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Cowboys and the AR15


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I, like some others I know , have resisted the “modern sporting rifle craze”. I’m beginning to believe, however, I might have been wrong in light of what we are seeing around the country. I’m interested in the opinions and advice of the group in that regard. Do you own one, what’s a good one, etc.

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I've assemble from parts. No desire to buy one off the rack, but that's just me.  I personally think everyone should have at least one, know how to use them, know the basics of assembly and disassembly, and stock at least 2K rounds of ammo.

 

We're one election away from Socialism; the way things are looking right now, I wonder if we're even that far away.

 

 

Don't mind me, I'll be over here in the corner forming another hat...

 

 

No I don't have extra tin foil...

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Stoners design is really pretty good.  It’s pretty simple how it operates.  It has good balance, light, and accurate.   It’s the lego or small block Chevy of the gun world.   Easy to assemble from parts or buy one complete and change it up as needed.  You can build a mall ninja version, a long range paper puncher, national match, or short range silenced pistol.  The options are huge. 
 

The bigger questions are do you want a piston version or the original direct impingement.  Piston is cleaner and more expensive.  Then pick what round you want, 223/5.56, 300BO, 450BM, grendel, 9mm, the list goes on.  It’s also easy to build multiple uppers.  It’s only two push pins to swap uppers.  

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I have a LAR-8 which is in .308 cal. Always wanted the AR-15 but had no reason for a .223 because I already have one in the Contender. Never had a .308 and wanted one, so I got the LAR 8. Since my M-16 days some 50 years ago just loved the feeling and workmanship of the weapon. Also carried the 1911 back 50 years ago and because of the Wild Bunch, gave me excuse to buy a cheap one. With the .308 I could use it for deer hunting. Not only is it good for that, it has a lot of punch for long distance vs the .223. Back them 50 years ago I was also a armorer and got to play with a lot of weapons + use them for real. Thus vary familiar with guns and taking them completely apart. Really like the Rock River Arms LAR-8

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Bought one,, Bushmaster,, (grudgingly),, just to round out my meager military collection, around 2000 . Ran a couple of boxes through it. Cleaned it, put it up. 3-4 yrs later, got a super deal from a guy at work on an AR 10. Bushmaster. Same deal ,,couple of boxes of ammo checkout, clean,  stash ,,, don't touch. Didn't have any problems with either one,,,,,, but just a couple of boxes of ammo. One day at a gun show approx. 2012-2013, someone had a lower RRA (Rock River Arms) and some parts to go with it, good price. Said to self, I'll just build one, then I'll know the actual workings of one. Bought a couple of books of the AR build-up. Went to work,,,,,,,,, I had Midway and Brownells on speed-dial. Bought what I needed, tools included. Finished it ,,, gunsmith check ,,,, range check ,,, everything's fine. Kept "all" receipts ,,, added them all up ,,, 3 times. After the third time , all I could say was "Holy S$%t :o:angry: ,,,, I could have bought two of them for what I spent. But, I take  comfort in knowing that I'm not the only one that has done something like that. All in all ,,, I've never really cared for semi-autos , never had a problem with them ,,,,,,,,,,,, just don't really care for them. Just like one ,,, M1A/M14. I've got a good stash of ammo for all of them.  Always loved cowboy guns , those are what gets my heart running.

Isom

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I built my own from parts a couple years ago.  It was a lot of fun, and really pretty easy.  I went a little overboard with some of my part choices, but picking out every little piece was part of the fun.  I love the Geissele trigger.    

 

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I wanted one to fill out my "military rifles" collection.   But at the same time, I always thought the earlier "triangular" forestock looks better than than the A2 style stock.

 

So, the very day that Clinton signed his AWB, I bought this...

 

AR15.thumb.jpg.6d3179cedfa3f18164cb4d7068cf9609.jpg

 

I just think the earlier configuration looks cooler, and it shoots just fine.   And, these very early Colts are now C&R...

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I'm with Tyrel and Marshal Morgun.  It's handy to have one, just in case.  Mine is a Colt.  Like Isom, I don't shoot it much, and it doesn't really 'appeal' to me the way a nicely done 1873 does, but if the Zombie Apocalypse happens I'll grab mine and the 11 pmags I have for it. 

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Count me in on the HAVE TO Club.    Wonderfully accurate and can be affordable.   Start om the bottom with a S&WMP 15-22 (great for grand kids)   Couple of 223's in different barrel styles.  An AR-10 And lastly a 458 Socoom( think of it as an autoloading 45/70)      Don't play with as much since I turned cowboy, but !!        GW

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1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

AR15.thumb.jpg.6d3179cedfa3f18164cb4d7068cf9609.jpg

 

... these very early Colts are now C&R...

 

Peaked my curiosity...  

 

Never ever had I imagined an AR-15 could be considered as a curio/relic firearm.

