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corey sellers Offline
#1 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 4:36 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Thoughts looking at buying a new firearm and thought about one of these. Which brand and caliber does everyone prefer. Or is there something else I might want better. Not a rich man so let’s keep that in mind.
DrafterX Offline
#2 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 4:54 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,559
Lots of options.. but go Mil-Spec.. buy a basic model and accessorize yourself over time.. literally thousands of options out there... especially sights and optics...

But go 223/5.56...

Should prolly ask Ram tho... Mellow
corey sellers Offline
#3 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 5:04 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I was thinking 223/5.56 . So many options out there . Thanks Drafter
DrafterX Offline
#4 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 5:19 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,559
Go with a 15" M-loc floating barrel also.. you might want iron sights of a bipod and stuff... Mellow
corey sellers Offline
#5 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 5:28 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I had to read that again thought it said tripod . No that’s Frankie
DrafterX Offline
#6 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 5:37 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,559
You might be able to obtain a tripod accessory.. but you might need to start a new thread for that... Mellow
HockeyDad Offline
#7 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 5:53 PM EST
Joined: 09-20-2000
Posts: 46,160
You’ll shot your eye out kid.
ZRX1200 Offline
#8 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:11 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
First of all, just buy a complete lower…..the 2 most important parts on one of these is the barrel and the bolt carrier group. You can get a decent quality complete lower and not worry about ruining it with it being “budget conscious”. I would get an Aero Precision or a PSA complete lower that’s what you’re going to get the background check for anyways. Then look at uppers, you can get them in a ton of calibers and use them with the same lower. If this is your first I would get a 14.5” BCM complete upper in .223/5.56 and have your preferred muzzle break pinned and welded by a gunsmith.you can get both of these for under 9 Benjis easy. PSA has a mixed reputation but their “Saber” uppers use quality parts. Two things you can upgrade later are an optic and the trigger (LMB2S is the finest value in triggers and is around $85).

BTW mill spec doesn’t mean much, it’s parameters…..and pretty much every damn thing is mill spec.

Do you have a stigmatisym? If so red dots may be an issue, Primary Arms LVPOs and Cyclopes Prisms are great values.

Compatible
: .204 Ruger
.223 Remington
.22 Nosler
.224 Valkyrie
.25-45 Sharps
6.5 Grendel
6.8 SPC
.300 Blackout
.300 Ham’r
.30 Remington AR
.350 Legend
.450 Bushmaster

Interchangeable:

223 Remington
22 Nosler
224 Valkyrie
6 mm ARC
6.5 Grendel
6.8 SPC
300 Blackout
300 HAMR
30 Remington AR
7.62 x 39 rounds
350 Legend
450 Bushmaster
458 SOCOM

Lots of choices that depend on you purpose….all of those have particular ballistic advantages, the standard .223/5.56 advantage is availability of parts and ammo AND versatility. It doesn’t do one thing better than those others listed, but it does the most things decently.
corey sellers Offline
#9 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:21 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Dam Z still not going camping with you though. Thanks brother
MACS Offline
#10 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:33 PM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,817
Just get a Sig M400 Tread... snake bite edition is only $1200 or so and it's plug n play... screw all the parting out BS.
ZRX1200 Offline
#11 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:38 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Sig is overpriced mid tier. But they did get a lot of contracts….so there’s that if that is important to you.
ZRX1200 Offline
#12 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:39 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
If you want to spend the dough for out of the box duty grade, Geissele is the way….looking at 1600-2000 depending on sales.
corey sellers Offline
#13 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:57 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I want something that will not give me problems.
corey sellers Offline
#14 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 6:58 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I don’t mind spending the coin but it needs to be worth it.
ZRX1200 Offline
#15 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 7:56 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
If you get a complete lower and upper…..the “putting together” is two pins you need to know how to use anyways, and it takes all of 5 seconds….you have anyone near you that can take you shooting?
KingoftheCove Offline
#16 Posted: Sat, Aug 26 2023, 7:58 PM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,644
corey sellers wrote:
I want something that will not give me problems.

