New to guns, looking for an AR

[WdyCrankbait]

Hey everyone,

    I am interested in getting my first gun and looking towards an AR-15 platform.  I live near Green Top in RVA and picked up a Colt Competition G2 expert .223 with 18" barrel.  Granted, I dont know what I am looking for, or anything like that so looking for some feed back here. 

    This is my first time venturing into the "Gun Forum," of Bass Resource so, I am trying to feel out the waters.

Thanks,

Wdy

[YakPirate]

what is the intended purpose? ..although it reads like you decided already on the Colt ... competition i assume? 

[WdyCrankbait]

Just to have one. I'm hoping to buy some land & want something to defend it if need be. 

[DogBone_384]

Don't come to MA for an AR, they're no longer legal here.

If you don't know what you want yet, look for gun shops/clubs where you can shoot different models and calibers.

I wouldn't advise you drop a lot of cash on a gun if you're not sure what you want.

Consider a .22 for your first gun. They're easy, and cheap to shoot.

[Crappiebasser]

ARs are fun but if you want a defense weapon consider a shotgun. Much cheaper and easier for beginners to use.

[Gundog]

I own a cheap AR I use just for plinking. If you need it for a SHTF situation I would go with the known names in firearms. Ruger, Colt, Smith&Wesson. The quality tends to be better. Accessories push the price up. Look into a good scope. They make them solely for the AR platform now. 

[YakPirate]

6 minutes ago, WdyCrankbait said:

Just to have one. I'm hoping to buy some land & want something to defend it if need be. 

ah, then i would consider building something , it's much cheaper and you will learn the rifle inside and out! ..

[Gundog]

7 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

Don't come to MA for an AR, they're no longer legal here.

If you don't know what you want yet, look for gun shops/clubs where you can shoot different models and calibers.

I wouldn't advise you drop a lot of cash on a gun if you're not sure what you want.

Consider a .22 for your first gun. They're easy, and cheap to shoot.

Are all AR's illegal or can you get around it.

[DogBone_384]

2 hours ago, Gundog said:

Are all AR's illegal or can you get around it.

No getting around it: http://www.guns.com/2016/07/31/massachusetts-gun-shops-redefine-business-after-ag-healeys-ban/

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/firearms-reg-and-laws/frb/approved-rosters/

[Gundog]

2 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

No getting around it: http://www.guns.com/2016/07/31/massachusetts-gun-shops-redefine-business-after-ag-healeys-ban/

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/firearms-reg-and-laws/frb/approved-rosters/

That's just plain stupid. Hope gun owners vote the governor out of office. Or was it the AG that did it? The article wasn't clear. Just read up on it and it looks like a power grab by the AG. Gun owners should vote her out of office.

[DogBone_384]

I really don't know.  When the AG announced it, many other high ranking government personnel were at the conventions.  I'm sure it wasn't drawn up overnight though....  

MA has always been very vague on how they write/interpret their gun laws.

It's just a very liberal state, always has been, as least during my lifetime.

[spartyon8]

The Smith and Wesson 15 is a decent entry gun. It is lower cost and very reliable. It's perfect to learn on and shoots straight.

[Surfcaster]

Bushmaster, DPMS, Colt, Smith & Wesson.  If you are looking to drop some serious cash, Larue or WarSport.  You could also build your own fairly reasonably and fairly easy; AR's are like the small block Chevrolet engine.  Also when someone says AR stands for assault rifle or automatic rifle, educate them and tell them it stands for Armalite. 

[MDBowHunter]

I would and did build my own, the only problem with building one is that it will quickly turn into two. Then it will turn into an AR10, please dont ask how I know this. Go check out AR15.com, there's as much gun knowledge over there as is bass knowledge here. If you shop around you can build an AR for $500 or less, there's a ton of them thats been built for that on AR15.com. I have less then a grand into each of mine not counting optics and they're built with all top shelf parts, your just going to have to shop around. The majority of my stuff was bought right from guys on AR15.com or M4Carbine.com, alot of guys out there start buying stuff to build one then either life gets in the way or they get a woody for something else so they unload everything on the cheap. They are addicting and a ton of fun to shoot, and great for protecting your property. Now if your just talking about a pure home defense weapon then a 12ga would be and is my first choice inside my home, it stays loaded with 0000 buck shot and cruiser ready at all times.

