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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Well I shot my buddies AR yesterday and now I think I have the bug.

I was thinking of picking up a 22 for plinking as I just joined a gun club but why spend $200-300 on a 22 when I can get an AR for $800+.

For my first rifle should I just get Ruger 10/22 and stick with the basics since AR ammo is considerably more?
 
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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
I shot an AR and got BRD (black rifle disease) too. Now I have a Smith & Wesson M&P15A that is turning into a monster. :D I say go ahead and get one! If cost really is an issue, put it on lay-away (like I did), and then enjoy the fruits of your patience. Plus, you can always invest the $130 down the road for a drop in .22LR conversion bolt. Thats my plan anyways after I am done adding the goodies I want to my baby.
 
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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
I'd buy the AR over the 22.

Actually, in Dec, I finally had the money, and it was a toss up between a tactical S&W AR or the PS90 - I finally got a chance to shoot a PS90 two times, and that did it for me. Also got to shoot an M16, and that was nice. But, I preferred the PS90, and got that instead.

I STILL want an AR too, though... One of these days.

U will fine fans of all the brands, but I did a lot of research. RRA and S&W were the 2 top ones to consider, IMHO.
 
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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
I have the money and that is the issue.

I bought an XD9 at the end of December and $1200 later I have all kinds of mods, holsters, clothes, ammo, etc.

After shooting the AR yesterday I had dreams all night about one.

I think I will go with the AR but I have a few questions.

There is a gun show next week. Are there usually deals there?

Is it bad to buy a used AR?

What is the cheapest scope and bipod you can get for 50 yard practice.

My birthday is in Feb so I guess this is my present to me. :D
 
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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
A friend of mine bought a used AR at a gunshow from a gun store in Bethany Oklahoma. The bolt was missing a spring and pin.

Unless you are familiar with the AR, I seriously consider bringing along someone who is.
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 ·
hellagerms said:
A friend of mine bought a used AR at a gunshow from a gun store in Bethany Oklahoma. The bolt was missing a spring and pin.

Unless you are familiar with the AR, I seriously consider bringing along someone who is.
Click to expand...
Agreed. A AR might look like it doesnt have alot of rounds through it but you dont know how fast they have been fired. Chrome lined barrels should be a must for them not a option. The screws that hold the gas carrier key should be staked down firmly, 2 of the last 3 I've had werent from the factory. Look for missing pins, heavy carbon deposits, excessive wear ect.
 
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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
My buddy was a Marine firearms instructor and I am taking him along.

It was his Bushmaster that I shot yesterday.
 
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Discussion Starter · #8 ·
don't discount the idea of purchasing a new AR. You can get a new Bushy for a good price, $800 to $900 at a store. You may be lucky and score one in the $700 at a gun show new.

remember, you get what you pay for.
as far as optics, play with the irons, learn to use the AR sighting sysyem well before you upgrade, by then you will be able to afford something not cheap that will be as solid as your rifle and your shooting skills.

good luck and don't let teh black rifle disease fester too long without doing something for it!!!:mrgreen:
 
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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
I happened to pick up (law-Away) a Rock River CAR tactical UTE2, This past week. I got it for 799.0 and the gun retails for 985.00. It's was slightly used by less than 30rnds. Shop around and be patient and you could get a nice rifle a little cheaper, However if you want a varmit rifle that could serve as a carbin alslo check out this DPMS
 
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Discussion Starter · #10 ·
I picked up a S&W MP15 Tactical in November and I LOVE it. I am ex Army so its a wonderful weapon for me, I am just going to hate it in 08 when I commission and go back to the Army and have to fire the old beat up M4s we have lol.
 
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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Thanks for the posts.

I have been reading as much as possible including ar15.com

My buddy has a Bushmaster and swears by them. He also told me to steer clear of Stagarms but I know alot of people here love them.

People here have also said you get what you pay for.

What does Bushmaster do that is better then Stagarms? Are Bushmasters just more expensive because of the name?

Any things to stay away from when purchasing a first AR?

I see that there are different barrel lengths but what is the benefit of getting a commando with a shorter barrel and longer flash supressor as opposed to getting a longer barrel and shorter supressor? Is the overall length of the commando shorter?

My primary use for this will be having fun at the range.

Based on feedback it looks like I should practice with iron sights and then get some optics.

The EOTech is pretty nice for $300-400 though.

I don't want to pickup bad habits and cheat.
 
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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
See, U will get mixed stuff - I've been told that while Bushmaster is okay, RRA is a better gun. And, STAG is really, really good.

U will get all sorts of bias. U really should just research it all yourself, take it all in, and then decide what U want.

If I was to go buy one today, I'd buy a RRA.
 
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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
Yup everyone has an opinion. I would buy Colt...but that's just me. Lot of guys don't think they are any better then the rest of the clones out.

One guy I know has two bushmasters and a rock river. We had a little shoot out on the M4 types. He loved to tell me how over priced the Colt I have is. Needless to say the Colt won. We tested groups at ranges from 25M, 50, 100 yards and 200 yards. From a bench rest we shot M193, M855 & SS109 ammo out to 100 yrds. One Bushmaster had an Aimpoint the rest were iron sights. The colt grouped the best overall and didn't have any failures unlike the "other" brand. One Bushmaster had FTF problems even when we switched mags. He just sold his last Bushmaster and kept the RockRiver. RockRiver performed pretty well. The test may not have been very fair due to barrel twist rates ect... But he was impressed when we zeroed at 25M I had 3 rnds within a dime and 6 within a nickel on multiple groups. He was at quarter dia and couldn't get them any tighter without the bench. The bushmasters 1/9 did better shooting the 55gr M193 ammo but the groups weren't as tight with the 16" barrels vs. Colt with 1/7 & M193. I have the targets downstairs somewhere for bragging rights. :) If you put optics on these I'm sure it's a different story...
 
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Discussion Starter · #16 ·
The only reason I would purchase a Colt is I would expect it to hold its value a little better. I have been reading a lot of complaints bout the finishes on them though being sub-par. I don't really see what the hyped value is about though. My Smith & Wesson (Stag) shoots tight groups and has never had any problems. This, like all areas of the gun world, is a subject that really is going to be gray. Everyone has an opinion about what is best. I suggest shooting what you can get your hands on.
 
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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
sharpstick said:
Here is a great post about the AR types and the difference. I would have copied and paste it, but I don't have permission from the author.

http://www.modernminuteman.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=731
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Great link, reminds me of the rifle I got in basic, it was of the same age as me. :D It still had the triangular hand guards, which I liked better for shooting, but came apart a little too easy. Many other dudes got their from the folks that make auto trannies for GM. It was plenty accurate, better than me for sure. When I kept my cool, I could get mid thirties out of 40.

From that link, the best civie sellers seem to be Bushy and Armalite. Unless FN sells ARs too.
 
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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
for about three years now. I initally fed it the old, lacquered WOLF without knowing the ammo is "bad" and it fired with zero malfunctions. It likes Black Hills and XM193.

I think getting a good rifle is half research, half luck.

I now have OLD Rifle disease. I had one Garand, sold it and bought another Garand. I just bought a M1917 (some refer to it as a US Enfield). Both are works of art.

Fire one, ask alot of questions and read alot. My favorite research sites are AR15.Com and Jouster.Com. Take everything with a grain of salt.

Good luck with your research.

Jim
 
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