Anyone adding spoons this year?

[dmcummins]

Not to get political, but for some reason I've really got the itch to pick up a AR in .223. I guess because some feel that I shouldn't own one makes me want one. Or more.

Now I no nothing about them or what to look for, but I want one. If I were to buy one I would probably take it to the local range, there are 100yd and 200yd targets.

So what should I look for?

I went to a local show but it was so crowded I really didn't get much chance to look. Im not much for crowds and this looked like Wal Mart on Black Friday.

[id10t]

Not into ARs or volume of fire - my EBR needs are filled with my FAL - G1 parts kit on a DCI receiver. Picked up a CZ75 BD in January (only CF pistol I have), need to get a couple of extra mags for it.

Just got a safe today.... think the next thing that goes in it will be a Kadet conversion to make the CZ a rimfire. Plan on stocking up on quality rimfire ammo (SK Std+ as both my target rifles like it) and if it ever starts showing up again cheap plinking 22. Gonna try to get 500 rounds or so of 9mm saved up, already have 400 rounds of 762x51 saved up. Should probably grab some shotgun ammo too...

For an AR I'd look at the uppers and lowers that PSA offers and find a good local shop to do the transfer... a basic AR will run you about $600. I personally don't like the adjustable stock, so if I were AR shopping I'd get a basic A2 style w/ heavy barrel, or a similar one with a flat top (no carry handle, no front sights) and put a dot sight or low power scope on it.

[Rick Lee]

Spend your money on bulk .223 ammo and a few quality stripped AR lowers. The rest will always be easy to find and hard to regulate.

[E38Driver]

Check out this web site AR15.Com - Your Firearm Resource. (AR-15, AR-10, M4 Carbine, M16, H&K, SIG, FNH, FAL, AK-47, 50 Cal, M1/M1A, Handgun, Pistol, Training, Hunting, and More!) Lots of good info there.

Dave

[legion]

Get this:

https://shop.ghostgunner.net/products/ghost-gunner

Then get these:

AR-Stoner 80% Lower Receiver AR-15 Aluminum

[id10t]

Originally Posted by peteremsley

is that English?

Mostly, with some Dutch, French and German thrown in


EBR - evil black rifle. Although mine has nice wood on it.

FAL - Designed by Dieudonné Saive and Ernest Vervier, made by FN (Fabrique Nationale) Fusil Automatique Léger ("Light Automatic Rifle")

G1 - When the West Germans originally adopted the FN-FAL in the early 50s it was labeled the G1. But Belgium wouldn't license them to produce it in Germany... something about some sort of invasion 10 years prior. The G2 was the SIG AMT/PE-57 and the G3 is the HK91 we all know about, based on the Spanish CETME

DCI - Dan Coonan Inc - they are a US maker of pretty good quality FAL receivers.

CZ - Ceska Zbrojovka a gun manufacturer in the Czech Republic

75- the model of the pistol

BD - the B is the "newer" version fo the CZ-75, the D indicates it has a decocker instead of a safety

[John Rogers]

Remember .223 and 5.56 are NOT the same. If you get one or the parts to build one, get a good trigger, either an adjustable single stage or a two stage.

[Arizona_928]

^^
I just "assembled" a RRA 20" chrome lined Wylde. It's very very picky with ammo. Loves IMI M855, and hates the cheap stuff.

Buy a stripped lower, Tax stamp SBR it, and have fun.

[Jim Bremner]

Ammo, Lowers and Magazines!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

Not to get political, but for some reason I've really got the itch to pick up a AR in .223. I guess because some feel that I shouldn't own one makes me want one. Or more.

Now I no nothing about them or what to look for, but I want one. If I were to buy one I would probably take it to the local range, there are 100yd and 200yd targets.

So what should I look for?

I went to a local show but it was so crowded I really didn't get much chance to look. Im not much for crowds and this looked like Wal Mart on Black Friday.

What is your experience level with firearms? You say you know nothing about these, so is this just a new niche in the shooting world that you want to explore, or is shooting in general a new thing you want to explore?

