Entry level recomendations?

CoolhandLuke · 09-26-2004, 02:32 PM

So up to now I've just been shooting handguns and precision air rifles. That's been great, because there is a exellent pistol range near my house. But now I'm in college and the handguns are staying with my parents. In CO it is much easier for me to own and shoot a rifle than a pistol, and my school is out in the middle of nowhere so there are many more places available to shoot a rifle. I'm thinking of buying a semi-auto in .223, The cheap ammo being a nice selling point. I'm not looking for anything to fancy, probably just a basic A2 configuration ar15, but I am open to suggestions. I'm a decent shot with my air rifles, so I'm not a compleate novice, but I'm pretty close. Whats would you guys recomend for me?

MAP · 09-27-2004, 07:40 AM

Check out AR15.com. You'll get information overload for 5.56mm rifle suggestions.

Mike

h4444 · 09-27-2004, 07:20 PM

Ever consider an AR 180B.

Check it out at Armalite's website.

It uses AR15 mags and firecontrol components and the rest is based on the original AR180 design.

It is a full sized rifle, lighter than most carbines. It is essentially a flatop.

One cone is the current mounting rail is proprietary, but you can get a scope and the proprietary mount relatively cheap.

Find a dealer with a conscious and you can get one cheaper than an AR 15.

Also,,,,,due to the AK style gas system and simple construction, they are darn easy to clean.

H4444

Somerled · 09-28-2004, 06:42 PM

Currently I am using a Bushmaster AR-15 lower receiver with a DPMS top end. Once you get a lower receiver, you can set up all sorts of combinations. I am thinking about getting another Bushmaster, DPMS or Rock River Arms lower and building a 9mm carbine.

AR15.com is indeed a good place to participate.

spcwes · 09-30-2004, 12:49 PM

I say the best deal on the market is going to be the Rock River Arms. I have recently ordered mine with all the trimmings. They are made to order and made out of the best parts available and they are not the most expensive by far. You should be able to get into a RRA M4 style or Ar for around the same price or cheaper than a bushmaster or Armalite. 8)

CoolhandLuke · 09-30-2004, 05:13 PM

RRA and Bushmaster are the two I've been looking the most at. I've thought about building one, but I would rather have some experance before I try something that ambitous. RRA lists some of their chambers as .223 wylde, what's that?

spcwes · 10-01-2004, 05:53 AM

Never heard of it. You can have RRA build it the way you want it. Talk with there sales team and have then give you recommendations on what you think you are looking for. Very good people to deal with if you can get one on the phone. 8)

Mute · 10-01-2004, 07:20 AM

I've got an RRA A-4. It's a fantastic rifle. Definitely a great value given the price and quality. The .223 Wylde is kinda a cross between the .223 and a 5.56. You can get the info here: .223 Wylde.

CoolhandLuke · 10-01-2004, 12:59 PM

Thank you, that's page answered a ton of my qs.

AF FAL · 11-02-2005, 09:58 PM

I am not sure where you are from, but Colorado has some of the most liberal gun laws in the country, very gun friendly.

I am down the road in Aurora. Using ahndguns is not a real issue in this state, if you are actually from out of state, I think the only problem would be actually carrying it, check with the local sherriff to get all the facts.

Building your own is VERY simple. There are several books available online or at gunshows that show you how to assemble one. That is how I got started building my own, over 100 builds later I have still not had any problems/catastrophes, and it is really fun. I only recommend you take it to a gunshop to check the headspace before shooting it. If you go the seperate barrel route, have a gunsmith do the barreling if you don't have a vise and action block.

As far as a complete rifle, I would go RRA or even DPMS. I have purchased complete uppers from DPMS, and they were willing to build uppers to my needs/wants with no problems. I have a RRA 9mm upper unit and lower, great quality, reasonable prices. I have spoken to the folks that do the 1911's at RRA, if they are any indicator the AR side of the house should be great to work with.

The only thing I would recommend against from personal experience is getting the TiN coated bolts, I have had nothing but problems using the TiN Coated bolts, the carriers are fine, without the Tin Bolt in my opinion. Hardchrome or plain jane is the way to go I think.

