Was this helpful to you?

Yes
Total votes: 63 (91%)
No
Total votes: 2 (3%)
Sorta
Total votes: 4 (6%)
Total votes: 69

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

27
Speaking to alternate chamberings, what all would be needed on a lower (besides the 9mm magwell block) to set up an AR-9mm? I found a few 9mm full 16" upers for $600-$700 so I was wondering what would be needed to get the lower set up properly. This would be 'built' as a rifle if that matters.

I did find an interesting magwell block from Spike's Tactical that is adjustable so I would not have a single-shot 9mm but it should allow semi-auto action.
In a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich the chicken and cow are involved while the pig is committed.

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

31
The chamber/barrel info also applies to Mini-14's, of course. The part about .223 Rem chambers being used for .223 Rem only is important because of a change Ruger made to the Mini-14 Target Rifle in 2009. Before, all Mini-14's, including the Target Rifle, were officially rated for both civvie .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO. That has changed; the TR is now rated for .223 Rem only.
"SF Liberal With A Gun + Free Software Advocate"
http://www.sanfranciscoliberalwithagun.com/
http://www.liberalsguncorner.com/
Image

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

32
ErikO wrote:Speaking to alternate chamberings, what all would be needed on a lower (besides the 9mm magwell block) to set up an AR-9mm? I found a few 9mm full 16" upers for $600-$700 so I was wondering what would be needed to get the lower set up properly. This would be 'built' as a rifle if that matters.

I did find an interesting magwell block from Spike's Tactical that is adjustable so I would not have a single-shot 9mm but it should allow semi-auto action.
You can either use a magwell block like Spike's or buy a dedicated lower. CMMG and Rock River Arms make dedicated lowers.
senorgrand wrote:How easy is it to take off and put on a flash supressor?
Pretty easy, the only issue is making sure you torque it to the right lbs. Getting them off is just a matter of a breaker bar, unless it's welded on there and then you need to talk to a gunsmith or someone similar to break the weld.
Everything You Wanted to Know About ARs
The Armed Socialist

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

33
Very nice.

Small edit--nomenclature on the civilian side, when you are talking upper receivers, is such that all A3 receivers are flattop. A4 receivers are like A3s except with small ramps on the inside of the receiver at the top of the magazine well that facilitate feeding (but don't appear to be really necessary).

As you said, this doesn't appear to line up with the military nomenclature, but as it's going to be relevant to most readers here, I thought I'd mention it.

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

34
M16A4 or M16A4 MWS: The Colt "A3" that introduced the picatinny rail in place of the carrying handle. Came with an attachable A2 carrying handle, a rear back up iron sight (BUIS), and Knights Armament Co RAS handguard (the fore end rails) thus making it easy to attach vertical grips, lights, lasers, and optics and giving it the name "Modular Weapon System" or MWS.
It's in there.
Everything You Wanted to Know About ARs
The Armed Socialist

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

36
Outstanding reference thread! I absolutely love ARs! In fact, I've pretty much replaced my bolts with ARs. There's almost nothing a bolt can do, that an AR can't do better. Here are a few of my thought, on why I now have 13+ AR-style rifles:

Why Buy an AR
  • Accuracy - You will not find a more accurate semi-auto platform than an AR. With recent advancements, today's ARs can pretty much match the most accurate bolt-action rifles. And they beat the snott out of any other semi-auto rifle.
    Modularity - This system's strength is that it's modular. Want to change a trigger or barrel, no problem - there are umpteen thousand sites and vendors with parts you can choose from. Best of all, the entire system was made to be easily modified with little gun-smiting expertise or specialized tools. You can do just about anything, in minutes, for a fraction of what it costs on other platforms.
    Ergonomics - You'll be hard-pressed to find a more ergonomic rifle platform than the AR; especially true for the AR-15 (the AR-10 is a bit heavy to wield).
    Standardization - You will always be able to buy parts, for this platform.
Operating System
There has been quite a bit of noise about the direct-impingement system being a source of problems, with the AR platform. Personally, I don't buy it. If I was going to shoot 2,000+ rounds in a setting, I guess I could see it causing a problem. I have, however, shot almost 1,000 rounds from ARs, between cleanings, without significant problems. And the system is very easy to break down and clean. I have a couple problems with gas, vs. direct impingement:
  • Accuracy - DI is more accurate, IMOHO. A DI system relies on the spring behind the bolt to do the work, whereas a gas system relies upon a piston that slams into a fitting that is located around the middle of the barrel. If you watch slow-mo videos of these systems working, they cause the barrels to flex a bit. But the old DI systems leave the barrels unmolested.. and I think this is one of the reasons the AR system is the most accurate semi.
    Weight - Gas systems add at least 1/2lb (usually more) to an AR. And that weight is usually somewhat forward, where I don't want it.
    Cost - It usually adds about $200, to add gas.
Then again, you can add a piston, if you want it. Again, this is the beauty of the AR platform.

