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Thread: How has your AR ownership evolved?

  1. #81
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    SHTF and EOTWAWKI are fantasies.
    TEOTWAWKI is a stretch, but SHTF happens quite a bit, many times it is not just weather related.

    I think people imagine and prepare for the most extreme in these scenarios, but I would still consider them SHTF. I have lived in a few places where I was very glad to be armed, trained and prepared. At one point, We were in the fires in California, and bad guys were breaking in and looting houses all around, some of the people had evacuated. Our town had no water for about a week and people were rushing to stores, breaking things, fighting etc. It was best to lay low, have a plan with the neighbors, and wait it out with a weapon close. It is amazing what a large angry grp of people can do to a security gate on the front of a supermarket.

    Here in Utah it has happened too (weather related). We had massive windstorms, and the power was out for 5-7 days (some areas got their power on more quickly). People were panicking. Crime went up, and LE was taxed to the limit. Profiteers were selling things people needed at a premium. Schools were obviously closed, there were fires, injuries increased in large numbers, and local hospitals were not ideal places to be. It was lucky that it was only for about 15 square miles, so we were not unable to resupply easily. Most people went and stayed out of town with relatives, leaving their houses empty. We stayed and had fun with it. The weapons were handy though and the neighborhood disaster program worked well. I believe our neighborhood was protected in part due to vigilant people simply making it known we were present and seen and preparing for the worst.

    In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before any geographical area experiences a crisis, or SHTF. The degree of which, no one knows. To not make sensible preps is foolish. It never hurts to have more preps than are needed.
    Last edited by Shiz; 05-03-14 at 18:46.

  2. #82
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    TEOTWAWKI happens, but it isn't like the Hollywood depictions. Look at the meltdown of places like Somalia to see the real deal.

  3. #83
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    How has my AR ownership changed from my very first purchase? That is an easy one to answer. I have more knowledge of the platform now. I understand the TDP and I know what to look for when purchasing a AR. My first AR purchase was a CMMG M4LE 5.56 Carbine that I bought in 2009 just as ARs were becoming scarce from the panic. I didn't know any better but I wanted an AR and Bud's had this one priced to move and it was a steal considering the panic. I didn't stumble across M4C until after I bought the rifle. I did some reading followed by more reading before I decided to build a rifle. The first stripped lower that I bought came from Dury's here in San Antonio. It was made by an vendor in NC and the lower was out of spec. I sent it back for warranty work one week before they went tits up. That left me out of my money and a lower. I found out later through research on this forum that the vendor had a reputation for making and selling out of spec lowers. So I got the chance to buy once and cry once. Undettered I pushed on with my plan to build an AR. I chose a stripped Spike's upper and lower as well as a Spike's LPK plus a ALG Defense QMS trigger. I went with a Stoner barrel because that is what I could find and afford during the panic. I guess I got one of the ones that was built to spec and consider myself lucky. I went with a Troy 13" VTAC rail, DD fixed front sight, Matech rear sight, YHM flash hider, MAGPUL AFG, BAD lever, and MOE stock. I live this setup and it works for me. This was my only AR from 2010 to now since my wife claimed the CMMG M4LA as hers. This past October I purchased a PSA 16" Hammer-forged Mid-length upper. A few weeks later Ranier Arms had BCM uppers on sell and I couldn't pass up the chance to own a BCM upper. I built the PSA into a standard middy carbine with plastic hand guards. The BCM I had cerakoted burnt bronze. I removed the FSB and installed a Parallax 15" FFSSR. The FFSSR wears a MAGPUL MBUS front sight, MATECH rear. I removed the Aimpoint PRO from my Spike's build and put it on the BCM upper. I used a Joe Bob's Spartan Billet for the lower with PSA internals and a ALG Defense ACT. The lower, upper, RE, and rail were cerakoted burnt bronze. This will be my new go to rifle for classes and defense. I also have a SBR build in the works. It will have a DD 12.5" barrel in a PSA upper. The lower is a Seekins Precision. I haven't decided on a hand guard yet although I am leaning heavily towards the Seekins Precision 12" MCSR V2 keymod rail or a Troy VTAC 11" Alpha rail. I'm still waiting on my eForm 1 to get approved before I finish this build.