09-26-2004, 02:32 PM	#1
CoolhandLuke Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 283	Entry level recomendations? So up to now I've just been shooting handguns and precision air rifles. That's been great, because there is a exellent pistol range near my house. But now I'm in college and the handguns are staying with my parents. In CO it is much easier for me to own and shoot a rifle than a pistol, and my school is out in the middle of nowhere so there are many more places available to shoot a rifle. I'm thinking of buying a semi-auto in .223, The cheap ammo being a nice selling point. I'm not looking for anything to fancy, probably just a basic A2 configuration ar15, but I am open to suggestions. I'm a decent shot with my air rifles, so I'm not a compleate novice, but I'm pretty close. Whats would you guys recomend for me?

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09-27-2004, 07:40 AM	#2
MAP Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 127	Check out AR15.com. You'll get information overload for 5.56mm rifle suggestions. Mike

09-27-2004, 07:20 PM	#3
h4444 Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 241	Ever consider an AR 180B. Check it out at Armalite's website. It uses AR15 mags and firecontrol components and the rest is based on the original AR180 design. It is a full sized rifle, lighter than most carbines. It is essentially a flatop. One cone is the current mounting rail is proprietary, but you can get a scope and the proprietary mount relatively cheap. Find a dealer with a conscious and you can get one cheaper than an AR 15. Also,,,,,due to the AK style gas system and simple construction, they are darn easy to clean. H4444

09-28-2004, 06:42 PM	#4
Somerled Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 122	Currently I am using a Bushmaster AR-15 lower receiver with a DPMS top end. Once you get a lower receiver, you can set up all sorts of combinations. I am thinking about getting another Bushmaster, DPMS or Rock River Arms lower and building a 9mm carbine. AR15.com is indeed a good place to participate.

09-30-2004, 12:49 PM	#5
spcwes Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 391	I say the best deal on the market is going to be the Rock River Arms. I have recently ordered mine with all the trimmings. They are made to order and made out of the best parts available and they are not the most expensive by far. You should be able to get into a RRA M4 style or Ar for around the same price or cheaper than a bushmaster or Armalite. 8)

09-30-2004, 05:13 PM	#6
CoolhandLuke Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 283	RRA and Bushmaster are the two I've been looking the most at. I've thought about building one, but I would rather have some experance before I try something that ambitous. RRA lists some of their chambers as .223 wylde, what's that?

10-01-2004, 05:53 AM	#7
spcwes Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Missouri Posts: 391	Never heard of it. You can have RRA build it the way you want it. Talk with there sales team and have then give you recommendations on what you think you are looking for. Very good people to deal with if you can get one on the phone. 8)

10-01-2004, 07:20 AM	#8
Mute Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: People's Republik, Komrade Posts: 934	I've got an RRA A-4. It's a fantastic rifle. Definitely a great value given the price and quality. The .223 Wylde is kinda a cross between the .223 and a 5.56. You can get the info here: .223 Wylde.

10-01-2004, 12:59 PM	#9
CoolhandLuke Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 283	Thank you, that's page answered a ton of my qs.

11-02-2005, 09:58 PM	#10
AF FAL Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sunny with lots of Sand Posts: 59	I am not sure where you are from, but Colorado has some of the most liberal gun laws in the country, very gun friendly. I am down the road in Aurora. Using ahndguns is not a real issue in this state, if you are actually from out of state, I think the only problem would be actually carrying it, check with the local sherriff to get all the facts. Building your own is VERY simple. There are several books available online or at gunshows that show you how to assemble one. That is how I got started building my own, over 100 builds later I have still not had any problems/catastrophes, and it is really fun. I only recommend you take it to a gunshop to check the headspace before shooting it. If you go the seperate barrel route, have a gunsmith do the barreling if you don't have a vise and action block. As far as a complete rifle, I would go RRA or even DPMS. I have purchased complete uppers from DPMS, and they were willing to build uppers to my needs/wants with no problems. I have a RRA 9mm upper unit and lower, great quality, reasonable prices. I have spoken to the folks that do the 1911's at RRA, if they are any indicator the AR side of the house should be great to work with. The only thing I would recommend against from personal experience is getting the TiN coated bolts, I have had nothing but problems using the TiN Coated bolts, the carriers are fine, without the Tin Bolt in my opinion. Hardchrome or plain jane is the way to go I think.