View Full Version : Advice for AR Novice
For the past year I've been attending my local club carbine/pistol matches. I have a competitive pistol background in IDPA and USPSA but the local IDPA club disintegrated just before I could start attending. I am a red blooded American citizen so I've had an AR for many years but I never really used it beyond bench rest sighting in. A franken gun using a Colt 16' carbine upper and a LMT Defender lower. Good stuff and totally adequate for my needs. I have a Aimpoint Pro and I tried a Burris 3X which I didn't like for my local matches. Fine for the 300m section but hard to use for the more common closer range shooting.
On my last match I decided to use my iron sights, a Daniel Defense A1 rear with the Colt front. I really liked this combo, better than the Aimpoint RD, which looks smudged due to my middle age eyes. I was able to make hits out to 300m which was quite satisfying.
So I want to better my AR for my needs and I'm thinking of going to a mid-length gas system and/or using one of the Colt SOCOM 14.5 I've seen on G&R tactical. I see where Brownells has a Colt CCU mid upper for sale and that has my attention.
If one is going to go iron sights or perhaps red dot what would be best? Are the BCM standard 16 mids an accurate barrel? What about their 20' rifle vs the Colt 20' rifle? I know the Colt SOCOM barrels have a good reputation for accuracy, what about the BCM version of same? I want the standard front sight/gas block.
Thanks
Your Colt carbine upper is probably fine and you are unlikely, in my opinion, to see any improved accuracy from the barrels you've listed. If you're looking purely for accuracy I would suggest a precision focused manufacturer - Criterion barrels (very durable - chrome lined hand-lapped known to last 16-20k rounds), maybe Rainier Arms Match/Ultra Match barrels, Lilja, possibly White Oak (don't have any experience with them), and etc.
On a budget friendly side some had good luck with Ballistic advantage or Faxon, though I don't have a sufficient experience with them to say if they are as good or close to the premium manufacturers above.
I have the same problem with red dots, so I use etched reticle sights.
If you have the Burris AR-3X it is a prism sight with an etched reticle, you should have found that reticle to be sharp. I have one, and after being upset about my mistake in buying a 3X and expecting it to do close in work, I tried shooting it with the reticle illuminated and the front cover down. Bingo, with both eyes open, the dot is super-imposed on the target. For stuff beyond 20 yards just flip up the cap. Maybe not the best solution, but workable.
The Vortex Spitfire 1X is a nice etched reticle, The Burris AR-1X has a reticle which is much too busy for it's size. I'm sorry I bought it.
What might be a better solution for you is a LPVO (low power variable optic) but I'd think if you went that route you;d want to lose the A2 front sight tower.
Not able to speak much to mid-length barrels that come with A2 front sights.
I have a wide range of barrels and have built with everything from budget barrels to Proof carbon barrels. The bang for the buck on some of the rainer ultra match is awesome but if you are looking to keep it lower in cost the higher end faxons and ballastic advantages are very very nice. The BA hansons Ive built with were fantastic and priced very well.
I would think a 1-4 would be best for your needs. I really like my leupold vxr patrol as the eyebox is huge and dot is bright.
Stiener has one that gets ravenreviews as well and I think is true 1x.
Cant comment on thise barrels.
1_click_off
07-18-18, 15:28
I am taking the “better your AR” out of context and away from barrels.....
One trick that has helped to limit some of the aimpoint smudge is to use my rear peep with it. It clears that dot right up for me.
If you're basically setting it up for a match, then the rifle you have is a fine base. Depending on how close or far away you want to get to a pure gamer gun will dictate what changes you want to make. A better trigger, an optic (I have the 1-4 Steiner), and maybe a brake is where I'd start.
If you want to set up an all new gamer gun, then a rifle length gas system can help moderate the recoil...it is softer shooting. A mid-length can help if you want to keep your barrel to 16" or less. I run an 18" rifle gas system...soft shooting, but gives me a bit more velocity for the long shots.
Thanks for the help guys. I'm pretty sure I want to stay with irons, I do enjoy a challenge. I am tall so one reason I was looking for a mid-length or even rifle length was for more room. Further, my thinking is the mid to rifle length gas would have softer recoil therefore less disturbance to the sights. I also want to keep it simple, practical, reliable and durable. At this time I am favoring the rifle length barrel and handguard real estate. If this is the way I go is there much difference between the Colt rifle upper and the BCM? As far as I know the LMT lower I have will work with the rifle upper.
I like the idea of a better trigger and of course more ammo and magazines!
I know some guys that still shoot irons (youthful eyes and they want to be a bit different). If you can see them...shoot'um.
Have you thought about building an upper with your chosen barrel and gas system length?
everready73
07-18-18, 17:49
I would guess the Colt upper would be a little more accurate than the BCM . Take a look at some of molons testing on the Colt barrels
I know some guys that still shoot irons (youthful eyes and they want to be a bit different). If you can see them...shoot'um.
Have you thought about building an upper with your chosen barrel and gas system length?
Tacking on here as an example:
BCM Blem/Demo Upper: 60.00 https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Upper-Receiver-Assembly-M4-Flat-Top-demo-p/flat%20top%20-upper%20-m4%20demo.htm
Barrel .223 Wylde 18" 1:8 SS Black Passivated: 199.00 http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/gm-m52-223wylde-fluted-black-passivated-barrel/ 75++
A2 Front Sight: 40.00 https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/cmmg-ar-15-front-sight-assembly-gas-block-assembly-f-marked-750-barrel-diameter-forged-steel-phosphate-black-55da338-815835012773.do
Front Sight Pinning: 75.00 https://www.rainierarms.com/pin-a2-front-sight/ 20+
Gas Tube: 20.00 basically anywhere
Delta Spring and Handguard Cap and FSB Taper Pins: 19.00 https://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ar15-parts-barrel-s/90.htm
Handguards: 40.00 https://www.magpul.com/products/moe-mlok-hand-guard-rifle-length-ar15-m4
Handguards: 140.00 https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mi-19m-black.htm
Charging Handle: 90.00 https://geissele.com/airborne-charging-handle.html
BCG: 90.00 http://www.wcarmory.com/toolcraft-inc/toolcraft-bcg-223-5-56-bolt-carrier-group-black-1b1b6-c-158-mpi-complete.htm
633.00 + 95.00 shipping (15%) = 727.95; without BCG & Charging Handle = 520.95
733.00 + 110.00 shipping (15%) = 843.00 without BCG & Charging Handle = 636.00
People have said they are happy with their Faxon Gunner Barrels:
Faxon Gunner w/A2 sight - https://www.tntesales.com/faxon-18-gunner-with-a2-front-sight/ 255.00 If you knock off 333.00 for the barrel, pinning, FSB, etc. you have a surplus of 78.00 to subtract from either of the upper prices above.
I have two of the Green Mountain Barrels, I don't have a Gunner.
DS Arms https://www.dsarms.com/p-16462-dsa-ar15-18-rifle-length-magpul-m-lok-sight-tower-upper-assembly.aspx 319.00
26 Inf,
Not to totally threadjack...but is that A2 sight on the Faxon Gunner come already pinned in place?
26 Inf,
Not to totally threadjack...but is that A2 sight on the Faxon Gunner come already pinned in place?
That is certainly what the website linked indicates - they also list a 16" GUNNER mid-length and an 18" SOCOM rifle length. 3 weeks for delivery noted.
Im thinking a real nice optic may be the best option. There are great 1-4 and 1-6 and 1-8's that could make your life so much better. Your gun is good. Good luck.
PB
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.