Considering an AR

[billy ahring]

Kicking around the idea of getting one of them evil black guns. A local gun shop here is a DPMS dealer. I know nothing about these guns and was wondering if anyone here has any experience with this manufacturer and any advice on the AR type gun as a whole. All my experience is with bolt guns with a lever or two thrown in.

Billy

[Lycanthrope]

The AR15's are modular guns and uppers and lowers can be swapped out interchangeably on most models. Many manufacturers use the same barrels and small parts. They are easy to put together yourself and buying a kit and doing just that will save you $100-$200 over most retail prices in gun stores. That is, you can buy a stripped receiver from your FFL from DPMS. Then you can order a complete DPMS kit and just slap it together in a couple hours.

But for most, including myself, the first gun is usually bought complete. Any of the major manufacturers are fine for a first gun that is: A (Armalite),B (Bushmaster), C (Colt), D (DPMS) or R (Rock River Arms. These are all quality firearms, although people do have preferences. A basic model from all these manufacturers will interchange parts for the most part, except the Colt since it uses different size pins to connect the upper to the lower than the other companies listed.

Suggestions.....yes.

For the first one, buy a flat top. I have an A2 custom service rifle and a flat top. The flat top gets more range time, because I like optics and you can always get detacheable irons for it. Mounting a scope to the high carry handle can be a pain to shoot for some.

Second, if you plan on mostly using irons and shooting longer ranges go with the 20" model. The longer sight radius matters. If you want something easy to handle and perhaps for home defense, get a 16" model and collapseable stock....they handle a bit faster in close and are lighter to carry around. Since the ban has expired get flash suppressors on both. Or....as we say over at ar15.com....GET BOTH!

[PJgunner]

Lycanthrope. You can get a conversion pin to use other maker's uppers on Colts. I have one that came with the FN upper I put on my 1971 AR-15. Works just fine. The fellow that assembled my FN upper for me at a gun show put the offest pin in as a matter of course. I believe all you have to do is make sure you're telling them that the new upper is going on a Colt, or vice versa.
Paul B.

[300 RUM]

I would also recommend the Bushmaster over a DPMS I have several friends that are AR nuts and they all use Bushmaster or Armalite for a stock gun. Many of them have custom guns from many various gusmiths. In my area Bushmaster dominates the shooting ranges in the non-custom gun.

What will you use it for?

self defense- go carbine 14-16" barrel

plinking- go with iron sights with 20"+ barrel

Varminting- varminter or flattop (no iron sights) 24"barrel

One thing is nice is you could have all 3 guns by swapping the uppers. Since it is a modular gun its very versatile if you have the $$$

[popplecop]

Unless you are in law enforcement forget the 14" barrel. Illegal under federal law, 16" mininum.

[Lycanthrope]

The 14" is legal with the long flash suppressor, though.

[Lycanthrope]

....permanently attached, that is.