UPDATED!! Decided to step into the world of AR's...

[shlike]

After resisting for a long time, I finally decided to enter the world of AR's. I have no interest in building a custom gun, you know- "uppers" and "lowers" and all that. I just wanted a simple, basic, brand-name AR that I can enjoy on the beautiful outdoor range at my gun club. After much research, I narrowed my selection down to either the S&W M&P15 Sport, or the Ruger AR-556. Hickock 45's review ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdSz_UQLmlg ) tilted me in favor of the Ruger ( http://www.ruger.com/products/ar556/models.html ) so yesterday afternoon I ordered one from Grab-A-Gun for $600.00. I checked on my order today only to discover that my order had already been shipped!! It is due at my FFL on Friday.

I ordered some ammo and a few extra Magpul 30-round P-Mags from SGAmmo. Being new to the platform, I wasn't sure about ammo selection. I plan to use the gun only for target and plinking, so I ordered a 420-round can of "5.56 mm XM855 LC1AC1 Lake City M855 Green Tip Ammo with AR15 Strippers" . The price was $189.95. I would appreciate input from those with more experience with this platform if that is a good choice of ammo, or if anyone has a recommendation.

After I familiarize myself with the gun and it's factory iron sights, I may add an optic; either an inexpensive Red-Dot or an inexpensive scope. That is really the only custom item I am considering at this time.

Of course I will post photos and a range report after I shoot it for the first time on Sunday.

I would appreciate any input and advice, keeping in mind that that he intended purpose for this gun is just for casual fun; I am not looking to create an expensive custom "race gun".

[knkali]

good on you! Enjoy that bad boy. Everyone should have at least one.

[getsome]

Hi shlike, welcome to the AR world..I bought the Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport last year and was my first venture into the black rifle world....The Ruger is also going to make you smile and the price is right...I paid $589.00 for the basic rifle and it was fine as is but I have since added some Magpul goodies such as a front hand grip and a rubber Hogue pistol grip which made a lot of difference in the feel but the best thing I added is a Magpul stock with a cheek rest (way more comfortable than the cheap looking and feeling stock that came on the rifle)...I added a better charging handle from Bravo Company called The Gunfighter and it has an extended release and really makes it much easier to open the bolt with one hand, $44.00 and well worth it....The last thing I added was an inexpensive Sight Mark red dot sight I picked up at Bass Pro Shop for $99.00...This is a nice little red dot for the money and it mounts tightly to the rifle and is very easy to remove and didn't need any adjustment right out of the box....I wasn't sure I would like a red dot sight but after using it I found it to be a great aid and it really is much better than the flip up peep sights which were ok but the red dot is so much easier to shoot with....If you do go for a red dot go on Amazon for replacement batteries, I got 10 for like 7 bucks and in the drug store they are 9 bucks EACH....

I like you wanted a simple inexpensive rifle and out of the box it was fine but I really like the Magpul extras and Hogue grip which make it much more comfortable to shoot....Altogether even with the red dot sight I have less than $850.00 in the gun and it's perfect for plinking at the range and for home defense....You can pay a lot more for an AR than what the Smith or Ruger costs but I dont think you can beat either one for price reliability and a great warranty....

As for ammo, what you bought is good and should shoot fine but I would save it as M855 is sometimes hard to find....Go to Wally world and pick up a few of their 100 round box of Federal 55 grain FMJ for $39.00 which shoots fine in my rifle...So far it hasn't had any problems with any ammo...I bought 200 rounds of once fired brass reloads at the gun show for $80.00 and they shot fine but the new Federal ammo from Walmart is cheaper....Hope you enjoy your new rifle as much as I have mine, they really are the new Tinker Toys for men....

[Bawanna]

Yup the M855 is very desireable. I'd get more of that if/when you can.
That's the stuff our leaders were trying to take away from us which of course makes us want it all the more.

[GLOCKROCKER]

Yep, that's how it starts - "I just want a simple, basic AR". Next thing you know you've got it all "tacticool" and you're ordering parts to build another one! The Ruger was a good choice. Two of my friends have recently bought one. Nice rifle for the money. My BIL has the S&W and it's nice for the amount of coin also, but I like the Ruger better. I bought a Stagarms a few years back with the same frame of mind (just basic, simple) and after several hundreds in goodies for it I am presently researching parts to build a 6.8 SPC. They're like Barbie Dolls for big boys. WARNING! AR's MAY BECOME HABIT FORMING AND CAN CAUSE HEMORRHAGING FROM YOUR WALLET!

