Want to get an AR... some help please?

[Son of Liberty]

Alright, I've become more and more interested in the AR family over the last few months and I think I've decided that I want to build one as I get the money, or buy one straight out. I've read there can be issues with franken-AR's though. Truth or myth?

I've been looking at the CMMG Bargain Bin because I'm taking a semester off but I'm still a college student, so I'm poor. $570 doesn't sound bad for your basic 16" M4 configuration, which is what I think I want.

However, I want the following stuff on it, and ONLY this stuff:

• Flip-up iron sights
• Some type of sight (parallax free is numero uno concern)
• Vertical foregrip of some type, this is optional really
• Surefire flashlight (not cheap I know)
• Rails on foregrip

Besides a sling, that's basically what I want. Not picky about anything brand name-wise except for the Surefire light. Some day I'll get a suppressor so would I be able to take the flash guard off and put a suppressor on it, or are not all barrels threaded? I'm an EBR noob so please take it easy on me...

Anyways, just wanted to see what you guys thought would be the best idea for the cheapest gear that is dependable and works. I can do it piece by piece, perhaps some help coming from birthday and Christmas later this year, who knows.

Thanks!

[longtalltechsan]

From everything I have read about the CMMG bargain bin rifles they are a good choice. This would leave you plenty of money to add goodies to it.

[Son of Liberty]

As far as mags go, I was thinking the USGI 30 rounders just down the page from the CMMG rifles. $9.95 apiece doesn't seem like a bad deal to me providing they're decent.

[EricCartmann]

surefire lights are way way overated. i should know I got a couple of them. even paid $300 for one!

Rifle - I would pass on the bargain bin rifles. I am sure they are ok but they are bargain bin for a reason. Most of them are probably past their half life. You can easily build a complete brand new Delton rifle for about $650 (M4 kit + stripped lower + shipping +ffl fees). Or maybe go for one of the best and get a complete LMT for about $1100.

Main Site - I would go Aimpoint. They have been proven, waterproof to 80 ft, and has long battery life. You can leave them on for 5 years! no parallax issue and infinate eye relief. Price with a good mount will be about $500. I see them used every once in awhile for abotu $200-$300.

Backup Iron Site - I would go ARMs 40L. It mounts low and is a solid piece, goes for about $110. If you will be running a red dot, you won't need the flip up option so another option would get a fixed site, or you chop down a carry handle. Carry handles sites are the best as they can adjust both windage and elevation. They go for about $90 for good ones. But if you shop around I see them for sale all the time for $50 or less.

Rail - I really like the DD Omega rail. 2 piece but is a free float. It looks good, but best of all you can take it on/off anytime without much difficulty to put on a different rifle if you chose to. $250. Midwest and YHM has a 2 piece units that will run you about $100. But neither is no where as nice as the Omega.

Light - to me the most amazing light ever is the Fenix with Cree bulbs. The Fenix T1 ($70) is big enough to use weapon light mounts ($30). Right there you will have the ultimate light for only $100.

Foregrip - Tango Downs go for $60. But I use the UTG's, they are just as good and go for $10 from Cheaper than Dirt. Both mount solid to the rifle and both have a storage compartment. I sold my Tango Down for $40 to pick up 3 UTG's.

[PackerfanXD]

EricCartmann knows his ARs, I'd listen to him. However, a good substitute for the ARMs 40L is the GG&G A2.

Oh, and I like the Eotech better. I REALLY wanted the Aimpoint but after trying them both out at the local gun shop...
Try them both out if you can; they're expensive so you'd better know for sure which one you want.

[HPD SRT]

You should really take a look at Model 1, I love mine. I have had no malfunctions so far. Plus you can make it the way you want it. Believe me when you get it you will just want more and better stuff to add to it.

I got my Tango Down Fore grip from BOTACH for like $45 on a sale right now they are $63.39. I also have a Midwest Industries 2 piece free-floating rail. Pair with the Tango down they are both absolutely Solid.

Ergo grip of course, rubber is so much better than any of the plastics. Especially after you build up some sweat.

MI flip up front and rear sights, I am happy with them accurate enough but kind of rickety and loose. Too easy to flip up/down, just not solid. You wouldn't want to bang them on anything your zero would be gone.

I bought an Essential Arms stripped lower receiver for $80. But for just a basic kit from Model 1 you could put together a nice kit for like $600 give or take.

Hope this helps.

[Reno82]

CMMG bargain bin rifles..... great starter rifles. Go to the website. They are not used.... just dinged up some... I was going to buy one but went for a AR15 in a 9mm. Cheap on ammo and cost me $800... then got a 223/5.56 RRA upper for $457... Now for around $1,200 I have two weapons for the price of one. Search the AR Talk section for some chat about those rifles. Good luck.

[mvician]

I will refrain from making any comments on what AR somebody should buy lest I hear the "stop pushing brand X or brand Y" propaganda crap again.

[loonybin]

Originally Posted by Son of Liberty

However, I want the following stuff on it, and ONLY this stuff:

• Flip-up iron sights
• Some type of sight (parallax free is numero uno concern)
• Vertical foregrip of some type, this is optional really
• Surefire flashlight (not cheap I know)
• Rails on foregrip

Besides a sling, that's basically what I want. Not picky about anything brand name-wise except for the Surefire light.

You need to call Calvin at Brightflashlights. I've ordered from him a few times and he has good prices and great service.

Flip-up irons: ARMS. Troy. Midwest Industries. YHM. PRI. The list is endless. I have an ARMS 40a on my M4gery, and I have a GG&G MAD buis and MI front flip sight for my 6.8SPC upper.

optics: If this is going to be a blasting/plinking rifle, why get a sight that is going to cost almost as much as the rifle? Eotech and Aimpoint are great, but if you aren't going into combat any time soon, get something that is good but not "bulletproof" (you pay for the bulletproof bit). I have a Bushnell Holosight. It is made by Eotech (or Bushnell makes them for Eotech; I can't remember which way it is), but it doesn't have the armored exterior for combat. It might not be durable enough for Iraq, but then you probably aren't headed over there right now. It has served me very well for the past 4 years. Even used it to harvest a deer at ~120yds.

VFG: I just bought my 2nd Tdi short VFG from Brightflashlights for my new 6.8 upper (bought my first one before they merged with First Samco). It's rock solid on my quad rail and fits my hand just right without a bunch of extra hanging down. It holds 2 spare N-type batteries for my Holosight.

Light: The Fenix T1 that Cartman mentioned! If you're set on a Surefire, contact Brightflashlights for some deals. Get a Viking Tactics offset mount for it to mount on the quad rail you want.

rails: I like YHM. The 2-piece is very solid. Mine has no play at all. The free float is good, too. Later, you can sell it and upgrade to a DD or Troy or whatever.


In case you haven't noticed, contacting Brightflashlights is a recurrent theme with me. It might be helpful for you, especially since you're on a tight budget.

[jigman586]

I have the YHM FF lightweight rail i love it! It is rock solid and wont break the bank either.I have a vertical grip from UTG icost me less than 20 bucks and it is solid. I use a Surefire G2 for my light also not so expensive but excellent quality.