I have shot guns all my life.. Just never really owned many.. I've had a few shotguns and currently LOVE my glock17....

Looking to get a AR-15 to shoot around the land...Always loved shooting those, and just recently got to shoot at the range and revived my love for them...

So, for someone that does and doesn't know guns well.....Which one would y'all recommend for reliability.. I'm always confused and what parts will switch with what and I want one that stays light, looks good, and shoots every time....

Basically something with a good adjustable stock, front grip, sling, and small scope(optional, because I might want to go open sights)....

Any recommendations on one that is easily modified, or ready out the box like I want that is reliable..

Again, forgive the rookieness....

If you can wait get a Spikes LE midlength gas system AR. They are the quality of some of the higher end brands with the cost that of the lower end brands. The wait is more than likely going to be a month or so but there is a reason they are hard to come by !

As for an optic, if your wanting to go with some magnification but compact you should check out the Primary Arms 1-4 or the Millet DMS-1. Both are good quality for the price.

If you can spend a little more money, check into th Leupold AR models the Nikon M223 line or the Burris in that category

With one of the optics mentioned above you have illumination so on 1x it gives you a nice heads up type display but still have the 4x to reach out there further.

You can get into a set like this for around $1k and would be a great bang for the buck for a beginer all the way up to a door kicker !!

Spikes.

For complete builds, I would recommend Daniel Defense, BCM, and Spikes, in that order.

For what you are looking for (something light), I would go with a 16" Midlength Gas System Upper Receiver, With an Magpul MOE handguard.


http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LWR-BCM

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Magpul-MOE-MID-Length-Handguard-BLACK-p/mag418%20blk.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-BFH-1...-16lw%20bfh.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-...20auto%20mp.htm

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFI...d%204%20556.htm

As far as slings go, I like the Viking Tactics Sling. If you want a small optic, there is the Aimpoint T1.


It all just really depends on how much you want to spend, and what you really want.

Go with Spikes.... should have bought one of these instead of my Bushmaster, Spikes makes great products at reasonable prices.

When yall getting the big dogs ? Im chompin at the bit to get that SBR started !!

I like the Spikes and put in an order for an special order upper. I agree, a bit better than the Bushmaster.

What special order did you make and what type of turn around did they give you ?

2 months. I had a special lighweight carbine build in mind. I think I'm going to sub in a lighter bolt and carrier and think long and hard about the gas tube. I'll check the function and see how it works.

A lighter BCG ? What are you wanting to do with the gas tube ?

Dont mess with the BCG, not matter what you go with it wont make a difference in overall weight but will effect cycling...

What custom stuff did you have done to your lightweight ? I just finished a 14.5" lightweight Im going to use for some 3 gun fun !

You did go with the midlength gas system , right ?

bravocompanyusa.com

They have any and every flavor you want/need, and top notch at that.

I'm a bit worried about how the thing will function. I want the lightest possible barrel and weapon that will function with most ammunition. I figure a JP BCG. I'm just wondering how light you can go and make the thing work. I've used the Carbon 15 with a Plumb Crazy lower but accuracy suffers and you ( I ) can't play with the carbon fiber upper easily.

Not sure why it wouldnt function properly. What did you have done ? Most lightweight rifles are simply a pencil barrel and lightest weight rail you can get. It doesnt have anything to do with the BCG or how the actual system fiunctions. Go with a midlength gas system and a quality muzle device designed to reduce recoil and you will be gtg.

It's a simple arrangement. A lightweight barrel and rail forearm. I know the arrangement will function with the Plum Crazy. I went ahead with the carbine length gas tube, probably a mistake. Where I want to tweak it a bit is if I can lighten the weapon a tad more by replacing the BCG and using the Magpul Buis and a lightweight holosight, maybe investing in a Trijicon. Some of the comp BCG and bolts will shave a few ounces. Again, I just want to see how light I can go and still make it work.

Your not going to loose enough weight in the BCG to make a difference but you will run into cycling problems. You might want to contact Spikes and see if you can switch to the midlength gas system as they probably havent even started assembling your upper yet (depending on how long ago you ordered). The midlength gas system will help alot with that lightweight barrel and getting back on target quicker !! JMO

Much grass senior. It wouldn't be the first one I've messed up and I'm always willing to learn. The comp BCG's require tweaking and ( from what I'm told ) the easiest way around it is to special load the ammo. Not what I want. I think you can lose 6 to 8 ounces from an alloy carrier. JP makes an adjustable gas block BUT I don't think it will fit pencil barrels and I don't know enough about the adjustable gas tubes except to get into trouble. Anyway I appreciate the input you guys with a lot of experience provide. The mid length sounds like a much better deal and a simpler solution.

Supposed to be September, I hope... Yep me too we need to get that baby goin! I cant freaking wait!!!

man, y'all know more about them than I do... I will look into the spikes, as I have had several PM's about those specifically..

Thanks for all the info guys, and keep it coming! Feel free to hijack the post and take it where it shall be lead.

Spike's.

Buy quality and you wont have to worry about it functioning. Daniel Defense makes some damn good lightweight barrels.

It's how to lose weight without overpressuring the gas system at the same time. You can lose weight with using carbon fiber in the lower. That's done with the Plum Crazy. You can lose it in the upper assembly but it's not ideal for barrel harmonics or optics unless it's reinforced with 7075 and the latest carbon fiber uppers look shabby to me. You can lose weight with the barrel and you can shorten the gas system and forearm for a few ounces. The only place to go is the BCG and therein lies the problem. It has nothing to do with which manufacturer you buy the components from.

Keep telling yourself that and you'll end up with a plum crazy lower........

LaRue Tactical... Just buy the best first and be done with it.

I would recommend a BCM. If Spikes was caught up, I would go that route to save a few bucks. But for a little more around 1k I would go BCM. Resale value will be better on the BCM as well.