[TooStrongTerry]

So...for the first time ever...I'm thinking of an AR-15...idk why really. I have no use for it. But I finally have two firearms that I will never sell(I've traded and purchased and sold about 10 to get to this point) and my uses are fit for everything I need. I was thinking of possibly a 410 lever...but I ordered a barrel from cheapthandirt and I'm checkin out their catalog...ARs are pretty freakin sweet. SO

The vast majority of the models here in NY are the Smith & Wesson MP15 and a Bushmaster...

If I got this I would put it through the ringer. And id want something that is EXTREMELY reliable. If SHTF I wanna live a lil longer than some guy with a gun that jams after 3-400 rounds.

And...what is forward assist?

@TooStrongTerry

 

[silverado113]

Palmetto State Armory is having a great sale, they are great guns for a decent price. A forward assist is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M-16_forward_assist.jpg

 

[Axxe55]

Terry, get one! once you have one you will find you like it. i don't know of anyone who hasn't held and then shot one, that didn't get the bug to have one. they are a very adaptable firearm for just about anything a person would want one for. think of them as a Lego set for adults! various calibers, different barrel lengths, different furniture, all sorts of sights or optics choices, and ect.... you can build what you want or buy one and modify it a little at a time. i have the Bushmaster carbine and really like it. basicily stock, but still tons of fun to shoot. my suggestion for the first one if you are going to buy, and i am not even going to suggest a brand, but get a fairly basic model to start off with. learn how in operates, how to field strip it to clean and maintain it. and just have fun with it.

 

[kytowboater]

Terry, we're in the same boat. I want one badly however, the wife has me on hold. Good luck
Your search man. I have read good stuff on S&W for entry. $600 and good to go.

 

[TooStrongTerry]

I'm leaning towards the S&W...is forward assist incase the bolt doesn't close all the way when cycling? Like what's the point...?

@TooStrongTerry

 

[kytowboater]

I'm leaning towards the S&W...is forward assist incase the bolt doesn't close all the way when cycling? Like what's the point...?

@TooStrongTerry

I believe so, I'm not well versed in the AR world. Some say for target shooting, it's needless. I'm not sure.

 

[g17frantz]

Terry whatever you do, do not get a Bushmaster Carbon AR-15. JUNK JUNK JUNK! What kind of price range are you looking at for an AR

 

[Shoobee]

So...for the first time ever...I'm thinking of an AR-15...idk why really. I have no use for it. But I finally have two firearms that I will never sell(I've traded and purchased and sold about 10 to get to this point) and my uses are fit for everything I need. I was thinking of possibly a 410 lever...but I ordered a barrel from cheapthandirt and I'm checkin out their catalog...ARs are pretty freakin sweet. SO

The vast majority of the models here in NY are the Smith & Wesson MP15 and a Bushmaster...

If I got this I would put it through the ringer. And id want something that is EXTREMELY reliable. If SHTF I wanna live a lil longer than some guy with a gun that jams after 3-400 rounds.

And...what is forward assist?

@TooStrongTerry

"Forward assist" is the "thingie" that you push forward with your right palm to make the floating bolt engage when it siezes or jams. It will sieze or jam if it is dirty, fouled, rusted, corroded, or sometimes just on its own for no apparent reason. There is no bolt handle on them as there used to be on the M1 & M14 designs, which is what you could formerly pull back on or shove forward with your right hand to assist in clearing or feeding on the M1s and M14s.

If you already have a tactical high capacity shotgun of some kind, and also a semi-auto pistol of some kind together with several magazines for it, then if you have nothing else you want to buy, no reason not to get an AR-15 type sturmgewehr.

Unless you join or form some kind of local militia, I doubt the AR is going to be of much practical use to you. The downside for using it on large game is that it is too small for that. The downside to using it on small game is that it will blow the game up and all the parts will be scattered in the bushes and get dirty. A 22LR is better for small game, and a 308 is better for large game. A shotgun is better for CQB. Food for thought. Just saying.

 

[g17frantz]

I'm leaning towards the S&W...is forward assist incase the bolt doesn't close all the way when cycling? Like what's the point...?

@TooStrongTerry

Yes the forward assist is just for that. For instance if you don't pull the charging handle far back enough or if it doesn't cycle all the way

 

[fetep]

I disagree with the shotgun being the best CQB tool. The AR is by far the most efficient CQB tool as opposed to a shotgun or pistol. It can be used as a hunting rifle with the correct ammunition, and is just plain enjoyable to shoot!
For the Money you're going to
Spend on the S&W look at a colt, for a few more $ you can buy something that will last you a lifetime!

Good Luck with your purchase!

