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After the last couple of gun shows I have been to, I am seriously thinking about buying an AR-15 type rifle. The thing is, I don't know the slightest thing about them, including different ammo rounds, all those nifty accessories, and most importantly, maintenance.

Does anyone have a link to a good beginner's guide to these types of rifles? The fewer acronyms in the content the better

The USMC. They'll teach all you ever care to know about AR type rifles.

After buying mine and shooting it a few times, I took it to my local gunshop and asked them to show me how to take it down for cleaning. Then I took it home and cleaned it. That simple.

Mine is the Bushmaster Varminter. The only accessories on it are a Burris 3-12x50mm XTR Tactical scope and a Harris Bipod.

That would be 100% no joke!

I can eat/sleep the AR/M-16, I just found that I can order a full M-16A2 style AR for right at $500 bucks from Model1Sales
Apparently you don't need a FFL either...wonder how that is done (unless they don't ship the lower receiver?!?)

Molon_labe wrote:That would be 100% no joke!

I can eat/sleep the AR/M-16, I just found that I can order a full M-16A2 style AR for right at $500 bucks from Model1Sales
Apparently you don't need a FFL either...wonder how that is done (unless they don't ship the lower receiver?!?)

That would be with no receiver... Gotta get that on your own as they are not an FFL I don't think... So basically you'll be up to $600 give or take a few and have to put together the lower yourself. Not a bad deal especially if you want to add a few upgrades from model1 and don't mind tinkering/learning.

Another optin if you don't want to put the lower together yourself you can get an A3 flat-top model (choice of barrel lengths) from CMMG out of their bargain bin for $585 shipped to your FFL and already put together. While they say "used" it'll be new. And quality will be the same basically as Model1 since you are getting standard parts (no upgraded stuff).

AR15.com contains just about everything you need to know about the AR15......without the haircut and running

You will have to endure plenty of idiots for the information you gain!

Jason

Try http://www.m4carbine.net for some good info too. Lots of good folks on the board, and some good advice without all the attitudes of ar15.com.

http://www.ar15.com

but what do you want to know? i am sure you can just ask all your questions here.

Thanks for all the links and info. I suppose what I'm really wanting to understand are the internal mechanics, assembly/disassembly, but I've found all that on the forums y'all posted. Oh and what I am really confused about is the ammunition. .223, 5.56, .30 carbine? can I just swap out barrels of different calibers like i can do with some pistols? Also what is preffered "plinker" size ammo vs defensive ammo?

The basic AR is a pretty simple platform and easy to break down for maintenance. But, I think it could be hard to figure out from a book or web site if you've never handled an AR before. You ought to find someone with an AR to teach you how to disassemble and re-assemble it so you feel comfortable with it.

Here's the ammo rule, you can shoot .223 or 5.56 in a rifle chambered for 5.56, but only .223 in a rifle chambered for .223. Other than that, no sharing!

You can get an AR that shoots many different calibers, like the 5.56 or .204 or 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC ... and so on. With some AR platforms you can swap out the upper receiver and mags and essentially have 2 guns with one lower. That would work for say, a 5.56 and 6.8. But if you go up to .308 you can't do it. As always, it all depends.

Keep watching the boards over on ar15.com and m4carbine.net and keep asking here and you'll get some answers.

Thanks Blinking Dog.

Are AR15 parts standardized across the industry, so that regardless of the manufacturer of the upper/lower, stock, shroud, etc they can pretty much be frankensteined into a complete rifle?

My stupid understanding, yes, they are standardized, but why do you want to do that? Reportedly, some Smith Wesson M&P AR parts may not fit others'.

On the ammunition, read http://www.ammo-oracle.com, long but very detailed information on 5.56/223 Rem.

On the AR platform, you can buy them in different calibers from .22 to 308 Win. I would stay with 5.56 as that's caliber it's designed for and proven - some may argue with me.

dukesean wrote:Thanks Blinking Dog.

Are AR15 parts standardized across the industry, so that regardless of the manufacturer of the upper/lower, stock, shroud, etc they can pretty much be frankensteined into a complete rifle?

If you want an AR, stay with 5.56/223 Rem. A good plinker is M193. Again, read http://www.ammo-oracle.com

Stay with 5.56/223Rem. I don't like novelty calibers on AR platform, less available parts.

Whatever you buy, make sure the barrel rifling twist rate is 1:9 minimum, 1:7 is preferred.

Here's a list of ammo for self defense.
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237

lack Hills or Hornady 75 gr OTM
Black Hills or Federal 77 gr OTM
Black Hills or Federal 69 gr OTM

dukesean wrote:Thanks for all the links and info. I suppose what I'm really wanting to understand are the internal mechanics, assembly/disassembly, but I've found all that on the forums y'all posted. Oh and what I am really confused about is the ammunition. .223, 5.56, .30 carbine? can I just swap out barrels of different calibers like i can do with some pistols? Also what is preffered "plinker" size ammo vs defensive ammo?

The AR has proven to be a very popular platform, much like the 1911. So like the 1911 there are many companies making their own version, and there are many companies making after-market parts and accessories. And generally, these are interchangeable (except for caliber specific parts like bolt carriers and barrels).

So yes, you could piece together your own frankenstein rifle if you had the time and know-how, or you could buy a fully baked rifle...or you could buy a basic model and trick it out.

I have a S&W M&P which I've done some work to and have not run into any issues of incompatibility of parts.