ar15 question

[MichaelJ]

Hey man, I may not be as big as other companies around, but here's an AR I'm putting together for a customer...  I have all the parts you need to build yourself a rifle and for a 'semi-custom' build you really can't beat it.  Waiting for the last of the parts to arrive on friday but this gun should shoot MOA or better especially if you handload. I'll post a test target this weekend when it gets broken in!  (Sorry for the crappy cell-picture!)

Parts list:
Seekins Precision Billet Upper
Black Rain Billet Lower (matches the Seekins upper like a dream and they have a set screw to take up any slop between the receivers)
Seekins 15" SP3R Rail (would also take a look at Troy Industries.  Should be making an order with them soon for some rails)
SMI Bolt Carrier Group (Nickle Boron Coated)
SMI Single Stage 3.5# adjustable take up trigger (First time playing with this thing, really like it and have an idea to get it even better)
Spikes Adjustable Gas Block
Spikes T2 Buffer
Thunderbeast Arms 223P-1 Suppressor
ErgoGrip Suregrip
SMI Lower Parts Kit
Magpul Stock
SMI Tactical Charging Handle (WAY better than your standard milspec handle)
SMI M4 223 WYLDE 1:7" twist 16" barrel.  Nano-ceramic bore coat with Parkerized exterior.
PWS Enhanced Milspec Buffer Tube

There are some ways to cut the cost down quite a bit on cost.  Going with a standard milspec forged upper/lower from SMI for $260 instead of the Seekins and BRO Billet route.  Standard coatings on the BCG and lower parks kit instead of the Ceraplate or NickelBoron.  Let me know if you're interested!
You can check out some of the parts listed on my website if you're interested...
www.hellscanyonarmory.com



Mike

[deerhunter_98520]

What does a gun like that one pictured go for?

[MichaelJ]

What does a gun like that one pictured go for?

PM inbound...

Mike

[jbendewald]

One new AR on the market is Windham Weaponry. Do a google search on Windham Weaponry and I think you will have your answer about what AR to buy. Their company mission statement says it all! Hurry, before the prices go up! I have two Colt ARs, a 16 inch light barrel and a 20 inch HBAR and a DPMS upper that fits both lowers. Haven't shot the DPMS lower yet but I can tell you that both Colts will handle any ammo you choose to put through them. From cheap steel case surplus to custom hand loads they eat it all with never a failure.

From reading the press releases on the Windham Weaponry I don't think you could go wrong for the price. I intend to buy one as soon as finances allow. (they are the original manufacturer of BushMaster)

You want to get the tightest barrel twist possible, 1-7 or 1-9, a flat top upper for ease of mounting a scope, (you can always get the "bolt on rear sight / handle and front sight" for a traditional AR look)
and you want a chrome plated chamber and barrel. Lacking these two things was the main reason for malfunctions during the initial debut of the M16 in Viet Nam.

[jaymark6655]

One new AR on the market is Windham Weaponry. Do a google search on Windham Weaponry and I think you will have your answer about what AR to buy. Their company mission statement says it all! Hurry, before the prices go up! I have two Colt ARs, a 16 inch light barrel and a 20 inch HBAR and a DPMS upper that fits both lowers. Haven't shot the DPMS lower yet but I can tell you that both Colts will handle any ammo you choose to put through them. From cheap steel case surplus to custom hand loads they eat it all with never a failure.

From reading the press releases on the Windham Weaponry I don't think you could go wrong for the price. I intend to buy one as soon as finances allow. (they are the original manufacturer of BushMaster)

You want to get the tightest barrel twist possible, 1-7 or 1-9, a flat top upper for ease of mounting a scope, (you can always get the "bolt on rear sight / handle and front sight" for a traditional AR look)
and you want a chrome plated chamber and barrel. Lacking these two things was the main reason for malfunctions during the initial debut of the M16 in Viet Nam.

I always heard that, "GIs where told the rifle didn't need to be cleaned."  Of course while I was in had to clean that thing everyday, sometimes twice a day...never had one malfunction though; except for one rifle that fired so far left that even with the sights adjusted all the way right, I was still hitting the target next to mine.

The bolt on sight are great, but don't go too cheap on those or the adjustments will suck.  Also, some don't come with elevation, just windage and other that do have elevation usually don't adjust as far as the A2 style uppers with the carry handle.  Probably doesn't matter unless you want to try CMP or something though.

[deerhunter_98520]

What do you guys think about a bushmaster or colt.....wally world just got one of each of these in last night....and there both under $1100

[MichaelJ]

I would take the colt over the bushmaster... but both are decent guns.

And metal coatings have come along way from Vietnam.  Chrome lined barrels aren't bad, but they certainly aren't required to be reliable either.  Proper maintenance will go a lot farther that having a chrome lined barrel.

