I'm getting my first AR

[Guewithane]

Im glad they are still on the shelf for your consideration. I emailed my local gunshop yesterday morning to get a price on a Glock 34 MOS gen 5. No real need, Just plinking. He wrote me:
“there are no Glocks, Sigs, CZ’s, S&W mp’s, Beretta’s, Kimber’s, Ruger’s or any other pistol or revolver on the shelf.”
He said everybody has bought them up. We both thought it strange since we live in one of the safest parts of the country in a hick town far removed from the war zones.
We both agreed it was probably “Honey, I got to buy it now because... (Joe Biden, riots, Zombies etc...)”

 

[dickn52]

Ok, my 1.5 cents worth. The AR is a very proven platform, and everyone with a vise and garage makes them now. BUT some are better obviously. I like STAG and Windham (old Bushmaster). Now, the part I got tired of quickly. After lugging one or two around for 8 years, owning 2 after that for 'sporting' use I simply ran out of enthusiasm for the things. The good ones work great...the others not so great but will work with time and patience. IF we ever get into that situation where it's needed, I'll pick one up and go back to work. Until then, I'll take my 600 to 1000 yard shots all day long.

 

[rjtfroggy]

I knew I would take heat for my response, so be it, everyone has an opinion. If your buying just to have and possibly beat the ban go for it, buy the best one you can afford.
And here I go again. If you are buying for home defense, wrong gun and so is a shot gun or rifle. The " EXPERTS use to say a hand gun held tight to the chest because long guns can be taken away by the intruder. There used to be a bunch of films on you tube about this, look them up if they haven't been taken down watch and decide for yourself.
I thought a few LEO's would jump in on this with their opinions.

 

[300_whisper]

I knew I would take heat for my response, so be it, everyone has an opinion. If your buying just to have and possibly beat the ban go for it, buy the best one you can afford.
And here I go again. If you are buying for home defense, wrong gun and so is a shot gun or rifle. The " EXPERTS use to say a hand gun held tight to the chest because long guns can be taken away by the intruder. There used to be a bunch of films on you tube about this, look them up if they haven't been taken down watch and decide for yourself.
I thought a few LEO's would jump in on this with their opinions.

you bring up a good point. How many know how to properly hold a pistol? Any firearm is worthless without the proper training. How about pieing a corner? Or knowing the difference between cover and concealment? Or how to deal with a fatal funnel?

 

[Richard Coody]

Home defense?

Not a very likely situation.

If I really felt like I needed home defense I would move

Very seldom even lock my doors unless I am leaving for a couple of days or more.

Don't see much reason for tactical training unless you enjoy that kind of stuff. If i were younger sounds like it could be fun.

I have quite a few guns shotguns, rifles and pistols. I haven't bought any of the for home defense. I just enjoy shooting.

On second thought. Home Defense! a good excuse to buy another gun.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

If an intruder can take your AR, you need to go back to the training school. An Ar with a 16 inch barrel is rather small and easy to handle in tight corners. I am a retired LEO. I have a carry permit that allows me to carry in all 50 states. On the street, although I would rather have the AR, it's not feasible. Handgun is the only choice. But at home, the AR is a winner. Just the appearance of the Ar, is a discouragement to an intruder.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I’m happy with my Rock River and Stag.

^^^^^ Excellent choices

 

[SPQR70AD]

RRA AR is the most accurate AR out of the box I ever saw. varmint models shoot like bolt guns. no need to spend over $700 for any AR and you can do well for less. To me any over 700 not worth it.

 

[300_whisper]

Home defense?

Not a very likely situation.

If I really felt like I needed home defense I would move

Very seldom even lock my doors unless I am leaving for a couple of days or more.

Don't see much reason for tactical training unless you enjoy that kind of stuff. If i were younger sounds like it could be fun.

I have quite a few guns shotguns, rifles and pistols. I haven't bought any of the for home defense. I just enjoy shooting.

On second thought. Home Defense! a good excuse to buy another gun.

Where do you live? Better to have and not need then need and not have. The only reason for a handgun is to fight your way to your rifle.

 

[Richard Coody]

Where do you live? Better to have and not need then need and not have. The only reason for a handgun is to fight your way to your rifle.

North Florida.

I enjoy punching holes in paper and banging steel with mine. Same with my rifles.

Shooting skeet and sporting clays is great fun.

Then you get to reload all those rifle, pistol and shotgun cases. A great hobby.

If I had to wait to shoot my pistol until I could fight my way to my rifle I am afraid they would rust away.

Think seriously before you shoot somebody. You will be arrested and you will have to defend yourself In court. It gets very expensive. Not to mention the physiological impact of killing someone. Much better to use some common sense and avoid situations that could get dicey.

