I am buying a AR-15, but I need some help with a few things. Please read.Any pics?

[BLACK Z]

Hi, well I am looking for a AR-15, I have wanted one for a while and now I am ready, I have some ? so if you can please give me a hand, thanks
Ok I have only shot 2 colt match sporter (I think)?AR-15s, with the 20 inch barrels,I think they where A2s I was wondering which is better bushmaster?colt?or armalite?
2.Should I go with a 16 inch or a 20 inch barrel? (I don't want a carbine)
3.Which is better a 1/7 or a 1/9 twist?
4.which is better a A2 or A3? I may never remove the handle but is it a good option to have? Are the iron sites the same between the A2 and A3? I have a colt scope that mounts on the handle.
Does anyone have pics? the colt site has the same pic for all of the models. Thanks alot
P.S I probably will buy new.

[gswhite]

1. A(rmalite), B(ushmaster), C(olt). These three are considered the ABC of ARs. Any one of them would be fine.

2. The 16" is a carbine. The 20" is the rifle. The difference here is that with the 20" you get a longer sight radius and more velocity at the expense of additional weight and reduction in ease of handeling in confined areas.

3. IMO the 1 in 9 is the better choice. The 1 in 7 is designed to stabalized the NATO tracer ammunition which yo will probably never use. The 1 in 9 twist will last linger all other things being equal.

4. A2 vs A3 If you get the A3 and never take the handle off you are out a hundred bucks or so. If you have the A2 and want to take the handle off you are out he cost of a new upper.

For a slew of opinions on AR's try www.ar15.com forum boards.

[gaboy]

I bought an AR a few years ago. I got it down to either a bushmaster or colt. Everyone I talked to said both are fine but the bushmaster was a little better. I spoke to both companies law enforcement sales reps and both were about the same price.

The bushmaster carbine is what I went with. No regrets. It can shoot lights out. The 1 I got has a 1/9 twist. It shoots most ammo effectively.

Now if you are going to carry this on duty just make sure your dept. allows whatever type you decide to buy. Some agencies are old school and the only name they know is colt. If thats the case, I'm sure you will get a fine rifle.

[erosado]

I would look closely at the Rock River Arms carbines out there. A good friend of mine tested it as part of his Dept's T & E program. He was very impresed.

Go check them out.

[modareguy]

I would recommend a Bushmaster (very good), Rock River Arms (excellent), or Fulton Armory (the best). Not all Colt lower receivers are interchangable with other AR-15 upper receivers. Expect to spend at least $700-$800 at minimum for a good rifle. There are so many options, which can bring the cost much higher. Check out a site like ar15.com for in-depth info.

[erosado]

It has been my experience that -15s get some weird looks from people in the streets. If you can get me some information on the use that you expect this weapon to see, you could be just as well served by a Ruger Mini-14. There are plenty of aftermarket parts out there to customize it to your standards, without looking like a military rifle, a more Politically correct weapon. Do not get me wrong, I LOVE the A4, but for some instances of patrol work, specialy where COP programs are in effect, the -15s may look too scary for some in the community.

Just a thought.

ed

[gaboy]

erosado,
why an AR-15 and not a ruger? Simply because the AR-15 is more accurate. There should be no debate on this. To carry an inferior "politically correct gun" is foolish. Thinking like this gets people killed. The British learned this when they left their police unarmed. There reason was the same. They thought it looked bad. Anyway carry what you want but don't carry something because it doesn't look as scary.

[erosado]

I know full well that you should not pick a weapon on looks alone. As firearms instructor I KNOW this. I brought the topic into the thread because it has been a point on contention with some departments. If it is not a problem with the dept, Go for a fully customized weapon that can cost a couple of grand, more power to you. I know for a fact that most patrol officers out there will never need a weapon to deliver an MOA type shot at 550-600 yds. It is not your average or even common patrol situation, even less in urban areas. If I were asked to provide a weapon to deliver that type of firepower at those distances, I would go for a Springfield M-25 in .308, not .223. If you read and understood my post, I tried to convey that the weapon has to be chosen depending upon the need, and not get a weapon system and then try to find a role for it.

