Thinking about an AR but know nothing

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newguy07

New member
I am a long time firearms enthusiast with several pistols, revolvers, and a few long guns. The only long guns I have owned are shotguns, 44 mag lever action, semi auto .22, and an inline muzzleloader. I have never shot an AR weapon system but am interested in getting a tactile style version for recreation and home defense. The problem is I know almost nothing about AR or even rifle calibers. I would appreciate any and all info you guys can give me about this weapon system and I have listed a few specific questions below.

- what caliber should I consider? .223? .308? Other? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each?

-what are the main features available that I should consider?

-what are the manufactures I should consider?

-If I get one, I would like to get into as in inexpensively as possible, I do not need top of the line. Can I get something decent under $600?$ 600-800? What model would you recommend?

-what sighting system do you recommend? Red dot? Do they make something like a crimson trace?

Sorry for all the questions but I am pretty clueless on this manner.

Thanks.
 
Of course you can get an AR plenty good within your price range. Olympic Arms used to have a not so stellar reputation- but they doing alright these days. Somebosy will likely come along and all but insult both of us for you not getting a $2500+ AR- but all of my old $500=$1100 models are running just as well or better than the dey they came to live with me.

I would go with .223/5.56/.223 Wylde chamberings. Once you get up to .308, .243, .260, etc you'll be into an AR 10 which won't even be close to your budget. They are also heavy t othe point of being un-handy deal breakers for some folks.

Personally, for a casual shooter/plinker, I would be comfortable recommending Olympic, Rock River Arms, Stag, Del-Ton, Heck, just go to Buds Gunshop .com and look at what he has- no junk for the casual shooter there.

The mainest thing you want to see on your rifle, until you get a more specific idea of what tickles YOUR fancy, is a flat top w/removable carry handle and a front sight. All else is a matter of taste over your learning curve.
 
In the AR15, you have dozens of choices, but for the simple task of buying ammo, 5.56 is about it on the shelf. From there, 6.5G, 6.8PC, and .300 Whisper are currently popular. None will ever be as cheap as 5.56, especially with import and surplus selling as low as 25c a round. If an alternate caliber is preferred, then it will be chosen for it's particular ballistic performance.

That has to be singled out first, because cartridges are designed to perform from an optimal barrel length. They can be lengthened or shorted to fit other duties, but too far and the ballistic properties will be significantly compromised. The 5.56 was designed for use in a 20" barrel, but some have found fault when it's shot from one 14.5". At 50fps per inch, the 3,000 fps from the M16 is reduced to 2,700 or less, and that's been a point of some concern. The original bullets don't perform as well in combat, and have had to be redesigned.

With the cartridge matched to the appropriate barrel length, the gas is set, because it stays 5-7" from the muzzle regardless. Others have compromised on it for marketing reasons, but again, the optimal gas is ported 5-7" from the muzzle.

Attach that barrel to an A4 flattop, and from there, the rest of the gun follows the intent of why the cartridge and barrel were chosen.

For plinking and home defense - a 16" midlength gas AR15 in 5.56, flattop, and GI type stock and handguards would be a good choice.
 
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