Let's talk AR-15

[zirotti]

You guys have me intrigued. And since I have an addictive personality, I think I am leaning towards getting an AR15.

Now, like my other thread said, I've never owned a gun before, but will be buying one before the end of the summer. I still plan on purchasing a Remington 870 but I'd also like to look into an AR-15 or variant.

Now, it seems to me from surface reading that an AR-15 is a semi-automatic version of the M16? With that being said, is an AR-15 a general term for all civilian assault-rifle types? What is one of the more popular models? I'd like to have something that can be accessorized relatively easily but is also fun to take to the range and shoot. Any good resources for reading up?

Thanks for hearing me out

[txaggie9307]

You guys have me intrigued. And since I have an addictive personality, I think I am leaning towards getting an AR15.

Now, like my other thread said, I've never owned a gun before, but will be buying one before the end of the summer. I still plan on purchasing a Remington 870 but I'd also like to look into an AR-15 or variant.

Now, it seems to me from surface reading that an AR-15 is a semi-automatic version of the M16? With that being said, is an AR-15 a general term for all civilian assault-rifle types? What is one of the more popular models? I'd like to have something that can be accessorized relatively easily but is also fun to take to the range and shoot. Any good resources for reading up?

Thanks for hearing me out

This sounds like how I started with cigars... At first I just wanted a small 10-20 stick humidor just to have good sticks in every once in a while. This quickly turned into multiple box purchases and now I need a winefridge to keeps this in.

[zirotti]

This sounds like how I started with cigars... At first I just wanted a small 10-20 stick humidor just to have good sticks in every once in a while. This quickly turned into multiple box purchases and now I need a winefridge to keeps this in.

So much fun ;)

[veeref]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-15#section_1

That sort of explains the history of the rifle.

In respect to your question if all civilian assault rifles are AR-15s, no they are not. That would be like categorizing all pickup trucks as Ford ;) Assault rifles come in all different shapes and sizes.

AR-15s come in dozens if not maybe hundreds of different variants. They are like Lego's in respect to the fact that within your legal boundaries, you can pretty much build them with barrels from 10 inches up to 20 inches. Everything on them is customizable - grips, stocks, sights, trigger, magazines, hooded receivers, lower receivers, etc. They can be chambered in many different calibers. The AR-10 works on the same principal, but aside from looking similar and having the same layout, is quite different from the 5.56 variation.

AR15.com is a decent place to learn how to buy/build one if you can accept the fact that there are plenty of armchair commandos there. If you want a no BS experience and advice from people that shoot these for a living, I would check out www.m4carbine.net . There are a lot of subject matter experts and "operators" on there that can steer you on the right track. They are unforgiving but know what they are talking about.

If you want one that will shoot well out of the box and has a good reputation, I would consider a Colt in whatever flavor suits you. The 6920 is a great platform to start with. Slap an Aimpoint on there and you're good to go. I would recommend a carbine training course to get you familiar with the usefulness of the weapon ;)

Good luck, I love my ARs. I built all of them up myself and it was a great experience. Not cheap but fun nontheless.

[mwlabel]

Pretty much what veeref said. Hop on M4C and read read read!

Any other questions, there's lots of people on there, and here, to help you!

[Mickeymorris626]

Hit me up if you want help or advice on brands or quality. I would consider myself adequately steeped in the AR world right now. Not saying I know everything, but I have been working with this platform for the last 7 or 8 years of my life

[AZCigarNut]

AR-15? Never heard of it.



<-- hey, what's that weird avatar pic?

In all seriousness, the short version is that Armalite invented the AR (for Armalite) 15 to sell to the military. Colt bought the rights to it when they couldn't deliver, which is why it's confusing that all AR weapons are made by Armalite except the 15... that said... "AR-15" is like saying "Kleenex" for all tissue, regardless of actual brand or variances. People use "AR-15" to mean any variant of the military grade, gas-operated, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, 5.56mm rifle. Haha!

There are a TON of folks that make a TON of styles and variations... and asking 10 "experts" will get you at LLEAST 9 opinions on which is "best," and a lot of it depends on what you want to use it for...

For my dollar, I like several of the smaller but more customizeable companies like POF Firearms (that make a sub-minute-of-angle piston driven version that can be custom to each user and won't break the bank for what you get).

Do a lot of self research... and don't be afraid to ask questions of your local firearms dealers. The more opinions you get... the better decision you'll make (and hopefully stay happy with later) when it comes time to buy.

[pnoguy]

[QUOTE People use "AR-15" to mean any variant of the military grade, bolt-action, gas-powered, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, 5.56mm rifle.[/QUOTE]

Ummm, not to be picky, but don't you mean this:

5.56mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon that can be fired either in automatic three-round bursts or semiautomatic single shots as determined by the position of the selector switch?

[Gravity]

Ummm, not to be picky, but don't you mean this:

5.56mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon that can be fired either in automatic three-round bursts or semiautomatic single shots as determined by the position of the selector switch?

I want a gas powered bolt action semi!

[AZCigarNut]

Haha! Yes, gas OPERATED, not powered. Edited! See what happens when the Army makes you memorize crap? Heck - I even said bolt-action; LOL! Stupid M-24 memorization crosses over with M-4 memorization and randomly comes out when typing fast. Funny stuff!

In any case... point is...... "AR-15" is now used to describe all sorts of similar weapons and doesn't really just mean the actual Colt AR-15. I still choose here: http://www.pof-usa.com/weapons.htm THESE are gas pistons! I don't like the rail system on the models shown on this page, but they don't have to have all that unnecessary extra weight and Frank (the owner) can modify it however you want.

[zirotti]

Wow, thats fellas.

This sounds like it could be a slippery slope...

[pnoguy]

That's the beautiful thing regarding the actual AR. You can build it the way you want it, and if you're really into it, you can make the damn thing look like something out of a Transformers movie and get just as baller as you want. Truth be told, the thing works great stock out of the box, and if you just pay attention to the basics the thing practically fires itself. Mod them all you want, but if you can't hit a silver dollar at 150 yards with a stock weapon, get yourself a bb gun and practice some more. Just my $.02.