endless Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 I'm th is the one basic I'm looking at but inkin is the on e g about having me an AR built from this tactical shop here in town but I'm not sure on caliber? I'm new to when coming to AR's. Is there a big difference between the 3 in power? What about cost? I know when I spoke to the shop he recommended the 5.56 over 7.62 for distance. Also what are nato rounds and can they be used in any regular AR? Is there anything I should have done when getting one built? I know they come in 1/9 twist but I don't think the cost change if wanted a 1/8 or 1/7. Just here in Va he was explaining why they do the 1/9 for most shops sell the 55gr to 60gr in 5.56. I'm going magpul. here is the one I'm looking at but might try to add some things like flip up sights. I'm going with OD green in color. http://www.handstactical.com/front-page/rifles/tac-15-moe Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted February 5, 2015 Super User Posted February 5, 2015 I would go with 5.56 chambered AR on your first gun for 1 simple reason. A 5.56 chambered gun can also shoot .223 ammo, and between those 2, you should easily be able to find inexpensive rounds. Being your first one, you will want to shoot it frequently, and being able to found good ammo for under $.40 is key. Gets expensive otherwise! In regards to twist rate, it depends on your use for the gun and what ammo you want to shoot. 1:9 is most common. Jeff 2 Quote
a1712 Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Not trying to be an arse, but if you don't trust your Smithy to help you with the decisions on your build, I'd look else where. Brian. 2 Quote
SHaugh Posted February 5, 2015 Posted February 5, 2015 Also not trying to tell a guy what to do, but I will offer advice. It sounds like you're pretty new to the whole AR custom gun craze. What you will find is that your taste and appreciation for all those possible accessories and variables will change drastically over time, once you've had more experience with the gun. If it was me I'd start out with a good quality stock built 5.56 gun. Save my money for 1 or 2 years down the road when I really had a good grip on what I liked and didn't like, then sell that gun and go for the custom. You would probably thank me if you did that.... 2 Quote
Crappiebasser Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 If it was me I'd start out with a good quality stock built 5.56 gun. Save my money for 1 or 2 years down the road when I really had a good grip on what I liked and didn't like, then sell that gun and go for the custom. You would probably thank me if you did that.... x2 a custom is an expensive starting point when you don't know what you really want. You can always modify and accessorize and stock rifle. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 6, 2015 Super User Posted February 6, 2015 If you want to afford to shoot it often enough to be competent with it... 5.56. I am also "new" to AR's but they are stupid simple to build if you have any mech. aptitude. My biggest problem with my new project is filtering through the NYS BS safe act to find out what I can/can't put on it. I went with a 1/9 twist barrel. It's a good compromise for someone like me who wants to just plink around with either 55gr or 62gr ammo and/or get rid of an occasional varmit or pest around the farm. If I was going to shoot nothing but 62 gr. I would have gone with 1/7. Magpul makes good stuff, mine is fitted with all magpul furniture....at least as much as is allowed by law. Quality stripped lowers are cheap right now, I am buying them locally in most any shop for $100ish give or take a few bucks.....Not the "fancy named" ones like Colt, Daniel Defense....but decent stuff like Spikes, Aero Precsion, Stag arms, etc... It never hurts to have a couple stripped ones set aside for future projects when they are pretty reasonable AND very available right now. Uppers are where you want to spend your money on an AR. Quote
endless Posted February 6, 2015 Author Posted February 6, 2015 A1712- it's not that I don't trust him or them but caliber is still a preference and I'm not sure what I want or after? Shaugh- you do offer great advice! I'm not going crazy but I am looking to spend 1200 to 1300. I just don't know anything else besides what I read like the twist, some offer chrome lined barrels, and that other gas chamber that post be cleaner? I know I want flip up sights and a longer rail With an angle grip but that's about it for what I know. I guess I got caught up and reading about how weak the 5.56 is? Quote
SHaugh Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 I know it's hard to put the brakes on something like that once you got it rolling.... Regarding caliber I'd suggest 5.56. Cost of ammo is what it's all about. look at how much those other rounds cost.... The reason you buy a gun is to shoot it... not sit back and worry about whether it has knock down power while it's hanging on a wall. In my experience 5.56 is powerful enough to kill anything on this planet. Killing is all about shot placement. Get a gun that you can shoot a lot and get to be an expert at making a hole where you point it. If you wing or gut shoot any critter those other calibers aren't going to make a bit of difference. If you hit the vitals a 5.56 does everything you need it to do. 2 Quote
Josh Smith Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 I agree, 5.56, simply because that's the round the platform was designed for, and because of ammo availability. I have heard of 7.62x39 ARs having reliability problems. If you're building an AR10, go with the .308/7.62x51. Never heard of .300 problems, but the 5.56 will be around when the .300 isn't. Josh Quote