[greg_r]

Congrats on your new Ruger. I jumped on the AR bandwagon a couple of years ago. Bought the entry level DPMS. I was not interested in all the extras either, but somehow they just showed up!

[ripley16]

I recently added a DPMS AR to my collection. I've had it out a couple times. Much fun indeed for a very reasonable price.

I think that you'll find that an optic of some sort adds a lot of fun to the mix. Doesn't have to be expensive to be useful and fun.
I use Pmags. They're good, cheap GI mags work well for the amount of shooting many people do.
Your GI ammo is good stuff, clean, accurate and as reliable as ammo gets.

Enjoy your new Ruger.

[DavidWJ]

Good choice, although I own an M&P15 and love it. Wanted a Mosberg "Hunter", but couldn't get anyone to send one to CA.

Found out that a cheap red-dot reflex sight did not work well, the one I got moves around while shooting. EOTech makes the best red-dot with parallax correction, but it's as expensive as your rifle. A friend swears by his Burris AR332 3x scope. The Nikon 223 one piece scope mount is recommended at only $70.

[JohnR]

Down here we've had a lot of PMC 5.56 at good prices. I have a bunch of that and XM855 for my MP15 Sport.

[yqtszhj]

Congratulations. Like others have said the AR thing is a habit. My first one the wife told me I should get. So I got an old school 20 inch heavy competition barrel with a full buttstock bushmaster. It now sports a 3-9 scope. Its a tack driver and i still have it. I was happy. Then the wife said we needed an M4 in early 2012 before the elections (that one is hers). That one took a while to grow on me but it's ok since I picked up an Eotech for it.

Then i decided i needed a .308 AR and shopped around for a year. I got a sale email from PSA for a Smith and Wesson M&P10 and bought it. Now I say I'm done.

Get you 1000 rounds of PMC from SGAmmo and go have some fun. They are fun fun fun. If you can save up for a basic Eotech. You won't be disappointed. Red dots are OK and I have 2 but if you have an astigmatism the red dot can do wierd things with your eyes. You'll see a star or comet tail on the dot when its not really there sometimes. But you can work around it.

[knkali]

Good choice, although I own an M&P15 and love it. Wanted a Mosberg "Hunter", but couldn't get anyone to send one to CA.

Found out that a cheap red-dot reflex sight did not work well, the one I got moves around while shooting. EOTech makes the best red-dot with parallax correction, but it's as expensive as your rifle. A friend swears by his Burris AR332 3x scope. The Nikon 223 one piece scope mount is recommended at only $70.

Don't forget about Aimpoint. Not American made but their service is OUTSTANDING. You pay a lot for Aimpoint but get a lot IMHO.

[Armybrat]

Those Ruger ARs look like a pretty good buy. It has some features the Sport doesn't - Forward assist, dustcover, 1/8 twist barrel. I've read that some of the parts are proprietary though. Post a pic when you can - love to look at ARs.

I bought the S&W Sport early last year (before Ruger brought out theirs) and was surprised how nice it is. Added a Magpul handguard. It shoots great:

[jpshaw]

So far I've avoided the temptation. Last thing I need now is another thing to spend money on. The larger the mag, the more cash you loose when you empty it.

[Bawanna]

I've been avoiding too. My wife is good at helping with that. Like a fool I let my Colt Match Target get away to a retired commander here for far too little money.
I get the urge now and then, lately been hankering for a piston AR. I hate how the direct gas models get dirty so quickly.
Can shoot my Ruger Mini 14 all day and not be half as dirty as an AR with 20 rounds through it.
Don't really hurt anything of course, they shoot just find dirty, but unsightly I guess.

That being said I wouldn't mind having a Ruger or a M&P both really nice.

[jeepster09]

Yep, that's how it starts - "I just want a simple, basic AR". Next thing you know you've got it all "tacticool" and you're ordering parts to build another one! The Ruger was a good choice. Two of my friends have recently bought one. Nice rifle for the money. My BIL has the S&W and it's nice for the amount of coin also, but I like the Ruger better. I bought a Stagarms a few years back with the same frame of mind (just basic, simple) and after several hundreds in goodies for it I am presently researching parts to build a 6.8 SPC. They're like Barbie Dolls for big boys. WARNING! AR's MAY BECOME HABIT FORMING AND CAN CAUSE HEMORRHAGING FROM YOUR WALLET!

I so agree... my latest version.