texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
nmmuledeerhunter, Dzia-Dzia, TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed
71989 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,030
Posts9,719,598
Members86,989
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
First AR15 purchase help #8450668 11/16/21 10:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Will I be able to attach a flashlight in any way to a rifle with the plastic hand guard like in this link? https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ruger-ar-556-semi-auto-rifle

Or do I HAVE to get a rifle with a floating rail such as this one to accept a light? https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ruger-ar-556-semi-auto-rifle-with-free-float-handguard

After messing with some at some different stores I prefer the big plastic hand guard, but I know for sure I'd like to add a flashlight to the rail on whichever gun I decide to get. I also want to add a red dot

Thanks for any help!

Last edited by dk2429; 11/16/21 10:59 PM.
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8450680 11/16/21 11:11 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
O
okstatefan Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
Definitely go with the free floating handguard with the MLOK. It is well worth the small upgrade price.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: okstatefan] #8450685 11/16/21 11:13 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by okstatefan
Definitely go with the free floating handguard with the MLOK. It is well worth the small upgrade price.


I keep reading/hearing about M-LOK but still don't understand exactly what it is!

From my current gathered information, the floating rail will benifit me more although I like the feel of the plastic handguard more. I need that happy median!!!

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8450785 11/17/21 01:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Looks like this M&P15 has a plastic hand guard that is also MLOK

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8450810 11/17/21 01:23 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
E
Earl Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
E
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
MLOK is just a method of attachment of accessories to the handguard or rail - it was developed by Magpul. So you can find it on their plastic series of handguards. It's pretty much supplanted the keymod rail attachment design that came before it. Then there is the picatinny rail attachments that came before both of them. You can't go wrong with MLOK or Picatinny - the Magpul MLOK will be your cheapest and as you've noticed it comes on some of the S&W series (also some Colt) and also many other manufacturers.. Most manufacturers offer some version of MLOK or Picatinny these days.

For a basic first AR15 you can't go wrong with an M&P 15.

Earl


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8450951 11/17/21 03:22 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/di...-nato-16-in-rifle?sku=-223-rem-5-56-nato

Trying to decide now if the M&P/Ruger are worth the extra $100/$150 over the DB15 linked. Thats 100-150 bucks toward an even nicer red dot/light

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8450988 11/17/21 04:03 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
E
Earl Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
E
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
They (M&P/Ruger) are a better gun in my opinion than the DB15, but the DB15 will serve it's purpose too. Finding one in stock at that price might not always be easy. Also check out Scheels. They carry the gun at the same price when they have it in stock.

If price is a big factor, give Palmetto State Armory a look. Their PSA AR15's are even cheaper but still a very good buy. They often have sales on complete upper and complete lowers. Often it can be cheaper with PSA to buy them seperate and just snap them together. I've done this many times. For instance the two assemblies below will get you a complete gun for $440. Technically these are "blems" but I never notice anything on their blems that look out of place to me. Both of these feature mapul furniture, the mlok handguards, a magpul MBUS rear sight and you even get an upgraded trigger. Not bad features at all for a $440 AR in today's climate.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/ble...e-upper-with-bcg-ch-rear-mbus-black.html

https://palmettostatearmory.com/blem-psa-ar-15-complete-lower-magpul-moe-ept-edition-black.html




Last edited by Earl; 11/17/21 04:07 AM.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451043 11/17/21 05:16 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
B
BigPig Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
Magpul sells a great option to replace that tapered in mastic handguard. It takes a few minutes to install and has Mlock rails on each side. You just need to know what length you need.


https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/hand-guards/ar15-m4-m16-ar10.html


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
Rendon Realty, LLC
Frontline Real Estate Team
www.RendonRealty.com
WadeDews@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/
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451071 11/17/21 07:55 AM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,811
B
Bigfoot Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
B
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,811
I kind of agree with Earl on the PSA purchase. If you can put together your own rifle you will actually save money because you can customize it right off the bat. What you dont want to do is spend $800 on a rifle and then decide you dont like the stock or handguard or whatever. Then you buy a new stock to replace the stock you just paid for. Money wasted in my opinion.

The most important items of your AR will be the barrel trigger and optic. I would spend all or most of your money on buying these 3 items.


GO TRUMP!
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451132 11/17/21 12:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,541
P
patriot07 Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
P
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,541
Don't get a plastic handguard without mlok if you want to attach stuff. Either S&W or Ruger make a good starter AR. My current AR is a Ruger MPR and I like it a lot.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451163 11/17/21 01:19 PM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 422
D
Dzhitshard Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
D
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 422
Highly advise NOT buying PSA blem parts for your first AR.

The blems are not all cosmetic and someone who doesn’t know what they are looking at or have other parts they can compare them to can run into some complex issues.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: Dzhitshard] #8451695 11/17/21 09:28 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
E
Earl Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
E
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
Everyone has different experiences. I've never had any issues whatsoever with their BLEMs but that's just me. Non Blem's won't run much higher there either.

If buying only local you can't go wrong with S&W or Ruger and the DB will get the job done for a bit cheaper. WIndham would also be worth a look if you found one priced right.