That’s funny…
corey sellers Offline
#17 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 8:04 AM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I have a place to shoot. I have pistols and rifles and shot guns . Just bought a bond arms 45/410 with the ported barrel.
KingoftheCove Offline
#18 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 8:34 AM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,644
corey sellers wrote:
I have a place to shoot. I have pistols and rifles and shot guns . Just bought a bond arms 45/410 with the ported barrel.

I have a feeling that might be a little “snappy” so to speak, despite being ported.
Without being ported would be a handful…………Id prolly wanna wear gloves………heh……..I’m old….
corey sellers Offline
#19 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 10:06 AM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
It is a handful the 410 3 inch shells will definitively shake you . The 45 long colt not to bad . Bought it for a snake gun close range it is pretty tough. It has the 4.25 barrel.
Gene363 Offline
#20 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 10:37 AM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,836
corey sellers wrote:
It is a handful the 410 3 inch shells will definitively shake you . The 45 long colt not to bad . Bought it for a snake gun close range it is pretty tough. It has the 4.25 barrel.


Hats off to you. I had one, gave it to my younger son, he likes it. .45 Colt, not bad, the worst .410s were Flocci field loads, dammm, my trigger finger would slap the trigger guard making it miserable to shoot.

For an AR, get on the PSA mailing list and buy an upper and a lower you like, (They are both constantly on sale.), and done. You can pay a crap ton more for an AR, but most of the price is in bragging rights, not necessarily performance or reliability. Then spend the difference on ammo to become a better shot. I do recommend a lower with an enhanced trigger, ;file the one PSA makes.
KingoftheCove Offline
#21 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 10:45 AM EST
Joined: 10-08-2011
Posts: 7,644
Oh.....well I assumed a short barrel.
That barrel length no problem, especially being ported, and weighing 25oz loaded (guessing)
As long as not too much chit blows back at you.

Long ago I used to deep conceal a Davis .22lr derringer. The only gun I ever sold, and should not have, but a friend REALLY wanted it and I had quit carrying it.......so, away she went.
It was actually fairly well made for a cheapy.
Was accurate out to 12 feet........ha!
MACS Offline
#22 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 11:38 AM EST
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,817
I'm gonna get me an AR-15 eventually. I've put thousands of rounds through M-16's and M-4's so I figure it'll be easy for me to disassemble and clean (since I have the experience) and shooting should be a snap since I've shot 5.56/.223 so much through (basically) the same damn gun.

When I was in Fort Jackson SC before going to Iraq, I BZO'd my issue M-16... 3 shots at 100 yds and you could have covered them all with a half dollar. Range master was like... "You're good, no need to keep shooting". BigGrin

Ahhhhthankyaverramuch.
Gene363 Offline
#23 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 12:02 PM EST
Joined: 01-24-2003
Posts: 30,836
MACS wrote:
I'm gonna get me an AR-15 eventually. I've put thousands of rounds through M-16's and M-4's so I figure it'll be easy for me to disassemble and clean (since I have the experience) and shooting should be a snap since I've shot 5.56/.223 so much through (basically) the same damn gun.

When I was in Fort Jackson SC before going to Iraq, I BZO'd my issue M-16... 3 shots at 100 yds and you could have covered them all with a half dollar. Range master was like... "You're good, no need to keep shooting". BigGrin

Ahhhhthankyaverramuch.


Excellent, especially with a mil-spec AR and ammo. ThumpUp ThumpUp ThumpUp
DrMaddVibe Offline
#24 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 1:39 PM EST
Joined: 10-21-2000
Posts: 55,498
I went with an AR pistol build.

