Suggestions for sons first AR?

[wedgehead30]

My 11 year old son is due for his first AR. He started shooting mine this year at different matches around the state. Mostly steel plate shoots where I could be right there on the line with him. He did OK with mine but I want to build him his own.

I have a stripped lower and a public servants pay check so it has to be functional and affordable. He's a little guy so weight is a factor. It will be used for informal target, steel plates, and some formal target matches. I'm leaning towards a lightweight barreled upper around 16 inches. Fixed front sight, flat top with a removable carry handle. I want him to get accustomed to using irons and later he can have a red dot. He's kinda spoiled by my EOTech.

So any suggestions or anyone already been down this road??????????

Thanks in advance,
Scott
(Wedge)
:D

[Submariner]

The 16" LW has worked with my (now not so) youngsters. (Ask Pat.) Add a BUIS and leave the Eothingy in place. There is a minority view that teaching them, especially when young, to shoot with the RDS lets them learn more skill sets to a higher degree than trying to learn the same while romancing the iron sights". Irons came easier with a good handle on marksmanship and manipulation. This is especially true in this day of high ammunition costs. If you can afford it, I would suggest seriously looking at a Kuehl .22LR upper. At 1.6 cents/round, it's cheaper than buying primers. See https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=1449

[JeepDriver]

CMMG 14.5" w/ Perm attached flash suppressor.

Light and easy to handle.

Unless you wnat to go the SBR route.

This coming Spring I'm going to build an SBR for my nephews first AR. I'm doing a 11.5" for him something that will balance well for him and that I can upgrade and update for him in the future. It will be an A3 with a Burris XTS-135 to start, if he takes to it I'll add an Aim Point and BUIS.

Plus if there were to be a ban that freezes position of AR's I think SBR's would still be transferable when he hits 21 (or later, basicly when ever he is ready for it) I could transfer it to him so he would have his first AR.

[BushmasterFanBoy]

Teach him iron sights while using a .22 to save ammo costs. When he is proficiant with that, reward him with a .223 upper with an Eotech.

[Bloodbathdisplay]

If it was me I would go with one of those >500.00 Stag 16" flattop uppers with the A.R.M.S. #40 BUIS, put it on your stripped lower and the weapon could be up and running for $650.00, also talk to Grant he is pretty good about setting people up with the right stuff.

[SOPMOOD]

Here is an pretty good upper.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=Stag+M4+16+URG

$385

This upper comes just as an upper receiver group or has options to add a
bolt carrier group and charging handle package (add $90)
and a bolt carrier group, charging handle, and ARMS #40 back up iron sight package. (add $140)

$525.00 for the whole shebang.

Not too shabby.

# 16 inch Chrome Lined Bore and Chamber

# M4 Profile

# 5.56 NATO

# 1/9 Twist

# T-Marked Flat Top Upper Receiver

# Forged Milspec "F" marked front sight base

# Side Sling Mount

[SethB]

Start out right with a Troy rear sight. Carry handles are 97% obsolete (they still have a purpose where Compact ACOGs are concerned).

[SOPMOOD]

A.R.M.S #40 is a decent BUIS

[USMC]

I have let my 11 year old build 2 AR's. His next AR will be a flat top with an optic but only because he has learned how to use irons.

This is his first: It has an A2 upper with an old colt 1x12 20" barrel and he needed a short stock so he went with the M4. He really wanted the triangle handguards!:D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/USMC/Complete/pencilbarrel.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/USMC/Complete/Stag-A1-2a.jpg

This is his current AR. It is perfect for his size. A1 rear sight, 16 inch barrel.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/USMC/Complete%202/CAR1.jpg