AR-15 BS Thread

i have a piece of an ar....lol just recieved my lower last week i hope to have the machine work done by the weekend.im goin the less then 80% kit route so i dont have to register

 

Accuracy is not a function of barrel length, although that is a common misconception. In fact, shorter barrels can often turn in even tighter groups than an identical, longer barrel.

What you get with increased barrel length, and lose with decreased length, is velocity. Velocity determines effective range (when talking about fragmenting/deforming projectiles) and determines the amount of drop over a given distance.

Regardless, the #1 factor in accuracy is the shooter, followed by ammunition selection, followed by barrel construction/material/type. I see 6 MOA shooters who use 4 MOA ammo that get sucked into worrying about the best barrel for accuracy, missing the point that the difference in barrels is 1/2 MOA at most with good ammo and a good shooter.

 

This is my problem with the current AR culture. People think that a credit card will replace skill. They never think that they are the problem with their groups. I have had guys swear to me their rifle was fucked because it didn't group worth a flip, well after I put up a 2" group with their rifle the first thing they say is "I need a scope" I usually stop instructing at that point.

 

I bought the midlength lightweight hammer forged upper from PSA during black Friday sales, when I get it and get some range time I will let everyone know how it did. I hope the hype lives up to the PSA name.
Rich

 

This is nothing new, but with an increased number of gun buyers, an increased number of accessories and parts, and the internets to expose them it just seems like it.

The typical male thought process goes:
1) I want/need to do X
2) I buy Y
3) Y doesn't cut it
4) I must need Z

 

PSA is good to go from my experience with them.

nailed it.


for people debating the 14.5" barrel.

 

I caught myself almost falling in to this spiral with my last AR purchase. I bought a set of Magpul BUIS and a nice quality, lower end Luepold scope thinking I would be able to slap the scope on, sight it in and shoot anything anywhere. Not the case! I wasn't having any fun and wasn't hitting my targets like I thought I would.

I pulled the scope and concentrated on shooting w/the iron sights and am a much better shooter because of it. I feel more secure in handling and target aquisition at the range because I know I don't have to rely batteries or getting a red dot to the right brightness or being at the proper zoom on the scope. It forced me to be a better judge on range and windage and taught me to calm down and focus on the motions and mechanics of the shot instead of just focusing on the crosshairs and target.

 

x2

it's all about trigger time

 

Thanks for all the input, guys.

So in your opinions, would that be a good purchase? I understand the limitations on having the flash hider pinned, but I was under the assumption that if I eventually wanted to upgraded to a 16" barrel, it would be cheaper than upgrading to a mid-length gas system. (maybe I'm wrong.)

Do you think there is an advantage to the mid-length system over the carbine? Even with the shortened barrel?

I've read through the Sticky "So You Want to Buy An AR-15" and several other threads, but I just wanted to get some hands-on opinions.

 

Part of the AR gas system is on the barrel
You can change gas system lengths about as easy as you change barrels on an AR. Just need to add the correct hand guard for the gas system length.

Hard to beat a SBR if you clear rooms for a living.
The middy is nice because it gives you a longer sight plane, in-between rifle and carbine.
The myth is that the longer gas systems have a smoother recoil impulse.
I don't think it's ever been quantified. Lots and lots of SBR's working fine in the sandbox.

Go to a gunshop and handle some and see what you think.

 

Changing between a middy GS and a carbine GS is as simple as putting the gas block on the new barrel and getting a shorter/longer gas tube.

IMO a pinned 14.5 is not worth having a permanent flash hider. it's only 1.5" difference in actual barrel length. If you want to go short, go short. SBRs have huge advantages for CQB/vehicle use, but they also require that damn tax.

10"-13" SBR or 16" Carbine or 20" DMR Thats how I see the AR family



HAHA I was too slow ^^^^

 

You're right the difference in recoil is negligible. However, you will notice an increase in muzzle blast (well you might not notice but the guy beside you will).

