2 AR or not 2 AR

[getsome]

Need a little help from you AR Black Gun guys....In the past I haven't really been interested in an AR but recently after a gun show visit I got the bug for one BUT money is an issue here...Now I hate cheap guns and would rather do without one than buy something cheap and crappy just because it's inexpensive but after looking and holding a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 I stared to get really interested in this rifle....The retail price at my LGS is $689.00 out the door and that to me is expensive but wouldn't break the bank...

I understand this is an entry level rifle and thats fine because all I would use it for is target shooting or to fight off hungry angry armed zombie mobs after the world goes to chit so I'm really not interested in optics, lights or lasers but only want a decent quality, reliable rifle with a good warranty...

Now I don't know squat about AR rifles and have never shot one and until very recently figured I would never need or want one....I have read about the M&P AR online and it seems to get pretty good reviews and the fact that it doesn't have forward assist and a dust cover doesn't seem to be a big issue in the articles I've read so far so my general questions are:

1. Is this a decent quality rifle?

2. Will I likely be sorry I didn't save up and spend more for something like a Daniel Defense or equal rifle?

3. Will I be sorry it doesnt have a forward assist and dust cover?

Any information and opionions pro or con from you savy AR guys will be much appreciated and if you talk me out of it that's fine too because in reality buying this rifle is more of an "I want one" rather than "I really need this thing" kind of deal ....

As always thank y'all all for your knowledge and time!!!....

[Bawanna]

You have a bank? I'm jealous.

I baby sit about 40 AR's and a half dozen M16's.

Folks seldom use the forward assist and the dust cover while a nice thing certainly isn't a necessity at all. Especially based on your needs which is primarily satisfying your AR want itch.

We have a couple of the S&W's owned by officers, not sure if they are the Sport, pretty sure they are up a little bit on the food chain.

If you truly become smitten with the AR bug you'll indeed want to step up to the Daniel Defense or if it's a bad case of smitten the Larue's.

Those will assuredly break most banks but they are damn nice.

I had a Colt Match Target for a spell and in a recession of the AR bug I foolishly sold it and of course my timing was awful so I basically gave it away. I'm a fool.

I occasionally get the hankering for another. I've thought I'd go with a Wyndham myself. There's just too many choices out there now days with a full array of price range.

Getting the rifle is the first phase, then the hunt for add ons begins. I call em Mr. Potato Head guns, you can hand stuff on em till the cows come home.

[muggsy]

There isn't anything wrong with the M&P if you want one for informal target shooting or plinking. If you plan on doing a lot of shooting you might be better off with a rifle with a chrome lined chamber and bore.

[gb6491]

There isn't anything wrong with the M&P if you want one for informal target shooting or plinking. If you plan on doing a lot of shooting you might be better off with a rifle with a chrome lined chamber and bore.

As far as I know, the S&W's barrel is Melonite treated. There's a lot of internet chatter in regards to Melonite vs chrome lined. My take is that it's a toss up as to which is better.
Regards,
Greg

[itsthelaw]

I have a Daniel Defense, and it is good quality. For the first one, I was told to purchase a complete gun. I also had a Palmetto State Armory AR15 that was good and fairly inexpensive. Then I decided that I really didn't need 2 of them.


I have a friend who is a rep for a bunch of gun and gear lines. He sells MMC Armory ARs. If I was in the market or wanted to sell the DD, I would buy one of the MMCs in a second. It is made in the US with great components and a really nice trigger. Since they don't have the name DD has, they are aggressive with their pricing.

[knkali]

Its good for your needs. Pull the trigger(pun intended) and get one. I have the MP 15 OR model and I have tried to kill it but it is a work horse. I think the warranty on SW is a very good one too IIRC

[TheTman]

I too never really wanted one until all the chatter about banning them. And that has me thinking I probably ought to get one while I can. slickguns.com has a page for AR deals, that might help you find one at a good price. There is a very wide variety of models available, looks like you can get one from around $600 up. Depending on the features you want.

