Free Republic

We've all been there...walking around the local gun store (or, as I like to call it, the Magic Goody Shop) and seen Russian-made steel cased .223 ammo selling for quite a bit less than the brass versions of the same rounds. And, many of us have fallen to temptation and bought scads of the stuff, thinking of how much money we'll save, and how we can plink 'til our heart's content for pennies on the dollar. And then, many of us have faced the bitter disappointment of repeated malfunctions and losing money when we give away a large pile of...

Man Ordered to Dance “Moonwalk” at Gunpoint, Police Say Just remember always to think twice before ordering someone to dance the “moonwalk” at the barrel of a gun. An Idaho man has been hit with a felony assault charge for allegedly forcing another man to perform Michael Jackson’s signature “moonwalk” while having a rifle pointed at him, the Bonner County Daily Bee reported. Police accused John Ernest Cross, 30, of using an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle while issuing the bizarre order to mimic a dance the late King of Pop debuted back in 1983. Cross said during an initial court appearance...

by John HillStand with Arizona The border is "safer than ever". So says DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. Again and again. Barack Obama has mocked those who say the border is unsafe: "Maybe they'll need a moat. Maybe they'll want alligators in the moat. They'll never be satisfied." But for Texas ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley, the border has never been more dangerous. And they are stocking up with the hardware to do the job that the Feds refuse to do - AK47 rifles to defend their property and lives from border violence. Barbed wire fencing doesn't keep illegal aliens...

Okay, this looks like some genuine good natured fun. So, please don't get too mad at me if it isn't; I don't have audio on this computer. Watch the video RIGHT HERE

There’s innovation, and then there’s beating a dead horse. A few firearms have fallen into this latter category, like John Moses Browning’s 1911 design. At over 100 years old, the 1911 has been done, redone, re-redone, and retro-redone with anniversary editions released that hearken straight back to the original weapon. I say that lovingly as an admitted “1911 guy.” More recently, the “Modern Sporting Rifle” has begun to fit the same bill. When it comes to accessories, my Prada and Gucci-loving cube-dwelling co-worker has less choices than your average AR owner. Some observers have gone so far as to call...

Honeoye Falls, NY -(Ammoland.com)- Gun owners have had much to celebrate over the last several years. The Heller and McDonald decisions confirmed what gun owners had long known to be true regarding the Second Amendment; the number of “shall issue” Right-to-Carry states has grown to 37; the number of permit-less carry states now stands at four (with Wisconsin pending) and federal Right-to-Carry reciprocity legislation has gained momentum. With all of this success it’s sometimes easy to forget that there are still portions of this country where politicians continue to deny their citizens the means of self-defense outside the home, whether...

Seattle police concede it's "very embarrassing" that a semi-automatic rifle was left on the back of a patrol car. The AR-15 was left on the trunk lid of the patrol car that was parked outside of the Roosevelt Hotel on Pine Street around 9 p.m. Monday. A man snapped a photo of the rifle and flagged down bicycle patrol officers, Seattle Police Department spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb said. The same man also notified The Stranger and sent the alternative weekly the photo, police said. According to The Stranger, the car was unattended when the photo was snapped. Another witnesses reportedly...

Hey all, I'm looking into getting an AR15, but am totally overwhelmed by all the choices. What I want is something that's reliable, and has a rifle length barrel. Cheaper is better. I am not looking into getting a crazy customizable hyper-accurate super gun. Just a plinker. I've seen the Olympic Arms plinker, looked kinda rough.

What’cha doin’ next week? Well, if you want to head over to OSU you may have a chance to win a gun! Yep, you read that right. This coming Monday, April 11th through Friday April 15th the Oregon State University College Republicans will be holding their annual Second Amendment Week. As part of the festivities they will be raffling off an AR-15 rifle. Unfortunately, while you need not be present to win the drawing, you must purchase the tickets in person. Tickets can be picked up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the MU quad. The...

An NBCUniversal marketing executive arrested in the shooting death of friend and colleague was free on $1 million bail today. David Andrew Amstrong, was charged with murder Thursday in the March 18 shooting death of Brian Russell Kaplon, 32, a digital distribution executive with NBCUniversal. Kaplon died from at least one shot to the chest, fired from an AR-15, a semiautomatic, civilian version of a U.S. military's M16. Most fire .223-caliber bullets. The shooting happened in the garage of Amstrong's Porter Ranch home in 20000 block of Vercelli Way about 12:45 a.m., after both men allegedly had been drinking at...

I've got the lower. Now I want to really work up an AR that presents as I want it. Some pics that are close to what I'm thinking are included. Where do I go to get the stuff I need to finish this rifle as I like....but spending as little as I can? Not so much the barrels as the furniture... Some links/resources would be terrific!

