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Well, I technically own a brand-new Spike's Tactical ST-15 Mid-length Carbine, even though it isn't built yet. That's what my credit card statement says, anyway. Here it is: http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/st1 ... p-443.html

After months of hemming and hawing, reading and researching, taking the opinions of people here (and even looking at what arfcom had to say), I finally decided on a 'starter gun'. When it arrives, I'll be sure to post a pic or two, but that'll be a while. Their production schedule shifted last week from a 4-6 week delay to a 6-8 week delay.

I knew that going in, so it'll give me a chance to stock up on necessities, like mags and ammo.

I talked to Andrea (Angela?) while I was ordering to make sure I wasn't confused by this new-fangled interweb-tube-thingy. Told her I knew about the delay,but was bummed that the schedule shifted right before I ordered since it would mean the rifle wouldn't get here before my birthday in May.

Seem the parts suppliers are as busy as the builders trying to keep up with the demand. She said "Well, we're kinda popular." To which I replied "that's why I'm ordering - a good gun from a company with a good reputation." She said some folks have been waiting since February for their guns - which I knew was happening for the special orders. Enhanced LPKs and SBRs and such. I ordered mine bone stock to avoid any other delays, plus it's set up just like I wanted a starter gun to be, minus a free-float tube.

So, the wait begins. The May 23 to June 6 window can't get here soon enough.

Good choice, Im sure you will be pleased especially after a wait like that. Spikes is a great company to deal with for sure.

Congrats on the new gun. My condolences on the excruciating wait. I built my AR over the period of a few months (finishing in October) from a CMMG stripped lower and the remaining parts ordered from Rock River Arms. I've been quite happy with mine. I was somewhat specific about mine, opting for a heavy mid-length barrel and a half-quad free-float handguard with a full top rail. I think the longest wait I had on any of the parts was 2 weeks, and that's because they didn't have the barrel in stock and had to have it made by their supplier. 6-8 weeks wait on your rifle sounds like torture!

For magazines, you can't go wrong with Magpul (PMAG or EMAG) magazines. They're top notch. I bought a few kinds of mags (standard mil-spec, FUSIL steel mags, and PMAGs) when I was building mine, and now only use the Magpuls. I was skeptical at first about polymer magazines, but found they're beautifully engineered magazines, far and away superior to standard mags. You might consider getting some 20-round mags if you're going to do prone/bench shooting with your rifle, as they make things easier all-around in those situations. I reload, and when working up loads I use a lead sled to minimize human variables to test for accuracy. With the lead sled, a 20-round mag is essential, as a 30-rounder is impossible to change and nearly impossible to even fit on the sled with the rifle mounted.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll likely start reloading .223 early next year, so it's good to know about the 20 rounders. That was going to be one of my questions anyway - using 10 or 20 rounders, especially for ease of use while hunting. If 10-rounders are even available.

My (almost) 9 year old wants to go with me this year, and rather than buy yet another gun right away (probably a .243), I figured he could run some 75 or 77 grain rounds for now. This rifle has a 1:7 twist, so it shouldn't be a problem on Hill Country Whitetails.

As for the PMAGS, the rifle ships with one, so I'm glad to know that they are as good as I've read. I'll have to be on the lookout for a 10-pack in the next few weeks, because I know I'll need several!

Down the line, I'd like to build my own gun, but I wanted to familiarize myself with the system first, and I figured Spike's was a good way to go to learn the ropes.