AR newbie questions (not S&W)

[bagolden]

First the gun in question is not an M&P. I know zilch about AR's, now they are hard to find and when you do there is a premium. I put a deposit down on one today and I'm hoping someone can tell me how much if any I over paid.
hope this pic offm my phone works.
DPMS machined lower
single stage trigger(forget who made it)
over sized pistol grip
5 postition butt, guy said it was quality, not sure of manufacturer starts with a V
std hand guards
fixed front site
rail on under lug with vector green lazer
heavy barrel, not sure how long the rifled part is the flash hider is pretty long.
was 2000 too much today?.

 

[oneyeopn]

Right now I think what you are willing to pay is alright. I am wondering if that is a 14.5" barrel and has the long flash hider to get it over the 16" mark. I have seen it done. Nice buttstock. I would measure the barrel length, If I am correct and you remove that flash suppressor you could be turning it into a SBR which I think falls under different rules.
I would lose the carrying handle and get a different rear sight or red dot. As long as your happy that is all that matters at this strange point in time.

 

[JaPes]

Hello & welcome aboard. It doesn't matter that you don't have a S&W M&P 15, we're a friendly bunch of people here.

was 2000 too much today?.

Four months ago, I would have said yes. that was too freaking much.

In the current panic-buy climate, maybe you did... maybe you didn't. Only you can assess whether $2K for an AR15 is worth it to you. If you're happy with it and the rifle performs to your expectations, then that's all that really matters. What I would or would not pay dosesn't mean diddly squat.

From what you described, you bought an AR15 that someone assembled from parts using a DPMS lower. A single stage trigger is most likely a stock combat trigger. The butt stock looks like it's some flavor of VLTOR. I'm not sure what the value of the green laser is.

To help you assess the value, you could give us some more details. What are the barrel details? Is it marked 5.56 or 2.23? I can't tell from the picture, but is that an A2 flat top with a carry handle attached or is that an A1 upper with an integral carry handle? Does it have a stock bolt carrier group? Is it black phosphate coated or is it silver?

How much play is there between the upper & lower. All AR's will have some play. Are there any markings on the face of the buffer? Check the staking on the BCG? Is it properly staked? Is the castle nut staked?

If you can take some close up pictures, it would help. Pictures of the lower. Separate the upper & lower, pull the BCG. Take pictures.

It's a tough time to find an AR in some geographic areas. It's an even tougher time to buy one. Remember that the panic buying/demand has overinflated AR prices across the board. What used to cost $650 - $750 six months ago now commands a peak price of $3K. It's nuts.

F.Y.I. My LGS had their last very small shipment of AR15's. Various manufacturers, new, prices ranged from $1,200 - $2,000 new. I walked in as they were putting them out on the wall. A couple hours later, they were gone.

While I was there the phone was ringing non-stop. I waited patiently with the other customers for a clerk to attend to me. I waited 45 min. Normally there are a bunch of lookers & talkers, no buyers. Since the panic started, there are just buyers.

 

[JaPes]

That also looks like one seriously long muzzle device. I could be wrong. It's hard to tell from the picture.

 

[StlBluesFan72]

That is most definately a short barrel, better make sure that muzzle device is pinned and welded ... or you just put a deposit on 10 years in prison without the tax stamp :O

 

[bagolden]

Lets see
flat top with carry handle
BCG black.
Butt was a vltor ( couldn't remember all the letters)
not sure what the barrel is marked the lower is 556 and 223
the trigger was wider than stock and felt better than some I've tried lately.
about the staking and stuff, still clueless. I didn't have enough $$, paid enough to hold it until I get back down here. Until then can't get more pics.

 

[Arik]

Today no. But imo a DPMS over $600 is too much. Just grabbed a new Colt 6920 for $1500.

However if you dont shoot tens of thousands of rounds a year you'll be fine

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[bagolden]

This might be a stupid question back but.... what's not legal about that set up? Unless that flash hider falls off while I'm at the range or something it should be good to go right?

