What do you look for?

ironman2284 · #1 04-30-12, 09:16

Hi all - I'm beginning my quest to purchase my first AR.

I've read The Chart and various threads on this site -- very informative; much appreciated.

My primary reason for purchase is for home protection. Given that, reliability is my number one concern. I do not mind paying a bit of a premium for quality. I see on The Chart that Colt and BCM rate well. I have also heard good things about RRA.

I'm interested in your thoughts on what I should consider beyond my number one concern: quality/reliability. What do YOU look for when you are buying an AR for home defense?

Ouroborous · #2 04-30-12, 09:23

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7376

Fetep · #3 04-30-12, 09:34

I looked for several years before finally buying one. I was considering BCM, DD, LMT, Noveske, LWRC, and even considered building a high end. I read pages and pages and pages of articles toting one over the other, read every review I could find, watched youtube videos till wee hours of the morning, talked to every guy or gal behind the counter of a dozen or so gun shops, and friends who owned these rifles. Shot all but the Noveske, none of my friends own one. I finally decided on the LMT CQB MRP, it has a fantastic reputation, as do the others but it seemed to me to be the best choice. When I shot it the first time I knew it was the one I would probably buy.
Do your research, read this forum, it has an immense amount of Knowledge within it's pages, I would endorse any of the rifles I listed above, I know for a fact that they all have a great record (through real research). I'm not saying not to buy a RRA, I'm sure it's a great rifle, I just didn't really include it in my research. So do this, READ, HANDLE, and ASK PEOPLE.

I know that's a bit of a ramble, but it's all I got:-)

HAHA just noticed this is my first post here:-)

Good luck Sir, I wish you luck in your journey!

Fetep

doubleajaybrock · #4 04-30-12, 09:34

Pay the extra money ($100-150) and avoid RRA, It will be worth it in the long run!

C4IGrant · #5 04-30-12, 09:42

Hello and welcome to the forum! I see that the members are already giving you good advice.

For a quality defensive tool, I would look at BCM, Colt, DD, KAC, Noveske, etc.

C4

ironman2284 · #6 04-30-12, 11:06

Thank you all for your input and suggestions so far.

Is it fair to say that each rifle will cycle similarily ... it's more important how they "feel" vs action?

I ask because it could be a challenge finding rifles from each brand lineup to actually squeeze some rounds off.

I've shot RRA and Stag ... both stock A2 variants and although they felt slightly different, the action seemed very comparable - to my untrained hands.

Safetyhit · #7 04-30-12, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman2284

Is it fair to say that each rifle will cycle similarily ... it's more important how they "feel" vs action?

Not sure what you mean by "cycle similarly", but all of the brands mentioned above will serve you well and are known to be extremely reliable. From there it is really a matter of price.

As far as "feel" goes, just buy a reputable rifle and make changes as deemed necessary. It doesn't have to be accessorized right away, take the time to make it the most comfortable and also most practical for your needs.

kVon · #8 04-30-12, 11:38

They will feel similar. Slight changes will be noticed depending on gas length, buffer system, comp/brake, etc.

ironman2284 · #9 04-30-12, 11:41

Thanks for your response. To clarify, I meant does the cycle action ... the recoil, the cartridge ejection, the loading of the next round, etc, feel the same across all brands - assuming you're firing the same variant?

If so, I would imagine that going with one of the better brands, and then from there the most comfortable feel when holding it is the way to go.

If not, then I'd imagine you would want to fire some rounds from many of the top manufacturers to note the subtleties?

polymorpheous · #10 04-30-12, 11:46

The feel will all depend on variables in the gas system.

Length of gas system.
Bolt carrier weight.
Buffer weight.
Action sprig weight.

Also consider muzzle devices.
Some comps will soften the recoil considerably.

CCFD1414 · #11 04-30-12, 11:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

Hello and welcome to the forum! I see that the members are already giving you good advice.

For a quality defensive tool, I would look at BCM, Colt, DD, KAC, Noveske, etc.

C4

These are the only brands I look at when I buy a rifle

Safetyhit · #12 04-30-12, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman2284

Thanks for your response. To clarify, I meant does the cycle action ... the recoil, the cartridge ejection, the loading of the next round, etc, feel the same across all brands - assuming you're firing the same variant?

If it is really that important to you and you have a little extra to spend, KAC is known to make the softest and smoothest firing AR variant. Normally however the factors are as stated by Polymorpheous and pretty much typical across the board.

Preliator · #13 04-30-12, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCFD1414

These are the only brands I look at when I buy a rifle

Same here.

Colt, DD, BCM, Noveske....

I dont know who told you RRA was good to go - or under what context, if you are just plinking on the ranch - great. If you ever plan on using the firearm as a self defense weapon then stick with the weapons above. RRA is fairly well known amongst those who really know these rifles for using inferior parts and sketchy quality control. Good luck!!

ironman2284 · #14 04-30-12, 12:01

Thank you, all. This was exactly what I was hoping to find out.

Fetep · #15 04-30-12, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Preliator

Same here.

Colt, DD, BCM, Noveske....

I dont know who told you RRA was good to go - or under what context, if you are just plinking on the ranch - great. If you ever plan on using the firearm as a self defense weapon then stick with the weapons above. RRA is fairly well known amongst those who really know these rifles for using inferior parts and sketchy quality control. Good luck!!

And LMT

ironman2284 · #16 04-30-12, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by polymorpheous

Some comps will soften the recoil considerably.

Polymorpheous - what are comps?
Do you have a preferred gas system set up that I should consider?

6933 · #17 04-30-12, 14:20

I look for a roll mark that says LaRue, KAC, Colt, DD, BCM, or Noveske.

Ouroborous · #18 04-30-12, 14:21

Compensators. Check out the Battlecomp 1.5 or 2.0 for reduced recoil if that's what you're after.

Bizzarolibe · #19 04-30-12, 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman2284

Hi all - I'm beginning my quest to purchase my first AR.

I've read The Chart and various threads on this site -- very informative; much appreciated.

My primary reason for purchase is for home protection. Given that, reliability is my number one concern. I do not mind paying a bit of a premium for quality. I see on The Chart that Colt and BCM rate well. I have also heard good things about RRA.

I'm interested in your thoughts on what I should consider beyond my number one concern: quality/reliability. What do YOU look for when you are buying an AR for home defense?

If the AR is for home defense, my primary considerations (aside from reliability of course) would be weight, barrel length (the shorter the better), and gas system (preferably mid-length). Of course, there are other variables as well that will affect how the rifle shoots, such as buffer, buffer spring, muzzle device, etc. My home defense setup is a Spikes 14.5" mid-length with a light profile barrel w/ Vortex flash hider, an Aimpoint T-1, and a light. Also, I would avoid RRA if I were you. There are much better options out there for the money.

duece71 · #20 04-30-12, 14:53

You will do fine with the brands mentioned, I own all of them. I used to own an RRA, but the only thing left that is indeed RRA is the receiver and thats it. Everything else has been swapped out and upgraded. Good luck.