Earl

Originally Posted by Dzhitshard
Highly advise NOT buying PSA blem parts for your first AR.

The blems are not all cosmetic and someone who doesn’t know what they are looking at or have other parts they can compare them to can run into some complex issues.





Last edited by Earl; 11/17/21 09:36 PM.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451748 11/17/21 10:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
O
okstatefan Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
As far as PSA goes, we have six of them. The five in 223/556 are a combination of the FN CHF barrels and two SS 223 Wylde. Never a problem with any of them and they are as accurate as we are. Most of them are pretty stock except LaRue MBT triggers. The other is in 6.5 Grendel. It had a misaligned gas block upon arrival. After about a two week turnaround it was back in hand and cycling flawlessly. Most of the time I grab a particular PSA build over my DDM4V7.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451875 11/18/21 12:05 AM
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 422
D
Dzhitshard Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
D
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 422
Sure, most are ok and I’m happy for everyone who got a functional piece but blems are blems for a reason and it’s not always anodizing color or scratched finishes.

3 PSA blems that crossed my desk in the last couple months are 2 with unfinished machining in the upper’s charging handle race and another had a bad magwell casting that wouldn’t take a mag. [Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Everyone needs to start somewhere but these are Probably not hurdles a first time AR owner needs to wrestle with.

It’s an opinion.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451961 11/18/21 01:46 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….

Attached Files D62DD1AB-B422-4045-8961-C04344ED4E6C.jpeg
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8451977 11/18/21 02:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
B
BigPig Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….



Solid purchase. I’d suggest the Streamlight TLR 1 HL mounted upside down on the top of the handguard. You can operate it with your off hand thumb this way. Plenty of light.


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
Rendon Realty, LLC
Frontline Real Estate Team
www.RendonRealty.com
WadeDews@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/
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: BigPig] #8451978 11/18/21 02:08 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
skinnerback Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Offline
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
Originally Posted by BigPig
Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….



Solid purchase. I’d suggest the Streamlight TLR 1 HL mounted upside down on the top of the handguard. You can operate it with your off hand thumb this way. Plenty of light.



Listen to the Pig.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8452038 11/18/21 02:58 AM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
E
Earl Offline
Extreme Tracker
Offline
Extreme Tracker
E
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,515
That's a good buy for sure, you'll be happy.

For red dots I like the Sig Romeo 5 or Holosun H403 - both are $150. They are decent red dots for the money. Not Trijicon MRO's or Accupoints but perfect for a budget AR.

Earl

Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….


[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: Earl] #8452067 11/18/21 03:15 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by Earl
That's a good buy for sure, you'll be happy.

For red dots I like the Sig Romeo 5 or Holosun H403 - both are $150. They are decent red dots for the money. Not Trijicon MRO's or Accupoints but perfect for a budget AR.

Earl

Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….



Literally everyone at every gun shop I went to told me the Romeo 5. That’s what I’ll do

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: BigPig] #8452069 11/18/21 03:16 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
Originally Posted by BigPig
Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….



Solid purchase. I’d suggest the Streamlight TLR 1 HL mounted upside down on the top of the handguard. You can operate it with your off hand thumb this way. Plenty of light.



This? https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-69260-Weapon-Tactical-Flashlight/dp/B00B8Q31UQ?th=1&psc=1

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8452083 11/18/21 03:36 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 781
7
7o8 Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
7
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 781
That will work, I run the same on my AR...

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8452107 11/18/21 04:21 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
D
dk2429 Offline OP
Woodsman
OP Offline
Woodsman
D
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 130
So I do have to buy some extra mounting stuff for it to go on an MLOK rail like the one I have? Or is that reason to go

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8452171 11/18/21 10:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,234
Chickenman Online Shocked
Extremely Right Wing
Online Shocked
Extremely Right Wing
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,234
Originally Posted by dk2429
So I do have to buy some extra mounting stuff for it to go on an MLOK rail like the one I have? Or is that reason to go


As long as the accessory comes with the camming T nuts, its plug and play.

Those T nuts are sold separately too.


[Linked Image]
Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8452581 11/18/21 06:06 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
O
okstatefan Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
O
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,539
Nice carbine at a good price. The Romeo5 is hard to beat. I have two and am extremely pleased.

Re: First AR15 purchase help [Re: dk2429] #8453149 11/19/21 05:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
B
BigPig Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
B
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,691
Originally Posted by dk2429
Originally Posted by BigPig
Originally Posted by dk2429
Got the Ruger AR556. Found it on sale at $699 and couldn’t say no.

Now a red dot and a flash light….



Solid purchase. I’d suggest the Streamlight TLR 1 HL mounted upside down on the top of the handguard. You can operate it with your off hand thumb this way. Plenty of light.



This? https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-69260-Weapon-Tactical-Flashlight/dp/B00B8Q31UQ?th=1&psc=1


Yes sir


Wade Dews, REALTOR ®
Rendon Realty, LLC
Frontline Real Estate Team
www.RendonRealty.com
WadeDews@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/
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3