I reckon an old SP-1 would in fact be a C&R now.  I'd imagine the cost of a good pre-1970 AR-15 would fetch quite a price tag. 

 

Time to use the Google box to look for an "antique" black rifle !!!

 

 

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I have many , they are allot of fun to shoot and very accurate when done right . I have one I use for varment shooting that 

rips ragged holes at 200 yd . I also deer hunt with a Ruger 7.62 “AR10”

A  AR is as American as a 1911 or a SAA , it’s the modern day Win 73 

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I went a little different route with a PCC in 9MM.  They are fun to plink with and good for home defense.  Now some Cowboy matches have a PCC side steel match.  If I get another one it'll either be 5.56 or maybe .45 ACP, decisions decisions.

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I've owned a couple, a Bushmaster and a S&W M&P, I sold both because I had nowhere to shoot them except at indoor ranges in the area at 50ft! Pfffft...

 

Now I joined an outdoor range where we have cowboy shoots, Firelands Peacemakers, and I will be on the hunt for another. I liked the Bushmaster I had but maybe because it was the first one I ever owned. 

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Yes, responsible people should have an AR15. Or two. Or one for each member of their family. And know how to properly use one.

 

If not, then choose an AR 10.

 

Or an AK.

 

;)

 

 

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Never really had a need until I was being told I couldn't have one, and then suddenly I had a need.  Picked up a Del Ton when a "bullet button" was acceptable here in CA.  Have since converted it to "featureless" so that I can have a functional magazine release and use full capacity magazines.  

 

Quickest way to have me buy something is to have the governor tell me I can't.  

 

I have pulled the optics and put a rear sight on it since I took this photo...

IMG-1082.jpg

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Purchase a 80% lower from 5D Tactical (no serial number legal).  Buy their fool proof jig to finish the lower.

Buy a lower parts kit to finish your lower.

Buy a 100% completed upper.

Using two pins mate the upper and lower together.

 

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3 minutes ago, Matthew Duncan said:

Purchase a 80% lower from 5D Tactical (no serial number legal).  Buy their fool proof jig to finish the lower.

Buy a lower parts kit to finish your lower.

Buy a 100% completed upper.

Using two pins mate the upper and lower together.

 

 

OMG!!!!!!! The dreaded ghost gun?????

 

:D

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1 hour ago, Dantankerous said:

Yes, responsible people should have an AR15. Or two. Or one for each member of their family. And know how to properly use one.

 

If not, then choose an AR 10.

 

Or an AK.

 

;)

 

 

I agree, but my gun safes are already full of guns that I rarely or never shoot.  A .338 LM is to make sure the zombies don't get within AR-15 range.   I still like guns with wood on them.  My favorite gun is my 1873 Winchester.  One classy looking firearm! 

IMO, CA is just too iffy a place these days for owning black rifles.  Someday I hope all  that changes. 

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Carried an M-16 in RVN.  Never saw much use for it outside of RVN.   My wife bought one she just had to have.  After she zeroed it, it became a safe queen.  I pull it out every year, or so, run an oily patch down the barrel and put it back in the safe.  I do have enough ammo for the Zombie Apocalypse.  
 

I have a 9mm PCC that is really handy to have around for steel challenge or as a trailer gun when I am out camping.  

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Like some of the above, I have little interest in these but I recently bought one "on principle", e.g. a certain political party doesn't want me to have one.

 

Took it out to sight it in. Fired a number of rounds at about 75 yards and told my shooting buddy "this thing is boring to shoot". Just pull the trigger, hit the target, repeat!

 

I have much more fun shooting Cowboy guns and older military firearms; Garands, M1 carbines, 03's, Krag, etc.

 

That being said, I do take it out occasionally and enjoy shooting it - for a little bit.

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I bought my 1st AR; because, in CA they were in the process banning them.  I didn't need it; however, I always wanted to own the rifle because it is the rifle form factor I used in the Army.  I was familiar with the M14; however, I didn't like the weight or the recoil.  In addition to the A2 Colt Sporter HBAR I bought a fire safe to protect it; since, I couldn't replace it as long as I lived in CA*.  The Sporter is an excellent varmint gun since it shoots 1 MOA & a nice crisp trigger.  Colt Sporter AR-15's lower receivers are not mil-spec.  They use a screw instead of a captive pin for front pivot; which makes changing uppers less ergonomic.  The bolt carrier is also not mil-spec.  My 1st AR build was a LR308 with 24" 308 barrel based on a MEGA ARMS billet paired upper & lower plus rifle length handguard kit.  The lower has a Geislee 2 stage trigger.  The rifle is topped with a Vortex Viper PST GEN II 5-25 FFP optic.  Later I got the bug to own an AR in 300BO.  I bought a complete upper & the components to build a lower for it from Brownell's.  I also bought a 223 Wylde upper; since, it is cheaper to feed than the 300BO.  I just built a lower using one of PSA's themed stripper lowers.  I included a folding stock adapter.  I also, purchased a Brownells AR-180 upper w/16" barrel that I installed on the folding stock lower.  The AR-180 is the semi-auto version of the Armalite AR-18.  It is a short gas piston bufferless rifle.  The upper fits on mil-spec AR-15 & AR-180 lowers.  Unlike direct gas & piston uppers the AR-15's buffer isn't required to function.  I plan on building another lower using the PSA "Angry Joe, AR-14, Dogfaced Pony Soldier" stripped lower the misses insisted I purchase.  With the leftover parts from previous builds all I need is a pistol grip, carbine buffer & stock.

