I finished new rifles this week. I had them at the range last weekend. Shot well. "Meh". Nothing really impressive about either. When I was putting them away, I realized they looked familiar. So I went into my "Sold Guns" folder on my computer and found a picture of my very first AR15 ever, and my second one ever.
I knew quickly why they weren't very impressive - they're old news. The original rifles were sold almost a decade ago. Yet, I just recreated almost identical rifles this week. Why?
This isn't even the first time I've done this. My BCM order history could be used as a calendar to mark when their LW barrels were released. When Keymod came out. When their ELW barrels came out. When they started using the BCM4 uppers. Shit, I have bought multiple versions of uppers they don't even make anymore, but I miss terribly (bring back a 12.5" FSP SS410...and I know you have more "blems" guys!)
Why do we keep buying new stuff? Do either of the rifles I have today perform better than the ones I owned a decade ago? Why are people buying $440 DD RIS systems? Why is anyone not using Nightvision buying rails at all?
You need a rail for "strength"? Here I am running over a set of Magpul MOEs with a 4Runner at about 15 mph. Rifle worked great afterward.
I'm accepting donations to test your rail system of choice, but it will be pretty difficult to outperform the $26 MOEs. (There is a sling mount and M600U on the bolt catch side of the rifle buried in the dirt - they were fine too).
You need it for accuracy? "Free floating" precision? *Good post by pappy on this subject below*
One thing I like about M4C is that despite the obvious conflict of interest in a large contingent of the forum, which is sponsored by companies that survive on sales of gun parts and accessories, recommending someone buy a
single rifle and keep it
simple that remains the most often given advice. Why have 49 unfired rifles when you can have two you have a whole lot of confidence in? Everyone wants to talk about having guns for home defense, but don’t nobody wanna practice it.
NV is a force multiplier but it’s like guys would rather have 16 home built parts guns than one good rifle with a PVS14 on their noggin for less money. Having 16 parts guns makes you a liability more than anything else. Ever been in a Florida neighborhood at night after a hurricane? Guess what feels really good - being able to see...not having so many guns you can’t even evacuate easily.
Tuning gas blocks, buffers and springs. Grabbing new rails, uppers, and triggers. It's all a big ass waste of time, a source of frustration, and a waste of money. If you buy a factory rifle from a quality company, that company has paid a bunch of guys to do all that testing for you. All you need to do is lula the magazine to capacity and start blasting.
To some of us, money isn't an issue. To all of us, time is finite.
Do you want to spend that precious time browsing parts sites, testing and tuning, driving to the range to zero new rifles, and finger banging guns in your living room or do you want to buy one thing that works well, know it proficiently, and move on to other things in life? I wish I could go back to that rifle sitting on the beach in Hawaii and have never bought another AR15.
Have fun buying stuff M4C, I'll report back what the sunset is like in Ushuaia.
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