A short video I came across demonstrating the LULA loader. Probably I'm the last person around to discover this speed loader for AR15 magazines. But hopefully there are a few out there that haven't seen it.

Is firing a 5.56 NATO cartridge in your .223 Remington chambered AR15 dangerous? Or do Internet forum-ninjas and ammunition companies selling you commercial ammo instead of surplus overstate the dangers? Believe it or not, a real danger exists, and some gun owners who think they are doing the right thing may not be safe. The Cartridges The .223 Remington and 5.56x45 NATO cartridges are very similar, and externally appear the same. But there are some differences that lie beneath the surface. The 5.56 case has thicker walls to handle higher pressures, meaning the interior volume of the case is smaller...

A South Carolina gun and accessories company is selling semi-automatic rifle components inscribed with “You lie” – a tribute to the infamous words of 2nd District Republican Congressman Joe Wilson when he shouted at President Barack Obama during a congressional speech about national health care reform in the fall of 2009. “Palmetto State Armory would like to honor our esteemed congressman Joe Wilson with the release of our new ‘You Lie’ AR-15 lower receiver,” reads a portion of the company’s website. The product “is neither endorsed nor affiliated with Joe Wilson or his campaign,” according to a line of text...

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...

A few years ago, I walked into the hunting cabin of a friend of mine and watched as he cleaned up what looked like an automatic military firearm. He was an United States Army Reservist, so I thought, well, pretty cool that he thought enough about his job to bring his combat toys home and clean them up right. Like many sportsmen not in the modern sporting rifle “know” at the time, I would have assumed all of the wrong things! While the modern sporting rifle has been evolving for decades, in the last 10 years or so, shooters and...

I'm thinking about getting an AR-15, mostly for plinking. There are so many out AR models out there I'm not sure where to start. What features are the most important to look for in narrowing down my search. I'm in the market to pay up to $1300.

Mossberg’s unveiling its entry into the tactical .22 market with a product cleverly called the Tactical .22. Here’s the press release: Mossberg International introduces the Tactical .22–an alternative firearm for those shooters and enthusiasts who want the look and feel of an AR-style .22 rimfire with an affordable price. Mossberg knows its target market: price-driven firearms buyers (Hecho en Mexico baby!). It’s a bit surprising that they’re so late to the AR-style .22 game. Even slow-mo Smith & Wesson’s tapped the AR gestalt, with a damn nice product too: the M&P15-22, in both standard and CA-compliant version for around $500...

Ammo prices being what they are these days, I find myself looking into .22 LR conversion kits for guns I like to shoot regularly. Currently, my preferred load for AR-15s is running just over $0.40 per round, while .22 LR is running about $0.03 per round. So I was obviously interested in Brownells’ AR-15 .22 LR Conversion Kit. I reasoned that, after one 550-round milk carton of .22 LR, the $199 kit would pay for itself. The other option would be a dedicated .22 LR upper, which costs more and I’d have to purchase additional optics and other accessories to...

I am looking for a holographic sight for my flattop AR. I have looked at the Aimpoint and the EOTech sights and everyone says they are the cream of the crop. Problem is that $500 for a holo sight is a bit much. Can anyone suggest a rugged, reliable, good quality holo sight for a decent price?

McALLEN — Heavily armed Mexican freshwater pirates have been shaking down U.S. boaters on Falcon Lake, a reservoir and bass fishing haven that straddles the Rio Grande. At least three such incidents have been reported since April 30, the latest on Sunday, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety warning issued Tuesday that linked the muggings to northern Mexico's increasing lawlessness. According to descriptions of the incidents, the robbers — in at least one case posing as Mexican federal law enforcement officers — searched fishermen's boats for guns and drugs, then demanded cash at gunpoint. One of the incidents...

Felons, illegal immigrants and all others banned from buying a gun in the United States have a new alternative if they’re looking to get their hands on a firearm: Just buy a toy. A FoxNews.com investigation reveals that a popular recreational pellet gun can be converted easily to a real semi-automatic weapon. And while the federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is already aware of the issue, these “toys” -- new, top-of-the-line airsoft rifles -- continue to be sold throughout the country.

“The airsoft can be converted to an AR-15,” firearms manufacturer Leo Gonnuscio told FoxNews.com after testing the make and model of airsoft guns seized by the ATF. Having concluded that several other airsoft guns could not be converted to fire real ammunition, Gonnuscio said he was surprised to find that he was able to to transform this particular gun to the real thing -- and with “minimal work,” because its bottom half, or “receiver,” is so similar to an AR-15's. To make the airsoft receiver function just like an AR-15’s, Gonnuscio said, “All you have to do is drill one...

