So I finally became an AR owner.

And a couple things every AR owner needs. A can of CLP, a can of foaming bore cleaner, and a bore snake.

Bfh_auto

I want a stock like that, this collapsible crap pulls my beard hair. 30 round mags hang on my bench too. I need an optic though. I never got the hang of peep sights.

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I have an aluminum Colt collapsible stock on my faux XM177E2 that I built and so far no problems with it bothering my facial hair. Something to consider with optics mounted on the carrying handle is that you need some sort of cheek rest or riser so you can get the proper sight picture. A cheek rest may also eliminate your beard making contact with the collapsible stock. I can still manage some pretty decent groups with the iron sights out to 200 yards.

There's my H-Bar with a standard A2 on top, my lightweight carbine below it. If you are just hunting and shooting with it, the A2 is probably fine... Doing shooting drills and switching to your sidearm... that 2" makes a difference.

I'm also a recent convert, welcome to the congregation, lol!

.......an oiler bottle. I keep mine in my grip storage compartment. ARs don't need to be spotlessly clean to run well, but they do like to run wet.

If the zombies come, an engine dipstick can be used as an improvised oiler in a pinch.

25-20 WCF said:

no forward assist and no flat-top uppers.

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Also known as..."The Good Old Days"

Yeah, like McNamara said, "self cleaning"?
I also just VERY recently became the owner of an AR, first one since firing an M16A1 on an Army Reserve range in 1984. Hated the SPROINNNGGG. Took people almost twisting my arm and donating parts before I finally got this little baby, light weight and handy as all get out. With the flat wire spring from Strike, very little SPROOOING! So, welcome to the party!

armoredman said:

I also just VERY recently became the owner of an AR, first one since firing an M16A1 on an Army Reserve range in 1984. Hated the SPROINNNGGG.

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I also have my first AR, and it was the first I've shot since I went through Air Force basic in 1977. I still remember that SPROINNNGGG after every shot.

My AR is a Palmetto State Armory kit with a completed 16" upper with free float M-Lok handguard, and a lower parts kit with Magpul MOE buttstock and handguard, and carbine length adjustable buffer tube, all built on an Anderson stripped lower.

Guess what? With the carbine style adjustable butt stock and buffer tube, no SPROINNNGGG!

armoredman said:

Yeah, like McNamara said, "self cleaning"?
I also just VERY recently became the owner of an AR, first one since firing an M16A1 on an Army Reserve range in 1984. Hated the SPROINNNGGG. Took people almost twisting my arm and donating parts before I finally got this little baby, light weight and handy as all get out. With the flat wire spring from Strike, very little SPROOOING! So, welcome to the party!

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Put some axle grease on the spring and there will be no sproing at all.

someguy2800 said:

Put some axle grease on the spring and there will be no sproing at all.

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I always wiped the spring and tube down with CLP, but, then again, I don't get worked up about the sproing.

Charlie98 said:

I always wiped the spring and tube down with CLP, but, then again, I don't get worked up about the sproing.

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The grease acts as a fluid damper just like the damper on the front of a crankshaft. CLP doesn’t do the same. Added benefit is the bolt carrier continually drags a tiny bit of the grease forward into the action so it stays lubed longer and keeps carbon from caking up

You don't need much to accompany an AR - my must-have "accessories" recommendations would be:

• 20 or 30 round mags - some pretty good deals on Magpul 20 and 30 rounders right now - as well as classic aluminums. Get decent ones like Magpul, D&H, etc. Get several.
• Softside case is handy (with pockets).
• cleaning kit + pipe cleaners (for the gas tube and all those nooks and crannies) + a toothbrush.
• CLP

For your wife's next present to you, I recommend:

• a 22lr conversion kit - for el cheapo plinking. Or relatively el cheapo.

A front sight tool is very optional. I have 6 ARs, and used mine ... exactly once. Accuwedge is not necessary, IMHO.

Pretty much all my ARs have been kept in stock, plain-jane configuration, with the addition of an Aimpoint Pro and EoTech sight on my to m4geries, and a magpul CTR stock on one of them (to replace an cruddy out-of-spec factory stock that wobbled all over).

My next (last?) AR is going to be my indulgence - I'm going to accessorize the heck out of it. But a plain-jane AR, with the basics to maintain it, will serve you very well.

