I want to buy my first AR

[Dave2]

This right here. In 12 years in the service, 95% of the failures I have seen out of an M4 (and 99.9% of M9 failures) are bad magazines. Most of the rest are either due to improper lubrication (often overlubricating) or other user error, such as losing the extractor spring.

Buy P-Mags. I very rarely only support one particular product over all the others in the same category, but I have been extremely happy with P-mags, and the only problem I have ever had is the catch dug through the follower of one of my mags, not exactly sure how that happened. I've tried all different types of steel magazines and other polymer magazines, but I will never buy and will not trust my life to anything other than p-mags.

I'm confused... Are Pro-Mags the same as P-Mags?

[maverick2076]

There has been a large movement towards P-mags in the military for a while now. They have become available in the supply system now. Even before that, though, a lot of guys bought their own.

USGI mags work just fine, if they are maintained and are replaced when they get beat up. Unfortunately, that does not always happen.

[The Annoyed Man]

This right here. In 12 years in the service, 95% of the failures I have seen out of an M4 (and 99.9% of M9 failures) are bad magazines. Most of the rest are either due to improper lubrication (often overlubricating) or other user error, such as losing the extractor spring.

Buy P-Mags. I very rarely only support one particular product over all the others in the same category, but I have been extremely happy with P-mags, and the only problem I have ever had is the catch dug through the follower of one of my mags, not exactly sure how that happened. I've tried all different types of steel magazines and other polymer magazines, but I will never buy and will not trust my life to anything other than p-mags.

I'm confused... Are Pro-Mags the same as P-Mags?

P-Mags are made by Magpul. The others are made by ProMag Industries. Buy the P-Mags. You won't regret it. They're not even as expensive as they used to be.

[Afff_667]

Well, I'm not usually a Kool Aid drinker, but I did several months worth of research (including careful consideration of The Chart) and ended up with a BCM 16" mid-length upper and BCM lower. Since there seems to be a little antipathy and misunderstanding here towards milspec and the "spreadsheet," I'd like to simply reinforce what's already been written about having a good understanding of what you want an AR to do before settling on which one to buy. In many cases, however, a Tier 1 weapon doesn't cost that much more than a mid-level or even a lower-level AR. Factor in the advantages of a properly tested barrel, properly staked castle nut and gas keys, full auto BCG, etc over the expected life of the rifle, and you'll find that a relatively small amount of money becomes less important. Buy once, cry once.

Look at the Colt LE6920, considered by many to be a solid standard. You can find them for $1,100 all day if you look around. That's a little over $100 more than the RRAs referenced below, and the Colt is a much better rifle. Period. Even if the Colt was $300 more, that's not a lot of money to spread out over several years. Skip a few dinners out and take your lunch to work for a couple of weeks, and you'll have the difference saved in no time.

I'd recommend not getting hung up on optics, either. Get good iron sights/BUIS and shoot the snot out of it before getting an Aimpoint. An RDS will help and is a wonderful thing, but there's nothing like being confident with the basics and knowing that you can make the shot even if the RDS goes down.

PMags are the way to go. No real reason to go with anything else.

2,000 rounds in a year and no malfunctions? What about 2,000 rounds in a month or even over a three- or four-day training class? That's when the advantages of a Tier 1 AR become apparent. Buy what you want, but keep in mind what you're going to want to do with the weapon.

[Scott in Houston]

I finally caved in and bought my first AR yesterday. I got a Colt AR6520.

I have wanted an M-16 since basic training in 1972. This is probably as close as I will get.

I had actually planned to get a S&W, but this was the same price and came with the sights I wanted.

Congrats!!! I can't wait until I post the same type of thing. :)

[texjames]

I finally caved in and bought my first AR yesterday. I got a Colt AR6520.

I have wanted an M-16 since basic training in 1972. This is probably as close as I will get.

I had actually planned to get a S&W, but this was the same price and came with the sights I wanted.

Congrats!!! I can't wait until I post the same type of thing. :)

Congrats you guys lets see some pics and vids when ya get to rock'n them.
Here's one to get ya excited...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyj8y1Dup64

[Scott in Houston]

One thing I decided for sure....

