Confessions of an AR Virgin

New AR

Speedo 66--As they say, w/o pix it never happened. We all like pix. Plus, we'll need a range report when you get that far...

Good on you, Speedo66!

I recently completed what will probably be my last AR Build ... using one of those bare $40 Anderson Lowers from AIM.

The Upper was an AR-Stoner brand 16" A3 flat-top which included Charging Handle & Bolt Carrier Assy for $289.

I have never been a fan of Direct Impingement, so I haven't spent a lot of time shooting any of my ARs.

I still have not fired it. Life, holidays and weather/temperature have temporarily gotten in the way.

What took you so long

Go shoot that thing and have some fun. Pics would be nice.

I'm not a huge fan of the AR platform either, but I have one regardless. Maybe it's the lack of a reciprocating bolt handle, or all those things sticking up and down that bother me. I just like clean, streamlined and simple lines.

Trained on the A1 and A2 models in the AF back in the day. Thing that stuck with me over the years was the light recoil and that twang of the recoil spring. Oh, and cleaning the carbon crud from them as junior enlisted from everyone else's AR after annual qualifications.

Recently came back to the platform because the AR is probably the most inexpensive, light recoiling, and fairly accurate self defense platform out there. Yeah, I know about AK's and the like and actually quite like my Ruski SKS but gunsmithing the AR and parts availability is superb as are the AR's ergonomics.

I know some who favor bullpups, VZ-58's, SCAR's, FAL's, and the like but unless you really plan for urban battleground II where distance and penetration matter, then the AR is quite sufficient for personal defense for most situations outside of combat.

One thing about the cheap steel cased ammo though is that you need to take into account the time to clean the rifle afterward is generally lengthened and that some ranges ban steel cased ammo. If you have a choice, avoid the lacquered stuff as the lacquer can gum up your chamber. The polycoated stuff is less prone to leaving unpleasant residue. Also lay in some additional extractors as steel cased ammo can be hard on them.

Good luck and good shooting.

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No denying the AR's place in history or it's present position as America's Sporting Rifle of the 21st Century... but I'm w/ Chris in VA: I get close to DROSing one... then I toss it aside and go for another bolt- or lever gun.

What's wrong with me? Hahaha... I like it Old School.

I'll have an AR one day. Maybe.


Meanwhile... Congrats! on slapping your own together! I sure like the low cost. Looking forward to some pictures.

Good job, Speedo.


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Just because I'm paranoid, I'll tell you what I do with all new autoloaders. Rifle, pistol, built by me or from the factory. Load one in the mag and make sure the bolt locks open on firing. Load two and make sure it picks up the next cartridge but doesn't double. Do this a few times (maybe a half dozen), then load it full and have fun. I have had a few double on me and I really don't want a runaway with a 30 round magazine. One was a home built AR, one was a factory AR and a couple others were "Bubba Specials" of the 1911 persuasion.

When you can get something you want for a little less money, that's always a good thing. Besides, AR's get addicting. The problems come when you have more than one in the gun safe. They reproduce!

I don't know of any commercial .223 out there right now using lacquer coating. Could be but I don't think so.

The worst is the Tula .223. If you are going to be cheap I would recommend sticking to the Wolf stuff for steel case .223 REM.

I was hesitant about ARs too. I had just handled terrible ones. Then I couldn't pass up an election day deal 4 years ago. You can build them to your exact specifications to fit your desires and comforts perfectly. I still like my AKs, and always will, but there is an AR that has a spot in my safe and I'm working on a 6.5 Grendel build right now.

Also, I like the cheap steel cased ammo. Brown Bear is still lacquer coated, and it has all ran just fine in my AR. You wont win any accuracy matches with it, but it is fine for plinking.

I trained in the Army with an M-14, so AR's hold no special place in my heart. If I could get an M1A for the same cost as an AR, I would.

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Speedo,

I'm one of those weirdos. I love my AR AND my M1A/M14. It's the AK platform I've never warmed up to.

Speedo66 said:

... GBExpat said "The Upper was an AR-Stoner brand 16" A3 flat-top which included Charging Handle & Bolt Carrier Assy for $289." OMG, now I feel my $389 complete upper was a ridiculous extravagance. ...

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Yeah, that price hooked me.

Putting together another AR was something that hasn't crossed my mind in many years ... until I saw that MidwayUSA email before Christmas.

I am always vaguely, at least, aware of market prices for many things-firearms and when I read that that price was with BCA & CH ... I just felt that I had to buy one.

Oh well ...

Not long after, the same kinda thing happened to me when I saw a CDNN sale on Marlin XS7 rifles (.243, .308. 7mm-08) for $249.99. <sigh & smile>

Speedo66,

I don't see mention of magazines. 10 30 round magazines are a good start,

Speedo66, your story sounds similar to mine. And maybe we both were trained on the M14 in 1966. Anyway, I never owned an AR until I built one shortly after Obama was first elected. Figured I'd better get one before it was too late! Like you...

Anyway, my first time build worked fine and I bet yours does, too. You might want to first run brass case ammo before shooting much steel case. I did experience some stuck cases so went to brass case for a while before going back to the cheap stuff. Some chambers are tighter than others but with use it seems you can get the steel case to work. If you have that problem it's not your fault, just luck of the draw.

The Magpul mags were a good choice... As was the PSA upper.

Got any indoor ranges nearby?

Speedo66 said:

I picked up 8 Magpul 30rd mags when I bought the ammo, I think I'm good for a while.

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A few years ago that would have cost anywhere from $400-$800.

At $10-$12 a pop right now it couldn't hurt to get a few more.

And some more ammo.

The AR is the 1st or 2nd best rifle system out there hands down. I have been on an AK kick for the last year or so but still prefer the AR because they are like Lego sets, whatever you can dream up you can build.

Speedo66 said:

I picked up 8 Magpul 30rd mags when I bought the ammo, I think I'm good for a while.

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I went for the 30s when I bought my first AR, but I've found that I like the 20s much more. I do have more of both than I "need" however.

It's more comfortable shooting off a bench or a bipod with the shorter magazine. When walking around the woods it doesn't snag on things as much. And it is a little lighter. I like my ARs to be light and compact.

The 30s are great when plinking around. Both sizes have their purpose.

Although I have many 30s, I, too, prefer (straight)20s over 30s ...

... as I would prefer 30s over 40s, 40s over 50s, etc ...

... primarily a length/protrusion issue with me. 20s also "look" more correct to me.

In a combat situation and/or with a selectfire rifle, I would probably prefer the 30s over the 20s.

I like my ARs light too, but I prefer to save weight in the barrel more than by giving up mag capacity. Most ARs have a much heavier barrel than they need, due to the popularity of the ridiculous "govt profile" backwards taper barrel. A lightweight/pencil barrel makes a huge amount of difference in handling and shoots just as well.

I prefer the 30 round mags, as they make a great field expediant rest in the prone position (and of course hold more rounds). My ARs are never shot from a bench though.

What factors lead you to prefer the 20rd over the 30rd?

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I think the balance of the rifle is better, and its a little more compact. Spare magazines also fit in my pockets better. And the real kicker for me is that most ammo comes in 20 round boxes, so its a little more convenient to reload.

I completely agree on a lightweight barrel. I love my BCM upper with the enhanced lightweight barrel.