BrianE
Member
Youd be lucky to find ammo at Wal-mart in MA..
Decisions on First AR
- Thread starter Optimus
- Start date
JaPes
Member
IMO, no civilian AR-15 is every truly milspec. We don't have the added selector setting for full auto or burst mode. Also, as civilians we can deviate a bit from milspec to take advantage of the latest improvements borne from our free-market capitalist economy.
Also is over-gassing that big of an issue? Seriously. So the spent cases don't eject at the 3 O-Clock to 4:30 position relative to the ejection port. As a civilian who does not have access to a steady supply of government funded ammunition, I'll deal with the slight annoyances of my rifle being a tad over-gassed to ensure that my rifle will cycle a wider range of available ammo.
Also is over-gassing that big of an issue? Seriously. So the spent cases don't eject at the 3 O-Clock to 4:30 position relative to the ejection port. As a civilian who does not have access to a steady supply of government funded ammunition, I'll deal with the slight annoyances of my rifle being a tad over-gassed to ensure that my rifle will cycle a wider range of available ammo.
cyphertext
US Veteran
The BCM rifle the OP is looking at is not milspec. There is no milspec for the midlength gas system.
CENTURION24
Member
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Cali walmarts sell ammo. Only 3 boxes total per person a day.
JaPes: "no civilian AR-15 is every truly milspec." Which is why milspec is more of a sales technique than fact. That said tactical/mil spec are used/abused. It is a buyer's market for AR's and there are BARGINS to be found, Smiths, Dpms are accurate dependable weapons. Your idea to use irons and get to know the gun is a good idea. EOS,Trijicon,aimpoint offer something for every one, but I would suggest throwing on a $100 bushnell/any brand and find out how you like it, where you want to mount it. One of mine is scoped with 45 degree "red dot/holosight", another is dedicated eotech with BUIs, another is laser, BUIS, cheap red dot on AR pistol- 4yrs no problem. You can buy anything and everything for them, start with basics and work up to what you like. Chrome is a coating where melonite is a barrel treatment and hardens the steel. Which one will wear better after 200,000 rds, Who cares!! Time for a new barrel. Take your time and find what you like, at the right price. Forget resale, colt, bushmaster,SW,DPMS,DD,Delton,etc all give you less than you paid unless there is a panic, then people will buy century arms plinkers for 1200$ when the gun has been nothing but problems since they were put together. Be Safe,
JaPes
Member
vipermd, I share your viewpoint.
Regarding milspec. I don't mean to imply that milspec is a bad thing. In my opinion, it is a beginning point of reference for a civilian AR-15 enthusiast.
My opinion:
Everyone is gifted with different talents, background knowledge, and experience. For the 1st time AR-15 buyer who:
My opinion and advice is to buy an off the shelf factory complete AR-15 manufactured/assembled by a well known, established brand name. A well established company will have the resources to:
The basics I look for (my opinion): proper staking of the gas key, proper staking of the castle nut, fit of the upper to the lower (wiggle it laterally), M4 feed ramps, mil-spec dimension buffer tube (preference), 5.56 chamber, a chome lined or hot salt bath nitride treated barrel, 1/9 twist rate. The choice of exterior features is up to the buyer's preference and body mechanics.
Regarding red dot optics, I have one personal experience to share. I have astigmatism. As I am quickly approaching 40, my eyes are changing again. I started to perceive a 3MOA LED dot reflex sight to have a blurred slightly starburst pattern. I had to switch to a holographic (laser projected) sight with a 1MOA dot. If at all possible, look through as many AR optics and reticules as you can before buying one.
IF YOU ARE MECHANICALLY INCLINED...
There is no better feeling than to assemble your own AR-15. You can choose every individual component in your rifle. You'll gain the basic knowledge to troubleshoot and repair your rifle becoming self reliant. Go to your FFL, choose a serialized stripped lower and go from there.
If you are even more mechanically inclined, you can buy an 80% lower and mill it out yourself.
Regarding milspec. I don't mean to imply that milspec is a bad thing. In my opinion, it is a beginning point of reference for a civilian AR-15 enthusiast.
My opinion:
Everyone is gifted with different talents, background knowledge, and experience. For the 1st time AR-15 buyer who:
- Has little to no experience on the AR-15 platform
- Does not have any close friends with experience on the platform
- Does not have any close friends who can set aside personal opinion and be brand neutral
- Has little to no mechanical aptitude
My opinion and advice is to buy an off the shelf factory complete AR-15 manufactured/assembled by a well known, established brand name. A well established company will have the resources to:
- Support a product warranty
- Support a service policy
- Staff a customer service department
- Staff a repair & diagnostic department
The basics I look for (my opinion): proper staking of the gas key, proper staking of the castle nut, fit of the upper to the lower (wiggle it laterally), M4 feed ramps, mil-spec dimension buffer tube (preference), 5.56 chamber, a chome lined or hot salt bath nitride treated barrel, 1/9 twist rate. The choice of exterior features is up to the buyer's preference and body mechanics.
Regarding red dot optics, I have one personal experience to share. I have astigmatism. As I am quickly approaching 40, my eyes are changing again. I started to perceive a 3MOA LED dot reflex sight to have a blurred slightly starburst pattern. I had to switch to a holographic (laser projected) sight with a 1MOA dot. If at all possible, look through as many AR optics and reticules as you can before buying one.
IF YOU ARE MECHANICALLY INCLINED...
There is no better feeling than to assemble your own AR-15. You can choose every individual component in your rifle. You'll gain the basic knowledge to troubleshoot and repair your rifle becoming self reliant. Go to your FFL, choose a serialized stripped lower and go from there.
If you are even more mechanically inclined, you can buy an 80% lower and mill it out yourself.
Maddmax
US Veteran
No handguns. But almost any flavor MSR you'd like. They have DPMS,Bushmaster,Colt (6920's & 6940) and a couple "off" brands too.
Agreed. I use the term probably too loose.
JaPes: I totally agree with you. I was trying to point out that a rifle with a mil-spec BCG will be called " Mil - Spec" even though no other part on it is in "spec". I agree that first time buyers should follow as you stated, so they have a reliable weapon to work with and support staff. I hate when people end up with expensive, redundant equipment that they do not like or benefit from. A friend was "convinced" that he needed the following: Acog, tritium front/rear irons, new "MATCH" barrel, red, green laser, a newer light 150 lu vs his 100 lu light, new railed fore end, name brand sling 55$, Vert grip, prob a kitchen sink that I do not remember. Bottom line all of the items could be used or bought later, and he did not like the weight/balance never practiced with it, eventually sold it before the panic,. He lost money, started using another AR with light and his shotgun as HD/SD. I agree that you need a yardstick for some new to AR/firearms to start with. Be Safe,
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