I'm not buying one right now. I'm going to do some more learning and reading and talking to knowledgable folks. I thought I had a good idea of what I wanted, now I'm not so sure. hehe

There's no hurry, so I'm going to slow down.

[Pawpaw]

I've wanted an M-16 or M-16 A1 just like the ones I used in the Air Force. That ain't gonna happen, so the AR15-A2 is as close as I can get. I like the carbine length better too.

Spec sheet

This is the one I call mine, perched on my usual "shooting table" along with the 2 USGI 20 rounders it came with, 2 more USGI 30-rounders, and 2 PMAG 30-rounders. That's a total of 160 rounds without a hitch.



I'm not a Colt koolaid drinker but since real M-16's have the prancing pony...



I may get a flat-top later, but for now I have what I want. The rifle itself was $920.00 + tax at CTD in McKinney.

[texjames]

Nice pawpaw....real sweet rifle.You did'nt waste no time hitting the range huh?

[Pawpaw]

Nice pawpaw....real sweet rifle.You did'nt waste no time hitting the range huh?

I just couldn't wait!

The range I use is so far away. I have to drive my truck about 100 yards before I can shoot!

[Scott in Houston]

Ok... Opinion on the Sig 516 SWAT?

I looked at one at my local gun shop today, and really liked what I saw and felt.
It comes with the quad rail and a red dot optic. It was $1350.

I know Sig makes quality in all other firearms, so is it true here?
Also, it's a lifetime warranty which was nice too. :)

The rifle just felt "right" to me. I almost bought it, but because it's so final, I decided to do a little research on it first.

Opinions?

[texjames]

Ok... Opinion on the Sig 516 SWAT?

I looked at one at my local gun shop today, and really liked what I saw and felt.
It comes with the quad rail and a red dot optic. It was $1350.

I know Sig makes quality in all other firearms, so is it true here?
Also, it's a lifetime warranty which was nice too. :)

The rifle just felt "right" to me. I almost bought it, but because it's so final, I decided to do a little research on it first.

Opinions?

Is that the gas piston model? http://www.tactical-life.com/online/pro ... ives_title
What optics is on it?
I think its in one of my gun magazines....i'll look for it.

[Scott in Houston]

Ok... Opinion on the Sig 516 SWAT?

I looked at one at my local gun shop today, and really liked what I saw and felt.
It comes with the quad rail and a red dot optic. It was $1350.

I know Sig makes quality in all other firearms, so is it true here?
Also, it's a lifetime warranty which was nice too. :)

The rifle just felt "right" to me. I almost bought it, but because it's so final, I decided to do a little research on it first.

Opinions?

Is that the gas piston model? http://www.tactical-life.com/online/pro ... ives_title
What optics is on it?
I think its in one of my gun magazines....i'll look for it.

That's it. The optic is branded with Sig's name, but it's made by someone else. He said the name, but I'm drawing a blank. It started with an "i" I believe.
I'm trying to Google and figure out which manufacturer makes it.
I'd guess it's a mid-range optic at best, but not bad to start with and it provides an opening below to do short range, iron site shooting.

It looked sort of like this:

http://www.topgunsupply.com/sig-sauer-r ... s-081.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But it was mounted high for the opening below. I'm not sure that's the actual optic, but it's similar.


EDIT: It's actually made by iTAC in New Hampshire. It's about a $110-$150 sight I believe. It's not awesome, but ok for starters I guess.

I'm more concerned about the quality of the rifle itself because the optic can be changed and is relatively inexpensive.
This is an exact pic of how it looks now...
The stock is Magpul.

[texjames]

Those Sig gas piston AR's have not been out too long i don't know what to tell ya.
That link to the Sig reddor looks alot like a Primary Arms reddot that $79.95...I have one on a AK47 and its ok but surely not a aimpoint...ya know.
If it was me i'd get the Colt or RRA...but if ya like it go for it. Ther are deals out there.
That trip to Houston would be a good trip to take and see what they have too...
here is a NRA article on the Sig556....http://www.americanrifleman.org/Webcont ... sig516.pdf