Anyone here into AR-15's?

[ghentry]

I have no problem using the iron sights, but liked I mentioned before, I want my wife to enjoy it also, and she wants optics. If there is something that I can do that will make her want to shoot with me more, I'm willing to do it.

Now the problem is deciding on red dot vs. scope, and how inexpensivly I can get one or the other. The $400+ EOT is a lot of money.

[BobCat]

I shoot an almost-stock Bushmaster CMP model in the Highpower match. Note that I am partial to iron sights and using the sling for support, so please take what I say with a grain of salt - it may not be appropriate for your preferences.


I'd go with a flat top with a removable carry handle for irons, and a scope mount/optics of your choice.

When the so-called "assault weapons" ban expired, I bought a CAR kit from http://www.jtdistributing.com/ - their web site is under constuction but you can download their catalog. I have nothing but good to say about them. The shorty kit was about $450 and I had a lower - you can get a lower from an number of sources (aim surplus is one) for about $100. Assembling the kit is very easy (and there are pictures and so forth on AR-15.com to help). The upper comes assembled, all you have to do is put the trigger parts, mag release, stock, etc. on the lower.

I added a Jewell trigger (so it would feel like my match service rifle) and a free-float handguard. The free-float handguard is good - keeps point of impact constant no matter what sling pressure. The black aluminum tube one is fine, you don't need a "service rifle legal" one that looks like a service rifle.

The 16" chrome-moly Shaw barrel that came with the kit is amazingly accurate. I would not go with anything fancier unless you want to shoot 80 grain bullets (for 600 yards) - in which case you would not want a shorty.

If I had it to do over, I'd try to get the long free-float tube, and the front sight mounted forward (the so-called "Dissipator" configuration - see the bushmaster website to see what it looks like) - so the bayonet would fit, the sight radius would be longer, and the front sling swivel (you have to add this to the free-float tube) would be at the right distance. I would go with the fancier (4 or 6 position) stock - I got the 3 position and the middle position is right for my wife, but there is no place for the sling on this stock.


EDIT: wrong - the bayonet would *not* fit! The rest is true... pictures in the catalog.


I call this my "Kitten Gun" because it was a kit, and because it is compact and fun and cute, like a little furry kitten - but it has claws too, and holds amazingly small groups at 100 yards if I do my part. I really like it (even with the things I said I'd do differently), and I think you and your wife will be quite pleased with a shorty AR.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Andrew

[Bob Wolff]

I own two, both bushmasters. One is a heavy 16 inch barrell and the other has a 16" pencil barrel that I added. The weight of the pencil barrel makes it great for close up 3 gun matches. I would stick with a chrome lined barrel (easier care and less worry). Mine are both chambered in 5.56, which gives more ammo choices that being chambered in .223. I have over 15000 rounds through my 3 gun AR and the only failures were when I didn't clean it after about 2000 rounds. I use an Eotech and can second the posts on how quick and accurate it can be. I also have a backup iron sight mounted.
I like working on it, easy to do with just a few tools. Headspace is not normally an issue (i.e. for barrel change outs) as the barrel is threaded into the extension properly installed at the factory.
We shoot an IDPA like 3 gun match the second Saturday of the month at the ImpactZone in Brookshire TX (West of Houston) and they shoot a carbine only match after the IDPA match at Eagle Lake on the third Saturday of the month.

Bob W

[ghentry]

Does anyone know what the "Dominator" EOT mount accomplishes, and is it necessary for mounting an EOT?

[KinnyLee]

Does anyone know what the "Dominator" EOT mount accomplishes, and is it necessary for mounting an EOT?

That looks like an adapter that eliminates the carrying handle while retaining the rear sight.

[txinvestigator]

Does anyone know what the "Dominator" EOT mount accomplishes, and is it necessary for mounting an EOT?

That looks like an adapter that eliminates the carrying handle while retaining the rear sight.

Yep.

[ghentry]

I appreciate all of the replies. Based on your input, this is what I have so far:

Stag Lower Stripped - $95
RRA LPK - $63
Generic 4 Pos Stock - $39
RRA Mid A4 Upper - $440
Arms #40 BUIS - $80

Thats totals $711, plus I have to figure in the optics cost. I'm not sure if I can do much better new or not. Any suggestions pro/con for what I have listed?

[KinnyLee]

Here is a pretty good website that will give you some ideas.
http://www.sogarmory.com/default.aspx

[stevie_d_64]

Does anyone know what the "Dominator" EOT mount accomplishes, and is it necessary for mounting an EOT?

That looks like an adapter that eliminates the carrying handle while retaining the rear sight.

Yep.

With there only being "one" place you can mount the EOTech, I guess thats an option...

I just put mine on the rail forward enough clear a flip-up rear iron sight to back it all up...And I still have plenty of room to adjust the intensity settings on the EOTech...

I would say it is not necessary unless you don't have those picatinny "rail" slots...

With this rig, it appears that the rear site will always be up in your sight picture, and get in the way if you only want to work the optics package...

I like the idea of flipping it out of the way if I want to get off those quick shots based upon what the EOTech does for me...

If I want to slow it down, and work the iron sights, I'll flip it up at that time...

I think this adaptor limits your flexibility...

I'll try to get a pic of my AR (and the sights/optics) on here tonight...

[AggieMM]

Here is me shooting my brother's AR:



I really like his setup, which he uses for 3-Gun competitions.

• Stag Arms M4 Lower/Upper
  6 Position Stock with Heavy Buffer
  Yankee Hill Forearm Rail
  JP Enterprise Trigger
  Jerry Miculek Comp
  Ergo Grip
  Aimpoint RDS Red Dot Scope

It's on my wishlist for Christmas 2006..... :) :)

Ryan

[gigag04]

Here is me shooting my brother's AR:



I really like his setup, which he uses for 3-Gun competitions.

• Stag Arms M4 Lower/Upper
  6 Position Stock with Heavy Buffer
  Yankee Hill Forearm Rail
  JP Enterprise Trigger
  Jerry Miculek Comp
  Ergo Grip
  Aimpoint RDS Red Dot Scope

It's on my wishlist for Christmas 2006..... :) :)

Ryan

I like the hat....everyone should have a hat like that.

[txaggie]

Here I am owner of the AR in AggieMM's picture





Deron

[dws1117]

Nice guns.

What's with this Aggie invasion?

[aggie dad]

Hey, I also like the hat and that AR ain't bad either

[stevie_d_64]

Nice guns.

What's with this Aggie invasion?

Well, you see......Its like this...