CapnMac said:

Ok, things you ought to get. In no particular order:

• Magazines. 20 or 30; 40 if a really (really) great price. Multiple mags are just simpler. So, 10 20 round > 1 C mag.
  
• Softside carry case, not a necessitiy, but a good way to corral the "stuff" that's hady to have going shooting, like spare mags, tools, etc.
• Front sight adjustment tool--cool to have, proably never will be used (but, better to have and not need . . . )

Accuwedge, probably not needed, but, if you want one, get one.

Sling--you'll get several anyway trying to decide which one to actually use.

AR-15 specific cleaning kit--not required, but occasionally handy.

My old Waller AR case has all sorts of stuff I ought take out of it--spare sling, a foregrip-bipod I never use, a PRC knock-off Elcan scope. But, it does have 10 AR magazines, a cleaning kit, a spare sling, and a cheap "space blanket" to catch empties upon.

Your mileage may vary.

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Picked this up yesterday from my FFL after my last layaway payment. Colt SOCOM 2018 version, with the "PROPERTY OF US GOVT" markings. As has happened with other folks, they shorted me the vertical grip and short rail panel but included seven of the larger rail panels (***?). Guess I'll be calling Colt on Monday.

I'm filing this under "absolutely unjustifiable purchases". I just wanted one

someguy2800 said:

The grease acts as a fluid damper just like the damper on the front of a crankshaft. CLP doesn’t do the same. Added benefit is the bolt carrier continually drags a tiny bit of the grease forward into the action so it stays lubed longer and keeps carbon from caking up

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No, I get it... I've put grease on it before but it attracted dirt and crap like a magnet.

Jealous
I was considering an AR15, then my state (MA) banned them last year. I could get a used pre ban one except the gun shops are all asking $1500-2000 which I think is too much.
I can buy a Mini14 for $700.

Never said the new one bothered me - the one 34 years ago bothered me. Already acquiring parts to put together the other Cav Arms Lower, just need to find a complete mag catch setup.

F-111 John said:

I also have my first AR, and it was the first I've shot since I went through Air Force basic in 1977. I still remember that SPROINNNGGG after every shot.

My AR is a Palmetto State Armory kit with a completed 16" upper with free float M-Lok handguard, and a lower parts kit with Magpul MOE buttstock and handguard, and carbine length adjustable buffer tube, all built on an Anderson stripped lower.

Guess what? With the carbine style adjustable butt stock and buffer tube, no SPROINNNGGG!

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In 1977 I was still shooting a BB gun...just sayin'...

Welcome to the addiction Warning they tend to multiply

Sistema1927 said:

A trigger upgrade is a good idea, and LaRue is offering their MBT for less than $90 until Christmas.

I wouldn't bother with the adjustable gas block unless yours doesn't cycle reliably, which I doubt will be the case. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

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Dittos. The Larue trigger is great.

Ks5shooter said:

Welcome to the addiction Warning they tend to multiply

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Yes, the temptation is first to get some "extra" stripped lowers, to put aside for a rainy day. Then, you want to complete the lowers with LPK's. Finally, you get tired of looking at the orphan lowers, and you mate them with upper assemblies.

I suggest buying a surplus Hardigg case now. It will hold a dozen AR's, as well as a couple of dozen 30-round mags. Eventually you're going to need that storage space.

armoredman said:

Never said the new one bothered me - the one 34 years ago bothered me. Already acquiring parts to put together the other Cav Arms Lower, just need to find a complete mag catch setup.

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If this is all you need, send me a PM with your shipping info.

Bah_auto
Welcome to the AR club.
Don’t worry about the adjustable gas block. Your rifle will function with most hand loads unless you like loading very light loads.
If you stick to the standard overall length you will have no problem with loading rounds in your mags.
I have only bought two ARs, the rest I have built from kits or from scratch. The best thing about the AR platform is that it is versatile. You can set it up a hundred different ways and still have more options.
But be very careful, spare parts lead to another gun. Trust me, I know.

GunnyUSMC said:

But be very careful, spare parts lead to another gun. Trust me, I know.
View attachment 813297

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Rabbits. Can't stop 'em can you?

armoredman said:

In 1977 I was still shooting a BB gun...just sayin'...

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Hey, I think my old Red Ryder had a sproing in it somewhere.

For my A1 buttstocked AR, I installed a flat wire spring, too. It reduced the sproing resonably enough. But really, the easiest way to reduce the sproing is to not let hard shell ear protection rest on a fixed, hollow butt stock.