My question had a definite purpose and would like to hear from Black Z.

Ed

[gaboy]

erosado,
I read your post and thought I understood it, but for for your benefit I went back and read it again. Sorry same opinion. I won't talk about sniper rifles vs tacticle rifles. This was something you brought up. I think you should go back and read your first post. I still read it as saying that you should consider an inferior rifle based on political correctness.

You state that you are a firearms instructor. Shame on you. You sound more like a politician.

Bump political correctness, by the AR-15

[dmclark]

Yeah, but Firearms Instructors don't buy firearms for their departments, the Chief does. And the Chief is a politician in uniform, dealing with other pols. He/She has to be and that is the cold, hard truth. And Pols approve budgets for PDs.

If PDs weren't controlled by Pols, PDs would have given up the 158 gr Remington .38 years before many officers were hurt or killed from failure to stop gunfights. PDs would have switched to autos from revolvers and PDs would now have long guns in patrol cars. PDs would practice shooting more with better ammo, but there's no dollars from the pols for purchase. PDs would move into more professional budget management without City Hall interference, but THAT'S issues that politicians can't handle.

Firearms Instructors? They instruct on firearms. Politicans run the department, city, state or federal agency. Let's not forget reality here.

[gaboy]

dmclark,
Yes, but the reality is he is a firearms instructor giving advise based on political correctness, not a head of agency trying to get long arms to his workers

[dmclark]

"Political correctness" may in fact be political reality on the part of the instructors. NYPD and LAPD for years labored under the .38 158 gr Remingtons. Firearms instructors knew that the political reality was that anything hollow point was labeled "dum-dums" and not going to happen.

The comment about the political reality of any .223 M-16 look alike is well taken. Many departments use the Ruger for that very reason...the non-assault look.

I agree about being unbiased, but I also know that reality affects decisions in the public sector.

[gaboy]

dmclark,
Maybe I'm confussed. Let me recap this thread so you can see my point of view.

1. A guy post wanting info on which AR-15 to buy.
2. Several people give there opinion on which AR-15 they
recommend.
3. A guy post offering an alternate weapon based on
political correctness and not wanting a scary looking
weapon. These are his words.
4. I bash him for suggesting a gun based on these reasons
and for not buying something based on sound advise.
5. You lecture me that some departments have there hands
tied, and are forced to buy guns based on political
correctness.
6. I actually understand this concept, but at this point I'll refer
you to number 1. A guy wants info on which AR-15 to buy.

[BLACK Z]

I want the AR-15 for my own personell use.
Our Dept has MP5's, AR-15's, ruger mini 14's, a few sniper rifles(not sure what type) and a old tompson machine gun. Just thought you may want to know.

[jaybird]

this is a non issue now, but Erosado is right when he advises that you need to know the use for the firearm and what type of policing philosophy the PD has.

And when he tells the guy that a good option when considering whether the PD practices COP may be a "less threatening" weapon, he is right.

While officer safety and having good equipment, rather, the best equipment is important, we still serve the public and answer to them. They pay the taxes and sign the check that the PD uses to buy the tools to fight crime.
Politics DO dictate what we do and how we do it and what tools we get to use to do it.

I think Erosado's point was for the guy not to get an AR-15 and then lose money or get in trouble when the PD wants him to use something else..

anyway..I'm all for better weapons and long guns in patrol cars for "just in case." I personally have a back up baby glock .40 a shotgun and my duty Sig. All that I can carry. They won't let me have more.

stay safe guys

[nclawdawg2001]

I'm fixing to buy a PantherArm's (DPMS) Ar-15.

I'm getting the rifle, 4 30 round mag's, the barrel has been cyro'd, and the tri-pod for $690

Not bad if you ask me.