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Thread: Old Marine.....New Weap....Stupid Questions

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    Old Marine.....New Weap....Stupid Questions

    OK, OK.....I can hear the laughter already, but here goes. I'm a former Marine. Last time I shot a long rifle was in 1982, the old Colt M16, and a Garand. Pretty much a handgun guy ever since the Carter Administration. Recently decided, thanks to our current CIC, that I needed a long gun before there were no more to be had. Found a good deal on a Stag model one, and bought it......I'm not gonna shoot competitively, I just want it to shoot about 2-3 times a month, and to light up a "haji" if he comes into range. Although I'm sure I can still accomplish the manual of arms, sight it in, and break the weapon down for field stripping, I just want to know if there are any particular "gotchas" with the M4, that might be a bit different from the M16.
    .223 vs. 5.56? Cleaning agents (do they even make LSA anymore??)?, Optics?(heck, I figure I just need a smudge pot).
    Thanks in advance!!

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    Go to the sticky named comparison chart of major AR brands.
    check out the chart and see what you want/ need .

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    Thanks Thomas M-4. Yeah, I looked at the comparison chart a few weeks back....there is plenty of good info there, but I'm just looking for some basic recommendations from some of you more "recently experienced" M4 handlers. Yeh, I know, opinions are like a**holes, but at least I'll maybe be able to separate a little bit of the wheat from the chaff....

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    Quote Originally Posted by I_Tappa_Keg View Post
    OK, OK.....I can hear the laughter already, but here goes. I'm a former Marine. Last time I shot a long rifle was in 1982, the old Colt M16, and a Garand. Pretty much a handgun guy ever since the Carter Administration. Recently decided, thanks to our current CIC, that I needed a long gun before there were no more to be had. Found a good deal on a Stag model one, and bought it......I'm not gonna shoot competitively, I just want it to shoot about 2-3 times a month, and to light up a "haji" if he comes into range. Although I'm sure I can still accomplish the manual of arms, sight it in, and break the weapon down for field stripping, I just want to know if there are any particular "gotchas" with the M4, that might be a bit different from the M16.
    .223 vs. 5.56? Cleaning agents (do they even make LSA anymore??)?, Optics?(heck, I figure I just need a smudge pot).
    Thanks in advance!!
    In my opinion a stag will serve you well for what you want to do
    Use good mags USGI or if you find some you might want to try P-mags to see how you would like them. Feed it good ammo , Keep oiled and clean and you should be good to go.

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    Wow - that smudge pot reference brought back memories....

    I think your biggest issue will be tracking down ammunition for it. No lie.

    Robb has a great intro to AR's thread:

    https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=24397

    Shivan made an excellent list of other technical threads:

    https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7009

    There's a good "keep it running" thread you may wish to peruse that was started by Pat Rogers.

    http://www.ar15.com/content/swat/keepitrunning.pdf

    (Mods - if I have commited a party foul by linking to TOS, please edit my post and have Vishnu strike me down. No offense intended or taken.)

    The mods and staff have done a lot of the research for you. I try and repay that kindness by being polite. And there are many current and former Misguided Children here to help you.

    If I see that little label "SME" or "Industry Professional" next to a name, I tend to STFU and take a lot of notes. Ears open, piehole closed.

    As a fellow graduate of the University of Science, Music and Culture, let me thank you for your service to our country.

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    Semper Fi I_T_K!

    As mentioned before check the stickies in the AR General and AR Technical forums. Lots of good info. Stag's are great if your left handed especially. Thomas m-4 has lots of good points. You could have the best rifle in the world but without ammo and mags its just a blunt object. Invest in pmags or if you get USGI aluminum mags get the magpul leveling followers (standard issue from the Armory when we were in Iraq). Good hollowpoint ammo in 75gr is great for Personal Defense (ie Black Hills and Hornady Tap). You could also add an optic. It just really depends on what you want the rifle to be or serve it's purpose for. Feel free to PM if you have any questions. Welcome aboard from one Devil Dog to another. A YUT!
    Last edited by Kimbo; 04-22-09 at 23:38.

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    Thanks for some of the feedback. Speaking of ammunition, I have 55g that I plan on for practice.......no lacquer coated cases......The mags are another issue, I guess I don't remember having many problems with mags, other than tapping yer steel pot with them a few times to seat the rounds. I do vaguely remember a follower popping out of a buddy of mines and almost taking out an eye. Keep the info coming guys, this ol jarhead needs all he can get.

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    Also, thanks to SeriousStudent.......great links to stickies!!

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    You are in the right place.
    The world of civilian M4 clones can be a very steep learning curve-- especially for people whose Service time ended before the post 9/11 explosion in carbine experience , knowledge , and change.
    Seems like you are already way ahead of many people.
    Take a look at the "Oh no...' thread in the knowledge base. "Oh no..." goes item by item-- step by step -- thru the more common M4 clone gotcha's and how to fix them.
    A couple more tips:
    Buy decent gear ( that meets your needs) the first time. Example: An Aimpoint C3 is a very good value -- IMO , the best choice
    ( ETA : for an armed citizen without night vision gear) .
    Buy enough of whatever you need for your situation/plans in the near term: Maybe 3 to 6 months or so -- I dunno, I got quite a bit before things went crazy . There are a lot of panicing people trying to buy a lifetime supply of everything , all at once. IMO , that's a waste of money.
    YMMV

    Fight smart and keep winning .
    www.saf.org
    www.nra.com
    Last edited by A-Bear680; 04-23-09 at 11:55. Reason: clarity.

  10. #10
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    With your Stag make sure the gas key screws are correctly torqued and stake as Stags's job is piss poor. Also check the castle nut and make sure it is staked. I had a new-ish Stag in the shop to work on that they forgot to stake the castle nut and the reciever extension was moving freely.

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