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Thread: First AR Question

  1. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by Recoil Addict View Post
    Doing a build would be nice. But im not up to speed with different manufacturers and know pricing and quality between one part and another. I was most interested in the M&P 15T because it has all the features I'm looking for in one package at a store where I have basically free money. And being my first AR and hoping no ban gets put into place, I was hoping down road this would become my secondary AR after I build my second to become primary, after I have become more familiar with a gun on this platform compared to going into a build now basically blind.
    .
    This is actually pretty clear reasoning. I jumped into the AR business when the ban sunsetted, but it took a combination of online research and actual ownership of a Colt A2 HBar to understand what I wanted and needed. Get the Smith; their customer service alone is a safety net, and see what develops. Personally, I'd rather spend too much (and have the rifle) than sit tight and end up regretting it if some sort of ban passes. By the same reasoning, I'd snag some mags if you can.
    Moon
    Last edited by halfmoonclip; 02-06-13 at 07:35.

  2. #32
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    Quote Originally Posted by Recoil Addict View Post
    Doing a build would be nice. But im not up to speed with different manufacturers and know pricing and quality between one part and another. I was most interested in the M&P 15T because it has all the features I'm looking for in one package at a store where I have basically free money. And being my first AR and hoping no ban gets put into place, I was hoping down road this would become my secondary AR after I build my second to become primary, after I have become more familiar with a gun on this platform compared to going into a build now basically blind.
    This is what I've done, myself. But I wouldn't have been able to pay double for a rifle.

    The M&P15 OR MOE that I got is a good rifle. It has had a bit of issues with steel cased ammo but not so much any more after 1500 rounds. It's a good civilian rifle IMO, but some hardcases might call it crap. I'm no hardcase, so I'm not fussed about it.

    The one I'm building has the desired specs for the upper, and a pretty fair lower. I'll add on some of the right names for CH, sights, and furniture. It should be a fair quality rifle for a fair (today) price.

    The final parts should come in this week. I'm stoked.

    But, in the end only we know what is good for us, what we have planned to use it for, and what will be appropriate.

    Sometimes good enough is perfect. Some times only perfect is good enough.
    Last edited by WhiskyNiner; 02-06-13 at 08:42.
    NRA Life Member

  3. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by Recoil Addict View Post
    Doing a build would be nice. But im not up to speed with different manufacturers and know pricing and quality between one part and another. I was most interested in the M&P 15T because it has all the features I'm looking for in one package at a store where I have basically free money. And being my first AR and hoping no ban gets put into place, I was hoping down road this would become my secondary AR after I build my second to become primary, after I have become more familiar with a gun on this platform compared to going into a build now basically blind.

    Only way I would do a build now would be if a ban was FOR SURE going to happen. If that becomes reality then I would go out and buy a lower tomorrow. But right now I have no idea what is a good price and what is a good quality lower.
    Just a quick comment regarding your gifts cards at Cabela's.
    You can always sell those online at a number of different places, just google "selling giftcards" that'll get you a bunch of hits.
    This will get you some cold hard cash to use anywhere you like.

    And think of it this way, if you took IG suggestion to build one for $1600, that's $800 less than the $2400 you had planned on spending.
    Much more savings than the giftcards would have netted you.

    As far as knowing what is a good quality lower, I think there have been mentions of several on this thread. And countless more on other threads. Read those stickies at the top of this forum and also the techincal forum.

    Quick summary, and not meant to be an exhaustive list:
    Brands you should stick to BCM, DD, Noveske, Colt, LMT, Vltor, Mega, Rainier Arms
    Brands to stay away from DPMS, Bushmaster, Olympic, Hesse, Vulcan

    Use the orange search button at the top to find others as you come across them.

  4. #34
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    I agree to sell the gift cards. I have done that more than once. You don't lose that much money and normally the money you save shopping else where makes up for that loss anyway.

    You can easily put together at tier one rifle if you spend a little time searching. It will be hard to find a lower and bcg, but the rest comes in stock pretty regularly.

    It can be daunting to think about putting one together, but if you get a complete upper and build the lower it's really not that hard and there are tons of resources to help you.

    If I can do it, believe me, you can too. I have pieced together 3 complete ARs since December using bcm/colt/noveske and other quality parts, all below 2400. One was close to that, but mostly b/c I have expensive taste and the others were about $1400. I was able to get everything at pre-craziness prices or below.
    Last edited by jstalford; 02-06-13 at 10:15.

