New addition to my "plastic" gun collection

[CajunMouseSniper]

Lately I've spotted a few coyotes running the fenceline about 200 yds from my house and decided it was time to upgrade my arsenal. After handling an assortment of rifles I ended up making an unusual choice- a Bushmaster Superlight Carbon 15 chambered in.223. Although the boys on ARF.com don't speak very highly of polymer guns in general, I could not find any evidence of problems with this model. Actually the light weight (5lbs) and strength of polymer was the main selling point for me. The relative high cost of .223 rounds means that I will never be a high volume shooter like I am with my .22's.

I've run over 200 rounds through it with no issues, and so far am pleased with my purchase.

To round out my "plastic" gun collection I think my next purchase will be a Glock. Any recommendations?

 

[Rustpot]

That's a polymer lower, or both halves are polymer?

I'm itching more and more to get a real AR. I really wish the 15-22 lower was mil spec so I could just drop a 16" mid length on top.

As for the pistol, I'd go M&P but that's only because Glocks don't fit me.

 

[CajunMouseSniper]

Rustspot- both upper and lower are polymer. This my first .223 and I was actually saving up for the M&P 15 but made an impulse buy and got this instead because of price. With the magpul furniture I added I am into it for $700

 

[tacticool22]

Springfield XD series

 

[infamous209]

very nice how bout some pics of them problematic coyotes after they are takin care of. Im catching the big brother fever, and really like the set up you got.

 

[grimreaper21]

Springfield XD series

x2, XDm series. comparable to glock and actually has style.

 

[john16443]

If the Glock or XD style "brick" doesn't agree with you ergonomically, give the Ruger SR or P series consideration. Caliber choices in 9, 40 and 45.

 

[Eclark3d]

i love my xd 9, go for it, glocks feel awkward in my hand

 

[Bat Guano]

I notice the ACOG on the BM; looks like a 4X to me. I run a 1.5X compact ACOG on my BM M4gery, love it. Now have approx 3400 rounds through the rifle. Only things it really "needed" was a better aftermarket trigger and a D-fender for the extractor, and minor tweaks.

Would that MOE handguard setup be compatable with an Elzetta light mount? I would like the MOE setup better for the light switch but don't want to change the existing mount.

 

[Brett248Vista]

BG,

That's actually a Bushnell "Trophy" red dot.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Sportsman Warehouse had Bushmaster Carbon 15 on sale a couple months ago. Looked pretty good.

 

[maddawgatc]

I love my Glock 17 and 9mm ammo is cheaper than the other calibers if you like to shoot a lot. Also, loaded with Federal Hydra-schoks it makes a perfectly acceptable home defense weapon for your night stand.

 

[camdenb]

You can't go wrong with the Glock 19 it has a proven track record and 9mm is fairly inexpensive.

 

[Nightedger]

I have a Glock 35 and it shoots like a laser gun. It is the most accurate box stock handgun that I have ever fired. Do a Google search on it for reviews.

 

[justhappy2bhere]

Go w/ a M&P

Got a Carbon-15 a while back. I was skeptical so I took it to the range to test it out. Ran 8 mags of ammo threw it as fast as I could pull the trigger. I figured if it was going to crack or fail that would do it. After letting the barrel cool down I started to inspect it. To my pleasant surprise not a hiccup. Why spend 2- 3 hundred more for the weighted version? I too outfitted it with some magpul furniture. Looks great! I only wish they didn’t mill the front sight down.

In regards to your next purchase, I would say the M&P in 9mm. I own XDs, Glocks, Sigs, Berettas, and M&Ps. They are all nice but at the end of the day the M&P is the most comfortable to draw, hold and shoot. If you don’t believe me go to a gun shop and hold them. You’ll see, there is a very big difference to each gun’s ergonomics. Just one of the reasons most LE org are making it their weapon of choice. S&W failed with the Sigma but knocked it out of the part with the M&P. Just my 2 cents.

 

[CajunMouseSniper]

Thanks all. Based upon your recommendations I've narrowed it down to an XD, Glock, or M&P in 9mm. Next step is to head to the gunshop and see how well each fits my hand.

Justhappy2behere- glad to hear your range report. I've now run over 500 rounds through mine with no issues whatsoever. Makes a nice companion rifle for the 15-22.

 

[justhappy2bhere]

Other Considerations

Mouse Sniper,
Some other things to consider besides feel are the mag release, buffer spring, ease of field stripping/breaking down for cleaning, and warranties.

If you shoot competitively the mag release will be a big deal. The M&P and XD both have easy to press mag releases however the Glock takes some getting use to. Even with the new Gen 4s you still have to work at it a bit.

Another big difference is the buffer springs they put in them. The XD is by far the most stout making a bit more effort to rack the slide back. No a huge deal but may be an issue for someone who doesn’t shoot that much like a girlfriend or wife.

Lastly the ease of the break down. Glock bar far has the easiest making it a breeze to maintain. The M&P and XD require a little more work to remove the slide but still fairly easy. That being said I do have an XD in the .45 ACP that is a BEAR to get the lever in the up position to remove the slide. Make sure to test it before you take it home.

They say warranties are useless when your gun jams during a zombie attack. Well, while that may be true I find warranties helpful when not trying to be eaten alive. Not sure what M&P and Glock’s warranties are but I know XDs are lifetime. Only reason I know that is because I had to send my 9mm back for a jammed spring and guide rod. Take that for what its worth.

Good luck making up your mind. If you become indecisive just buy all 3. Problem solved!

 

[Rustpot]

If you shoot competitively the mag release will be a big deal. The M&P and XD both have easy to press mag releases however the Glock takes some getting use to. Even with the new Gen 4s you still have to work at it a bit.

Lastly the ease of the break down. Glock bar far has the easiest making it a breeze to maintain.

They say warranties are useless when your gun jams during a zombie attack. Well, while that may be true I find warranties helpful when not trying to be eaten alive. Not sure what M&P and Glock’s warranties are but I know XDs are lifetime. Only reason I know that is because I had to send my 9mm back for a jammed spring and guide rod. Take that for what its worth.

Shooting IDPA I saw more XD's fail for one reason or another than any other gun. The XD magazine release doesn't stand proud of the frame and needs a much longer push to get it released. The M&P slide catch is the hardest one to use and is pretty stiff when new, but it's the only one of the 3 that is ambidextrous. All 3 have lifetime warranties and all 3 companies have pretty high marks for customer service.

I think the takedown difficulty would be low on the list of things to consider. Once you're familiar with how to field strip it any of the 3 should pose no problem.

Glock is the least left-hand friendly, and their extended mag release will likely cut into your middle finger if shooting lefty.

If you are looking at a competition gun, the Glock 34/35 or the M&P Pros are the only ones to look at. They are an absolute pleasure to shoot and both have some cheaper trigger mods to make them several steps above normal service pistols.

 

[TillysWilly]

yea i dont care for glock to much mostly bc i keep mine in my truck and i dont like not having a safty myself so got the Springfield xd9 sub compact and LOVE it that just my 2cents

 

[VooDuuChild]

Glocks vary WILDY in feel from model to model. Some are too big for me, some feel like squarish bricks, and others feel REALLY nice. Make sure to fondle as many as you can before deciding..no matter what piece you end up with.


hehehe, I said fondle.

For varmints, I've been lookin in .17 HMR rifles. Considering it's got loads in excess of 2500 fps, it's one of the most accurate rifles you can get....and it's smaller weight bullets than our .22lrs. They're not cheap to shoot, but those 100 yard groupings are amazing!

be sure to post up pics of your varmint kills!