I want to build an AR-15 from scratch.... I [obviously] want to make it mine...and as least expensively as possible. The web is full of info on this, but I've always gotten great advice from this forum..

Next week, I am going on a short expedition into the Russian Northwest forest. My wife's cousins along with a couple more friends will go hunting, drinking and shooting...you know man stuff. I have been informed that we will be using the obvious AK 47 and they will even have a couple of Dragunovs. I am sure to come out with a great story out of it. My question is, since I am sure to come back a weapons afficionado and I will have virtually no experience with an AR 15, for US purposes what should I set my eye...

Leftist elites are up in arms about Americans up in arms. At two recent Obama town hall meetings, men exercising their Second Amendment rights were spotted carrying firearms. While we do not condone threatening the president or anyone else for that matter, these citizens are well within their rights. It is legal to carry a firearm while demonstrating to protect your liberties. In New Hampshire, William Kostric showed up near a town hall meeting carrying a pistol, and a placard proclaiming, "It is time to water the tree of liberty!" in reference to the famous Thomas Jefferson quotation, "The tree...

Libertarian activist and radio host Ernest Hancock fired up concern about right-wing extremism around the country last week after he revealed to CNN's Rick Sanchez that he had planned the interview with someone who carried an AR-15 rifle to the protests outside of President Barack Obama's Aug. 17 appearance at the Phoenix Convention Center. At the Tribune's request, Hancock explains his motivations. Ernest Hancock In 1994, I learned that holding a sign, "Legalize Freedom ... Register Libertarian," at a Janet Reno speaking event would get you arrested by Phoenix police. I was quickly released with no charges and returned to...

Ernest Hancock, the online radio host who interviewed the man with the assault rifle outside yesterday's Obama event in Arizona, today stated that the whole event was actually planned in advance. Watch the video below. Hancock appeared on Rick Sanchez's CNN show this afternoon. After explaining a few details about the interview, including the tidbit that he's known 'Chris' (the man with the AR-15) for two years because of their mutual work for Ron Paul, the CNN host said "the more we look into this, the more it appears that it was really planned." "Oh, it's more planned than you...

(CNN) – At least two Arizona men brought assault rifles to President Obama’s speech Monday to the annual Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Phoenix.

PSE TAC 15   This AR-15 accessory-called the "Tactical Assault Crossbow 15"-will morph your standard AR into a viable crossbow for hunting big game.

RUMOR DU JOUR ... The governor is apparently going to New York to push canned salmon at a "global seafood tasting" event at Alaska House, a non-profit arts and culture center in SoHo. It's "a private event and is not open to the public," says the Web site, but Ear got an invitation so it can't be that classy. Anyhow, the grapevine immediately began spreading claims that Sarah plans to sign a book contract while she's in NYC.

Today and tomorrow, theres a pretty cool gun show going on here in Kansas City. I was thinking of buying an AR-15, but there are apparently a lot of options. What is the difference, CMMG, DPMS, Olympic, Bushmaster, Colt? Is there anything specific I should look for while comparing these? I was thinking of the .223 chambered variant because there is at least some of that ammo available here. CMMG, DPMS and Olympic are about the same, right at a grand.. Bushmaster is about 1200-1400 and Colt is just straight out of my price range, 1600-2000. Any helpful advice on...

Note: Due to recent political changes that have caused unprecedented demand on certain categories of rifles and accessories, prices on items that are out of stock may change without notice. We are making every effort to obtain necessary quantities of ‘HI DEMAND’ items, and we will let you know of any increases before shipment

mine has a removable A-3 handle/sight the front is fixed...will I need a scope riser when in flat top configuration? I'd like a mount that is quickly detatachable and hold zero when reattached. My eyes are not what they were so I am looking for a combo that has a built in BDC for shooting at 250-500 yards with a .223 55 gr. Anyone have experience with Shepard scopes ?

Hi all, I'm researching AR 15s for the same reason most here are.... personal and home defense if things go to "mad max", and becuase I'm afraid that if I wait much longer I won't be able to get one. Never owned one; right now I own a 12ga shotgun, 2 .270 deer rifles, and my favorite, a 6.5x55 Swede chambered Tikka deer rifle. Because of my last selection, I started hand-loading. As far as AR-15s go, I'm thinking about the newer 6.8mm version, which should have better stopping power than a 5.56 but less recoil than an AR-10 with...

gas piston AR-15 upgrade- worth the $ ? if so, why? why aren't the military picking it up too ?