Calibers
If the AR was only available in .223/5.56, I'd probably only have a couple. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of calibers available. Here's my take on a few of the more popular ones:

AR-15 Calibers
  • 5.56/.223 - Great for target, plinking, and varmint. There have also been some innovations in recent loads, much due to the popularity of the AR platform. And yes, many deer & hog have fallen prey to this round.
    .204 Ruger - If you thought the 5.56 shot flat, give this sucker a try. It only involves changing the AR barrel and you have a round that is flatter shooting than the already flat 5.56. And I've heard it's devastating on varmints.
    7.62x39 - Heard that this round is inaccurate? Well, that's not the case out of the AR. I've had AR uppers in this caliber that can shoot sub 1" 50yd groups all day long, with cheap Wolfe ammo. And better ammo has gotten me to almost under an inch at 100yds. And yes, it will kill hogs & deer dead, but within 150 or so yards. BTW, my best AK shoots 3-4" groups with the same ammo.
    300 AAC "Blackout" - Ballistically, this round is only a bit better than the 7.62x39. However, it has some good things going for it: It can use all the standard AR-15 parts, except for the barrel (same mags, bolt, etc.). There is also a lots of great hunting ammo available, as it uses standard .308 bullets, vs. the .310 bullets used in a 7.62x39. It's a great sub-200yd hog & deer round. And for those of you who want to build an SBR or shoot subsonic, this round is a dream. I've been shooting 115 CTFBs that are OK for hogs and shoot ~1" 100yd groups, if I really do my part (honestly, It's hard for me to shoot 1" 100yd groups with the 3x glass I have on it.... but I think it;s close. And that ammo costs $12 a box.
    6.8 spc - For me, this is the best hunting round. Within ~250yds it's pretty close to a .308 (as in it will do similar practical damage). It;s pretty flat shooting to 300yds, and there's a wide variety of ammo available.
    6.5 Grendel - People love this round because of its ability to shoot great and hunt out to 500yds. I haven't shot one but have heard good things.
    .50 Beowulf/.450 Bushmaster/.458 - These are the thumper rounds. They may not be much after 150yds, but they're slayers within that range. If you could kill it with a 45-70, it's dead with one of these. This is my choice for charging Grizzlies or Lions.
And the list goes on....

AR-10 Calibers
I won't get into them, as they're mostly standard, but there are a lot of them. Before you start fiddling with these, know that an AR-10 is usually at least two lbs heavier than an AR-15. It's also quite a bit larger, and the platform is not as opeen as the AR-15. However, you can get...
  • .308/7.62x51
    .243
    6.5 Creedmore
    7mm-08
etc, etc, etc....

Just a few more data point. Did I mention that building and tweaking ARs is fun?

Here are a few of mine...
Image
"We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them. I won't chip away at them."
– Mitt Romney in a 2002 gubernatorial debate

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

39
So true... I should have had the carafe out, along with a few Reidell's full of a strong Cab.... LOL

Paladin wrote:Seriously? A nascar beer coozy on a liberal gun forum? Don't you know we are snobs and only watch F1?

Oh, and one more AR tip... And it's NASCAR approved! LOL
Image
"We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them. I won't chip away at them."
– Mitt Romney in a 2002 gubernatorial debate

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

41
Some of these videos on builds and stuff might be helpful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sengB437Hyo

here is Chris Bartocci's youtube page https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_tDPo ... _zQ/videos

from his linkedin page small snippet

Technical Specialist
Colt Defense
2008 – 2010 (2 years)
Technical writing (redid all of Colt's Armrer Manuals and courses (international). Conducted armorer training on M4/M16 rifles and M203 grenade launchers all over the world. Product demonstrations and presentations throughout the world. Served as product historian on M16 series rifles and answered technical issues for customers. Assisted engineering when they saw fit.

just resources, always good to have resources

and I never said he was a captivating inspiring speaker.. but if you are into the nitty gritty details down to the last grit and nitt Chris is "Da Man" got a whole video on how to choose your buffer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8boc8aFgfT8 35 minutes pretty sure he left nothing out.

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

49
Darwinchip wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 11:23 am
scottpdxcanuck wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:29 am I'm looking into an AR-10 build. Finding it to be daunting with the lack of compatibility between manufacturers. Has anyone built one on a "budget"?
How do you define "budget" and what do you want to be able to do with the rifle?
I would guess "budget" means between $500 and $900.
I'd guess the "what" has 4 factors
1) Go "bang"
2) Go "bang" without having to clear jams.
3) Go "bang" and not blow up after a few hundred rounds.
4) Hit what is aimed at.

But I'm just guessing.
"Even if the bee could explain to the fly why pollen is better than shit, the fly could never understand."

Re: Everything you want to know about ARs

50
YankeeTarheel wrote: Thu Dec 06, 2018 11:48 am I would guess "budget" means between $500 and $900.
This would be my guess as well but I still like to ask so I can, potentially, offer several options based on what someone expects to spend.
I'd guess the "what" has 4 factors
1) Go "bang"
2) Go "bang" without having to clear jams.
3) Go "bang" and not blow up after a few hundred rounds.
4) Hit what is aimed at.

But I'm just guessing.
And your guess completely misses the point of the "what" question. All of you factors should be true of a gun no matter what, if you need to actively specify them there's something wrong. The question I was asking was more to find out what he planned on doing with the rifle.
Someone planning to use the rifle primarily for hunting, for example, might have a greater interest in making it lighter weight so that it's less fatiguing to carry through the woods. Additionally where they're hunting could come into play. Here in southwest Missouri, among the Ozark Mountains and the Mark Twain National Forest, it's less common to have a clear shot at game beyond 100 yards. As such it would be out of the question to choose a shorter barrel (lower muzzle velocity) and lower powered optic (if that were part of the discussion) than someone hunting in areas where 200+ yard shooting was far the norm.
He roughed us, then he cuffed us
And he took us off to jail
No picture on a poster, no reward, and no bail

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests