plan to take this into harm's way, or at least want a rifle CAPABLE of being taken onto a "two-way" range. If you just want a recreational shooter, just pick up whatever fits your budget at your local gunshop. If it doesn't work as advertised, no one gets hurt. But for those whose lives depend on meeting evil in this present age with force, and lots of it, keep reading...

The first question you SHOULD ask yourself, is "what's allowed?" For sworn Law Enforcement Officers employed by a department/agency, this could be as simple as "quality rifle approved by the Range Master." Or, it could be as picky as "Colt or Rock River Arms" (Dallas PD.) So BE SURE you get something that FITS YOUR POLICY, as well as fits your needs. Let's keep going...

Secondly, you should assess your tactical parameters. Are you a lone deputy out in the sticks? Are you a member of a dedicated SWAT team in an urban setting? This will all play into what you should look into. We'll talk about that later, so let's move along for now...

In addition, we need to consider what options you will be needing, and what accessories you will be running. These can range from slings, to sights, to lights, etc...

Regardless, you will need a rifle that is DEAD NUTS RELIABLE, and made to a degree of quality assurance...

[PubliusMM]

I love my Bushmaster. Accurate, comfortable, and it does what I need it to do, when I need it done. Ammo was cheap for a long time, and the stockpile is still cool and dry...inside the waterproof boxes that all fell overboard when I was boating last summer...
The AR, along with the 1911-A1’s, and the Mossberg 500, is a respectable home arsenal, IMO.

Great Thread!

[BuffaloJack]

> Regardless, you will need a rifle that is DEAD NUTS RELIABLE, and made to a degree of quality assurance...

I was issued a really nice M14 when I arrived in VietNam. 5 months later they took it away from me and gave me a piece of crap M16. Twice the damn thing jammed on me, once on the firing range and once during a fire fight.

[Squantos]

BFLR....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&client=mv-google&hl=en&rl=yes&v=yvvzeu33ZA4

[SampleMan]

Gunbroker.com or AuctionArms.com

You will be able to get a 91/30 for ~$100 + ~$25 shipping + dealer transfer at your end if you don’t have a C&R FFL.

Or you can get an older 91 Mosin Nagant, which is an antique and have it sent directly to you, but the differential in cost will be greater than your dealer transfer cost.

[Jimmy Valentine]

Question: Why do you want a weapon that fires a 223 caliber bullet and is weak at long range. Also one that builds up debris in the bolt and breech?

If you are working close, a 7.62 AK-47 variant might be better. If you are working out at a distance, perhaps an M-14 variant.

You need hitting power and accuracy in varying degrees depending upon the distance you are working from your target.

I will go get my flame suit on now.

[OldEagle]

Personally, I agree with what you said.

[Caipirabob]

I would love to get me a Mosin-Nagant. Is there anyplace from where you’ve had luck buying?

There are many sporting goods stores that sell them surplus. Do you have a Big 5 nearby? They always have them on sale for $99.

[Caipirabob]

LOL! My wrist already hurts and I can feel the imprint of the barrel across my face...

[edpc]

Just be prepared to deal with cosmoline removal.

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I am a lifetime member of Sniper corps. (One of the early ones.) I fully agree, that why on Earth would someone want to place their life in the hands of such a dismal and pathetic round as the 5.56, based on the even more pathetic platform as the AR-15/M-16?

The best choice for protection is not high volume of fire, because if you find yourself in such close quarters with your enemy, somebody screwed up BIG TIME!

What really matters is, using a weapon that is capable of taking out their brain stems from 1,000 meters, where they can't tell where the shot came from or see the shooter.

That kind of accuracy and range has no match, and using your ammo carefully and effectively also has no other rivals. In the coming future, if the World ever does find itself wrapped in Anarchy again, One-Shot-One-Kill will be the only motto, or “Silent souls leave .308 holes.)

And the AR-15 is not even remotely capable of that tactical advantage.