Loved the look of The Jack from Sharps Brothers. They have some really cool other builds that are Spartan, Samauri or WWII Fighter style, but it's up to you.

https://sharpsbros.com/

I can't recommend this as a first gun purchase though unless you're prior service/LEO and have a firm understanding of what you've got. If you're still moving forward and this is, I HIGHLY recommend you get plugged into some classes and maybe some rental range time. At the very least have some friends that know the AR build and have had it for years you can bounce off of. I'd start with a pistol personally and work your way up. You can find some really good deals on RKGuns.com. Almost pulled the trigger on a 9mm AR build last week. Under 6 hundred. Leaves room for optics.

Happy safe shooting.
Homebrew Offline
#25 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 2:02 PM EST
Joined: 02-11-2003
Posts: 11,885
I have, and shoot, 2 AR 15s, one that shoots 5.56, and one that shoots 7.62X39. I shoot the 7.62X59 a lot more, because of all the ammo I had on hand from the late 1980s, which is why I built it in that caliber. I also built an AR 10, with a Palmetto State Armory Lowwer, and a Bravo Company upper, and barrel. Best shooting mid range riflke I have.
Yeah I know, you thought you knew my politics.
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)Beer
P.S. I also have an extensive handgun collection, Including Colt snake guns, Smith and Wesson revolvers, and Semiautos including Sig Sauer, and Berettas in multiple calibers, including my daily carry Sig P226 in 357 sig
DrafterX Offline
#26 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 5:25 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,559
DrMaddVibe wrote:


Almost pulled the trigger on a 9mm AR build last week. Under 6 hundred. Leaves room for optics.

Happy safe shooting.



I looked at this pretty hard.. I like it..

https://www.rkguns.com/freedom-ordnance-fx-9-9mm-pistol-caliber-carbine-with-sling-8-31-1rd-fx9p
ZRX1200 Offline
#27 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 5:30 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Fox Trot Mike is better.

Dave…..you got a S&W Mod 57 in .41 mag with a 4” barre in SS?
DrafterX Offline
#28 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 5:47 PM EST
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,559
Just looked around Foxtrot Mike's website.. never heard of them...nice stuff... Mellow
ZRX1200 Offline
#29 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 5:50 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Side charger is real nice, my daughters is real fun to shoot…new shooters love it, and it’s nice that it takes Glock mags.
Homebrew Offline
#30 Posted: Sun, Aug 27 2023, 6:10 PM EST
Joined: 02-11-2003
Posts: 11,885
ZRX1200 wrote:
Fox Trot Mike is better.

Dave…..you got a S&W Mod 57 in .41 mag with a 4” barre in SS?


No I don't but sounds good. My only 41 mag, is a Ruger Blackhawk. I did kill a deer with it last season. Out my bedroom window. I meat hunt, not shooting for Antlers. I tend to let the big bucks walk, and thin out the lesser bucks. Any oddball racks, I try and keep them from reproducing. As a result, over the last 30 years of population management, I have some really nice looking deer come by the house. I live on their main trail, between their food source, the fruit substation, of the state University experimental station, and the local water supply, Lake Ludwig. But I digress. Love that old single action pistol. I inherited it from my Grandfather. I love the caliber, even though you pretty much have to reload, due to the obscurity of the caliber.
Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)Beer
Abrignac Offline
#31 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2023, 10:44 AM EST
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,313
corey sellers wrote:
Thoughts looking at buying a new firearm and thought about one of these. Which brand and caliber does everyone prefer. Or is there something else I might want better. Not a rich man so let’s keep that in mind.


An AR is like an IBM compatible pc. For the most part the parts are completely interchangeable. That said there are a few different ways to go.
1) Buy an off the shelf ready to shoot gun. No assembly required. It’s ready to shoot, but you’re limited to a one size fits all.
2) Buy a complete upper and a complete lower then connect them with a couple of pins. A bit more options, but still limited
3) Build your own. Completely customizable.

If you go the build your own route you can spend as much or as little as you want. On the low end, there are Anderson stripped uppers and lowers. Mine is built with Anderson. The fit and finish is quite good. Of course you can spend 3-5 times that on other brands. However, quality is marginally better at best.