    I'm a fan of MAGPUL, Troy, Seekins, Matech, Aimpoint, ALG and BCM more than others.

    My must haves are a quality trigger and a long rail. I am currently using ALG Defense offerings. I prefer long round tube style rails versus quad rails I don't need a quad rail and the longer rail lets me grip the AR closer to the business end giving me more control of the rifle. Things I would avoid? Well anything by TAPCO. I also have resisted purchasing cheap VFGs and bipods. I am also leery of lowers from manufacturers I haven't heard.

    My AR journey has been one of enlightenment. I know more about the platform than I did four years ago. I know enough now to try and guide friends when they are making decisions about buying ARs and AR accessories. I don't aggressively teach, coach, and mentor but I try to give them the information that they need to make an informed decision.


    Here is a pic of my Spike's build (in evil black) and my BCM/JBO Spartan build (in burnt bronze).
    BCMUpperwithJBOBilletlower-LatestBuildandSpikesBuild1.jpg

    Doc Williams
    U.S. Army Combat Medic/Flight Medic Retired
    1987 - 2013
    Flight Medic Class 4-95

    http://www.dustoff.org/

  4. #84
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    Quote Originally Posted by carolvs View Post
    TEOTWAWKI happens, but it isn't like the Hollywood depictions. Look at the meltdown of places like Somalia to see the real deal.
    Somalia? A meltdown would assume there was anything once standing that later degraded into chaos.

    How about Syria/Yemen/Cairo? Very modern middle eastern countries.

    But Muslims aren't people like us, so they are prone to this. So let's instead use Argentina/Ecuador/Ukraine.

    But Americans are more intelligent so it won't happen here. But it has. In April 92", again during several tropical storms, then Katrina which was a total failure. While it got less media coverage (lower death toll, less sensational) Hurricane Sandy showed a region that is very accustomed to bad weather just how vulnerable we all are.

    Yeah, SHTF often. But let's not give Somalia credit it doesn't deserve.
    Team Medic, Task Force Zangaro
    "The Cat's Originals"

  5. #85
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    As for how my ownership has evolved I would say I have moved to higher quality guns from where I started from. Most of it was based upon economy as I could not afford a Colt or JP at the time. I bought RRA and assembled my lowers. I had good luck with them and learned quite a bit along the way modifying them. I would buy heavy barrels but as time moved on I got tired of hauling around a heavy barrel varmint rifle in an AR platform.
    For the most part I have moved to lighter weight rifles such as a JP 18" heavy profile for varmint hunting as I carry it all day. My BCM 20" heavy barrel was turned down to lose weight and I am now assembling light profile rifles for my sons. The biggest change has been in the weight of the rifles I carry. I make sure they have good triggers and quality parts through out so no matter which one I grab out of the safe I no it will work and work well.
    Another ting I have changed is not jumping on the latest parts I just don't get excited like I used to and find that trigger time is more important than new parts. Lastly buying decent quality scopes is a must. I just can't stomach the $1500 on up scopes out there and the how the market makes it seem that a $3k scope is normal and the only thing that will hold up to abuse.
    One last thing is that I have been moving away from muzzle breaks. For all but my varmint rig I just don't see the need for the added noise when there is minimal recoil from a .223 round. Though they work good I have just grown tired of the muzzle blast for little reward. I now just install flash hiders on new builds.
    Last edited by PrarieDog; 05-04-14 at 01:34.

  6. #86
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    In what ways has your AR ownership changed from your very first purchase?

    I absolutely purchased my first AR because I thought they were cool and just wanted one. I now see them as a tool and shoot religiously. I work in robotics and absolutely understand what quality components mean. That said, I had no idea what quality components were in the AR world prior to my first couple of AR's. Discovering this site educated me and quite honestly made me feel foolish for my first purchase. Hindsight is great, no?

    Are you a fan of certain brands more than others?

    BCM and Colt will have my business for life. They just work. My first was an Olympic that never made it through the first mag. The carrier key was not staked at all and came loose during the first 10 rounds I shot. I immediately began scouring the net for answers and quickly discovered this site. After "some" thought I began searching for a replacement upper and purchased a Spikes 16" carbine. While I'd probably never buy another, it ran flawlessly in the time I had it. My next AR would be a Colt M4A1 clone that I really liked. Since then it's been a steady stream of BCM, Daniel Defense and Colt.