Now granted I grew up in Georgia and have had a pistol toters license since my late teens. I am 65 now and have never needed that gun. I ran hard in my younger days. I always am within arms reach of a gun. I respect being prepared. I don't respect those who are eager for a confrontation. All these people with thousands of rounds of ammo just don't realize reality. How many firefights do you think you can survive without getting shot. My opinion the best survival tecnique is avoid those conflicts. Hide in a hole and let the bad azzes shoot it out.

 

[DRNewcomb]

My first AR, which I have not had for years, was a pile of c*ap parts gun, that I now believe the previous owner had used a drop-in auto-sear in. That was many years ago. I now have several, all for different purposes, including a 12 lb, free-floated, service rifle and a "space gun" match rifle. I'd suspect that were I to get another, it would be a 10" barreled SBR in 300 Blackout but I first have to find room in my safe for it. Either that or maybe a WWSD carbine, when they come out.

The first thing to ask yourself is "How do I intend to use it?" Or maybe you're like my brother who bought one only because, "Obama doesn't want me to have it."

 

[6MMsteve]

get a 5.56 and you can shoot 556 and 223

 

[6MMsteve]

I have a DPMS upper with anderson lower shot it about 400x not one failure but I keep it cleaned and oiled..they are a good utility rifle, I live on a farm and grab a couple 30 clips and go coon and groundhogging easy light and reliable for me..have the iron hooded crosshair on the front sight and it's easy to swing and pop 6 inch gongs at 100 and 150 reAL quick the x hair front sight I love..by the way bout 2 months ago is the first time I ever had a ar in my hands they r fun when u get your sights set your off to the races

 

[Richard Coody]

There are several shooting competitions for Ar's

3 gun is a very active one
Match rifle
High power
I am sure there are others

Varmint hunting is another. Popular with the prairie dog shooters and the coyote hunters

You just need to decide what you want it for. All have their special modifications.

 

[argrendel]

If I was going to buy just one AR and keep it for ever I think it would be a Daniel Defense. But saying that, and knowing it is one of the most customizable firearms out there, I’d consider the possibility of adding on to it. LaRue makes a kit that gives you everything but the stripped lower to build a nice dependable AR. After that, there’s match barrels, several calibers, and if you’re interested, you then can look at AR-10s!

 

[243Mendoza]

Mob mentality that is effecting some makes me see that my shotguns, pistols & bolt actions isn't gonna work against 10, 25 or 50 that decide to loot homes in my neighborhood.

I don't think the law will allow shooting looters or arsonists if the the local government is liberal. You may end up in jail and lose all your firearms rights.

 

[dsinfour]

You better buy 2 of them before the blue boys try to take them away... Later

 

[300_whisper]

I don't think the law will allow shooting looters or arsonists if the the local government is liberal. You may end up in jail and lose all your firearms rights.

Well you’re screwed anyway. Prison or Dead. That’s a choice you’ll have to make if you’re ever in a self defense situation.

 

[Richard Coody]

I have a DPMS upper with anderson lower shot it about 400x not one failure but I keep it cleaned and oiled..they are a good utility rifle, I live on a farm and grab a couple 30 clips and go coon and groundhogging easy light and reliable for me..have the iron hooded crosshair on the front sight and it's easy to swing and pop 6 inch gongs at 100 and 150 reAL quick the x hair front sight I love..by the way bout 2 months ago is the first time I ever had a ar in my hands they r fun when u get your sights set your off to the races

Yep it's so hot I didn't even think about hunting
I have a lightweight 6.5 grendel i do hog extermination with. Farmer buddies say kill all you can. Thermal scope is on my list.
I also have a 6mm grendel with a heavy 24" barrel that I coyote hunt with. That one is pretty accurate for an ar. Don't want to carry it far though.
Have a 30 cal. Grendel barrel ordered that will be fun to do load development with and see just what it will do.

 

[Oso]

+1 Daniel Defense
I was fortunate that Daniel Defense was my first AR15. AR's all look the same, and it makes it hard to form a bond/connection like you do with an elegant wood stocked bolt gun. I didn't fully get the AR mindset until I started shooting some local 3-Gun Matches. A day in the rain, tossing the gun in a metal barrel or in the mud makes you learn to appreciate its ugliness!!!

Since then I have built and bought several premium AR in both pistol and rifle calibers. DD is the One that I will grab, which is saying a lot. I also can speak to the quality of construction...I had a quest shooter pick up off the ground a 300BO round and load it into the magazine and then shoot a string. I was standing behind him when I observed a strange sounding muzzle report and debris cloud exiting the ejection port. It destroyed the BCG and split/cracked the upper receiver. Shooter was not injured and none he wiser to the catastrophic failure he had caused all of which was where the gun was designed to fail. Next day, I went and bought my second DD as a replacement.

I have no affiliation with DD... just a very satisfied user whose friend still has his eyes, finger and hand the same as before blowing up my gun. No, he didn't volunteer to pay anything. I look at it as price of new rifle is way less than ER bill. Money well spent!