First AR w/Pics

shoggoth80 · Jun 10, 2010

Hey all,
After a bit of personal debate, I decided that I wanted to get an AR rifle. The logic stems from:

Ammo availability
Parts availability

Basically as far as a defensive/SHTF gun, this seems to be about the most common denominator...especially around western WA. There are many military establishments, and just about any law enforcement uses it. Ammo is readily available in every shop that I frequent. Parts interchange relatively well. Also, the ballistic performance of the round seems to be better than what the relatively small caliber would have you believe. Just seemed like a good choice.

Anyway, the particulars are:
Aero Precision lower purchased from Surplus Ammo
the lower has a DPMS LPK, sans buttstock
RRA buffer tube
basic spring
carry handle I traded for
Spike's Tactical M4 carbine upper which has:
5.56 chamber
chrome lining
chromed BCG
M16 carriers
Flat top upper
Carbine hand guards dual heat shield
A2 flash hider
Cheapo Buttstock that will be up for replacement when I can afford it...probably get a Magpul or RRA stock. *Maybe* a VLTOR.
cheapo carry handle that I traded for, also up for replacement with a better iron when I can afford it
13 mags, 11 of which were obtained in trade for parts
Spike's ST-T2 buffer

The lower was like $130
Upper complete was $479
buffer tube was $20

For those who enjoy gun porn, here are a couple obligatory pics:
View attachment 205492

View attachment 205493

mr11b · Jun 10, 2010

Congrats and your new purchase!

shoggoth80 · Jun 10, 2010

More like a combination of purchases

I got the upper from AIM Surplus, and I cannot recommend that company highly enough. Always good prices, and great service... that is why they often sell out of goodies. I bought the M4 upper, as the midlength uppers sold out in a day... got the email announcing their arrival, made some sales that evening (sold a gun to fund it), dropped money in the bank... came back, and all the middies were sold out! Ha ha ha! No regrets on the carbine upper though. I handled a bit of each in shops before saying "yes, I want to get something like this." I just originally wanted a midlength for the extra handguard... carbine profile fits me fine too.

The carry handle is a little worn, but I got that second hand, so it was expected. Not sure whether to replace that (eventually) with a flip up rear so I can run optics, or just a higher quality rear iron. Time will tell. I really like the look of a flat top without the carry handle... but hey, it was part of a trade, and I am not going to complain about parts I didn't directly pay cash for.

I have more mags than I a)feel I need, but you can never have too many mags, and b)can reasonably carry in an emergency. At least this would let me load some up, stash them aside, and have designated "oh crap" mags. Got a big stack, also as part of a trade. Can't complain!

I just need to make some more sales (I sell video game stuff on the side to keep up with my bills...student, so I am broke a lot), and buy a stack of ammo to feed it. Itching to really run it through its paces at the range. I can find M193 ball, and M855 green tip stuff for really reasonable prices, locally, and online... which is rare. Bulk is where it is at... as most anywhere else sells stuff for around $10 a box, which is too much in my opinion. Bulk prices break down to around $7 a box, depending on where you get it. Much more agreeable. Cabela's has a sale on Tula stuff...which is basically the same steel cased stuff as Wolf... I've had good experiences with Wolf, Brown Bear, and Silver bear in my bolt guns... but I have heard bad things about accuracy with these makers and ARs. Also, I pretty much prefer surplus... it's accurate enough, and can be stacked deep.

I spent a few minutes the other day learning how to field strip it, and it is way easier than I thought. Dunno if I will get it dirty enough to warrant ripping the whole bolt apart when I have stuff like Remington Action Blast, but we will see.

swoop · Jun 10, 2010

Look's like you put together a nice rifle for money spent. Have fun...

shoggoth80 · Jun 14, 2010

I am hoping to get a chance to go out and shoot it this weekend. I found the shooting spot off of Wadell Creek... so just waiting for the weekend so I can bring some company with me. Only have 60 rounds for its initial session, but hopefully I can get an idea of how it'll perform. Waiting on money from a guy who owes me, then I will get a bigger stack of rounds.

Diana Henry · Aug 27, 2010

I just got new furniture for my AR, looking for a good scope.....any suggestions?
I'm wanting to change out my front grip too. What's a good brand? I want to go with the Earth tone.

glockguy · Aug 27, 2010

you could get a grip pod <broken link removed> i didnt think id like this until i got one for free from a member on here and i love it... it beats having a bipod on the end of your rifle and doesn't add much weight.. they sell for around 100... if youd like pm me and i can show you it on my ar...

heres one thats the same color as your stock and hand grip http://www.google.com/products/cata...rgD4e4iQSrr9jdAg&sa=image&ved=0CA0Q8gIwATgA#p

The B · Aug 27, 2010

bravo has modstocks for fifty bones... <broken link removed>

they've also got club-foots for the same price, but out of stock of those at the moment.