    Are there certain accessories you consider "must haves" and others "must avoid"?

    For me a 12" free float of some kind is almost a must have. I can work with standard handguards, but greatly prefer the ability to reach out towards the end of the barrel. I'll never forget the first time I shot with a 12" rail and how much more control I had over the weapon. Aside from that, I'm not too picky. I really like the Aimpoint C3's being a 2moa dot and the cost. I hate vertical grips and will likely never use them again. Big fan of the MOE+ grips as well. If I'm running a carbine gassed rifle it will have a Vltor A5. Can't really say enough about these. I also really like the Fortis Rev Rails though I'm anxious to try the new BCM keymod rail on my next build.

    Is there any particular AR-related item that turned out to be a surprising and utter disappointment?

    My first AR.. aside from that, with the help of this site I feel I've made pretty sound decisions in my parts and accessories.

    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?

    The Vltor A5

    Anything you want to discuss about your AR journey in general?

    This site in particular is an amazing wealth of knowledge. I'm certainly no expert, but having this site at my disposal certainly makes me feel that I have gained an adequate knowledge of the AR platform among other things. As in my field of work, you never stop learning and things are always evolving. This site helps me to stay in tune with the platform.

    Many thanks to the quality membership here. I truly enjoy reading the majority of what I see here.

  7. #87
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    Had a RRA in 09, now have a couple BCM builds and a LaRue PredatAR
    Gun and Gear Reviews- www.almosttacticalreviews.com

  8. #88
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    Quote Originally Posted by M&P15T View Post
    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.
    This statement here shows how inaccurate your view is. There are many instances of people using AR's for HD/SD. You need to read the news more...

    And I guess all the Military, LE, and civilians who own and use AR's/M4's only have "toys"


  9. #89
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    A lot of trial and error as well as my evolving shooting style has led me to the "Less is more" school of thought -- don't have anything hanging off the gun that you don't really need. For me, that meant taking off all the non-essential items. All my guns now simply have a weapon light (Surefire, Elzetta and InForce) at the 12 or 11 o'clock position, red dot optic (Aimpoint T-1 or Eotech XPS 3.0), a good 2-point sling (SOB B-Sling) and attachment system; a BCM stubby vertical grip I use as a hand-stop. Must have on all my guns is a BCM Gunfighter charging handle and pistol grip (MOD 0 and 1). Biggest waste of money: spending so much on "miracle" muzzle devices-- expensive learning lesson, the good ole A2 is still tops. Biggest disappointment: buying a piston gun. Jumped on the bandwagon and soon jumped off as soon as I found a buyer for it. DI guns work just fine for me.

    Colt is still my sentimental favorite: I have two LE6920s; one that is the M-4A1 w/SOCOM profile barrel. Both wear RIS IIs. They are my "go to" guns. I also have a few 16" and 14.5" middies (Daniel Defense and Monty LeClair built Centurion Arms/JD Machine Tech "franken-gun"). Also jumped on the middy bandwagon-- never noticed any difference in "softer" shooting. The carbine length gas system works fine for me and with the RIS, the main reason I liked having a middy for the extra rail space was a moot issue.
    Last edited by ROUTEMICHIGAN; 05-04-14 at 04:24.

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  10. #90
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    Quote Originally Posted by JusticeM4 View Post
    This statement here shows how inaccurate your view is. There are many instances of people using AR's for HD/SD. You need to read the news more...

    And I guess all the Military, LE, and civilians who own and use AR's/M4's only have "toys"

    Wow. That's intense. A very bold statement such as M&P made is the kind one wants to verify on their own before repeating.


    There are, however, several million cases where 99% of would-be intruders fled when they heard the universal sound of a 12ga being racked...

    Pistols suck for shooting people. People tend to suck at shotguns. Why someone would corner themselves into only those options is beyond me. Here's hoping that in the near future, M&P15T will remember that post and be happy he learned more while it wasn't a life threatening situation. We've all been woefully wrong a time or two.
    Team Medic, Task Force Zangaro
    "The Cat's Originals"

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