*This was before the Bullet Button was invented.

P.S. For Christmas 2019 I gifted myself a PTR-109 which is a US made Kriegsmarine HK91.  I am intrigued by firearms with atypical operating systems. 

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I have several:

 

A Del-Ton sport in 556 that I bought because a certain party didn't want me to have it

A S&W in .22 that I won at a shoot

A Grendel that I built because I wanted a custom one

and a PCC in 9mm

 

Love my cowboy guns, but these are all fun to shoot

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I got two..one a 7” pistol length and one a rifle length. I won the rifle on a raffle and I just bought the pistol because my governor didn’t want me to. Then I bought 2 dozen 30 rd mags because he wanted to outlaw those also. Then 4000 rounds 223 just because it was on sale.   
 

Then there was that unfortunate boating accident on the Shenandoah River during the last high water when they were lost. 

2D6A6C0F-F9F8-440B-BC07-DF0F9240E528.jpeg

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4 hours ago, Ninety Caliber Al, 50218 said:

I, like some others I know , have resisted the “modern sporting rifle craze”. I’m beginning to believe, however, I might have been wrong in light of what we are seeing around the country. I’m interested in the opinions and advice of the group in that regard. Do you own one, what’s a good one, etc.

 

Depends on what you mean.  The first sentence sounds like you're just talking about owning one.  The second sentence makes it sound like you're talking about supporting people's right to have one and fighting against the assault on 'assault weapons'.  If you mean the latter, then absolutely you should stop resisting.  You're a fool if you think they're going to stop once all the evil black rifles are gone. 

 

If you mean the former, is it a matter of resisting, or do they just not interest you?  Don't ever resist the call of a gun.  Contrary to what the enemy would have you believe, guns are not evil.  ARs don't interest me and I own 3.  They're not comfortable to shoot, ugly, and take up too much room in my safe.  When I shoot them, it's at the request of my friends who are not as familiar with guns and it feels like almost like a chore.  "OK fine, lets go shoot ARs, but I'm bringing something fun to shoot too!"  If I ever get another one it would probably be like what H.K. posted.  Longer barrel and it will at least have a place in my military collection. 

 

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Got a few. Shot super heavy National Match versions for a couple decades, now just have the lighter versions. S&W, DPMS, ATI, Rock River, Bushmaster all make decent enough rifles that won't break the bank. That said all of mine are self built except the AR-10.

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1 hour ago, Matthew Duncan said:

Purchase a 80% lower from 5D Tactical (no serial number legal).  Buy their fool proof jig to finish the lower.

Buy a lower parts kit to finish your lower.

Buy a 100% completed upper.

Using two pins mate the upper and lower together.

 

Unless you finish more than one lower it is cheaper to buy PSA or equal stripped lower & you can transfer/sell it.  The ghost lower can't legally be transfer.  In a state like the PRK you have to apply for a serial no. from the state DOJ to be legal.  No advantage of not being on a list with a 80% receiver firearm in states that the legislators & governor got their panties in a twist when they learned that prohibited persons didn't have to resort to theft or the black market to acquire a firearm.  If you want a customized Glock the 80% receiver route is cost effective.  Similar to a custom 10/22 using a Brownell's receiver.

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Luckily, I bought my S&W M&P 15T in 2014.  It came with 10 round magazines, but I have since found a few pre-ban 20 rounders.  I enjoy the gun, and look upon it as having a tool that can accurately and rapidly send more lead toward a target than anything else I own.  Not much romance, but some real practicality.

 

I'm lucky.  Our AG effectively banned all new ARs and AKs by "reinterpreting" a statute, retroactively banning the sale of all "assault weapons" sold after a date in 2016.  Mine is fine, and able to be resold if I choose.  Unless, of course, she decides to reinterpret the statute again....

 

LL

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I have a couple.  I love to shoot them, but i get more enjoyment out of building them.  It's fun to look at parts online and figure out what works/looks the best and go from there.  I would love to get a Colt SP1, I think the early ones just look the coolest.

 

Red Wolf

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