Mike

[tlbradford]

If you are interested in the best value for your money, meaning reliability for a low cost, than Spikes or Del-ton will save you several hundred dollars.  I personally couldn't justify spending a grand on something, when I could get the same parts for $500.  The photo you posted earlier looks like a carbine length gas block, 14 or 16" lightweight barrel, holographic site, and a flip up back up site.  This is a great choice for protection, and close quarters hunting.  If that is what you want then the rifle can be built inexpensively and you would have money for your site and a little bit left for ammo.  If you want a longer range weapon, than you are going to want to get into some more costly upgrades, match grade barrel, and a great trigger that will increase the cost by quite a bit. 

I think you really need to figure out what you want, before you start shopping.  Go handle a carbine, mid-length, and rifle length AR and decide which you like best.  Then you can go from there.

[MichaelJ]

If you are interested in the best value for your money, meaning reliability for a low cost, than Spikes or Del-ton will save you several hundred dollars.  I personally couldn't justify spending a grand on something, when I could get the same parts for $500.  The photo you posted earlier looks like a carbine length gas block, 14 or 16" lightweight barrel, holographic site, and a flip up back up site.  This is a great choice for protection, and close quarters hunting.  If that is what you want then the rifle can be built inexpensively and you would have money for your site and a little bit left for ammo.  If you want a longer range weapon, than you are going to want to get into some more costly upgrades, match grade barrel, and a great trigger that will increase the cost by quite a bit. 

I think you really need to figure out what you want, before you start shopping.  Go handle a carbine, mid-length, and rifle length AR and decide which you like best.  Then you can go from there.

Solid advice TL, one thing I'll mention though is that we regularly shoot 16" AR's out to 600 yards on steel and they have no problem reaching that distance and being accurate.  Sure the wind bucks you a bit but if you have the optics and dope to reach out there 16" is plenty of length...

And I agree that you could build a similar bushmaster or colt style AR for lots less money!  And if you did buy one for $1100, you'd likely want to upgrade the trigger which is going to be $175+, new grip (least for me, hate most factory grips) for another $30, and then optics or sights.  These guns are the "Legos" of the grown up toy world and there are a million different parts out there for them!

Mike

[deerhunter_98520]

Ive found that out in the last few days looking..the parts are endless

[jrebel]

OK...here is the question I have for all you guys. 

I primarily want this for coyote hunting.  I am a good shot but don't really plan on ever shooting over 3-400 yards.  Realistically 0-300 yards is what most of my shots are.  So, will a standard M4 model with 16" heavy barrel be adequate and still have great accuracy, or should I lean more towards the 20" heavy barrel?  Obviously the secondary use would be SHTF where the shorter M4 model / barrel would be ideal, but don't really think it will ever be used for this reason. 

Is a 16" heavy barrel capable of 300-400 yard yard shots accurately?  Scoped and off rest obviously!!

[h20hunter]

Your basic will shoot plenty fine at that distance. I've ran mine out to 500 and was hitting consistently 8 inch plate with a 3x9. I'm no long range shooter nor have I the military experience of some to fall back on. The platform is plenty capable in my opinion. Mine doesn't even have the heavy barrel.

[MichaelJ]

OK...here is the question I have for all you guys. 

I primarily want this for coyote hunting.  I am a good shot but don't really plan on ever shooting over 3-400 yards.  Realistically 0-300 yards is what most of my shots are.  So, will a standard M4 model with 16" heavy barrel be adequate and still have great accuracy, or should I lean more towards the 20" heavy barrel?  Obviously the secondary use would be SHTF where the shorter M4 model / barrel would be ideal, but don't really think it will ever be used for this reason. 

Is a 16" heavy barrel capable of 300-400 yard yard shots accurately?  Scoped and off rest obviously!!

16" heavy barrel is plenty for what you want to do. A good majority of our 3 gun shoots have stages out to 400 yards and the majority of shooters are running 16" barrels. Still see a lot of 18"-20" though too.

Mike

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[Huntbear]

ok, so on barrels...

IS there any set rules on what makes up a light weight vs. heavy vs. bull barrel?  also why does everyone have to have a different name for their barrel contours.. drives me insane.. since most do not give diameters on the barrels, other than right at the gas block..  I want a heavy fluted barrel... NOT a bull barrel.. trying to find one that matches what I am looking for, is absolutely driving me up the wall... Black Hole is about the easiest to figure out in my mind.. but damn.. can we not have some conformity in what contour is what?

[MichaelJ]

ok, so on barrels...

IS there any set rules on what makes up a light weight vs. heavy vs. bull barrel?  also why does everyone have to have a different name for their barrel contours.. drives me insane.. since most do not give diameters on the barrels, other than right at the gas block..  I want a heavy fluted barrel... NOT a bull barrel.. trying to find one that matches what I am looking for, is absolutely driving me up the wall... Black Hole is about the easiest to figure out in my mind.. but damn.. can we not have some conformity in what contour is what?

Barrel contours are definitely not standardized, especially AR Barrels. And 'Heavy' is a relative term...

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