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AR's you've had
#6324344
06/06/16 02:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089
Brother in-law
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089 |
Of those that have owned a few over time
Billet or forged? Barrel length? 16" or nfa? Light, med, heavy barrel? Light guns , medium, heavy weight over all? 223, 6.8, 300bo
Whatever else you might add
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324387
06/06/16 02:53 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,688
BigPig
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,688 |
Never owned one of those evil black gun
Wade Dews, REALTOR ® Rendon Realty, LLC Frontline Real Estate Team www.RendonRealty.comWadeDews@gmail.com 214-356-2410 Up to 1% for closing costs for First Responders & Veterans Proudly partnered with Assist The Officer Foundation https://atodallas.org/
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: BigPig]
#6324390
06/06/16 02:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089
Brother in-law
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089 |
Never owned one of those evil black gun You should learn to use your bolt gun first before exploring a less forgiving gun platform
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324412
06/06/16 03:12 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,539
TexFlip
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15,539 |
I prefer billet for looks only. Nothing functional to gain.
Barrel length shorter the better. (Even with my bolt guns)
NFA
Medium profile barrels, medium weight guns
All of the above.
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324432
06/06/16 03:31 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,606
Greg
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,606 |
Forged 18/7.5/10.5/ NFA-yes Barrels "heavy" noveske polygonal, all shooters all pretty heavy. The 6.8 spc with a 10.5" barrel is my favorite AR platform. It runs great and hits hard out to 200. Anything longer than that and prob be better with a bolt
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324449
06/06/16 03:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,688
BigPig
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,688 |
Never owned one of those evil black gun You should learn to use your bolt gun first before exploring a less forgiving gun platform Really? Still can't let it go can ya?
Wade Dews, REALTOR ® Rendon Realty, LLC Frontline Real Estate Team www.RendonRealty.comWadeDews@gmail.com 214-356-2410 Up to 1% for closing costs for First Responders & Veterans Proudly partnered with Assist The Officer Foundation https://atodallas.org/
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324461
06/06/16 03:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
DocHorton
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841 |
Mostly forged with a couple poly lowers. Barrel lengths from 20" to 8.5" I've had both bull barrels and thinner profiles, but have migrated to the thinner profiles due to weight. Calibers I've had are 9mm, .22LR, .223, 300 BO, .308. A couple lightweight SBR's and a couple heavier rigs with the thermal scopes. All of mine I run suppressed except the 9mm.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324470
06/06/16 04:07 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 777
MClark
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 777 |
Standard garden variety Colt, paid $350.,1980. I beat the rush to buy them. At about the same time at a show in Salt Lake I found a Colt with a serial number of less than 1000. I had little cash but my buddy bought it, $400, and still has it.
M
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324511
06/06/16 05:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394
booradley
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,394 |
DPMS A3 Classic, 20" barrel. Have no idea of billet, forged, etc. doesn't matter to me.
Stag Model One, 16" barrel. Same as above.
Still have them.
Don’t roll those bloodshot eyes at me.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324521
06/06/16 08:14 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062
Toxarch
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,062 |
All mine are forged. Wouldn't mind a billet if the price were right but there's no real advantage in billet. As for the rest of the questions, I think you need to decide the caliber first before you decide the rest. I'd take an 8" 300blk any day. No way would I want an 8" 5.56 nor be near someone else shooting one. And I would take a 20" 6.5 Grendel over a 16" 6.8 for hunting. But I am also figuring long range. For short range, a 6.8 would work fine. So decide on the caliber first and then we can answer the rest of the questions.
It is far more important to be able to hit the target than it is to haggle over who makes a weapon or who pulls a trigger.
� Dwight D. Eisenhower
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324573
06/06/16 11:38 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499
charlesb
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,499 |
I bought a DPMS flat-top around five or six years ago. It was something to learn on. If I remember correctly, it cost around 900 bucks in that era. After buying the necessary tools and fixtures, I took it apart and reassembled it with a picatinny gas block and tubular Hogue free-float hand-guard. I tried various scopes and sights on it, and did some of the obligatory 'spray and pray' shooting with cheap Russian ammo. It was valuable as a learning experience - but as a firearm, I did not find it to be all that impressive. The ignorant and backward design that poots combustion trash and gasses directly back into the action was offensive to my sensibilities as one who appreciates good firearms design. - Which the AR platform most decidedly is not. I kept it around for several months. Then, a ham radio buddy mentioned that he was looking for an AR for his son, so I made him a deal, selling it to him for a couple of hundred bucks less than I paid for it in the first place. The thing had been taking up valuable space in my safe, and I wanted room for something more interesting. As a computer weenie, I see the AR platform as being much like the Linux OS... Great for those who must endlessly tinker, but not up to being mainstream by any stretch of the imagination. It pretty well defines the niche firearm, often purchased with its looks or popularity in mind, rather than for any utility that it may possess. An AR-15 CAN be used for many purposes, just as an H&R Handy-Rifle CAN be used for a variety of purposes. - This does not translate though into it being my first choice for very much of anything. If I really wanted a pseudo-assault rifle, I'd buy an SCAR. I'll probably buy another one some time to play around with, especially since the market is super-saturated now and the 'value' of these firearms is taking a crash dive. When the price gets down to what they are actually worth (maybe $350 or so) then I'll be ready to once more become an AR-15 owner. I have seen really impressive AR's, on a number of occasions. Fine testaments to the tinkerer's art. My personal favorites are the ones popular for DCM matches in my area. Those guys go for a basic firearm of the best possible quality, as opposed to hanging everything but the kitchen sink on them.