Remington model 700 BDL, accurized and custom tuned, in the very least 7.62 NATO (308 Win.) or better yet, 300 Win. Mag., will prove to be the best choice every time.

[PushinTin]

I have to agree Jimmy. I went with an AK-103 from the USSR Izhevsk plant for 7.62 and a Sig 556 for a 5.56 round.

[Georgia Girl 2]

The new Bushmaster ACR is insane. Folding stock, toll kit in the handle, free siderail on the front of it, instead of gas blowback its a piston. All you have to do is just shoot that bad boy. Heck of an urban weapon.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Best recommendation is to also get a set of dental picks and a dental mirror. This will help you get into all those little tiny spaces that collect carbon.

That type rifle also needs to be cleaned four times after use. The first time when you have finished shooting, then 48 hours later, then 72 hours after that. And the fourth time, before you take it out shooting again.

A friend called it a “carbon sponge”, because after it has been cleaned, carbon tends to “leech out” over time, so even if your patches are clean, wait a while and they’ll be dirty again.

It’s tempting to use a rifle dip, but don’t. It’s also not a good idea to put on a blank adapter, fill the barrel full of solvent, and fire a few blanks. Which gets out an amazing amount of carbon, by the way.

Do not use gasoline, kerosene, or other volatile solvents, either.

[cowboyway]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to build my own AR-15

Here's something you might be interested in: How to build an AR-15

Something else you might be interested in: AR15.COM

[bandit123]

I believe this to be a better option , why build it when you can just buy one , the 308 ar10 can hit and kill at 600 to 1000 yards . The bull barrel 18” is an excellent all around use gun , the 16” ap4 is lighter if you need to carry it alot
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209447424
or
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=209577241
the main reason for the choice is its ability from 500-1000 yards is much better than .223 round , also they cost about 1000 dollars ( fairly reasonable price ) both would transition instantly from sniper use to up close battle well,
p.s. I have owned several dpms rifles and find the quality to be outstanding , never a problem with any of them

[Wildbill22]

I can understand your aversion to the AR, but in 1965 you were issued a gun fresh from the design’s first generation. 40 years of refinement can do a lot, and I doubt even the AK was flawless at first (and certainly still isn’t).

I’m selling my Mini-14 because it jams, and has poor magazines except the 5 round. My AR never has jammed yet.

Now caliber is another question altogether.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhTKrBH0B9k&feature=related

[Charles Martel]

Mini-14s aren't known for jamming problems. Some of the aftermarket mags are known to cause trouble, though.

Have you tried any of the Ruger-brand large capacity magazines?

[deoetdoctrinae]

"I would love to get me a Mosin-Nagant. Is there anyplace from where you’ve had luck buying?"

I bought one yesterday at a local gun show. He only had five, and a guy standing next to me was talking about buying all five of them, so I picked one before they were gone!

[cowboyway]

why build it when you can just buy one

You could ask the same question about reloading.

I start with stripped lowers and uppers and go from there. Got a partially finished lower on the bench right now.

BTW, I reload, too.

[Dayman]

An AR-15 will give you a near-unlimited number of options. I have numerous and love the platform. Instead of buying an off-the-shelf AR you might consider building the lower (it's really easy and you can polish the trigger, insert non-rotating pins, winter trigger guard, a better butt stock, etc. while you're building it).

Once you have built the lower as far as the upper is concerned the world is your oyster. If you want a carbine length I would strongly suggest looking into a mid-length. Don't just get any upper. BCM, Noveske, and Danial Defense makes very good ones, as do a few other.

Here's a comparison chart that you may find helpful. It's geared towards M4, but much of the info is applicable to even 20" rifles.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&hl=en#gid=2

Once you have the lower you can get any caliber AR upper you want, including: 7.62x39, 9mm, 7.62x25, .45acp, .40s&w, 5.45x39 (great for super-cheap ammo, although the surplus stuff is corrosive), plus many more.