AR SHOPPING!

[Mongo Hunter]

So I'm offloading a couple guns including my current AR. There have been so many new advancements in AR tech that it cant be ignored anymore.

My current set up is a Bushmaster XM15 with a quadrail. Great reliable gun but HEAVY! I thought about swapping some parts to make it lighter but like I said new tech is abundant. its been a while since ive been shopping for a AR but I know what I like I'm just hoping someone can maybe point me in the right direction.

I basically want, light, fast, reliable for around $1500.

I don't mind the new Keymod/mlock set ups but everything seems to have 15" rails on them. I don't need that much id rather save the weight so like a 9'-10" rail would be fine.

any thoughts?

[JJB11B]

Buy the parts you want and put them on your existing receivers. You'll save yourself a couple hundred dollars. or more. if you get the tools it takes less than 15 minutes to change an AR-15 Barrel

[Mongo Hunter]

while the idea of a ground up build is appealing I like the instant gratification of out of box performance 

I started to look at the Spikes Tactical Crusader.

[bullfisher]

Your barrel/gas length should determine the handguard length.

[Taco280AI]

I bought a complete BCM upper, would do it again

[huntandjeep]

Buy the parts you want and put them on your existing receivers. You'll save yourself a couple hundred dollars. or more. if you get the tools it takes less than 15 minutes to change an AR-15 Barrel

I recently rebuilt my AR that I threw together 8+ years ago. Got rid of my heavy carbine length quad rail and put a 12" Seekins handguard  and a lopro gas block and it's noticeably lighter now. Also sold off the old stock and pistol grip and bought some new ones. Threw in a CMC trigger and it's a totally new rifle. Next step is sell of the barrel and switch to a mid length gas barrel.

[huntandjeep]

Your barrel/gas length should determine the handguard length.

No. I have a carbine length gas system and am using a 12" handguard ( could use a 15" ) all you need is a lopro gas block.

[bullfisher]

Your barrel/gas length should determine the handguard length.

No. I have a carbine length gas system and am using a 12" handguard ( could use a 15" ) all you need is a lopro gas block.

You missed it.
 He possibly wants a shorter lighter handguard. You probably don't want a 9" handguard on a rifle length gas system.

[fishngamereaper]

Piston gun....Sig MCX, LWRC, Patriot Ordnance.....

[huntandjeep]

Your barrel/gas length should determine the handguard length.

No. I have a carbine length gas system and am using a 12" handguard ( could use a 15" ) all you need is a lopro gas block.

You missed it.
 He possibly wants a shorter lighter handguard. You probably don't want a 9" handguard on a rifle length gas system.

Yeah your right wasn't thinking about it that way. Was just saying you can put a longer handguard on than what the gas system is. I do know my 12" rail is lighter than my 7" quadrail I took off though.

[jackmaster]

If it's for home defense just build a chopped down version of the M16-A2 with carrying handle, with peep sights , you can still put a quick acq scope on it and still spend less than a grand, it's super light and extremely dependable.. keep it KISS man.. less is more and less is definitely faster!! Less crap to get hung up and no weight to wear you down!!!

[hunter399]

I would modify your ar, very easy,lots of YouTube,and forums for you to get how to info,then your making it just the way you want.everybody says a factory rifle is way better,but I don't ,it gives you a sence of pride when you put it together yourself,and cheaper.

[bullfisher]

I would modify your ar, very easy,lots of YouTube,and forums for you to get how to info,then your making it just the way you want.everybody says a factory rifle is way better,but I don't ,it gives you a sence of pride when you put it together yourself,and cheaper.

bingo!

[Mongo Hunter]

So I did some poking around and have recently posted my toys for sale.

I just sold my Eotech and magnifier this morning so that's got the ball rolling.

I think I have decided on the Spikes Crusader. Its incredibly light despite that long rail, compensated, NB BCG, Magpul furniture and trigger pins.

 All it needs is a BCM large charging handle, a smaller lighter Eotech (probably the XPS2), and a light. Hits all the marks I think. Light, fast, reliable. I found them online for about $1200 so price point is great too.

Thoughts?

[AWS]

I'm not a semi-auto guy but won an AR in a shooting competition.  It's a RPG(Rich's Precision Guns).  I'm impressed, with just a few loads it is shooting sub-MOA(20 Practicle),with a number of sub 1/2 MOA groups.  It is a total trophy type gun, hand built and hand camo with a dedicated serial number, I don't know if I'd ever hunt with it but I'm going to shoot in the competition I won it in.

[762Armo]

So I did some poking around and have recently posted my toys for sale.

I just sold my Eotech and magnifier this morning so that's got the ball rolling.

I think I have decided on the Spikes Crusader. Its incredibly light despite that long rail, compensated, NB BCG, Magpul furniture and trigger pins.

 All it needs is a BCM large charging handle, a smaller lighter Eotech (probably the XPS2), and a light. Hits all the marks I think. Light, fast, reliable. I found them online for about $1200 so price point is great too.

Thoughts?

I have this rifle, and it's pretty great. First AR, didn't like the trigger at first, but it's smoothed out nicely now. Find yourself in Seattle area and if our schedules match up I'd let you shoot it.

[Mongo Hunter]

So I did some poking around and have recently posted my toys for sale.

I just sold my Eotech and magnifier this morning so that's got the ball rolling.

I think I have decided on the Spikes Crusader. Its incredibly light despite that long rail, compensated, NB BCG, Magpul furniture and trigger pins.

 All it needs is a BCM large charging handle, a smaller lighter Eotech (probably the XPS2), and a light. Hits all the marks I think. Light, fast, reliable. I found them online for about $1200 so price point is great too.

Thoughts?

I have this rifle, and it's pretty great. First AR, didn't like the trigger at first, but it's smoothed out nicely now. Find yourself in Seattle area and if our schedules match up I'd let you shoot it.

That would be awesome man! thank you. I'm hoping to have mine by next weekend. just gotta move the S12 or my old AR.

[nutntoit]

If I were you, I would buy a complete upper to just pin on to the lower you have. It's easier to find an upper configured the way you want than a whole rifle. Then with your $1500 budget you would still have enough to buy a nice optic or other accessories. That being said Ive heard nothing but good things about Spikes stuff.

[Mongo Hunter]

My first AR was a frankin gun. I had nothing but issues with it. Granted I built it with budget in mind but that's when I learned the hard way that if you want to run an AR hard, "budget" needs be stricken from your vocabulary. You get what you pay for. There are some great AR's out there for $700 that will run don't get me wrong, but I have found that I like a bit more out of my rifles and I hate burning ammo trying to figure out what's wrong with the thing.

My second AR was the Bushmaster. Reliable as an old typewriter. The only shortcomings on it was the weight and being basic milspec. It was all the rage 10 years ago when everyone wanted quad rail milspec guns but now I like everyone else want even more out of my rifles.

I got to handle a Crusader the other day at the local gun shop and I couldn't believe the difference. SO LIGHT even though it has the longer rail on it. Just fit me great and from what I've heard spikes has got those suckers dialed in.

And that's why I wont do a custom build on my GTW rifle again. These guns from some of these manufactures are designed and built by people much smarter and more experienced than me. This will be my workhorse gun. If zombies invade tomorrow this will be the one I go for.

However my NEXT gun will possibly be a custom build. Either I'm going to do an AR pistol build using a spikes "the Jack" lower. or I'm going with a DPMS G2 Recon .308. haven't decided yet, gotta get through this first one