Last edited by charlesb; 06/06/16 11:54 AM.
Kind regards, charlesb
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324677
06/06/16 01:28 PM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 329
bside
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 329 |
I have 3
16, 14.5, and 10.5", all 5.56/.223W. I've thought about 6.8/6.5 before, but opted to not do so. If I want an autoloader that hits harder, I'll buy an AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor.
2 have forged lowers, 1 as billet. there's no practical difference other than the billet weight ever so slightly more and having a nylon tensioning screw. Just get a forged one unless you don't care about costs. If you go poly, I would only recommend TNArmsco.
Fantastic platform. It's lightweight, precise and reliable. If you're using decent mags, you're likely go to thousands of rounds between stoppages, regardless of your treatment of the rifle.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6324858
06/06/16 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
I own/have owned the following and listed what I see to be as the major benefits of each caliber:
- Multiple 5.56 - great for plinking/training/high volume shooting, easy to find ammo - Multiple 6.8 - awesome for pigs/deer, much lighter than an AR-10 - .300 BLK - nothing more fun and suppressed subsonic .300 BLK - .308 (AR-10)- longer range shooting and hunting, easy to find ammo
I am a fan of billet receivers because they look so much nicer. I build all my ARs, and I like the more "high end" look of billet.
Barrel length will depend on caliber. .300 blk I would recommend the SBR route, 5.56/6.8 you can either go SBR or 16". I would not go longer than 16" personally. I typically like mid weight barrels for an all-around gun.
As far as over-all weight of the gun, light is nice but I focus more on the feel and functionality than I do on weight.
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: charlesb]
#6325015
06/06/16 06:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127 |
I bought a DPMS flat-top around five or six years ago. It was something to learn on. If I remember correctly, it cost around 900 bucks in that era.
After buying the necessary tools and fixtures, I took it apart and reassembled it with a picatinny gas block and tubular Hogue free-float hand-guard. I tried various scopes and sights on it, and did some of the obligatory 'spray and pray' shooting with cheap Russian ammo.
It was valuable as a learning experience - but as a firearm, I did not find it to be all that impressive. The ignorant and backward design that poots combustion trash and gasses directly back into the action was offensive to my sensibilities as one who appreciates good firearms design. - Which the AR platform most decidedly is not.
I kept it around for several months. Then, a ham radio buddy mentioned that he was looking for an AR for his son, so I made him a deal, selling it to him for a couple of hundred bucks less than I paid for it in the first place. The thing had been taking up valuable space in my safe, and I wanted room for something more interesting.
As a computer weenie, I see the AR platform as being much like the Linux OS... Great for those who must endlessly tinker, but not up to being mainstream by any stretch of the imagination. It pretty well defines the niche firearm, often purchased with its looks or popularity in mind, rather than for any utility that it may possess.
An AR-15 CAN be used for many purposes, just as an H&R Handy-Rifle CAN be used for a variety of purposes. - This does not translate though into it being my first choice for very much of anything. If I really wanted a pseudo-assault rifle, I'd buy an SCAR.
I'll probably buy another one some time to play around with, especially since the market is super-saturated now and the 'value' of these firearms is taking a crash dive. When the price gets down to what they are actually worth (maybe $350 or so) then I'll be ready to once more become an AR-15 owner.
I have seen really impressive AR's, on a number of occasions. Fine testaments to the tinkerer's art. My personal favorites are the ones popular for DCM matches in my area. Those guys go for a basic firearm of the best possible quality, as opposed to hanging everything but the kitchen sink on them.
So all of your AR bashing comes from experience with a bottom of the barrel AR platform. I've had several over time. Started out a long time ago with a Bushmaster M4E2 A2 with fixed carry handle. Put everything you could think of cheap Chinese parts on it. Weighed a freaking ton Got an M4 clone with 4 position stock on it in a trade 16" plastic hand guards detachable carry handle with A2 sights. Spikes M4LE 16" 12" MI quad rail aimpoint ML3. Mega Side charging 6.8SPC PSA M4 16" 12" Keymod Rail Aimpoint T1 Stripped the PSA from above and built it with a 10.5" Rainier barrel and 9" Keymod rail with Aimpoint T1 POF 16" 308 with SWFA 10X CMMG MK3 CBR with SWFA 12X, now sits with the SWFA 1-4x Probably a few more I'm missing at the moment.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: KRoyal]
#6325207
06/06/16 09:09 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089
Brother in-law
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 35,089 |
So which was your favorite Kroyal ?
