I'm fairly new to the ar game. I'm always interested to learn what everyone else likes about the function of pieces and parts. Being the Honda civic of rifles there seem to be and endless combination of dress up options available. I understand that everyone sees a different purpose for their rifles and everyone who has one has some amount of experience involved with the pieces and parts they choose to run with. I'm just interested in what you found that works and what you may have grown to regret for various reasons.
I'll start with my philosophy for my current rifles. Cost Cost Cost, Function,
I started with my 300blk for deer hunting. I bought an Anderson lower, a yhm upper, an affordable bcg, budget barrel (that had to be rifle length gas to try and eliminate the feed and wear issues associated with 300 blk and super sonic rounds). I spent the time to learn to polish my own trigger and feed ramps and came out with a reliable, accurate and relatively cheap rifle. I went with a magpul stock to cut down on the rattle I seem to get out of tapco's and a no brand free float tubular hand guard. All summer and fall I loved everything about this rifle... Until opening morning
The con's were immediately apparent to having an aluminum receiver and hand guard, it was frosted over in no time. I imagine it will be the same but opposite result in the summer when the sun heats up the black aluminum to surface of the sun temps. I also realized that the milspec charging handle was a nightmare with a scope and gloved hands. I'm also thinking it came out a bit heavy, but for a hunting rig that rides a sling to the blind, it isn't terrible. I am still happy with the rifle but made changes with my 5.56.
When I went at my 5.56 (that I hope to use in some form of competitive shooting) I decided to shift my focus from heavy target style rifle to a semi lightweight mobile rig that doesn't sacrifice to much accuracy in the name of weight. I started with an fmk polymer lower, tapco m4 stock, m4 profile barrel, phase 5 upper and bcg. Competition minded I did install a Patriot ordnance ambi charging handle, I decided to use another tubular free float handguard in carbine length to allow for a pictinny gas block in case I needed to go with iron sights. This rifle is amazingly fast, light, accurate and fun. I really like taking it to the range and plinking with it.
My main lessons have been that a good ambi charging handle is much more practical than tacticool as I thought going in on my first build. I like a single stage trigger in my run-n-gun rifle while I really like the smooth 2 stage in my hunting rifle.
I'm not sure what I intend to do for my next ar, I just hope to get some ideas and maybe save some cash by learning from the lessons you've paid for.
So let it out, what do you like, what do you hate, what do you wish you had done different with your ar. Understand everyone has a different gameplan for their rifle and please keep comments courteous and productive.
I'll start with my philosophy for my current rifles. Cost Cost Cost, Function,
I started with my 300blk for deer hunting. I bought an Anderson lower, a yhm upper, an affordable bcg, budget barrel (that had to be rifle length gas to try and eliminate the feed and wear issues associated with 300 blk and super sonic rounds). I spent the time to learn to polish my own trigger and feed ramps and came out with a reliable, accurate and relatively cheap rifle. I went with a magpul stock to cut down on the rattle I seem to get out of tapco's and a no brand free float tubular hand guard. All summer and fall I loved everything about this rifle... Until opening morning
The con's were immediately apparent to having an aluminum receiver and hand guard, it was frosted over in no time. I imagine it will be the same but opposite result in the summer when the sun heats up the black aluminum to surface of the sun temps. I also realized that the milspec charging handle was a nightmare with a scope and gloved hands. I'm also thinking it came out a bit heavy, but for a hunting rig that rides a sling to the blind, it isn't terrible. I am still happy with the rifle but made changes with my 5.56.
When I went at my 5.56 (that I hope to use in some form of competitive shooting) I decided to shift my focus from heavy target style rifle to a semi lightweight mobile rig that doesn't sacrifice to much accuracy in the name of weight. I started with an fmk polymer lower, tapco m4 stock, m4 profile barrel, phase 5 upper and bcg. Competition minded I did install a Patriot ordnance ambi charging handle, I decided to use another tubular free float handguard in carbine length to allow for a pictinny gas block in case I needed to go with iron sights. This rifle is amazingly fast, light, accurate and fun. I really like taking it to the range and plinking with it.
My main lessons have been that a good ambi charging handle is much more practical than tacticool as I thought going in on my first build. I like a single stage trigger in my run-n-gun rifle while I really like the smooth 2 stage in my hunting rifle.
I'm not sure what I intend to do for my next ar, I just hope to get some ideas and maybe save some cash by learning from the lessons you've paid for.
So let it out, what do you like, what do you hate, what do you wish you had done different with your ar. Understand everyone has a different gameplan for their rifle and please keep comments courteous and productive.