 

[Vision Remodeling]

Can't find one for much less around here in any configuration. If you wanted one you got one, forget about the price. I passed up buying one 6 months ago for 650$ now If there is one is 1800-1900$ bare bones. That flash hider is probably pinned, if it is removed the barrel will be under 16" and that falls under the NFA. +1 for the VLTOR stock. The BCG is the bolt carrier group. Enjoy.

 

[JaPes]

Today no. But imo a DPMS over $600 is too much. Just grabbed a new Colt 6920 for $1500.

However if you dont shoot tens of thousands of rounds a year you'll be fine

Give me a break. Implying that the rifle he is looking to buy is bad because is not a Colt, but it's good to go buy it if and only if he's hot shooting tens of thousands of rounds a year.

OP, welcome to your first encounter with a Colt-fanboy. If it aint Milspec TDP, it's garbage to them. They need the my little pony roll mark on the lower to feel good about themselves. If you don't have the my little pony roll mark too, you're inferior.

 

[StlBluesFan72]

Give me a break. Implying that the rifle he is looking to buy is bad because is not a Colt, but it's good to go buy it if and only if he's hot shooting tens of thousands of rounds a year.

OP, welcome to your first encounter with a Colt-fanboy. If it aint Milspec TDP, it's garbage to them. They need the my little pony roll mark on the lower to feel good about themselves. If you don't have the my little pony roll mark too, you're inferior.

I have a Colt LOL, but I also have an M&P And I love them both ... really never met an AR platform I didnt like ... damn disease.

 

[cyphertext]

Is it just the pic, or does that carry handle not fit the rifle? Looks like it is a carry handle for an AR-10, not an AR-15.

 

[oneyeopn]

Cyphertext, I think you are right on the carrying handle, that is why I recommended losing it,
OP; DPMS makes a fine rifle also, it looks like it may have been assembled from a collection of parts but I have built one that same way and she is a fine shooting Sporting Rifle, I am not sure of the going price in Alabama but from what I have been seeing prices are all over the place.

 

[rojodiablo]

This might be a stupid question back but.... what's not legal about that set up? Unless that flash hider falls off while I'm at the range or something it should be good to go right?

Federal rules state that the minimum length barrel for a RIFLE is 16". The original AR15 was built with a 20" bbl. The AR15 carbine/ M4 uses a 14.5" barrel. This length makes for easier moving within a vehicle, and for easier manuevering around obstacles. There is a minor loss of velocity, but these rifles have been long vetted for this and in reality, it means not much unless you are looking to shoot very long distance.

So, with that barrel looking like it's 14.5, the way to make it LEGAL as a long rifle is to add a long flash hider/ muzzle compensator. This must be a permanent attachment, which is done one of 2 ways: It is drilled and pinned in place, OR welded on. The welds must be of sufficient size and strength as to not be easily broken and the muzzle device removed.
Most are pinned, as the whole 'weld a coated barrel..... rust!' thing keeps mfg's from going that route.
In short, the pin/ weld must not be easily removed, per the rules- making it a 'permanent modification'.
It does not need to be pinned and welded. But it's gotta be on there better than Loctite!!!!!!!!!

 

[rojodiablo]

Give me a break. Implying that the rifle he is looking to buy is bad because is not a Colt, but it's good to go buy it if and only if he's hot shooting tens of thousands of rounds a year.

OP, welcome to your first encounter with a Colt-fanboy. If it aint Milspec TDP, it's garbage to them. They need the my little pony roll mark on the lower to feel good about themselves. If you don't have the my little pony roll mark too, you're inferior.

Does this mean that to be the real thing, they will need to trade in their Colts and buy Remingtons??????
'Cause Colt lost the contract to build M4's for the US .Mil.............

