Now and then

[teal325]

So if you knew then, what you know now about the AR and how you use it - what would you do differently?

I have my first 2 lowers coming this week and I've not decided on a single thing and thinking about the builds. Thought I'd reach out to those in the know who've obviously learned much more than I already know.

What's BS, what works, what doesn't etc. How have you come to your conclusions now about your AR and what it should be?

 

[Pigman]

Re: Now and then

I bought my first AR 4 years ago and I didn't care about function, all I cared about was wasting my money on useless crap to make it look cool. I ended up having a heavy AR with a VLTOR quad rail, vertical grip, 2 lights, 2 lasers, EOTech, and Magpul UBR. I took off one of the lights, both lasers, and put on a lighter VFG to try and lighten it up a bit, but it was still pretty heavy. The end product was a 16" Rock River with a VLTOR rail, Magpul UBR, AFG, and an EOTech.

I use my AR for hunting hogs and deer more than anything and it wasn't until a few months ago that I realized just how impractical my AR was for hunting. I'm now in the process of selling everything off my AR except the lower and starting over. I ordered a Noveske 18" upper with the NSR rail and a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 in an American Defense mount. I'm now trying to decide between a LMT SOPMOD and VLTOR IMOD stock.

The lights and lasers and vertical grips have their place but on a hunting AR all you really need is a scope, bipod, and 1 light at the most. I really wish I would have known then what I know now. It sure would've saved me lots of time and money. With AR's, especially for hunting, the K.I.S.S. principle definitely applies.

 

[groundhogbuster]

Re: Now and then

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pigman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought my first AR 4 years ago and I didn't care about function, all I cared about was wasting my money on useless crap to make it look cool. I ended up having a heavy AR with a VLTOR quad rail, vertical grip, 2 lights, 2 lasers, EOTech, and Magpul UBR. I took off one of the lights, both lasers, and put on a lighter VFG to try and lighten it up a bit, but it was still pretty heavy. The end product was a 16" Rock River with a VLTOR rail, Magpul UBR, AFG, and an EOTech.

I use my AR for hunting hogs and deer more than anything and it wasn't until a few months ago that I realized just how impractical my AR was for hunting. I'm now in the process of selling everything off my AR except the lower and starting over. I ordered a Noveske 18" upper with the NSR rail and a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40 in an American Defense mount. I'm now trying to decide between a LMT SOPMOD and VLTOR IMOD stock.

The lights and lasers and vertical grips have their place but on a hunting AR all you really need is a scope, bipod, and 1 light at the most. I really wish I would have known then what I know now. It sure would've saved me lots of time and money. With AR's, especially for hunting, the K.I.S.S. principle definitely applies. </div></div>

Before you order that SOPMOD think about B5 systems. Same exact stock, a bit cheaper, and just as rugged, but I'd choose the Vltor anyways. The AR is a very accurate rig if built correct, and the 6.8 is impressing me more each day. Just pushed an 85gr Barnes from an 18" barrel at 3275fps, and it shot in the .5's.

 

[upjeeper]

Re: Now and then

wouldn't buy a dedicated .22lr upper, just buy a carbine upper and a .22lr conversion kit

 

[Red_SC]

Re: Now and then

Quad rail, I prefer a round tube with add-on rails where needed, like the Troy Alpha rail. Also, heavy barrels.

 

[Ironhandjohn]

Re: Now and then

I always liked the CAR-15-type of rifle, with a slim barrel, fixed carry handle, and good sights. With a loaded 30-rounder they weigh next to nothing to carry, and there isn't a lot of stuff to get tangled up in the rest of your gear. Since I'm left-handed an A2/A3 upper w/ the built-in brass deflector is essential. Chrome lining in the bore is a must-have, as well.

Admittedly I'm more than a little bit old-school when it comes to a 'fighting rifle'. My main rifle is an Israeli light-barrel FAL, 11 pounds of steel and wood, shooting big, heavy, and(now)expensive ammunition. I have a friend-of-a-friend thinking about buying it, and lately the newer 'tacti-cool' ARs have me interested.

 

[Pigman]

Re: Now and then

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: groundhogbuster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Before you order that SOPMOD think about B5 systems. Same exact stock, a bit cheaper, and just as rugged, but I'd choose the Vltor anyways. The AR is a very accurate rig if built correct, and the 6.8 is impressing me more each day. Just pushed an 85gr Barnes from an 18" barrel at 3275fps, and it shot in the .5's. </div></div>

I actually just found out about the SOPMOD from B5 a few days ago and if I did get a SOPMOD it would be a B5, or a used LMT if I could find one cheap. I'm leaning more and more towards the IMOD though.

The 6.8 SPC has really impressed me as well, especially for hogs. I almost got a 6.8 upper a few months ago but unfortunately I ran into a few complications along the way so I ended up having to cancel the order.

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: Now and then

Ehhh... The problem with the question is how you perceive the use of it vs someone else.

As for a general purpose weapon, I like:

A lighter weight weapon

16" barrels, capable of reasonable accuracy (need not be sub MOA), with a lighter weight contour; able to eat anything, runs like a raped ape clean or dirty

Best quality BCG

FH instead of a brake

FF tube that creates a continuous uninterupted top rail of the exact same height as the upper.

Trigger with a crisp break - like 2 stage, but a MIL Spec without gritty / gitchy creep and a great break is just dandy too

Collapsible stock - SOPMOD is pretty hard to beat

Folding BUIS (Troy)

TIS type modern 1913 two point sling that allows me to sling up or use it as a simple 2 pt sling, sockets/swivels with stops on the half turn

A white light

A great optic - Aimpoint / good 1-4x / ACOG / Short Dot (my favorite)

As for the details of the above - that is personal preference.



Good luck

 

[bmt]

Re: Now and then

I just built two.

One precision (Mk11-ish)

One Carbine.

One can be a coyote/hog rifle.

One can be a precision/ground hog/varminter.

One size fits all can be done, its tough to do, though.

BMT