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Thread: How has your AR ownership evolved?

  1. #61
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    In what ways has your AR ownership changed from your very first purchase?

    Knowledge... first and foremost. My older brother was SF/SOG in Nam (65-67) with all the "been there and did that" that goes along with it and so I took everything he said as scripture. He was victimized by the early m-16 failures and justifiably dirided the platform and convinced me of the utter failure of the weapon the "varmit cartridge" aspect of the round and I stayed away. Sooooo my first purchase was a FAL Para. At a going out of business sale I got a mini-14 for about $150... I liked the lightness and portablity; hated everything else. Then I broke down and bought a Colt H-bar... so much nicer than the FAL to shoot and was just as accurate (disclaimer: I got a FAL that is inordinately accurate. It will shoot 3 shot 1/2" groups at 100 yrds with some regularity) and lighter to carry. I sold the Colt to buy a Wilson CQB carbine when they started buliding them. Love that gun. I am an accuracy freak and this is my salve. Internet forums did not exist in the late 70's and through the 80's when I was doing most of my purchasing. I just can't tell you how much disinformation I have overheard in gun stores, amongst other soldiers, even propagated by the Combat Arms guys in the AF. So this forum has been a real breath of fresh air for me.

    Are you a fan of certain brands more than others?

    The Wilson I have has been so flawless I cannot help but be a fan... and I have a Noveske to compare with.

    Are there certain accessories you consider "must haves" and others "must avoid"? "must avoid" for me is the obvious airsoft crap. I will spend the $$ to have good stuff. I won't buy things that are more show than go either. "must haves" is a quality trigger. Geissle and Wilson are all I have.

    Is there any particular AR-related item that turned out to be a surprising and utter disappointment? YHM quad rail. I usually do a lot of research before a purchase so I don't get "falilures" maybe just not as good as I had hoped.

    Is there any AR-related item that you didn't expect much out of and it turned out to be an essential piece of kit?
    No... again I try to educated ahead of time and make judicious and purposeful purchases. When it come to my guns I have a good idea what I want and what I want it to do. I'll take "fliers" on my camping equipment... not my firearms.

    Anything you want to discuss about your AR journey in general?
    Educate, educate, educate. Keep an open mind... even the best and most respected can get it wrong sometimes and everyone has an opinion. I am thinking of a good friend who was a Sniper with 82nd with time and experience under his belt and squared away that thought his bushy was a good gun.

  2. #62
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    First AR was an Olympic Arms Plinker. Total impulse buy at 21 and had no idea what I was buying.
    Realized it wasn't what I wanted and sold it off.

    Got into AKs then just before Sandy Hook, decided to get another AR. Bad timing!
    Saved, researched and waiting for a deal and just what I wanted.

    Found a BCM 14.5" LW middy for $1k the following April and jumped on it.

  3. #63
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    Ditto here, my first AR was an Olympic Arms basic carbine, non detachable carry handle upper with irons and no frills at all (still have it, and it still shoots like a champ 20+ years later.)

    1.Olympic Arms
    2. Stag 2TL / Rock River Arms
    3. Spikes Stryker Matched set (KX-3)
    4. Spikes Billet Bio-Hazzard Matched set
    5. AR15 Billet Lower / Vltor Mur -1a Upper
    6. SI Defense Billet 6.8 SPC Matched set
    7. Mega Arms Billet Lower / Noveske 20" DMR upper
    8. Noveske 300BLK Matched Set

    I used to use Magpul BAD levers, but found as a southpaw they tended to get in the way when my finger wasn't on the trigger so off they came. I also prefer the QD system for slings as opposed to the ASAP which is noisey,)
    I have become a huge fan of Centurion rail systems, I use them almost exclusively when I need rail space for accessories, Daniel Defense rails are also great, have 3 of those I am very happy with. Also the Battle Arms Developement ambi safety selector and Norgan ambi mag release.
    Last edited by Freelance; 05-01-14 at 16:00.

  4. #64
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    Currently I think I'm starting to DEVOLVE.

    Last night I removed all my optics and actually put the carry handle back on my shooter. The horror.

    I've decided to focus on getting so good with the irons that I can shoot accurately with them just from muscle memory. It's part of my SHTF planning for a day when I might not have a functional optic to rely on.

    I'll keep my optics and occasionally shoot the weapon with them (hence quick detachable mounts on everything), but I think I'm going to study using iron sights almost exclusively for a while.

