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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Aug 2, 2012 6:26:27 GMT
I just picked up 2 AR's. One's a collector piece (Colt circa 1970 unfired with all accessories mint cond.) and the other a Windham Weaponry MPC Jersey compliant I am upgrading to my taste. Any recommendations from you guys and gals on accessories for an AR platform carbine. I have a GPS2 foregrip/bipod, the light rail that goes with the GPS, an Aimpoint Pro red dot with rubber cover, front and back Troy industries flip up tritium iron sights, Falcon Ergo grip, and a Surefire M620C Scout light. I need to pick up a handful of Jersey legal 15 round mags (trying to decide between Pmag plastics or some metal ones) and I think I want an aluminum quad rail up front.........there are so many to choose from. I will probably end up dropping a 2 stage trigger in it as well. Thinking about a green laser sight for it as well.......I have a couple of the Viridian green lasers on some of my handguns and I like them.
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Post by ShooterMike on Aug 2, 2012 17:22:02 GMT
Looks like you've got most of it covered. With respect to a quad-rail, there are so many to choose from. But only a few are worth having IMO. The brands I prefer are Daniel Defense, LaRue Tactical, and Viking Tactics. The ones I avoid and don't care for are: any quad-rail handguards that are round instead of taller than they are wide. In other words, I don't like "fat" handguards. Another trend to be aware of is, a lot of folks have found that a handguard that's longer than the normal sight radius is desireable. Like a 10" or 12" handguard on a carbine barrel that would take only a 7" handguard if the front sight is exposed. This utilizes a low profile gas block instead of the front sight tower. The gas block fits inside and is hidden by the handguard. This gives you the opportunity for a longer grasping surface for more leverage, and a longer sight radius for your BUIS. It also gives you the ability to mount a light at the 12 o'clock position in front of the front BUIS, so you have a fully ambidextrous setup, and not nearly as much of the light is blocked by the barrel. Something like this (don't know who's it is, I just grabbed the image online):
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Post by Striderfly on Aug 2, 2012 22:29:29 GMT
Vietnam Era Colt sounds pretty cool.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Aug 3, 2012 3:31:30 GMT
You listed three of the Quads I've been considering Mike.....those and Troy industries. I wish I could see/touch/handle my options. I think that would make the decision much easier. I have also been debating if I should go with a delta ring set up or a floating one. You make a good point about the longer rail on the carbine........something else I have been pondering. Thanks for your thoughts Mike. Do you have any thoughts about the redi-mag and the extended bolt release devices?
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Taran
Member
Posts: 2,621
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Post by Taran on Aug 3, 2012 8:43:31 GMT
On the mags... Whether it's metal, pmag, or refurbished, make sure it has a MagPul follower in it.
The Aimpoint is okay, certainly better than iron sights, but if you happen to have an ACOG lying around... Especially since you are looking at sticking a laser on it. The Aimpoint means nothing at that point. It doesn't aid you at longer ranges and at shorter, the laser handles everything the red dot would do. But a laser plus a telescopic sight, even if it is just 2x, now you're talking.
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Sam H
Member
Posts: 1,099
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Post by Sam H on Aug 3, 2012 12:53:31 GMT
Definitely get PMags or magazines with Magpul followers! I can't say how much I love those PMags.
About the AR rifles - there's a lot of people out there who will bolt on everything except the kitchen sink and think they've got a great rifle. Frankly I like the KISS method here. Rifle with adjustable stock, red dot, BUIS, free floated forearm, sling, mags and MAYBE a flashlight. I've seen some rifles out there that look like they had attracted random bits of metal and plastic till you could barely make out the rifle beneath it all.
I really like the look of the rifle that Mike posted although its not his. Its simple but gives you all you really need unless you were SF and entering some condemned to hell AO where you might need more gadgets on your rifle... but then I doubt they put much more than that on unless they REALLY need it.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Aug 3, 2012 16:48:36 GMT
I am with you guys on the magpul followers. My choices are the PMags or a shop up here takes new 20 rd aluminum mags and puts magpul followers in them and converts them to 15 rd Jersey compliant mags with choice of color and teflon coated for around $25 bucks. I do like the PMags with windows which are also available with 15 rd capacity.
I have been looking at the ACOGS Taran and I know that down the road I will have one or more mounted up for action. I do however have to fill up some boxes with spare AR parts as every avid AR rifleman knows so after I'm experienced with a red dot setup I've accepted that I'll end up with atleast one ACOG and of coarse another rifle since I'll have two sights. Like swords.........it never ends!
Yeah Sam, I agree with you on the over doing the accessories thought. That's why after I've bought every possible doodad imaginable for an AR I plan on only actually having less than two dozen gadgets on a rifle at a time.......it will of course be a true test of my will power............I can do it......I can do it.........****lol
Seriously, I have a lot of firearms with multiple boxes of accessories that may have started on a gun but was upgraded or more often was removed in favor of a minimalist tendency I have. Sleek, simple, and an actual use for every option. I do like to play dress up though so I do need the accessories even if they don't earn a permanent home on any one firearm. The experience gained from mixing and matching is valuable as well.
Loving the feedback guys!