Super User DogBone_384 Posted February 6, 2015 Super User Posted February 6, 2015 Do you know anyone with an AR in any of the calibers you're looking at, or are there any gun shops near you that have ranges you can test fire? Like fishing equipment, it's better to try out whatever it is you're looking to buy. I own a 5.56 AR and a SocomII in .308, I like the .308 better - just my preference. I didn't discover that until I owned both and shot them side by side. Best of luck with your decision. Quote
nick76 Posted February 7, 2015 Posted February 7, 2015 If you are looking to build and have any aptitude you can do this pretty easily. If you are nervous you can buy already assembled complete uppers and lowers and just pick what it is you are looking for. Stripped lowers can be had for as low as $45, Complete lowers can be from $110 to skies the limit. Uppers can be had from $280 to skies the limit. I was just looking last night for a lower and upper for my wife. I know she will shoot...but not as much as me and it will be purely a plinking gun. I found a polymer lower for $110 online and a 16" chrome lined upper with a quad rail handguard and BCG/CH for $349. Both have free shipping and my buddy get $20 for the lower FFL. All chambered for 5.56. That is not a Colt or Daniel Defense or SW, but it is a good reliable plinking gun for my wife. On a side note, you can then order a 300AC Blackout upper and be ready to roll with either round by changing out the two uppers. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 7, 2015 Super User Posted February 7, 2015 I have a 300 and a 5.45. I built the 5.45 because I had a tin of 7n6 laying around that was bought back when the price was right! It's nice to shoot and just leave the "brass" lay. The 300 is cool but if you don't reload and have time to search out deals on bullets/powder you won't be able to afford to shoot it! Ammo is around $30 for 20 rounds or $45 a mag!!!!!!! 223 should be your best bet for a plinker 308 for a hunter Quote
Chris186 Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 I just built my first AR in 5.56. It was pretty simple to build, and I chose to build it over buying a factory one so that I could get the parts I wanted and not have to upgrade. Sure it cost a little more, but in the long run its worth it if you plan on keeping it for a long long time. 5.56/.223 is cheap and there is a ton of it, plus it doesnt hurt to have a NATO round in a SHTF scenario. My buddy has a DPMS, mine cost about 350 more to build than he paid for his, and I have a much better rifle. Quote
endless Posted February 8, 2015 Author Posted February 8, 2015 Yeah I went in talk with H&S about them again. He is post to let me know about the piston gas (am I calling that right) to see about actual cost. I was looking at some rails to buy there but his longer quad rail has the picatanny on all 4 sides and I don't won't that. So I might stick with the magpul and order one later unless magpul makes a longer rail. I'm will sticking with 5.56 and make later build an upper for the 300. Josh I've read some issues too with 7.62. I'm also ordering the Springfield RO compact and having them install an ambi saftey since I'm a lefty. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted February 8, 2015 Super User Posted February 8, 2015 If you are a lefty, I suggest building a lefty AR ! Not required but that much more fun!! Here is one of mine.... Jeff 3 Quote
endless Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 I went ahead and put in for my AR. I was going to do the piston gas but stayed with impingement. I went with magpul and got a mid length hand guard for my 16" barrel. The magpul is in OD green. I kept the magazine black and the magpul angle grip black as well the flip up sights front and rear. I kept the gun right handed but added an ambi safety and an ambi charging handle. I also went with the 1/7 twist. Other than not much else. Total was under 1,200. I also ordered my Springfield range officer 1911 compact 45acp and will be having them install a ambi safety on it as well. Quote
endless Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 I message him earlier and he is going to do a nickel Barron bolt carrier. Quote
gunsndrums1 Posted May 16, 2015 Posted May 16, 2015 Id go with 6.5mm Grendel. I some what agree with him, convert it to a 6.8 SPF me and my dad have **** a lot of deer with that round, and it does it's job-well. Haven't run more than 5 yards after making the ****, if they don't just fall over immediately when you shoot them anyways. But if you are dead set on those three, go eith a 556 if it's a range gun, and a 762 if you want to hunt. 762 has pretty available amounts of ammo around here for a fair price. Fun to go to the range and shoot a few boxes or hand loads as well. Quote
ThatZX14Fella Posted May 20, 2015 Posted May 20, 2015 I didn't read the whole comment section, but I seen that you went ahead and put money down on the build. If you like it, good, if not, then take it as a lesson learned. If it were me, I'd have to go with 7.62 or .300 Blackout with the gas piston system. More reliable and don't have to clean it as much if you're lazy (which I clean my guns immediately after shooting them). I don't like anything under .30 caliber unless it's a magnum round. I just like having the extra stopping power and I'm a fan of more recoil (don't ask why, because I don't know). Anyways, how you like your rifle. They are fun. I'm going to be taking AGI courses to try to become a gunsmith. Quote
IndyGlockMan Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 Congrats on your fist AR. Nothing wrong with 5.56 especially for your first. AR's are cheap right now and you can get a lot of bang for the buck. I was going to suggest going on-line to AIM Surplus, CDNN, or Grabagun and getting an AR for around $500 The Colt M4 Magpul edition is a great value at $899 http://grabagun.com/colt-s-manufacturing-magpul-m4-carb-5-56-16-fde-30r.html Get you some 20 round mags. 30's are good too, but harder to use when shooting on a bench or laying down because they hang down so far. Magpul mags are great. Prices are down to $10-12 so stock up. Quote
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