One AR-15 just one

[lysanderxiii]

In 1989, some guy I didn't know from Adam's house cat, handed me, through a hole in the door, a random M60 from a room full of M16 and M60s. I was going to have to trust my life to that when hordes of Soviets came pouring through the Fulda gap.

It was a Saco M60 as old, or older than as I was. When you picked it up by the carry handle, you could see oil leak out of the trunnion rivets joints. That's the point in life where I realized having a 100% reliable weapon is never guaranteed, best learn how to keep what you have running.

Two years later, that M60 went to war and never failed to shoot when asked to.

 

[md7]

Not that everyone would agree but is there a short list of the top 5 or 10 tier 1 companies

Probably not conclusive, but I'd say the following might be considered in that category:

BCM
Colt
Daniel Defense
KAC
LMT
Noveske
Sionics

I only have experience with BCM, Colt, and Daniel Defense. The others listed are ones that I keep hearing good things about and apparently they use good materials, assembly methods, and testing protocol.

I'm sure there are others...

 

[35 Whelen]

How timely this post is. I don't really care for AR's much, but built a 20" a few years ago then a mid-length 16" a couple of weeks ago because I had a lower laying around and kits were on sale. Both are Delton, by the way.

So I had an ancient box of Hornady 55 gr. FMJBT bullets sitting around and a couple of pounds of IMR4198 I need to get rid of. 21.5 grs. of powder later, loaded in a bunch of mixed headstamped brass, I chrono-ed the loads then strolled out to the bench this morning.

The 16" is all stock except I worked the trigger a little to remove some of the creep. Still it breaks at around 7 lbs. Anyhow, I tried it at 200 yds. and was pleasantly surprised. The target was still in the shadows this morning, so a good sight picture was a little difficult, but still, considering the loads, not much more to ask for in the accuracy department:



The 20" is a little better to shoot because I've put a lot of work into the factory trigger to the point it has zero creep and breaks at around 3 lbs. Also installed one of the thin front sights. Again, I was very pleased:



I wonder if it's really necessary to accessorize these rifles at all.

35W

 

[coloradokevin]

Put it together and spend your money on ten thousand rounds. After you've put that many rounds through it decide what you want to improve upon. There is no replacement for training. Most people will never put 10k through their rifle. But will tell you that you "need" to spend thousands to have a decent AR.

This pretty much says everything you need to know. One of the best AR-15 operators I know uses a rifle that is as absolutely basic as they come. And, I know plenty of folks who have tricked out pieces of kit that they can't really operate very well. There is no one "best" AR-15, and how you set your gun up to suit your needs is going to depend a lot on your own individual needs and wants.

If I were you, and just shooting my first AR-15, I'd build out the kit you already have, and spend some time shooting it for a while. After you do that, you'll have a much better idea about how YOU want to modify your own gun.

Also, don't worry, no one ever ends up only having one AR-15.

 

[bannockburn]

My one and only AR15 would be the same one I brought to the dance many, many years ago: my Colt SP1. Still capable, providing I do my part, of some fairly decent groups out to 200 yards with it's iron sights and Black Hills ammunition.

 

[Walkalong]

I wonder if it's really necessary to accessorize these rifles at all.

Where's the fun in that?

Nice shooting 35 Whelen.

It's hard to only have one AR, they are versatile and fun.

 

[FiveInADime]

I know nothing of AR-15s beyond casual internet knowledge and having handled a couple (broke one down one time).

With that said, I would want an M16 A2 variant (I think) with target sights (1/4MOA). But essentially, I don't think I need the short carbine and I would imagine the longer barrel and target sights would work well for ambushing small/medium game from extended ranges. Close quarters, point-and-shoot seems like a better option than trying to use the sights.

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