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325238
06/06/16 09:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872
GLC
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,872 |
I have owned 7 or 8 of them in the last 6 years. All were sub MOA shooters. I only have 2 left, a DPMS Oracle in .223 and PSA in a 7mm08, both are sub MOA shooters with factory ammo. I think that is all about I will ever need so I guess they are my favorite now, :), in a AR platform.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325249
06/06/16 09:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127 |
So which was your favorite Kroyal ? Hands down gotta say my 10.5" SBR I built. So small and light its my go to hunting rifle. I'm am of the camp "buy once cry once" now. Protip Buy quality stuff to begin with it will actually save you money in the long run. Ask me how I know LOL. Been toying around with the idea of a super short 8" 300BLK with a 30cal Ti Suppressor with the SWFA 1-4x on it for my new hunting rig.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325273
06/06/16 09:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 868
Txhillbilly
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 868 |
I bought my first AR back in the early 1980's,a plain jane Colt. While fun to shoot,I really disliked that rifle because I could never get used to the sights on the carry handle. I sold it a couple years later,and didn't buy another one until the 1990's when Rock River Arms came out with their Varminter series. I still have that RRA 20" varminter,and have built probably a dozen rifles since. The funnest rifle that I ever built was a 458 SOCOM,but with it's limited range,and high cost to load for,I decided to sell the upper and all my reloading supplies for it.
Currently,I have 4 AR's,two in 223 Wylde,a 6.5x6.8 wildcat,and a DPMS LR series in 260 Remington. I also have a Kel-Tec PLR-16 pistol in 223,but it is the loudest firearm that you will ever fire.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: KRoyal]
#6325285
06/06/16 10:08 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,787
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,787 |
I bought a DPMS flat-top around five or six years ago. It was something to learn on. If I remember correctly, it cost around 900 bucks in that era.
After buying the necessary tools and fixtures, I took it apart and reassembled it with a picatinny gas block and tubular Hogue free-float hand-guard. I tried various scopes and sights on it, and did some of the obligatory 'spray and pray' shooting with cheap Russian ammo.
It was valuable as a learning experience - but as a firearm, I did not find it to be all that impressive. The ignorant and backward design that poots combustion trash and gasses directly back into the action was offensive to my sensibilities as one who appreciates good firearms design. - Which the AR platform most decidedly is not.
I kept it around for several months. Then, a ham radio buddy mentioned that he was looking for an AR for his son, so I made him a deal, selling it to him for a couple of hundred bucks less than I paid for it in the first place. The thing had been taking up valuable space in my safe, and I wanted room for something more interesting.
As a computer weenie, I see the AR platform as being much like the Linux OS... Great for those who must endlessly tinker, but not up to being mainstream by any stretch of the imagination. It pretty well defines the niche firearm, often purchased with its looks or popularity in mind, rather than for any utility that it may possess.
An AR-15 CAN be used for many purposes, just as an H&R Handy-Rifle CAN be used for a variety of purposes. - This does not translate though into it being my first choice for very much of anything. If I really wanted a pseudo-assault rifle, I'd buy an SCAR.
I'll probably buy another one some time to play around with, especially since the market is super-saturated now and the 'value' of these firearms is taking a crash dive. When the price gets down to what they are actually worth (maybe $350 or so) then I'll be ready to once more become an AR-15 owner.
I have seen really impressive AR's, on a number of occasions. Fine testaments to the tinkerer's art. My personal favorites are the ones popular for DCM matches in my area. Those guys go for a basic firearm of the best possible quality, as opposed to hanging everything but the kitchen sink on them.
So all of your AR bashing comes from experience with a bottom of the barrel AR platform. I've had several over time. Started out a long time ago with a Bushmaster M4E2 A2 with fixed carry handle. Put everything you could think of cheap Chinese parts on it. Weighed a freaking ton Got an M4 clone with 4 position stock on it in a trade 16" plastic hand guards detachable carry handle with A2 sights. Spikes M4LE 16" 12" MI quad rail aimpoint ML3. Mega Side charging 6.8SPC PSA M4 16" 12" Keymod Rail Aimpoint T1 Stripped the PSA from above and built it with a 10.5" Rainier barrel and 9" Keymod rail with Aimpoint T1 POF 16" 308 with SWFA 10X CMMG MK3 CBR with SWFA 12X, now sits with the SWFA 1-4x Probably a few more I'm missing at the moment. All sold to fund a bolt gun...