[getsome]

Thank you all very much!!!....I hear you Tman, I didn't really want a "black rifle" so much until they started talking about a ban and while I think we're safe from Obama with all the crap he has going on like the UACA and all the other scandals I'm not too worried right now but when Hillary gets in the WH I think her "Legacy" will be putting back in force Billy's assault weapon ban so I want to get one before it's too late...

I think I will go ahead with the S&W since it seems like it will fit what I want to do with it which is mainly plinking and range use and the price is something I can live with....I am going to trade in a nice 1911 for the AR so I'll have to do it through my LGS to get the trade for the pistol or I would buy the thing online and save a few bucks but I really like my LGS guy and he's pretty fair with trades so soon as I can get a day off to go see him I'll bring home an AR....

I really appreciate the advice on the AR platform and it will definately be a learning experience for me since I now know almost nohing so I will probably be asking for help again with the thing when I finally get it home....Thanks again guys!!!

[Bawanna]

Are ya gonna tell bawanna about the nice 1911 your trading in or what?

Do it in a PM, you know there's plenty of vultures around here with no ethics when it comes to jumping on stuff.

[getsome]

Well it's not THAT nice really and nothing to get excited about but it's the replacement S&W 1911 for the one the Police stole from me a couple years ago...It belongs to my son who went through his 1911 phase and now wants to modernize with an AR....I'm going to ask 5 bills for it and see if the gunshop will take it and if not I will put it up for sale....

[CJB]

I've got fairly early AR with no asst, and a few very recent AR's with assist. My first rifle with forward assist was and HBar. I was shooting my reloads and every once in a while.... ha ha... I'd have to whack that ol lever and seat a round.

In real life, its not a deal breaker. We fought well into the 1980's with M16's, no A1, no A2, etc. Plain slab side, slick bolt, plain jane M16's. Those were used in armed conflicts until about that time.

The Air Force wanted the forward assist. The Army thought the rifle was ok "as is".

With good ammo, its rarely needed, if ever.

Important on an AR-15
no order

1. Chrome bore (unless stainless barrel), MP inspected and HP inspected.
2. Chrome lined bolt carrier
3. Chrome firing pin.
4. Made from 7075-T6 as opposed to 60xx series aluminum.
5. Bolt made from Carpenter 158 steel, MP inspected, HP inpected. Bolts tend to break, you want a good one!

The rest icing on the cake.

Colt M4's are seen under $1000 at times, like $989. Every day you can get one thats under $1050.
Same for the exellent FN rifle, which is as good as or better than the Colt (better barrel its said).

I know, its 50 percent more.....

Another alternative is to slowly start to build one, getting a good upper, and adding the rest as you go. More money, but you get EXACTLY what you want, and you can pay as you go, making the price easier to swallow.

[Bawanna]

Well it's not THAT nice really and nothing to get excited about but it's the replacement S&W 1911 for the one the Police stole from me a couple years ago...It belongs to my son who went through his 1911 phase and now wants to modernize with an AR....I'm going to ask 5 bills for it and see if the gunshop will take it and if not I will put it up for sale....

1911 is a phase? You mean someday I might get over them and not want everyone I see? That is good news indeed.

I did get over my AR phase but I still have relapses as suggest above whenever Hitlery or Ovomit or Feinstein etc is mentioned then it becomes a just cuz must have.

[getsome]

Well he has another Kimber 1911 now so this one is a spare and doesn't get shot much anymore and while I hate to see any nice pistol go I want to get the AR before they outlaw um again...

[getsome]

Oh thanks CJB, I just saw your post.......I may wish later I had held out for a nicer rifle but with money tight and with it having a good S&W warranty that will fix anything that might go wrong I think this little plain jane AR will be just the ticket to get us started....

[Barth]

Colt LE6920

I almost went for a Colt LE6920.
Walmart has had some crazy good pricing on them.

Ended up going with a Bulgarian 5.56 10.5" Suchka PDW.
I have no explanation for my discussions.
Except I like short guns.