Came across this while Stumbling on Firefox. Looks pretty neat

December 5, 2008 The bayonet is largely a weapon of last resort - when the rifle jams, the ammunition runs out or the fighting gets to close quarters, you've still got something sharp and pointy to get the job done old-school. They've pretty much disappeared from today's more high-tech battlefields, but that doesn't mean there aren't mavericks out there still pushing the envelope - and we can't think of many inventions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/invention we've seen lately that would be more exciting to a 10-year-old schoolboy than this: the chainsaw bayonet. Whether you view this as blatant redneck idiocy or the coolest...

Three Rifles That Made History Compared Side By Side (you won't see this on History Channel's special History Of The Gun)

what's the best barrel/bullet weight combo? IIRC, 62 grain 5.56 is best in a 1:9 barrel.

Last weekend I started a thread about buying this gun. Several asked me to post a picture when I got it. Picked it up today and here it is with my SIG I bought two weeks ago. Thanks again for all for pointing me in the right direction!

Bought this gun today and am asking the experts what over the counter ammo feeds through this weapon? As stated, the gun is a flat-top with a Simmons scope along with a bi-pod as the only add-on's. The serial number is BK010XXX and I believe this a post-ban weapon, correct? I have shot competively in the past with .45 auto's and this is my first semi-auto rifle. I believe this dude will drive tack's as I have read. I just would like some overall advise.

All, Like many others, I am considering purchasing a semi-automatic long gun. Most likely, an AR-15 as .223 is still fairly easy to come by, and there are a number of "regular" rifles which use the ammunition, so I have some faith that it will remain available for some time period after other ammunition types are outlawed, should that occur. We have a number of hunting rifles, some WWII German equipment, a few handguns, and plenty of ammunition. I am wondering if any FReepers can shed some light on the ease and advisibility of purchasing a kit from Model 1...

Brought home my new AR-15 yesterday. For those who don't know what that is, the AR-15 is the civilian model of the M-16 rifle. It is what one would call an assault gun. I am in my fifties, a hunter who has always had hunting rifles and shotguns. A man who has always got a sense of pride of ownership for his guns. Cherishing the thought of passing my collection on to my children. This is different, there is no joy. In fact, I felt sadness as I drove home with my new possession. You see, I purchased this weapon...

I'm thinking of an AR. I'm thinking of a Bushie. I'm thinking lighter, smaller, suitable for when the compost hits the air-conditioner, able to reach out and touch someone at 100 meters, but not too fancy to use on a groundhog.I'm thinking gas-piston for reliability. I'm also thinking I could be being stupid.Any thoughtful advice and recommendations would be gratefully accepted. I just have a feeling things could get crazy enough that a vang-comp shottie and my sigs might not be enough.

Watch out Boys!

Guns and Gustav We just got a call from Devline Rossell, a charter captain based out of Venice, Louisiana. He was shopping in New Orleans to get some supplies before the arrival of Gustav (currently listed as a tropical storm that has left at least 22 dead in the Caribbean) and reported that the item most in demand was not food, clothing or shelter. “I just left a sporting goods store and you would think that the number-one selling item would be plywood or potable water or gasoline right now,” he said. “Apparently it is AR-15s and .223 ammo. I...

Lots of folks hate the AR, or they THINK they hate the AR. Of those people, probably half just don't care for the caliber, and we'll definitely address that. Another quarter just hate black plastic guns, or the design of the AR specifically (the gas system especially), which I disagree with, but I understand their aesthetic issue, and the gas system IS a pain to clean. It's the rest of the AR haters I want to talk about. They don't like the AR/M16/M4 either because they don't like the entire concept of the assault rifle, or because the assault...

Crack, crack, crack. Three Montana Highway Patrol troopers, firing from the prone position, sent 15 rounds from their new rifles downrange in quick succession recently. The .223 caliber bullets punched easily through the plywood and paper targets, kicking up clods of dirt from the berm behind the range at Glacier Park International Airport. After officers from the sixth district-which covers Flathead, Lake, and Lincoln counties-qualify with the new weapon, every trooper in Montana will be riding shotgun with a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle. "They're just all-around more versatile for our day and age," Trooper Jerril Ren, one of the patrol's firearms...

I'm getting a hankering for a retro AR-15 (chrome-lined barrel, A1 stock and sights, slab side, triangular handguards, lightweight barrel, etc.). I found a number of used Colt Sporters chambered in .223 with a 1:12 twist, but I also found a slightly cheaper new retro reproduction non-Colt rifle with a 1:9 chromed barrel in 5.56 but with a round-assist and shell deflector. I suppose the question is, are there any Freepers with experience on the Colt SP1 who are willing to share their opinions on this rifle?