Looking at M&P15 Sport

[JaPes]

get the piston driven gun! ALOT less cleaning than the gas system(stoner direct inpengment(sp) ). More money initially but well worth the extra price in ease of maintenance! Also, be wary of "cheap" or "special" AR15's. Have heard alot of those are made with "plastic" parts and do not hold up well. Cheapest AR I have seen is the RRA Sportical at $650. Just make sure you are getting all the gun for the money!

From my research, I found that while gas piston AR is easier to clean, there is a drawback. The drawback is that the gas piston systems are not standardized. Different manufacturers have different implementations of the gas driven system. The drawback being the use of proprietary parts which drives up parts cost and potentially causing parts availability issues.

If I were to buy a gas piston driven AR, I'd make sure to buy one from a reputable manufacturer that has been in business for a long, long time.

Direct impingement systems are (for the most part) built to a standardized specification. Standardized parts leads to more competition amongst different parts manufacturers, driving down the end-cost to the consumer, and greater parts availability.

If cleaning is the main concern, I've found tools that aid in the cleaning of the bolt tail, bolt carrier, and another tool that aids in cleaning the barrel locking lugs.

An example of a bolt / bolt carrier tool is the CAT M4:

Combat Application Tools, Inc

I have no experience using any of these tools. Before buying any cleaning tool, I'll first give the good old-fashioned cleaning methods a try.

Regarding the cheap plastic parts; I've done limited research but I've only found one instance of an inexpensive, complete AR lower made from reinforced polymer. It's made by PCF Manufacturing, formerly Plum Crazy Firearms. It uses a proprietary trigger group. I haven't seen one in person to have any first hand opinions on it.

Again, I highly advise the young OP to do the research into the different systems. That way he has a better chance at discerning fact from opinion, and make his own choice.

Now this prematurely old-coot is signing off.

 

[Sleeping ugly]

The quality of information you will find on the internet is only as good as the credibility of the source. Breaking down an AR for cleaning is straightforward.

The actual cleaning of the AR can be a touchy subject on an internet forum. I researched threads on a few forums where the topic of cleaning degenerated into endless bickering. Which tools, which solvents, what methods to use.

The National Shooting Sport Federation (NSSF - National Shooting Sports Foundation) published a series of videos on YouTube about the AR platform.

Clean your AR-15 - NSSF Shooting Sportscast - YouTube

This one is on field stripping & cleaning. They have other videos covering different AR topics.

If your any good with step by step instructions.... Ta da! Get the army handbook for that stuff I kept mine and even though the semi is a tad different then the full auto it still works for me and my brother

 

[Fired]

Can't go wrong with the Sport. I just broke mine down and glad to find that:

-it has M4 feed ramps
-properly staked gas key
-proper o-ring installed on extractor

Best entry level AR in the market, hands down.

 

[RainDodger]

Everybody calls it "entry level"... bad term. I have a safe full of guns, other ARs, etc. and I bought a Sport because it's a good buy and a nice rifle.

I don't view it as "entry level". I view it as precisely what I need.

 

[Fired]

True. Even though its price point is "entry level" it has features you would find on high end models. It's a no frills type of gun through and that's why I have one.

 

[GeauxHunting]

I did a good bit of research and reading today. From what I read I only found 1 person out of hundreds who had one issue with cycling. I found someone on youtube who purposely left it out in the rain and shot cheap crappy rounds out of it and had zero issues after 600 rounds.

I feel like this is the perfect rifle for me. The only thing I am going to do is add a UTG Quad rail with a vertical grip and a flashlight. And either a Nikon Coyote Special or just a red dot around $200

 

[Fired]

It's possible that person had one of the early models that did not have the M4 feed ramps.

 

[RainDodger]

Well, if the big one happens and I only have time to reach into the safe for ONE rifle, that will be the one I grab. It's just a very handy feeling rifle. I put an Eotech on mine and it will do precisely what it's designed for, quite well I think.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Well, if the big one happens and I only have time to reach into the safe for ONE rifle, that will be the one I grab. It's just a very handy feeling rifle. I put an Eotech on mine and it will do precisely what it's designed for, quite well I think.

What model Eotech if I may ask.

 

[RainDodger]

EOTech 512.A65. It's kinda nice because it just uses 2 plain old AA batteries.

 

[meanmrmustard]

EOTech 512.A65. It's kinda nice because it just uses 2 plain old AA batteries.

I'm a cheap skate. A get what you pay for kinda guy, and realize that if it's was cheap to buy, it may be cheaply made. But, I can't lie: I'm diggin' the Bushnell trs 25! It's tiny, light, easy to acquire targets as you can see around it easily, and it was $80. Lifetime warranty to boot. But the Eotech is pretty BA.

 

[moonshine44]

I've been getting the AR bug myself, and looked at one of these at Cabela's last week. The out of the box trigger is really sweet! The Cabela's store I was in had it priced at $699.99. Bud's Gun Shop has them for $611 with free shipping for a cash sale. SWL MP15SPORT 811036 5.56 16 AS BLK 30 $611.00 SHIPS FREE

 

[RainDodger]

One reason I got the Eotech was the 1 MOA dot.

 

[GeauxHunting]

Well even though I am not getting the rifle until next month, I have already bought loads of gear.(well not really, but just about everything I wanted)

So far I have a UTG bipod with adjustable height, a UAG quadrail, a Nikon Coyote Special scope, a Magpul pmag(30 rnds) a Leapers UTG 38" Tactical case, a cheap little vertical grip and one more thing I am very happy with.

I love modifying my truck and when it comes to aftermarket lighting I always went with this company Advanced Automotive Concepts who work with Oracle lighting. I contacted them and found out they have a tactical light and I was excited to have their products on my gun along with my truck.

Here is the light. ORACLE XRE High Powered Tactical LED Flashlight

 

[meanmrmustard]

One reason I got the Eotech was the 1 MOA dot.

IDK if seven times the price for 1 moa vs 3 moa would sit well with my wife!

 

[RainDodger]

That's because your wife doesn't yet understand that there's "gun money" and then there's "grocery money".... they are not interchangeable.

Once she understands that, your life will be much easier.

 

[meanmrmustard]

That's because your wife doesn't yet understand that there's "gun money" and then there's "grocery money".... they are not interchangeable.

Once she understands that, your life will be much easier.

Oh, if it were only that easy.

 

[GeauxHunting]

Went and put 20% down on the gun yesterday!! Will be getting in a few days after christmas. Screw a birthday present I want this gun ASAP!!! MUUAHAHHAHAHA

 

[JaPes]

Went and put 20% down on the gun yesterday!! Will be getting in a few days after christmas. Screw a birthday present I want this gun ASAP!!! MUUAHAHHAHAHA

Congrats!

 

[GeauxHunting]

Congrats!

Thanks man haha. I ordered everything I want for it. Can't wait to get everything on it.