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TAKE A CLASS!!!
Or two.
Find an Appleseed shoot in your area first, then an actual AR class.
I'd agree with saving the money for an Aimpoint PRO.
Streamlight or Surefire - both good lights.
10+ mags.
1000 rounds of M193 or M855 in inventory at all times, 60 rounds of SD if you so choose (why get SD when standard ball fragments and tumbles as it is).
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Botach has 12 pmags for $99.99 ( it was 13 for same price for a while). It's an inexpensive way to get quite a few mags. Red dot either eotech or aimpoint if you really only plan to buy one. Primary arms and vortex make some sub $200 options. Flashlight... I like the mini scout due to options and size, but there are a few good options. I prefer 2 point slings so I have a huskey and a vtac. I recommend shooting a while, try a few options and decide what fits you. I have changed my preferences quite a bit over time based on how I choose to shoot and train. Started with a 3x9 leupold vxr, went to an eotech, built my own lower grabbed an aimpoint for that rifle, now I have 1 rifle with an eotech and magnifier and one with an aimpoint...considering losing the eotech and magnifier for a 1x4 vortex, as I said shoot for a bit before you leap. You may make a wrong leap at significant cost (I have found you can recoup at least 75% of initial expenditure on resale)
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You will love the rifle and it will lead to good times with your child in the future. As far as equipment goes, handle some of the different options at gun stores or through friends etc. Once you have a feel for them decide which ones suit you the best. You can wait for sales at some of the reputable online stores and watch the online for sale boards for some good deals on used equipment. Many people buy new items, try them, don't like them and then sell for a discount. Training is essential, you can check out some online videos for the cheapest option or watch for some DVDs to come available online. Get the fundamentals down and then attend a quality training course. Alias training courses run $525 and that is a great deal for a quality instructor. Most of all be safe, have fun and get some!!
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A great Red Dot Sight is the Aimpoint PRO. Bomb proof.
LAPolicegear.com has them in stock, and they currently have a 15% off sale, bring the optic down from $415 to $353 shipped.
DSG had a ten pack of gen3 PMAGs on sale this weekend for 79.99.
A sling, and a white light are also top on the list of things you should look at. I like the BFG VCAS slings, and have been having good luck with the Inforce WML's. A cheap and effective way to mount the light is to get a MagPul hand guard and a polymer cantilever rail.
The Colt 6720 is an excellent first time carbine. You chose well.
I remember when my kids were 3 years old. A magical time as a father, but there is also a lot of worrying about the future involved as well. Finances are always on your mind as a newer father. The thought of spending money on a gun with a young child is a valid concern.
But having the ability to protect your child should your corner of the world suddenly turn ugly is also a legitimate concern. Just look at recent events in Ferguson Mo. Bad things happen. Ferguson Mo was not the first city to see civil unrest. It won't be the last. A responsible person should be prepared, just in case.
Your new 6720 was a good investment into the safety of your child. Get some basic gear for it such as a light, sling, a few reliable magazines and some ammo. Get a RDO if you can swing it. Learn how to use it well. Get some training if it's an option.
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Start checking out friends rifles and how they're set up. Read these forums, there is a wealth of information here. Stay away from BARF-COM! There many ways to set them up and many right ways. The reality is that you need experience, information, and probably instruction to really make good personal choices. You got a smoking deal on a quality rifle. Once you decide what you need to properly set up your new blaster, start looking through the equipment exchange. There are many great deals there. Buy once cry once! Right now you need 4 mags and 1,000 rounds of ammo. Being new to AR's you need to get the manipulation down. Lots of drills, lots of dry fire. After you feel reasonably comfortable with the platform then look to a good 2 point sling, light, another case of ammo, and 8 more mags. After that an Aimpoint PRO, possibly some gear for your mags and you've got everything you need.
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Thanks for all the advice and recommendations! Much appreciated!
I have 5 new PMAGS that have been sitting in my safe for a couple years, will definitely add a few more as I go. I think initially I'll switch out the handguard for a magpul and I think I like the VCAS 2 point sling. Then it's ammo and range time. After the holidays I'll add a light, maybe the M300. Red dot will come later and haven't fully investigated all the options but leaning towards the aimpoint pro.
Now I have to sneak it into the house and put it in the safe, and pretend like it's always been there, lol.
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You're on the right track.
Before you add something or modify your gun, make sure you are able to answer a couple of questions.
Why am I adding/modifying...?
What benefit will I get by add/modifying...?
The MagPul hand guard is a nice start. It is a cheap and effective way to mount things like a light. If you don't like it, you can always return the gun back to it's stock hand guards.
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I run an Aimpoint PRO on my duty rifle. If you want to put a light on your rifle, you could look into a bored Elzetta Bravo with a Malkoff drop in. Costs less than a surefire scout light, high lumen output and with it bored you can recharge instead of eating up costly CR123's. I run an Elzetta on my duty gun. I'm with everyone else though, buy ammo first and get used to it and then make your choices.
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A decent red dot for an economical price is a Vortex SPARC. It's a 2 MOA red dot that runs about $200, and mine seems to hold zero pretty well.
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First AR
This is coming from someone that no longer has little kids around the house, they're all grown up and living their own lives.
You have a life that you need to live and I'm sure you can find a common ground where you're not taking from the kids and vice a versa the kids are not taking away from you.
Great purchase and great choice by the way.
I would save up your nickels and dimes and either buy an Aimpoint PRO or an EOTech EXPS3.
Then go to Ammoseek.com and look for federal 55 grain which I'm sure you'll find is averaging about less than $.30 per round at the moment.
Sent from my iPhone 4s and posted via Tapatalk.