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325336
06/06/16 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127
KRoyal
Texoma Legend
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Texoma Legend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,127 |
Lol nope I have a bolt gun, but I'm going back to gas guns. Going to buy me some better glass than the 12x and throw it on the CMMG for longer range stuff and throw the 1-4x on my new sbr build
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325409
06/06/16 11:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,236
wall8053
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,236 |
I've had or have 5.56, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 spc, 300 blk, 7.62x39 and 308. Barrel lengths vary from 10.5" to 20". Heavy barrels to standard although my preference is mid to heavy. I prefer billet over forged. I have SBR platforms as well. I don't have the x39 AR any longer but that will be my next project in a side charger. It's surprisingly fun to shoot and the ammo is cheap. I shoot both suppressed and unsuppressed.
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325593
06/07/16 01:40 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,430
Big Fitz
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,430 |
I have several for different applications. Unless you are going to carry the rifle a long ways, I see no reason for a pencil weight barrel and prefer a mid weight...flutted if concerned about weight.
Forged for everything, maybe billet for dedicated long range precision application but not sure that even really matters.
20" heavy or medium for pure long range/target
18" medium for a compromise of handy/long range
14.5" pinned or 16" medium for a handy/portable rifle
I don't have a suppressor yet, but I would think 16" or less just to keep somewhat handy.
223 Wylde for higher volume shooting and a single rifle scenario but would definitely go 6.8 for hunting. I don't have a 300bo and doubt I ever will, just don't see enough advantages over 6.8.
I was wrong...on anything technical. Fitz............. is right, ya know............
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325849
06/07/16 04:10 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411
crash700
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,411 |
I will start out by saying that I do not see my firearms as status symbols as some guys may. I have had several different AR's and continue to build them for whatever purpose I might decide I need one for. I am in law enforcement and the AR is is simply something that extends my accurate range when the need arises and a pistol would not be as effective (long hallways in buildings are a good example). For my personal preference, I have a 5.56 shorty 11.5" with an aim point PRO and a secondary 5.56 rifle with a 16" barrel with a Meprolite Tru Dot. Both are very effective for their intended uses and easily capable of accurate shots to 200 yards with the 16" rifle maintaining its accuracy a little further, though most likely shots taken would be within 75 yards for less. I use magpul furniture because it makes it easy to attach a flashlight or picatinny rail if I choose to. Don't add too much stuff or it will get heavy, especially if you have to carry it or maintain it for an extended amount of time.
In regard to what I like, I like simplicity. Medium weight barrels, backup open sights that co-witness with my aim point or meprolite. I like oversized charging handles for leverage if I'm wearing gloves, collapsible stocks to accommodate a vest. A good sling that is comfortable but not overly cumbersome. I see guys get these triple point slings and it takes them 5 minutes to orient before slinging their rifle. I use quality parts first and foremost when I build, but I don't see billet as something thats needed. I have built 20" heavy rifles for varmints, but that was the goal at the outset. Let the mission dictate what your rifle will be when its finished. Not sure if I answered your question, but thats my take on AR-15's. I have had and still have a 6.8spc and think its a wonderful piece of equipment, especially when hog hunting and i have a 300 BO because I wanted one to shoot suppressed. Situation dictates which gets utilized.
Dont get me wrong, I love my bolt rifles very much and they have their place, but I will always maintain an AR also.
Last edited by crash700; 06/07/16 04:15 AM. Reason: add info
Si Vis Pacem Parabellum
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Re: AR's you've had
[Re: Brother in-law]
#6325881
06/07/16 04:51 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609
SapperTitan
Taking Requests
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Taking Requests
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 29,609 |
I have 3 ARs.
1st- 14.5 in WOA in 223/556, forged lower and upper, 12 in Quadrail handguard, CMC trigger, and Vortex strike eagle on top. This is prob my best shooting AR and one of my favorites for night hunting for pigs, coons, and yotes.
2nd- 10.5 YHM 6.8SPC barrel, light weight keymod handguard, forged upper and lower, CMC trigger, Holosun red dot sight on top. I built this as a truck type gun, something small, light and compact I could easily tote around anywhere while out hunting.
3rd- 16 inch ARP scout profile barrel in 6.8SPC, 15 in mlok handguard, forged upper and lower, CMC flat trigger, SWFA 1-4 on top. I built this primarily for pig hunting out in west Texas where most my shots are a minimum of 200 yds so I wanted a little more velocity on a heavier bullet. I have shot steel easily at 500 yds with this rifle and it has become my go to AR. Im actually considering selling my 223 but can't bring myself to do it yet bc its fun and fairly inexpensive to shoot.
All in all they all have their purpose and if I were to build another it would be an AR10 in 308 just bc I don't have an AR10 yet.
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