Help The Slingers Pick Their First AR-15

[cslinger]

So anyway I find out today that Sheslinger likes AR15s a lot. She really liked shooting Olegs.

Now I know that I said no more guns till December of 2004 but this is technically Sheslingers so that doesn't count

Well I don't want to build one and we want want that is light and handy. No heavy barrels. Preferably a 16inch carbine.

Based on that what do you guys and gals think is the way to go.

I will make it a poll but feel free to post opinions and write in votes.

Thanks
Chris

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Bushmaster

Excellent quality and customer support. I've donated a lot of money to them over the years.

 

[CleverNickname]

I'll second Hkmp5sd's suggestion, except I'd tell you not to get the fake telescoping stock. Since it doesn't telescope, why bother with it? Get the normal A2 stock.

16" shorty

 

[Preacherman]

Take a good look at the Armalite AR-180B before deciding... I'm impressed with it, it has a better gas system than the AR15, and standard mags fit just fine. It's also cheaper!

 

[Marko Kloos]

The pinned fake telestock feels more wobbly than the regular A2 stock, and you lose the handy stock compartment. A 16" carbine with a full A2 stock is the way to go, IMHO...handy and versatile.

Can't go wrong with Bushmaster, Armalite, DPMS, or RRA. My AR is a HBAR 16" DPMS carbine, and it's been flawless so far.

 

[Litlman]

Bushmaster shorty. Low cost and functions very well. Lot's of Fun!!!

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Bushmaster all the way; I have two pre-ban Colts and two pre-ban bushys and they all shoot great, but the current Bushmasters seem to have a slight edge over the current Colt's and are less expensive...

And Colt seemed to be having availability problems for awhile, though that may have changed.

Just my .02

 

[MiniZ]

I voted for Bushy, but only because I don't have first hand experience with RRA. I have not heard anything bad about RRA, and their price is really attractive.

Like the others, I say get an A2(or A1 if length of pull might be an issue for sheslinger). The collapsable stock style is only good if it collapses.

 

[boing]

My Bushmaster carbine was churned out during the pre-Y2K production crush, and it rocks.

 

[Rob96]

I have the exact same carbine as Lendringser, and couldn't be more pleased. So don't forget to consider DPMS either.

 

[Rob96]

Just as a sidenote. Out of the ones that you listed in your poll, I voted for the RRA.

 

[Jack19]

First, do not wait until December 2004 to make your AR purchase. Only God knows what our 'representatives' in Congress will do with the AW ban in Sept'04.

For buying off the shelf....

Bushmaster Superlight. My local gunshop has one that they let me look at before they put it on the floor with a price tag....it is amazingly light.

You'll get Bushmaster quality without paying for a "Name", a chrome lined 4150 barrel, in a carbine that weighs less than 6 pounds w/o the mag.

Consider the "Stubby" (I think Bushmaster calls it) style, or A1 stock if it will be shot a lot by smaller stature persons.

For building yourself....even though you said you don't want to do so....

RRA for everything but the barrel. For the barrel, buy Bushmaster. This is the route I'm going even as I type. I bought all RRA parts and a Bushy Superlight barrel. RRA lowers are VERY high quality, I think they match Bushmasters, and will run you ~$50 less.

If you're worried about weight, check out these Maryland AR15 shooter pages:

Weights

Specifications

 

[curt]

all of the above, they're all good. However if you don't believe me go over to ar15.com and ask them who makes the best rifle..

I'd stay away from the fake collapsible stocks unless you're looking to shave off a few ounces. No muzzle brake. You might want to consider a fake flash suppresor to protect the crown. Flatop is most versitile upper. The bushmaster dissapator has that handy longer handquard on it although i do fine with carbine length. I prefer the lighter profile barrels, no heavier than a M4 profile.

 

[Peetmoss]

I really like my RockRiver Arms Standard A4 upper matched with my US Property RockRiver Arms Standard lower with A2 buttstock. My only complaint is the HBAR. It is barrel heavy. It has however become my favorite gun

 

[sully]

If it is a 16" barrel you are considering, I might suggest the DPMS Tactical-16 style (my favorite style). It gives you a full length site radius for greater accuracy, full length handguards, and a full length gastube for reliability. If you wish it in a light weight barrel type, I have a local gunsmith/dealer that offers this same set up in a light weight barrel. Stocks depend on personal preference. Most stocks are too long for most shooters in my opinion. You can always get a large framed shooter to shoot a shorter stock, but not a small framed shooter to shoot a long stock. Consider who the main user of the rifle will be and the applications that they plan on using it, as this will dictate your choices of options.

Just my $.02
Sully
Chief Instructor
www.defensive-edge.net
www.dpmsinc.com

 

[cslinger]

Well first I would like to thank everybody for their replies to the thread. I am kind of surprised it wasn't a knock down drag out fight over which is best. I assumed Bushy would come out on top and it just kind of feels right sending them money right now.

Anyway we picked up a Bushmaster 16inch A2 with the AK brake today for a very good price out the door. Sheslinger likes the weight and feel of it and that is what matters since this is her very own evil black rifle.

Some people don't like the AK brake but I kind of like the look of it and I like loud guns. Keeps the people next to you honest.

This is my first AR 15 and I love how easy the uppers come right off. This is truely the lego of the gun world. 9mm upper here we come.

Anyway I just thought I would thank everybody and give a heads up. I will attach a picture of our his and hers EBRs below.

Sheslinger finds it cute that my EBR, the AK ends in a K which is the first letter of my last name and her EBR, AR, ends in an R which is the first letter of her maiden name. My God I think I'm gonna vomit, that is just too gun nut cute for words.

Anyway here is Sheslinger new toy. 2 Carbines in a couple of weeks for her.

Just for the record she filled out the paperwork and the gun is officially hers. I did not buy the gun and therefore have not bought any new guns as per my promise not to buy any guns until December of 2004.

 

[Tamara]

Nice catch!

(Dude, you need to resize that pic! I'm running 1280x960 on a 19" tube and I still have to scroll all over the place to read your post! )

 

[MiniZ]

Good job!

Don't let anyone give you the business over the brake. It looks cool, and if the noise bothers you, your hearing protection sucks anyway(just mt opinion of course!)

 

[OF]

I don't own an AR, but I do know that the Bushmasters have a snake on them and the Colts have the Pony.

My first AR is gonna have the pony on it.

- Gabe

 

[ether]

Congrats. I love my Shorty AK. The barrel is actually 14.5", with the permanently attached brake bringing it up to just over a legal 16"...wasn't sure if you knew that. Have fun with it and don't listen to Tamara....we love big pics of EBRs

 

[El Tejon]

Chris, IME with the young & nubile and ARs, I've noticed that they have gravitated to the lighter weapons: the DPMS Panther Lite, Wilson's LW, (have not tried the Bushmaster Superlight--sounds promising) and the like. It's easier to teach them the drills with a lighter weapon. The less they hurt, the more they can concentrate.

 

[cratz2]

I have nothing but praise to heap on my $725 Rock River that came with 3 30 round USGI mags.

My oldest daughter seems to like it, too.

 

[ms1200]

i have two bushmasters and like them alot. they make a very good product.

 

[El Tejon]

Darn gun-happy Hoosiers.

 

[cslinger]

Sorry bout' the pic size. I always seem to forget to resize.

Chris