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Post by ShooterMike on Aug 4, 2012 0:40:15 GMT
Ditto from me on the PMags and EMags and MagPul followers. Also on the minimalist approach. Sam expressed my feelings succinctly on ARs. My only caveat is, if I only owned one AR it would definitely have a high-end 1-4x or 1-6x scope with a QD mount (NightForce, Swarovski or the new Leupold Multi-Gun) or the new Elcan 1/4. These scopes are as tough as an ACOG, but they give both magnification for distance and no magnification for close range.
I recently have fallen in love with the Leupold 1-6 Multi-gun model, to the point that I'm considering selling both a Nightforce 1-4 and a new Swarovski ZS6 1-6 and using that money for 3 of these new Leupolds, with some change left over.
As for the Redi-Mag and extended bolt release...I consider those to fall inthe gimmick category. To me...and others are welcome to disagree...they just get in the way and make operating the rifle more complicated.
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Post by Odingaard on Aug 4, 2012 4:19:56 GMT
I leave the Colt 100% stock and have that for my KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) rifle. Just the rifle and the sling - no do-dads on it at all. I'd SBR the other one with a 10.5" barrel and pimp it out with all the goodies; VFG, BUIS, optic, laser, light, etc. This would be your tacticool / experimental platform that you could tinker with. Go ahead and upgrade your extractors with a BCM extractor upgrade kit, it's gonna help with reliability over time and save you a little in the way of headaches. The kits are very cheap, and are probably the single best thing you can do to any AR for the money. I really like the PMAGs. I have been slowly replacing my magazines with them over time. I have around 20 of them now, and they all have functioned perfectly. I am an Aimpoint fanboy, so you won't hear me recommend anything else. I've shot at more real life semprini with an Aimpoint M68 CCO than many other people have with their fancier, higher dollar optics, so I trust the damn thing completely. Here is the best deal going on an Aimpoint optic/mount combo currently - everything you need is only $400 with free shipping. You won't get this quality of optic for less anywhere. www.skdtac.com/Aimpoint-PRO-Patrol-Rifle-Optic-p/aim.310.htmAnother thing you should look into as well is a .22LR conversion - you will save ALOT of money and get alot more lead downrange over time if you burn .22LR ammo from time to time instead of using only 5.56mm. I use the Targetmaster version, and have had 0 problems with it. You can get the unit itself and 5-6 extra magazines for it. Here is a link to the one I use. tacticalindustries.co/TargetMasterIntro.htmlThere are other .22LR conversions available, but to be honest, you are paying for branding. I have tried many of them, and the Targetmaster is the cheapest and works just as well. Some people don't like the .22LR conversion because they 'dirty' up a weapon. Hell, if you know how to clean an AR, then this is not a problem. I don't mind scrubbing one out, so it does not bother me at all. :lol: Other that that, have fun with your new ARs man!
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Aug 4, 2012 4:40:08 GMT
My caveat is could I only own just one AR.............nope! Can't even imagine it. lol
I see your point on the scopes and will be checking out the ones you mentioned. I have several older Leopolds and I like the brand.......you've peeked my interest in the 1-6 Multi-gun model.
I am undecided on my need for the redi-mag devices.......there may be specific situations where they are useful but I'm not sure about on a general use rifle at the range and for home defense. They are tacticool gadgets though! l0l
I sure would like to play with some of your toys Mike.......thanks for sharing the fruits of your experience with us.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Aug 4, 2012 5:39:40 GMT
My thoughts on the two rifles as well Odingaard. The Colt AR SP1 is very illegal in Jersey so it is put away in another location with other collectibles. The Windham carbine is my gadget gun and shooter atleast until I just have to build another........probably next week.....lol! 16" minimum total barrel length is the law in Jersey as I understand it so an SBR will be a future project when I retire and move back to Tennessee. Lots of firearm compliance issues here in Jersey.
The extractor upgrade is on my list and I think I have decided to get the Pmag window mags. I got my Aimpoint PRO at DVOR.com for $395 during a free shipping period though their regular shipping is only $9.99 for all items ordered on any given day........you make 20 separate orders on any day and they are treated as one order for $9.99 shipping. I have found several good deals on DVOR and recommend it to our kind of crowd. Different tactical/outdoors gear offered everyday........they send out an email at 11 am as often as you decide and only includung the kinds of items you express interest in. I get the emails everyday and asked for all the items offered for sale to be included. I have bought gun safes, flashlights, a metal detector, red dot sights, lasers, many knives, gun cases, sun glasses, tactical clothing, etc., from DVOR. It is a part of OPTICSPLANET.COM but with lower prices. Check it out. I also do alot of business with Botachtactical.com. They tend to have the lowest everyday prices with free shipping that I routinely find when I'm shopping plus they price match in case you do find a lower price............a good store. I also do ebay, amazon, and gunbroker.
A .22 conversion kit is also on my list and I will be cheking your suggestion out........thanks for the advice and links Odingaard!
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Post by alant on Dec 8, 2012 23:04:24 GMT
Windham is a good choice. Being from Maine I had to get one myself. So far I've put in a Timney trigger and modified the charging handle. Bought an adapter to mount my TriLux SUIT scope, but haven't put that together yet. Here's a so-so picture of my last two rifle purchases.
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Post by Dave(utilityslave) on Dec 9, 2012 5:45:13 GMT
Nice pic. Since I posted this I have also picked up an AK for my collection.
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