MSR questions for newbie...

[jeepmcd]

I am newly in the market for my first MSR. I have other rifles, shotguns and handguns, but other than my paintball gun I have never even shot an AR style firearm. So I have a few ignorant questions for all of you...

1. What are the must have options or features for a MSR beginner?

2. I have been looking at the M&P, Colt models, but what other cost effective brands should I consider?

3. Is there a most important factor that should be considered when shopping?

This firearm would be for range enjoyment as well as SHTF scenario. I have other 22lr rifles, and a Rem .270, so i was currently looking at 5.56/.223 options.

 

[MichiganScott]

Currently, the most important factor when shopping for an AR is finding one in stock at or below MSRP.

Although I own two S&W's and a couple of other brands of AR's, the Colt will always retain a higher value and is the only AR that's actually mil-spec and then only in certain models.

The only must have option as far as I'm concerned is a set of good sights, either iron or glass. Many AR's come with more than adequate sights, so you may wish to add a scope or red dot of some sort. I prefer lower power scopes with 2-7 on the upper end. Some people prefer more power. It's a personal thing.

You may or may not need a new trigger. Two of my AR's have RRA two stage match triggers, one has a Bushmaster two stage match, and one has the original S&W trigger in it. The stock trigger breaks like glass, but at seven pounds. I can work with the weight if there is no creep.

The nice thing about AR's is that there are like the bicycle you had when you were a kid. You can customize it to your heart's content or use it box stock.

 

[Ronnielc]

I agree. Gets good brand that honors warranty, like S&W. If low on money, stick with iron sight, sling, and you are good. Colt customer service is not great. S&W is pretty good for quality entry level. I like Bravo Company but that is not necessary for you.

 

[Lost Lake]

This gun could easily last several lifetimes. I wouldn't go cheap.

S&W has a good name and is inexpensive to boot. That's where I started.

 

[stavman11]

I have a Bushmaster Carbon 15 and S&W Sport....

The Sport is hands down better and even cheaper than the Bushmaster... The Bushmaster is Very light and use it as my short range Tactical drill Rifle.. Sport is for Reaching out and Touching something...

I agree a good Optic is really all you need... I prefer Reflex/Halo style sights to red dots, faster target acquisition... I have tried 2-7 Scopes and 3-9 but not great up close.. now my sport has a 6-24 scope on it now for reaching out to 300yds... and my Bushmaster has a EoTech 512...

Decide what distance you will be shooting at primarily and base yer optic on that


have fun, be safe, and get a LOT of Ammo... youll need it

 

[cyphertext]

Nothing much else to add. Get yourself a basic carbine and start from there. If you get an optics ready model, you will need sights or some type of optic, as these typically do not have either one right out of the box. Another thing to watch on optics ready models is that some do not have a way to mount a front sight straight from the box. A friend of mine bought a Bushmaster and it was configured to be an optics only model.

Windham Weaponry and Palmetto State Armory rifles get good reviews from their owners, so they may be worth taking a look at.

Handguards, stocks, rails, etc. can all be changed at a later date, but if you want the Magpul furniture, it may be cheaper to buy a rifle with it on there from factory than buying it yourself.

 

[Deadonmyfeet]

Can't disagree with anything said already. Only thing I would say is any AR you can buy on the market will usually function well and be reasonably accurate out of the box. Even Olympic arms make a perfectly serviceable AR.

 

[Baddog]

gotta ask MSR?

 

[Baddog]

I prefer calling it a semi automatic rifle.

 

[Deadonmyfeet]

gotta ask MSR?

Modern Sporting Rifle. It's the "assault weapon" name that pro-gun industry came up with.

 

[Baddog]

OK first thing that came to my mind was military style rifle, I have heard that one thrown around a few times. I do like modern sporting rifle.

 

[jeepmcd]

I was referring to a Modern Sporting Rifle. If I would have said "tool of Satin" you would have heard that before I'm sure.

 

[LbulletM]

I think they need a new name. THE MSR looks a lot scarier than an AR
http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Sniper Rifles/MSR.aspx

 

[Robotech]

Another big consideration for some is right or left-handed shooting.

If you shoot left-handed, an ambidextrous safety is critical, and you'll probably want a matching magazine release. These can always be added later, but they will add costs. Ideally, a left-handed upper is what you'd want as well, though the deflector found on most right-handed ARs will keep the ejected brass from hitting you in the face or going down the back of your shirt. Some companies do make left-handed versions, but you'll probably have to order one rather than find it in a store.

 

[oneyeopn]

I still call them Modern Sporting Rifles.....just to put a bug up the backside of some liberals!!!

 

[WR Moore]

Another big consideration for some is right or left-handed shooting.

If you shoot left-handed, an ambidextrous safety is critical, QUOTE]

I'm told by folks that do large scale training that ambi AR safeties can be problematical. That is, for some folks, they interfere with the position of the trigger finger. If this is the problem, or the price of an ambi safety is, consider the following:

If left handed, or shooting from the opposite shoulder, the stock safety can be manipulated quite easily with the left hand. Example: with the weapon verified unloaded and clear, cycle the action and let the bolt go forward on an empty chamber. Place the left hand in a firing position. The safety can be operated by the index/trigger finger. If there are issues, straighten the second finger and rotate the hand slightly upward. This places the safety at the base of the index finger and rotation of the hand to firing position wipes the safety to the fire position.

Remember, you'll actually have time to release the safety as the weapon comes up on target if you use the off target/on safe practice.

 

[Robotech]

Releasing the standard safety left handed isn't the problem I encountered. That's simply annoying.

The difficulty was in re-engaging the safety without having to go through some "contortions" to do it, with the potential for pointing the weapon in an undesirable direction before it has been made "safe".

As for the standard left-side safety interfering with the left-handed trigger finger, that's easily overcome by using an ambi-safety model that has a short and/or low-profile lever on that side, which I DID need to do.

What I still don't see a need for is a left-handed or ambidextrous charging handle...

 

[oneyeopn]

I have the ambi latch on my Charging Handle. Because of my use of large long optics it does make it easier to charge but I am right handed and have never actually seen an ambi charging handle, just ambi latches. I thought all charging handles were ambi---other than the latch the left side is identical to the right.