If you have rudimentary mechanical skills you can easily assemble one. There are literally hundreds of YouTube videos that show you how to assemble the various components.
Jakethesnake86 Offline
#32 Posted: Mon, Aug 28 2023, 7:30 PM EST
Joined: 12-29-2020
Posts: 4,184
Have a bushmaster. It’s fine. Not super into it but it’s part of the collection. Have an ak too. As far as rifles go I like Remington probably the best. Got a variety
corey sellers Offline
#33 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:30 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Ended up buying an Sig - 518 Thanks guys for all the info next one we will see . I can see me building one need some time shooting this one.
ZRX1200 Offline
#34 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:46 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Make sure you get some practice with it!
corey sellers Offline
#35 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:48 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
The trigger feels heavy to me . Do you use a one stage or two stage trigger?
corey sellers Offline
#36 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:48 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Also thinking red dot but what do you prefer?
corey sellers Offline
#37 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:50 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
I bought ammo at the shop got ripped off found it $55 dollars cheaper online so bought 375 more rounds.
corey sellers Offline
#38 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:51 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Got the gun for $1100
corey sellers Offline
#39 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 6:52 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Definitely not like my deer rifles.
ZRX1200 Offline
#40 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:04 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
I use both.

As a general rule, 2 stage is generally preferred for precision shooting, but lots of guys like them on battle weapons. Some guys don’t like single stage light triggers for battle guns. So it’s a wide argument like what rh% is best…..for the value Larue Master Built 2 Stage is the best thing you can get. I have a Rave 140 that I love, but cassette triggers aren’t as robust as normal Mil Style. I also have a ALG trigger which is supposed to be great, it’s just ok (not much better feel or reset than stock).

Right now you can get a Geissele trigger super cheap (relative) and they are the best triggers period (feel and reliability) I’d get an SSA-E if money was less of an issue.

LTMB2S is around $115 not on sale (when on sale around $85)
Rave 140 around $99 on sale
Geissele SSA-E is around $149 their standard 2S is $99

^ these are all as of right now anyways (Labor Day sales LMT sells direct and does what ever they want when they want).
corey sellers Offline
#41 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:14 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
What site for the geissele ?
ZRX1200 Offline
#42 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:16 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
If you’re looking for a cheap option PSA makes a polished NB coated single stage for $39.99 on sale right now

SKU#
507797

Another option for you is polishing your trigger with a dremel (polishing wheel) with flitz polish then mothers wax on the contact points of the trigger. And get a JP spring kit.
ZRX1200 Offline
#43 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:17 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Primary Arms is showing $10 cheaper than PSA right now.
corey sellers Offline
#44 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:18 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Thanks Z
ZRX1200 Offline
#45 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:24 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
And cassette style triggers require locking pins, Rave and Hyperfire include them.
corey sellers Offline
#46 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:41 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
How about the Gisselle for 149. I will pull the trigger on that.
corey sellers Offline
#47 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:41 PM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Sorry had to
ZRX1200 Offline
#48 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 7:50 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
It’s awesome…..all their stuff is top tier and that’s a great all around choice, their 3 gun is smooth and light but I don’t like under 4lbs pull on anything other than a range gun.
ZRX1200 Offline
#49 Posted: Sun, Sep 3 2023, 8:00 PM EST
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,628
Holosun 403 is my go to budget red dot next after that the 503. Sig Romeo is good too.

How are your eyes though, do you have a stigmatism? If you do a red dot will look like a blurry star. If you do then get a prism instead. If you go prism you can get 3X or 5X much lighter than a dot with a magnifier. But a prism is more $

Watch a few videos of the Primary Arms prism (cyclops).

Unless you’re more of the yuppie type then go for either an Eotech or a Trijicon ACOG.
corey sellers Offline
#50 Posted: Mon, Sep 4 2023, 8:08 AM EST
Joined: 08-21-2011
Posts: 10,366
Yeah I do have astigmatism in my eyes. Like the prism idea better.
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