[Squints7]

I was in the military( Marine Corps) for six years as an infantryman. I own a Smith and Wesson M and P 15. Personally, I love it. It's a quality gun at a reasonable price. There are all kinds of custom guns and high-speed/low drag brands that may out-perform my gun- but not in a way that I would notice. I don't shoot competition. The other guys have suggested some pretty good brands on here and they all have pros and cons. I'd suggest actually going and looking at them personally. Hold it, feel it, see what you like. I say all this with the disclaimer that I'm not an expert

[HeavyDluxe]

Bought/built an AR for our first rifle.

On a super budget? Buy a S&W MP15 (Sport, I think).  Great starter rifle, better guts than the DPMS and other bargain brands. Accurate and reliable.  They have a nice .22lr version of the same rifle which is a great option for plinking and practice.

Want to know the guts of your gun?  Buy a stripped lower from Palmetto State Arms and build it out.  You can then do the same with the upper receiver or buy one pre-made.  The lower is the only part that requires a background check as it is the actual 'firearm'.  You can get a good rifle for cheap here, or add to your price but customize it the way you want.  This is what we did.  And I have stripped lowers for each of the kids that we will build out for them in time.

Want something pre-made that you *need* to bet your life on?  Bravo Company or Colt.

There are other options, especially in the 'luxury brand' ARs... 

 

 

[Fisher-O-men]

On 8/1/2016 at 8:10 PM, Surfcaster said:

.  Also when someone says AR stands for assault rifle or automatic rifle, educate them and tell them it stands for Armalite. 

Or America's Rifle!

[NorcalBassin]

Agree with the M&P Sport recommendation. Affordable price and will eat pretty much anything you put in it. Since you do not have much experience I wouldn't recommend building your own... if you really get into it and want to build one later the Sport will provide you with a nice entry level build for you to see where you want your upgrades.

On another note, I'd recommend 5.56 over .223 since it can safely use either ammo... don't put 5.56 in a .223 barrel. Enjoy!

[Gundog]

On 8/5/2016 at 2:12 PM, Fisher-O-men said:

Or America's Rifle!

'Merica heck yea!!!

[Redlinerobert]

Quite happy with my LWRC MR6A2.  For self defense?   Benelli M4.  

[Way2slow]

Know what you are looking at with an AR, cheap ones are cheap for a reason.  S&W M&P 15 is ok, metal lower and upper receiver groups, chrome lined barrel, dust cover etc, things you want, but while I own one, I would not recommend it to a beginner. Now, the sport does not have all these features. They are very limited on upgrades and almost no barrel swaps, a beginner usually wants to start changing things as soon as they get one.

As mentioned, you should look at building one, it will be cheaper in the long run, and doing the research will help learn more about it.  Too many of the bought ones are proprietary parts. 

[TheRodFather]

Sounds like you already bought one...?  I would recommend against a barrel chambered in .223 unless you are going for accuracy only.  Go for 5.56, it's a long story, but basically, the safer route is to have a 5.56 chamber and shoot .223 or 5.56, VS a .223 chamber and shoot 5.56 out of it.

It is difficult to build an AR for the same price that you can buy one (assuming same parts in both), because you will need (should have) certain tools.  What really ends up happening is that you will end up with an AR that has a lot of upgrades ( this ends up being cheaper than if you bought a base model and modified it).

I own many, and have built many, just my thoughts.

M and P sport, like others said is pretty limited in what you can do with it.  If the AR platform is the legos of guns, the sport is the duplo.....

In the 1000 dollar and under range, there are many good brands, Smith and Wesson, Rock river, Spikes, some so so ones, Bushmaster, DPMS.  Over 1000 gets you into the Colts (overrated IMO), LWRCs, and many more premium rifles.

As with anything, define your purpose and buy a product that will fit.  The good-better manufacturers parts will all play nice together, the cheaper brands will be looser in their manufacturing tolerances and less tolerant of modification.

TRF

 

 

[WdyCrankbait]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I have not bought one yet.  One of my roomates is a HUGE gun person and went out and bought a bakers dozen lower AR-15's before the election so, I might get one from him.  But, if I did buy one (whole/completed gun) now it would have gone on the credit card and that was the last thing I want.

Also, yes, the 5.56 bullet/barrel is now what I am leaning to.

Thanks again!

Wdy

[Gundog]

1 hour ago, WdyCrankbait said:

Thanks for the input everyone. One of my roomates is a HUGE gun person and went out and bought a bakers dozen lower AR-15's before the election so, I might get one from him. 

Thanks again!

Wdy

Does your roommate work for CNN/ABC/CBS/NBC News as a pollster? 

[WdyCrankbait]

Lol,  no, he bought them at $60/piece, after the election I offered to buy one at $50, hahaha!