Fetep

 

[TooStrongTerry]

"Forward assist" is the "thingie" that you push forward with your right palm to make the floating bolt engage when it siezes or jams. It will sieze or jam if it is dirty, fouled, rusted, corroded, or sometimes just on its own for no apparent reason. There is no bolt handle on them as there used to be on the M1 & M14 designs, which is what you could formerly pull back on or shove forward with your right hand to assist in clearing or feeding on the M1s and M14s.

If you already have a tactical high capacity shotgun of some kind, and also a semi-auto pistol of some kind together with several magazines for it, then if you have nothing else you want to buy, no reason not to get an AR-15 type sturmgewehr.

Unless you join or form some kind of local militia, I doubt the AR is going to be of much practical use to you. The downside for using it on large game is that it is too small for that. The downside to using it on small game is that it will blow the game up and all the parts will be scattered in the bushes and get dirty. A 22LR is better for small game, and a 308 is better for large game. A shotgun is better for CQB. Food for thought. Just saying.

Yeah...I was kind of thinking the same thing...which is why I only have a 12 ga and a 22lr...idk...like I said I'm really not into the whole tactical thing...I had an AK n sold it for my money back 2 weeks later lol...I was thinking a new shotgun like a 410 rossi lever or a coach gun...I can't even hunt with a centerfire in my county...and I only go a few times to the counties over...so I feel like I'm wasting money...for 6-1000 dollars I could buy enough ammo for my guns I already have for a year BUT elections this year...idk if ill have another chance soon lol

@TooStrongTerry

 

[HockaLouis]

Terry, presume u r in the lower counties. I like shotguns and rimfires too. But if you were to have one gun an AR would have to be it. I DON'T agree it is as useful as a shotgun for close quarters as a good shotgun w/#0 or 1 Buckshot but it IS useful, as it is ideal for intermediate for sure, and it is useful even at longer ranges too. They are comfortable to shoot, accurate, reliable, and are affordable to get and shoot.

If you don't need one you don't need one. But they are fun. As a general centerfire gun, they're hard to beat. AK's? Kinda a novelty to me. A really big high-cap pistol even.

I think the brands recommended are good and like the Bushmaster myself too. I have never had to use the forward assist by the way in lotsa rounds but it is, in fact, there to ensure the bolt goes home if it doesn't close by itself for some reason.

 

[TooStrongTerry]

If the bolt doesn't close can't I just hit the charging handle? Or no?

Yeah...I still keep going back n forth on what I want to do. I'm leaning closer n closer to it everyday.

Would it be cheaper to build one?

@TooStrongTerry

 

[locutus]

No, you can't force the bolt closed by hitting the charging handle.

 

[dan01]

Te "forward assist" was for the M 15/16 rifles of the early Vietnam war to help over come the failure to feed common to those early rifles.....It has no real function with modern rifles and good quality ammo..It was left on the rifles because it is still in the tooling that makes the rifles...............The "forward assist" on the 22 cal look a likes is non functional in most cases.......................I enjoy my "look a like" military rifles in 22 cal because I like military rifles that I can shoot with the grand kids without the ammo costs, loud report, and recoil.....Using my full bore military stuff is still fun, but I don't shoot them often any more.

Dan

 

[locutus]

Te "forward assist" was for the M 15/16 rifles of the early Vietnam war to help over come the failure to feed common to those early rifles.....It has no real function with modern rifles and good quality ammo..It was left on the rifles because it is still in the tooling that makes the [/B]rifles..............

Dan

I agree. If a case doesn't go all the way forward, I would much rather pull the handle and eject it than push it forward and take the chance of sticking it so hard that disassembling it was necessary

 

[MikeJK]

I like to use it after doing a chamber check. I like doing chamber checks so I'm not the guy sitting up on the line embarrassed. Other than that the FA goes unused.

OP. If you want an AR get the highest quality your budget will allow. I would save my money until I no longer had to compromise. The Smith Sport is a good start but I'd go a little higher and look into a Colt 6920 or BCM. Also look into the PSA. They offer a lower priced option that looks to have all the right options. They sell a complete lower for $299 and last time I looked you can get an upper for around $400-$500.

 

[locutus]

I'm not personally familiar with the BCM or S&W.

But it would be hard to beat that Colt 6920.

 

[TooStrongTerry]

They offer a lower priced option that looks to have all the right options. They sell a complete lower for $299 and last time I looked you can get an upper for around $400-$500.

Is it any good? Would I be better off buying a complete gun or building one? Would it be more economical?

@TooStrongTerry

 

[MikeJK]

Is it any good? Would I be better off buying a complete gun or building one? Would it be more economical?

@TooStrongTerry

I wouldn't hesitate.

I would get a complete upper and on a separate order purchase their complete lower.