 

I see! Okay, that clears some things up.

I don't plan on using it for kicking in doors or clearing rooms. I mainly want to do some hunting with it, get good at the range and in the event of an earthquake or something be able to pick off looters and people who would do me and my family harm from the top of my roof. Which, is probably a 1% probability of its use.

 

I see you're in Seattle. You're very close to the good stuff.

Rainier Arms in Auburn is one of the best online AR shops in the country.
Their B&M shop is supposed to be cool too.

I'm building a middy on Aero Precision receivers that were made in Tacoma and purchased over the counter at Surplus Ammo & Arms in Lakewood.

The awesome Mega Machine receivers are made in Tumwater.

 

For a first AR I would strongly suggest not over-thinking things. Yes, everyone thinks they are a special snowflake, with special needs, and special circumstances. Wrong. They also think that they're going to buy their "one and only ever and forever" AR but then also think they are going to satisfy their special snowflake needs. Wrong again.

My opinion...

1. Buy a Colt 6720. It has an A1-profile (lighter-weight) 16" barrel, a carbine-length gas system, and a flip-up rear sight on a flattop upper.
2. Buy an Aimpoint PRO. It comes with a mount.
3. Buy 10 magazines, either Pmags or NHMTG aluminum mags. Nothing else. No, those magazines that look/feel/sound/smell/fuck like NHTMG are NOT the same thing.
4. Buy at least 2k rounds of ammo. Federal XM193 is a great middle-of-the-road choice. If you start shooting more you can start using steel case and save yourself about $100/case. If you need more accuracy or greater terminal effect you can buy specialty ammo to accomodate this need and because it's used in smaller quantity can be bought at a relatively low cost to stockpile a couple hundred rounds.
5. GO TAKE A CLASS WITH YOUR NEW AR!
6. Go practice what you learned in the class until you can perform all of the tests/drills from the class proficiently.
7. repeat 4-6 as necessary or as time/money allows.

The $500 spent on a (quality) class and the ~$300 you'll spend on ammo for same is worth more than ANY ACCESSORY YOU CAN BUY FOR THE AR.


If you're short on funds, skip #2 and get the vendor for the gun to throw in a better rear sight (the factory Colt carry handle is a better sight) and go take the class with irons. The single most important part of this process is taking the class, followed by the practice. Everything else, including the gun, is just support that that endeavor.

 

Sage words. Especially with the iron sights, I didn't buy my first optic till this year, I have been shooting for 25 years, shooting ARs for 21 of those 25 (yet I am only 34). Those numbers on the bottom dial of your carrying handle AR-15 rear sight mean something. In the right hands you can take your irons well past 500 yards with that standard rear sight.

My only issue with the carbine course, some of them teach bad habits and some push product more than progress.

 

This is my favorite to shoot because its so accurate. I built it from the ground up. Noveske upper and lower. A.R.M.S rail and front sight with magpul front grip and stock. Ergo grip. About 20 30rd mags...just in case

 

This is true, sometimes, but this is what step 6 is for. I use competition pretty heavily for step 6 and find that, plus engaging my brain, to be a great bullshit detector.

The issue is that many people will use statements like that as an excuse not to train at all. That's right up there with not driving your Tacoma because it might bet scratched out in the world.

LE is the WORST for this. "I can't afford a class on what they pay me", or "if the department needed me to get training they'd train me" or the best one "competition ingrains bad habbits". As one of my FBI buddies said to me last weekend when we were discussing this "alright toughguy, what are you doing to train instead?"

 

And the best part about shooting competitions for new shooters (and all level shooters) is the chance to practice PROPER safe gun handling. Muzzle awareness, safety selector, finger off the trigger.

Competition circuit also forces the shooter to practice reloading, transitioning between targets, shooting with elevated heart rate... it goes on.

 

I really want to take a class! Hopefully I will be able to next spring