TexasCHLforum.com

I'm interested in buying an AR... but there are so many options, configurations, etc. Where would a guy go for the basic education on them? Info that contrasts the popular set ups and hits the pros/cons of different parts and pieces.

Where do I start? Is there an AR 101 guide somewhere?

Comparison between brands:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key ... utput=html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good primer before shopping:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=56063" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Everything else you ever wanted to know:
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7009" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I think that gigag04 has you covered, but wanted to include another URL for some additional reading:
So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

Great, thanks for the info!!

Handy to get a visual idea of how they work:

http://www.bushmaster.com/anatomy_bushmaster.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Click on "start" (middle of page, right hand side). That will bring up an animated rendering.

Choose any one of the "views" from the bottom of page (menu bar), start with "glass" for instance.

Having built dozens from all kinds of makers I have found that they are pretty much the same as long as quality parts are used. Really it all boils down to personal preference as there are almost an infinite number of setups you can build. What are you wanting to do with it? Mall ninja M4gery, prairie dog shoots, home defense, multipurpose, etc. You can also get just one lower and pop on a different upper for a particular purpose. Get a 20" Free floated upper for long range stuff and a 16" railed upper and you should cover most of your bases. Nice thing about an AR is they are modular.

rm9792 wrote:Having built dozens from all kinds of makers I have found that they are pretty much the same as long as quality parts are used. Really it all boils down to personal preference as there are almost an infinite number of setups you can build. What are you wanting to do with it? Mall ninja M4gery, prairie dog shoots, home defense, multipurpose, etc. You can also get just one lower and pop on a different upper for a particular purpose. Get a 20" Free floated upper for long range stuff and a 16" railed upper and you should cover most of your bases. Nice thing about an AR is they are modular.

What he said.

rm9792 wrote: Nice thing about an AR is they are modular.

Barbie Dolls for big boys and girls

if you want to buld one or just learn ar15.com has step by step parts schematics. all kinds of info . i built my first ar-15 before i ever even shot one . not saying you should throw one together with out educating yourself but it can be done very easily with the information available

Brownells has a great page of videos and a parts/tools checklist for building an AR:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/

I'd shoot one a little before you make the jump. If you want a customized gun you're going to have to know how each different component comes into play. Or you could get a standard M4/A3 rifle and build the gun up from there depending on what you would like to change. It's cheaper than getting a semi-custom gun from the get go and changing it all as you get to know the system.