Completely ignorant AR-15 questions

[Lucky Strike]

Pardon my complete lack of knowledge on the subject as I have just recently become interested in purchasing an AR-15 in the near future.

I've always wanted one and thought i'd wait a couple years to buy one (mostly for plinking but also for varmit hunting and i guess HD if the SHTF) but have now been worried at the prospect of them being banned again depending on next years election results. My bank account says i'd like to keep things at $850 and below.

Anyway i've looked around some and have a compiled some questions that probably seem really stupid but i'm gonna ask them anyway

1. Can any company's barrel/upper reciever assembly be combined with another companie's lower reciever assembly?

2. Is putting the barrel assembly and the upper and lower receivers(both purchased fully assembled) together an easy task for a noob such as myself? Is this a good way to save money over buying a fully assembled rifle? What kind of savings would one get in doing things this way?

3. Can I be assured of a quality product if I choose amongst the following companies; Stag, Superior Arms, DPMS, Del-ton RRA? Any others i should look out for?

4. Can the individual components (handguard, trigger, handle etc) be modified/upgraded at a later date easily?

5. Is a chrome lined barrel worth the extra money? I've got a $850 preliminary budget.

6. What's the average distance limit a 16" barreled rifle can maintain "combat" accuracy (assuming the shooter is doing his part).

[xd4life]

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

Pardon my complete lack of knowledge on the subject as I have just recently become interested in purchasing an AR-15 in the near future.

I've always wanted one and thought i'd wait a couple years to buy one (mostly for plinking but also for varmit hunting and i guess HD if the SHTF) but have now been worried at the prospect of them being banned again depending on next years election results. My bank account says i'd like to keep things at $850 and below.

Anyway i've looked around some and have a compiled some questions that probably seem really stupid but i'm gonna ask them anyway

1. Can any company's barrel/upper reciever assembly be combined with another companie's lower reciever assembly?

2. Is putting the barrel assembly and the upper and lower receivers(both purchased fully assembled) together an easy task for a noob such as myself? Is this a good way to save money over buying a fully assembled rifle?

3. Can I be assured of a quality product if I choose amongst the following companies; Stag, Superior Arms, DPMS, Del-ton RRA? Any others i should look out for?

4. Can the individual components (handguard, trigger, handle etc) be modified/upgraded at a later date easily?

5. Is a chrome lined barrel worth the extra money? I've got a $850 preliminary budget.

6. What's the average distance limit a 16" barreled rifle can maintain "combat" accuracy (assuming the shooter is doing his part).

1-Pretty much, Some fit better than others but you should be okay with pretty much any brands, Also finish may or may not match.

2- yes it's easy, simple put the two parts together and insert the 2 pins you culd do it blind folded

3- yes

4- yes

5- chome lined or chrome Moly? Chrome moly you get better accuracy, With the chrome you get a little longer life. Chrome Moly is fine for most shooter

6- no reason 100yds should be hard to maintain accuracy..

[amishclark]

^^^ what he said. plus, for #6...marines train out to what? 500 yards? with iron sights? the normal ar iron sight is ranged from 100 to 300 yards...

[akmjolnir]

it was only possible (IMO) cause of the combination of the 20in. HB, 1/7 twist, and the fact that if missed too many times at 500yrds. I'd have to do it all over again for the next 2 weeks.

[Badshot]

1. Can any company's barrel/upper reciever assembly be combined with another companie's lower reciever assembly?

There are some Colt iterations that have smaller pivot pins/holes, outside of that, you're generally good to go with any of the big name manufacturers.

2. Is putting the barrel assembly and the upper and lower receivers(both purchased fully assembled) together an easy task for a noob such as myself? Is this a good way to save money over buying a fully assembled rifle? What kind of savings would one get in doing things this way?

As stated before, not much to it. 1 take down pin and one pivot pin. Where your savings come in is purchasing a completed upper and stripped lower/parts kit. Not much too it if you are even a little mechanically inclined and take your time. Plenty of how-to's on the net - www.ar15.com is a great source for the how-to stuff.

3. Can I be assured of a quality product if I choose amongst the following companies; Stag, Superior Arms, DPMS, Del-ton RRA? Any others i should look out for?

Out of those, not much to worry about. I personally would recommend both Stag and RRA.. those two I have experience with and no issue thousands of rounds later. Others to consider are LMT, Bushmaster and Colt.

4. Can the individual components (handguard, trigger, handle etc) be modified/upgraded at a later date easily?

Yes and this is where the addiction really kicks in... think of the AR platform kind of like you would a 1911 or even a volkswagon bug.. the sky is just about the limit. Remember that you get what you pay for as so many new AR owners find out the hard way.

5. Is a chrome lined barrel worth the extra money? I've got a $850 preliminary budget.

Can be, but as said before, Chrome-Molly will be fine.

6. What's the average distance limit a 16" barreled rifle can maintain "combat" accuracy (assuming the shooter is doing his part).

300+ meters for "combat" accuracy with a 16" barrel. Again that's considering that the operator is doing their part.

[XD.dwg]

Just buy a S&W M&P and be done with it.

Bushmaster is good.

Stag/CMT is good.

RRA is good but make sure you get a "Chrome Lined" barrel and don't fall for the "Chrome Moly Steel" trick.

Colt is good but expensive and they'd really rather not sell you their stuff.

Handguards can require removing the front sight base and/or barrel which can be a pain in the butt. Everything else is like tinker toys.

[71Novacaine]

Originally Posted by XD.dwg

Just buy a S&W M&P and be done with it.

Yeah and then prepare for mag well problems!!. Its to new for my taste. Get a RRA entry tactical(I love mine!!) or build it yourself. Either way check out www.ar15.com they are dedicated to this sort of situation. These guys have tons of info. Including the situation with S&W MP 15 having magwell issues. Make your own decision. Its what you like that really matters anyway.

[jdavionic]

I think you've got some good answers to all your questions. I'll add a little more with respect to the barrel. With all other things being equal (e.g., twist) stainless barrels are the most consistent with respect to accuracy. Chrome Moly is slightly less. Chrome line is less than chrome moly. The military generally uses chrome-lined. Two reasons - the major reason being that they offer a longer barrel life. The second less significant is that they are easier to maintain (i.e., clean). So the decision boils down to a personal one. If you want more accuracy and lower cost, go with the chrome moly. If you want longer barrel life and a little easier cleaning, then go with the chrome lined. There's no real right or wrong answer since it depends on what each person is looking for in their particular rifle.

[71Novacaine]

+1 I have a crome lined barrel and it is a breeze to clean. It is very accurate too.

[RobFMJ]

Buy compete upper and lowers, slap em together, then use the $100 you just saved on mags and ammo