Help me choose my first rifle

INMY01TA · Jun 30, 2018

bigdv said:
Do this!

I have a Del-Ton and a Windham. I prefer the Del-Ton which was a cheaper gun. It has a better trigger and is more accurate.

Another happy Delton user here. One carbine rifle and another build using a Delton upper. Midway sells a nice Delton Hbar rifle kit.

Magnumite · Jun 30, 2018

I have owned 8 AR platform guns...one in 308. Half that I still own. One is as bought save the aforementioned stock change, one I installed a free float tube, the other two are ground up builds. None have ever malfunctioned except when I intentionally installed a rifle ramped barrel in an M4 upper receiver. Very valuable lesson there in many ways. I corrected that set up by correcting the ramp depths and it has been 100% since. A couple were used in 3 gun and high power matches.

dreadpirate · Jun 30, 2018

The world is your oyster, now go find a pearl! :party29:

There are so many types of AR platforms out there. From old school, to new school. For hunting, range toy, self defense, all of the above. Buy the best you afford. Lots of good brands; Colt, Windham, (don't think S&W has a MD legal rifle), Rock River, Stag Daniel Defense, and others.

[NOTE] Probably wont; be able to do much hunting with a basic AR unless its smaller game.

dreadpirate · Jun 30, 2018

Deadlunch said:
Sooo, I am looking to purchase my first rifle. I've been watching these 2 rifles at basspro.
1. DPMS Panther Arms Oracle -$530
2. S&W M&P 15 sport 2 -$700

Purpose is primarily for home defense, something to take to the range and something to learn and grow with.

If anyone out there has handled both and has strong opinions about one over the other, especially in regards to reliability, accuracy, suggested ammo, etc. I'd appreciated your feedback.

Thanks

So I don't think the M&P is MD legal. Get a basic iron sights AR to learn the fundamentals. That Colt from JLowes would do nicely.

Magnumite · Jun 30, 2018

dreadpirate said:
The world is your oyster, now go find a pearl!

There are so many types of AR platforms out there. From old school, to new school. For hunting, range toy, self defense, all of the above. Buy the best you afford. Lots of good brands; Colt, Windham, (don't think S&W has a MD legal rifle), Rock River, Stag Daniel Defense, and others.

[NOTE] Probably wont; be able to do much hunting with a basic AR unless its smaller game.

Nosler builds a Partition 62 grain bullet made for deer sized game. Loaded it is a Fusion series loading. I bought a box to try them out.

Deadlunch · Jun 30, 2018

themoose06 said:
Like you said though, you have the knowledge, skill, and tools to do it. I say it makes more sense to buy your first one complete. See what you like and don’t like. Learn about what products are out there, what is worth buying, and then take knowledge and build one. Its taken me a few rifles to figure out what I would actually want out of a build, but even then its overwhelming with the thousands of options out there.

So all is not lost. I've looked at a few build kits and not intimidated by these. But I do agree with moose. Since this is going to be my first, finding out what I do/don't like and getting down the basics is my first goals.

I'm going to have to reassess my finances for a proper purchase. (strong opinions here about Ruger v Windham I see) I've looked in big box stores, and a few pawn shops. So I guess I am going to start hittin up the local gun shops. (I honestly didn't realize that the big stores didn't have the best selections)

River02 · Jun 30, 2018

I bought my first one complete--- the best that I could afford...a Daniel Defense. It wasn't long until I got the itch to try my fingers at building one--- so I did and either way you decide to go will benefit you in different ways--really. I love them both and don't ever plan on giving either one up until I pass them to my son a few days after I've departed this earth. They are both tac drivers and I have no FTFs or other complications to mention after of couple thousand rounds through each. "Buy once---cry once" will serve you well but it doesn't mean you have to break the bank to get a quality firearm-- but if it means you have to wait a bit and save a little more to get exactly what you want the first time--- you'll be serving yourself well in the long run. Good luck and good hunting!

Michigander08 · Jun 30, 2018

Buy what you like. Most AR-15 are the same.

