Basic AR Intro

[ReggiesFree]

Hey Guys,

Been a second since I've posted anything.I recently purchased a entry-level. ATI MILSPORT AR15 .223/5.56 w/16 inch barrel 1.8 twist.
What are some decent options on sights(iron vs red dots, scopes) and what ammo do you guys recommend (plinking & home defense)?

As starters I purchase extra clips and some Hornady 223 Rem 55gr Spire Point Soft Points &
Federal XM193BLX American Eagle 5.56x45mm NATO 55 gr (FMJBT)

Appreciate cha,
Reg

 

[hoardingthemanual]

Nice rifle. I like LPVO's (low power variable optic) on AR's. Low power refers to max zoom and variable refers to the range of zoom. Here's a starter combo of optic and mount LPVO https://palmettostatearmory.com/sig...lpha-cantilever-msr-mount-black-sot61000.html. Red dot is valid too but I'm not good enough to use a red dot @ 200+ yards. This is the red dot I use https://www.primaryarms.com/sig-sauer-romeo-5-red-dot-sight-1x20mm-2-moa. Some people will compensate for this and add a magnifier to red dots; here is an example of one https://www.sigsauer.com/juliet3-micro-magnifier.html.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

With a 1:8 twist, that barrel should be able to throw just about any bullet decently. I say SHOULD, though because my FFL buddy has had lots of ATI AR comebacks.
Common complaints seem to be jamming and poor accuracy. He attributes the jamming issues to cheap factory-supplied magazines (Magpul PMAGs seem to help) but also poorly machined chamber feed ramps. He's also seen loose barrel nuts and improperly (or un) staked gas keys and pinched/bent gas tubes.
He basically refuses to order them for customers and dreads getting transfers.

Now, doom and gloom aside, you may very well get a good one. Just know that if it does have issues, it's not the rule but the exception with ARs. Most quality guns are very reliable.

 

[TonyAngel]

Congrats on the AR. The first tip is that they are magazines and not "clips."

As for a sighting system, most would just jump to a good red dot. Sig Romeo 5 would be a good budget model and an Aimpoint would be the cream of the crop.

You'll have more flexibility with a magnified optic. The primary arms 1-6x with Nova reticle is a good budget model and the Vortex Razor Gen 2, would be one of the better ones.

I don't run open sights any longer. All of my rifles have magnified optics with red dots as back ups or for close up shooting.

 

[ReggiesFree]

I understand your comments and they're well taken. I'm graced to have a relative and a church bud who are gunsmiths and gunshop owners. They're reports are more positive and objective concerning this brand.

If it proves to be problematic, I'll sell or trade it. One or both these studs will inspect it before I commence blasting zombies or reasonable facsimiles thereof!☠

 

[ReggiesFree]

Congrats on the AR. The first tip is that they are magazines and not "clips."

As for a sighting system, most would just jump to a good red dot. Sig Romeo 5 would be a good budget model and an Aimpoint would be the cream of the crop.

You'll have more flexibility with a magnified optic. The primary arms 1-6x with Nova reticle is a good budget model and the Vortex Razor Gen 2, would be one of the better ones.

I don't run open sights any longer. All of my rifles have magnified optics with red dots as back ups or for close up shooting.

Good stuff, I've heard nothing but great things about Aimpoint. Oversight about clips and not magazines...lol

 

[TonyAngel]

If you're thinking about an Aimpoint, for the money, a good LPVO might be a better bang for the buck.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I understand your comments and they're well taken. I'm graced to have a relative and a church bud who are gunsmiths and gunshop owners. They're reports are more positive and objective concerning this brand.

If it proves to be problematic, I'll sell or trade it. One or both these studs will inspect it before I commence blasting zombies or reasonable facsimiles thereof!☠

Even if it does have issues, diagnosing them may provide useful experience and insight into the operation and proper assembly/ lubrication of the gun. Aside from maybe an improperly machined barrel, almost anything on an AR can be fixed relatively cheaply. Heck, a brand new stripped receiver is under $50.

At the very least, it's easy to check the gas key and buffer tube fasteners for proper staking. Also probably not a bad idea to take a close look at the feed lips and chamber for any chatter marks or grit left behind by the factory.

Odds are, the gun will be just fine. Even PSA and Anderson get a lemon occasionally, but its usually fixable.

 

[Show Me]

Second Romeo 5. Love mine. Sightmark magnifier is awesome to stick on for sighting in.

 

[CapnMac]

What are some decent options on sights(iron vs red dots, scopes) and what ammo do you guys recommend (plinking & home defense)?

Buds has Holosun RDS and the Romeo sights on sale per their recent email.

On that ATI, I might not invest in a scope per se. That's just me--you might be inclined otherwise.
As to ammo, for my 2¢ (for all that's worth anymore), I find that you should find what's local and available, and test them each and find which one works best for you and your ATI. Probably worth the extra bucks to grab a few varieties of the tipped varmint loads and see if one of those finds a goldilocks for you and the AR.
I, personally, have found good utility in the Hornady 77gr ballistic tips--you may not. That's using the A2; the frankenrifle, not so much, the LE6922 is "meh" with those.

Good magazines for your AR are their own reward. I have built up a good supply of mags, but, I've also had more than thirty years to do so, 2 or 3 or 10 at a time. PMags are generally good to go. I prefer them with fewer frills, so, all of mine are basic black.

 

[Charlie98]

w/16 inch barrel 1.8 twist.

Nice! I wish 1:8" barrels were more commonplace.

Sig Romeo 5 would be a good budget model

I bought 3 of the Bushnell TRS-25 (?) red dots... and I thought they were nice... I bought one of the Romeo 5's on sale, that smokes the Bushnell, and I'm not at all a SIG fanboi.

Good magazines for your AR are their own reward.

+1

Figure out how many magazines you think you need, and then double it. FWIW, don't discount the 20rd magazines, either. I know everyone loves the 30's, but the smaller 20's have more utility. Mine keep disappearing because I loan them to people who are having trouble using the 30's... because of the size... and never seem to get them back.

 

[TonyAngel]

For ammunition, get what you can afford to practice with. It doesn't necessarily need to be what's most accurate. I'm a big fan of M855. It shoots MOAish out of my Criterion barrels and bucks the wind a bit better than M193.

If you can afford to shoot and stock pile some flavor of 77gr ammo, then good. Still I prefer to concentrate on what I can readily get.

 

[MrShooter]

I think palmetto still has the vortex 1-8x24 lpvo on sale, with the mount included, it was just under 350 tax and all. I really like it, on 1 power with the power on its just like a red dot, and at 8 it's really clear and looks good.

 

[Charlie98]

I'm a big fan of M855.

I used to be... but not so much anymore. Some ranges get all excited when they see that green tip, and some ranges prohibit it, including outdoor ranges. M193 is what I buy for blasting ammo these days.

 

[ReggiesFree]

Great feedback studs!
Much obliged.

As soon as I nurse my 89 yr old Pa thru a this sick spell, I'll get real up close and cozy with it. Right now just doing my empirical research & stocking on up different ammo.

I snoozed & missed a deal on AMMOSEEK.COM for 50 rds of Fioochi .223 55gr FMJBT for $7.99 w/cheap shipping...got some alerts setup now!

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Ditto the suggestion of 20 rounder Pmags. I love them.

 

[Barnfixer]

I like LPVO setups but it adds weight if that matters. I also had red dots but switched to prism scopes. Check both out.