While I will say $2,000 is probably too much for a rifle, (Darn near ANY rifle in my eyes) the times are peculiar, and as I have said, it's amazing how many people are opting IN, rather than OUT. It makes me feel better about the state of the country a little bit.
For this kind of money, the rifle is a keeper; you won't resale equal to or higher unless the jackboots are on your street, at which time I am sure some neighbor will make offers going far beyond a couple of bucks over what you paid. So, you will be keeping this one, and passing it down the family line. Put it in perspective- if you own the rifle for 5 and a half years, it cost you $1.00 per day to own the rifle. Not a bad price to pay, considering the rifle will last ????- 40,50, 60 years easily.
(The Hmong rebels are STILL humping M16's they were given by the CIA back in 1969-1975, and still fighting with them. That's 45 years in a jungle. Your rifle should fare pretty well considering it will live in a closet, under a bed, or in a safe.)

 

[Plinker1962]

Like someone else commented, today's climate for weapons pricing is dictated by current events. If the price of weapons remains the same, or rises, one year from today you got a good price. If prices drop, then you paid too much. But if it's something you really want, price shouldn't matter to anyone but you. That said, I paid $650 for my Sport.

 

[HotRoderX]

OP I don't see anything wrong with the price its obvious you wanted the Rifle. As long as your not taking food out of your family's mouth are a roof from over there heads then who cares how much it cost.

I was thinking about the gun shop the other day where the guy said he sold a M&P 15 Sport for 3k stock. I was thinking the buyer is nuts but is he really? Maybe 3k to him is nothing more then buying a 99cent hamburger is to me.

Also I when I look at certain guns I don't see manufactures I see builders. All AR's are off a basic design same as 1911's the parts are almost always interchangeable between them. I think the same way about AK 47's there all a basic design as far as I know and the parts are interchangeable. There is no way you could change the cylinder in a Smith and Wesson 686 with the cylinder in a Ruger Redhawk it just would not work. M&P Pistols you cant interchange them with Glocks there two different guns.

I think to say a Colt is better then lets say a Smith and Wesson is like saying a Chevy is better then a Ford its just all opinions. I could get the perfect Smith and Wesson rifle and the worse colt ever manufactured. Are you could get the Best Colt rifle ever produced and the worse Smith and Wesson rifle on earth. That don't make either manufacture bad are less desirable.

I got a lot of aww you bought that crappy Philippine 1911 (my RIA). Today people say RIA is one of the best bangs for your buck in the 1911 world and there more then reliable.

That barrel looks like a 14inch barrel to me with a seriously long flash suppressor also.

 

[JaPes]

I have a Colt LOL, but I also have an M&P And I love them both ... really never met an AR platform I didnt like ... damn disease.

I don't mean to disparage all Colt owners. It's the fan-boys with blinders on that get to me. All brands of firearms have their fan-boys that get on my nerves. Ever run into a rabid Glock fan-boy? Annoying as heck.

 

[HotRoderX]

I don't mean to disparage all Colt owners. It's the fan-boys with blinders on that get to me. All brands of firearms have their fan-boys that get on my nerves. Ever run into a rabid Glock fan-boy? Annoying as heck.

What JaPes are you insane Glock is the best handgun ever and u know what if you dont agree your just simply wrong. I am obviously kidding around I dont even really care for Glocks even thought I own one.

I am like you I cant stand the fan-boys at all. According to my Friend my Smith and Wesson M&P 15 is a pile of junk because

1. It does not have a Dust Cover
2. It does not have a Forward Assist
3. Its not a Sig M400

 

[Maddmax]

Right now I think what you are willing to pay is alright. I am wondering if that is a 14.5" barrel and has the long flash hider to get it over the 16" mark. I have seen it done. Nice buttstock. I would measure the barrel length, If I am correct and you remove that flash suppressor you could be turning it into a SBR which I think falls under different rules.
I would lose the carrying handle and get a different rear sight or red dot. As long as your happy that is all that matters at this strange point in time.

I have to agree with Grover. These are very strange times. I've seen people pay way more for less right now. If you are happy and the rifle shoots good,all's well. There are a ton of add-on's to make it more personal once you start "playing" with it. I've seen people add more "furniture" than what the rifle was worth 2-3 times over. So don't feel ripped off. Right now in these times you are lucky to even have one. So welcome to the club. We are a friendly group more than happy to help everyone out. So once yu get it in hand,post photos of everything and "we'll" be able to tell you what you have for sure.