The reason I ask is that you are getting advice from a few guys who are really into it and know their AR platform rifles. It is, however, kind of "graduate level" stuff. If you are into this enough to follow what they are saying, then it's all great advice. If you are wondering what on earth they are talking about, you are not ready for this level of commitment just yet.

I would buy a simple, complete, ready to fire AR right off the rack. There are any number of reputable companies making good ones that will fit any budget. There are variations that make some easier to scope, there are longer and shorter barrels, folding or fixed stocks, and on and on.

If it were me, starting off not knowing much about these, I would opt for an inexpensive "flat top" variant; these are missing the big carrying handle on the top of the receiver, and instead have a rail for scope mounting. A fixed stock will be cheaper. One that will accept 5.56 NATO and .223 will open up your ammo options.

Remington, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Colt, and some others make relatively inexpensive examples that would all make fine "range rifles" for some fun target shooting and plinking. Go to your local gun shop and handle a few, and talk to the salesman about what you are after. You should be able to find something to get you started.

[djmcmath]

I saw a deal at Palmetto State on blemished lowers, so I picked up one each AR-10 and AR-15. Built the -15 into a pistol, and the -10 into what I'm hoping will be a real nice tack-driver. I've done a few builds, so I was able to get this right on pretty much the first go. For me, it isn't really so much a panic about how someone in the future might try to take my spoons away, but just a long term process of accumulating things that are part of a hobby I enjoy.

100% agree with Jeff: if you're just getting started, building from scratch probably isn't the best answer. I mean, it's how I went, and it worked fine, but if I had it to do over again, my first would be a professionally assembled piece from one of the well-known names. For getting into the platform, you'll spend less time and money just getting one that someone else built, rather than ordering parts, discovering you've got the wrong ones, trying again, assembling it wrong and having to disassemble to reassemble, and so on. #speakingfromexperience.

[dmcummins]

I defiantly do not plan on building my own. I have had my share of rifles over the years, but they were all bolt action, except one browning BAR. Mostly varmit or deer rifles.

I'm thinking $2000 or less.

[Arizona_928]

In that case up the budget and go with a 7.62 SCAR.... AR platform is nice and dandy, however, they are the Chevrolet of firearms. The run good, fast, reliable, and has an aftermarket following that will surprise most non gun people... However when you can build a 500$ rifle that will be comparable to 800-900$ rigs it's just comes down to aesthetics... And gas vs piston of course...

Here's a cool vid for people getting into the game.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a Colt M&P15 Sport, and just helped my sister-in-law pick one up for her husband. He's a Marine who served in Afghanistan so he's handled his fair share of AR style rifles, he loves it. For about $700 you can't go wrong, and it's a great starting point if you want to go full mall ninja. For me, I enjoy the hell out of it in box stock mode.

To answer the root question - always. Depending on how this election starts looking, perhaps more than usual.

[djmcmath]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

I'm thinking $2000 or less.

Good grief, for $2000, you can get a Noveske from the good folks at Rainier Arms!

Or, you could get a $700 "Chevy" and $1300 in ammo.

[Rick Lee]

I paid $950 for a very badass SIG 556 SWAT Patrol.

[varmint]

i've been downsizing the past few years. got rid of bunch of stuff i never shoot. and it is a sellers market right now.

i figure there are maybe two more that i need to pick up to make my life complete. a super accurate .22 bolt action for plinking. and a flintlock kentuckey rifle for my daniel boone fantasies.

and maybe that FN five seven down at the gun store.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by varmint

i've been downsizing the past few years. got rid of bunch of stuff i never shoot. and it is a sellers market right now.

i figure there are maybe two more that i need to pick up to make my life complete. a super accurate .22 bolt action for plinking. and a flintlock kentuckey rifle for my daniel boone fantasies.

and maybe that FN five seven down at the gun store.

FN Five-Seven is on my very, very short list. Maybe #1. It would be a perfect pairing with my PS90 that I dearly love.

[varmint]

want it but don't need it. so it will probably have to wait.

but i could get one with a suppressor in my state. and that would be beyond awesome.

[911boost]

The Five-Seven in sweet, and shoots nicely. Plus like Matt, having both it and the PS90 is convenient.

I will prob just deck out my SCAR 17 this year and buy ammo.