  5. #65
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Glockster View Post
    Currently I think I'm starting to DEVOLVE.

    Last night I removed all my optics and actually put the carry handle back on my shooter. The horror.

    I've decided to focus on getting so good with the irons that I can shoot accurately with them just from muscle memory. It's part of my SHTF planning for a day when I might not have a functional optic to rely on.

    I'll keep my optics and occasionally shoot the weapon with them (hence quick detachable mounts on everything), but I think I'm going to study using iron sights almost exclusively for a while.
    That's what solar powered rechargable batteries are for, plus if SHTF you can always pry them out of their cold dead hands and use them in your optics.
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  6. #66
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    In what ways has your AR ownership changed from your very first purchase?
    My first AR was a loaner courtesy of the U.S. Army, my first actual purchase was just last year.
    My intention was to keep in factory stock but I soon discovered that an AR is ever evolving project of different sights, grips, rails and the list goes on and on.

    Are you a fan of certain brands more than others?Most definitely... Colt, Noveske, Daniel Defense.

    Are there certain accessories you consider "must haves" and others "must avoid"?
    Yes, I believe he or she that possesses the best scope, hws or red dots wins.

    Is there any particular AR-related item that turned out to be a surprising and utter disappointment?
    A little disappointed with some of the slings that I have tried before finding my Magpul QR sling.

    Is there any AR-related item that you didn't expect much out of and it turned out to be an essential piece of kit?
    My Midwest Industies rail is the focal point of all that resides forward of my sights.

    Anything you want to discuss about your AR journey in general?
    I have learned that owning an AR is more about the journey (the build) than the destination (the completion, if there is such a thing).
    Wish list items:
    Magpul UBR FDE
    Magpul Pro metal sights
    Surefire suppressor
    Failzero BCG



    When I'm done building my current AR I estimate that I would have spent close to $10,000 on it and worth every cent.
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  7. #67
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    How has your AR ownership evolved?

    My first was a DD... my second is a DDMK18, my third is going to be built of mostly BCM, with a DD barrel, 4th is going to be a complete sionics, I believe
    Last edited by JulyAZ; 05-01-14 at 20:13.

  8. #68
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    Quote Originally Posted by ex95B10 View Post
    That's what solar powered rechargable batteries are for, plus if SHTF you can always pry them out of their cold dead hands and use them in your optics.
    Only problem with that theory is,if there is a Micro Burst. Nothing electronic will function.
    Give Me the Eyes of an Eagle.The Courage of a Lion and the Balls of a Combat Helicopter Pilot. ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

  9. #69
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    How has my AR ownership evolved? I've reached the logical conclusion that owning an AR is basically owning a toy. If I ever needed to use a firearm for SD/HD, I would reach for my pistol, simply because I know that whatever I use to defend myself is likely to disappear forever, and I wouldn't want to lose my AR because it cost too much.

    Plus, I am a member on a few firearms web sites. There are a few actual, first hand accounts of pistols and shotguns being used in SD/HD. ARs? Not one. Zero. Zilch. Bupkiss. Nada. Nichts.

    As much as I enjoy my AR, I understand it is a toy, and it will never be anything more. This has actually made my ownership experience better. It dispenses with the feigned bravado of trying to be an "Uber Operator".

    Other than weather related issues, SHTF and EOTWAWKI are fantasies. I have no problem when people discuss such things as nothing more than imaginative flights of fantasy that make shooting more enjoyable. But I laugh my head off when folks take such things seriously, as if their AR is going to help them survive some post-apocalyptic world.
    Last edited by M&P15T; 05-03-14 at 10:08.
    Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus (519 BC – 430 BC) Power should only be given to those that want it least.

  10. #70
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    Quote Originally Posted by M&P15T View Post
    Other than weather related issues, SHTF and EOTWAWKI are fantasies. I have no problem when people discuss such things as nothing more than imaginative flights of fantasy that make shooting more enjoyable. But I laugh my head off when folks take such things seriously, as if their AR is going to help them survive some post-apocalyptic world.
    It is precisely the post-apocalyptic attitude brought about during weather related catastrophes that seems to bring out the worst in some people.
    As a survivor of several hurricanes it always seems to be the days and weeks after that bring out the looters and other BGs that tend to take advantage of those that are not prepared.
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