Can or AR?

[earthquake]

So I've got $1,100 burning a hole in my pocket. I've been waiting in limbo to buy a can once I find out if I'm moving to OH soon or not, and got to thinking, "<span style="font-style: italic">Hey, I could use another rifle!</span>" (I only own one, a bolt .308) anyway, I got to looking around after seeing magazine ads and see that I can get a complete AR type rifle for about $750 on up.

I know Jack-Squat about AR's.

I'm just looking for an AR for fun/plinking/home-defense/whatever, and thought it'd be a good caliber rifle to introduce my son to shooting as well. I was thinking of something simple with a collapsible stock, a Picatinny top rail and 16" - 18" barrel. Not going to use it for long range.

So in that <$1,000 price range, what brands should I look at and who should I steer clear of?

Or should I just buy the Can for my bolt-gun?

Thanks in advance.

 

[OutlawTen5]

Re: Can or AR?

Get the CAN (Thunder Beast) in the works now ASAP while you've got some of the money and you can get an AR any other time.
For an AR-15, contact www.specializeddynamics.com

 

[sardiniagunner]

Re: Can or AR?

How old is your son?

 

[Apex Motorsports]

Re: Can or AR?

I would say get a can for your 308. But the down side is the time it takes for the gov to process your paperwork. (3-8 months before you have your can). Not sure about your states laws but in Oregon we walk in, buy and walk out with a rifle or pistol (electronic background check takes less than 20 min){non NFA items}. Personally I have everything but a can and that's my next move. While your waiting you can always get an AR. My go to MFG's are LMT, Daniel Defense, Colt (different trigger parts etc can make getting gear more expensive or more lead time). My next ar will be something with LMT receivers. You can score an LMT upper and lower for under a grand and it's comparable to the M4 in build quality.

Surefire can is on my order list along with thunder beast. (thunder beast is a little cheaper and screws on, ie if your not planning on taking it off). The up side of modern suppressors is they don't wear out like the old versions.

Hope that helps.

 

[earthquake]

Re: Can or AR?

Yep, that does help. Thanks for the advice...why didn't I think of buying the rifle while waiting on the can?!?

I'll look into LMT, Colt and Daniel Defense...thanks for the suggestions. My son is six...will start him on my .22, but thought he might be able to handle the .223 sooner than my .308

 

[sardiniagunner]

Re: Can or AR?

My son is five, I let him shoot my 16" carbine (heavy supervision of course). I was asking because if the kiddo is that young it really helps to have the collapsable stock (he could never reach the trigger without it). I started him on a cienner kit in it with subsonics one at a time and he does great. Even a five year old can make hits with an aimpoint

I now let him shoot a few rounds semi auto once in a while and usually give him one real 5.56 round at the end of our session.

So I say get the ar, any decent make will do. Start teaching the youngin the basics of safety, and show him shooting is fun. Then get your can once your move is settled.

My .02

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Can or AR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC_4_life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would say get a can for your 308. But the down side is the time it takes for the gov to process your paperwork. (3-8 months before you have your can). Not sure about your states laws but in Oregon we walk in, buy and walk out with a rifle or pistol (electronic background check takes less than 20 min){non NFA items}. Personally I have everything but a can and that's my next move. While your waiting you can always get an AR. My go to MFG's are LMT, Daniel Defense, <span style="color: #FF0000">Colt (different trigger parts etc can make getting gear more expensive or more lead time)</span>. My next ar will be something with LMT receivers. You can score an LMT upper and lower for under a grand and it's comparable to the M4 in build quality.

Surefire can is on my order list along with thunder beast. (thunder beast is a little cheaper and screws on, ie if your not planning on taking it off). The up side of modern suppressors is they don't wear out like the old versions.

Hope that helps. </div></div>

I read somewhere that the later Colts now have the std size trigger/hammer pins etc but I have not seen this with my own eyes.

To the OP: If you have not yet moved and the state/local laws where you live now are different from where you are going, I'd say wait on the can and grab a good AR. It will make the whole deal simpler in my opinion. Even after you lay that money down for the can, you still have probably at least 4-8 months wait ahead of you.

May I suggest you get a QD can like the YHM Titanium 7.62 when you spring for it. All you have to do is screw an adapter/flash hider on the AR ($60 online) and you'll have 1 can for all. The 7.62 does an admirable job on 5.56.

Like any advice you get on the internet, YMMV.

 

[ms6852]

Re: Can or AR?

I would get the AR15 first. You cannot use a can for home defense but are great for rolling tortillas and pie crusts. Others have not suggested Rock River Arms. For the money they are great rifles and reliable. I own one. The best thing in my opinion is the have models that guarantee 3/4 moa and 1 moa accuracy for several hundred dollars less than other brands. If you really want to go less expensive but not cheap go with Smith and Wesson M&P15's. Several models can be within your price range.