  5. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by DiabhailGadhar View Post
    A suggestion that I've been throwing around is hunting down stripped lower receivers. yes they are doubled in price right now but thats still only 3-5oo dollars depending on how crazy the place youre looking is. Pay that extra for just that one part. then wait to see where the market goes. worse case is you already have what the gov't considers the "assault rifle" and your grandfathered.. yeah you paid more but you didnt miss out...upside is everything goes back to normal you only paid double for one part not the whole damn rifle then get the parts you want on a custom build ....just a suggestion.

    also lesson I learned the hard way. READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN HERE BEFORE YOU BUILD/BUY IT!!! Also use the search button and ask any and all questions you have prior to the purchases. I made the mistake of buying all the cool shit I thought I needed when in hind sight I would have just bought a colt 6920/KAC SR-15 and been done.
    Great advice right here. If you get your hands on a stripped lower then you are set. You have the part that would be "banned" if it actually happens. I would also suggest putting down a back order for some mags just to be safe. Wait for the market to stabilize and then pounce. Uppers from BCM are still appearing on occasion and their price is extremely reasonable in this market climate right now. Put yourself down to be emailed when they are back in stock. The part you are going to get screwed on at the moment are BCGs. But from my understanding this will still be available even if the worst case scenario AWB happens.

  6. #36
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  7. #37
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    OP
    Forget getting an AR until you make sure HF241 isn't passed cause if it does you can't even take you AR out of state when you move- felony to transport out of state after law passes!

    http://legiscan.com/MN/text/HF241

    Sec. 7. PERSONS POSSESSING ASSAULT WEAPONS ON EFFECTIVE DATE
    10.21OF ACT; REQUIRED ACTIONS.
    10.22Any person who, on February 1, 2013, legally owns or is in possession of an assault
    10.23weapon has until September 1, 2013, to do any of the following without being subject to
    10.24prosecution under Minnesota Statutes, section 624.7133:
    10.25(1) remove the weapon from the state;
    10.26(2) surrender the weapon to a law enforcement agency for destruction;
    10.27(3) render the weapon permanently inoperable; or
    10.28(4) if eligible, register the weapon as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section
    10.29624.7133, subdivision 5.
    10.30EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.
    Last edited by GunnutAF; 02-06-13 at 12:14.

  8. #38
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    Quote Originally Posted by GunnutAF View Post
    OP
    Forget getting an AR until you make sure HF241 isn't passed cause if it does you can't even take you AR out of state when you move- felony to transport out of state after law passes!

    http://legiscan.com/MN/text/HF241

    Sec. 7. PERSONS POSSESSING ASSAULT WEAPONS ON EFFECTIVE DATE
    10.24prosecution under Minnesota Statutes, section 624.7133:
    10.25(1) remove the weapon from the state;.
    That's not what it says.

    The law says that you CAN remove the firearm from the state to avoid breaking the new AWB law (if passed).
    Last edited by snowdog650; 02-06-13 at 13:56.

  9. #39
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    They don't give a rat's ass if a gun law is unenforceable, or if it only impacts honest citizens. The real motives are to weaken us politically, and to feel good about themselves for doing the right thing.
    In fact, the more a gun law affects the law abiding, the better it is. In a perfect world for those bozos, only the cops and the crooks would have guns.

    Rant off.
    Back to the OPs question; for those who are knowledgeable and have built guns before, building may well be the answer. Finding components is a challenge right now, but for a newbie, building may just be a bridge too far. It's like reloading; I save a ton of money making my own ammo, but I'd hate to start a new shooter out rolling his own cartridges.
    Better to go with the entire gun, even if it is overpriced, and get some hands-on time with the platform, than to try to build your first one on internet advice. Build the second one if you wish; you'll be a smarter feller by then.
    Moon

  10. #40
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    So lets say I want to go on the cheaper buy of a full gun instead of a build. Which would be my best bet at one MSRP $1200ish with GDI and fold sights? I KNOW I don't want piston nor fixed iron sights, that is why I was looking at the DPMS Recon and the M&P 15T and both were also offered at Cabela's pre-December. The M&P has the edge because I am in favor of the Melonite barrel.

    Can anyone give me their $0.02 on either of these two or possibly mention another one similar in MSRP that I may have not come across yet?

    Thanks again for the help!

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