Unless you are going to be in battle field non-stop for 4 years, why worry about which one to get? Not even Colt is the God of rifle maker!

https://www.military.com/kitup/2018...ave-failed-safety-check-dangerous-glitch.html

Michigander08 · Jun 30, 2018

Maybe one minor thing to pay attention to: twist rate.

1:7
1:8
1:9

It doesn't matter with casual shooting at the range however.

dreadpirate · Jun 30, 2018

I recommend iron sights if this is your first rifle. OBTW - the AR on the top is a dissipator upper; 16" barrel but same sight radius as a 20".

omegared24 · Jun 30, 2018

Michigander08 said:
Unless you are going to be in battle field non-stop for 4 years, why worry about which one to get? Not even Colt is the God of rifle maker!

https://www.military.com/kitup/2018...ave-failed-safety-check-dangerous-glitch.html

You might want to research that problem a little more before jumping to conclusions.

As for why? Because quality...that's why. It may be needed for protection one day.

Deadlunch · Jun 30, 2018

omegared24 said:
You might want to research that problem a little more before jumping to conclusions.

As for why? Because quality...that's why. It may be needed for protection one day.

Clifjr · Jun 30, 2018

Not sure where you're located but if you can take a drive to PA contact Hog Sniper at High Rock Outfitters. He’s an IP here and gets good deals for us Marylanders and you’ll get the standard capacity mag with it. Here’s a recent thread where he got some Windham’s for someone. https://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=224897. He’s worth the drive!

Sirex · Jul 2, 2018

I bought my 1st AR as a cheap rifle, just to get me into ARs. The rifle was cheap but accomplished my goal. I like the AR now, and got 2 nicer ARs. I have a Colt 6721 and Windham HBC. As far as quality, both are great, with the Windham having a nicer finish. If I had to get rid of one, I would probably keep the Windham, no knock against the Colt. I bought them as whole rifles, and if anything went wrong, I could have them.deal with it. Windham has a transferrable lifetime warranty, great when I pass it down to one of my kids. Windham also has great customer service. I bombarded them with questions before buying, and their responses were always prompt and friendly. They never told me to quit pestering them. So, both rifles being good, I guess I like Windhams customer service. I tried contacting Colt, but never got a response.

jlowe23 · Jul 4, 2018

This list on my site should help. They are all Maryland compliant.

http://www.jlowesguns.com/Maryland-Compliant-ARs_c_13.html

Squaregrouper · Jul 4, 2018

Oh man...
I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR.

http://www.jlowesguns.com/Colt-AR6721-Tactical-Carbine-HBAR-MD-Compliant-_p_60.html

themoose06 · Jul 4, 2018

squaregrouper said:
Oh man...

I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR, I do not need another AR.

http://www.jlowesguns.com/Colt-AR6721-Tactical-Carbine-HBAR-MD-Compliant-_p_60.html

Get this instead while you still can, much lighter “heavy barrel” with m4 profile, limited run, only $100 more

I just ordered one
http://www.jlowesguns.com/COLT-6920-Model-LE6920HBPW-HBAR_p_792.html

BooRakka · Jul 4, 2018

bkuether said:
Welcome aboard, where are you located?

Some of our IPs are having great sales.

There may be some Ruger AR556 (MD compliant) available for $499.

Really can't go wrong there as a first rifle.

+1 to the Rugger 556. It was my first rifle and well worth what you pay for. Plus Rugers customer service is undeniably great. The mag mine came with was kinda crummy and wouldn't eject so I called them and they shipped out a new one the same day.

English Springer · Jul 4, 2018

What AR to buy?

Check out Live Free Armory on the web. They use quality components.
They use Ballistic Advantage barrels, and a good trigger group. Call them and talk to the owner Chris. They want to make you happy.

dreadpirate · Jul 4, 2018

jlowe23 said:
This list on my site should help. They are all Maryland compliant.

http://www.jlowesguns.com/Maryland-Compliant-ARs_c_13.html

I have made several purchases from JLowes and can vouch for what he chooses to sell (only quality rifles), and the prices are as good as I have ever seen.

Help me choose my first rifle

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