I’ve only been shooting since about 2002 and only shooting on a consistent basis since April of 09. So far I’ve shot pistols and shotguns but not rifles. It’s something I’ve wanted to do, but I haven’t had any friends or relatives with rifles I’ve been able to shoot with.
Recently I’ve been talking with a guy on a gun forum about the finer points of Jericho 941 steel frame 45s. Turns out he lives in Houston as well and we arranged to meet at the local gun range to compare how our modifications affected our shooting. After showing me how effective his new recoil spring was, he told me he’d also brought his AR and I was welcome to shoot it. insert large grin
His AR was a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T with various modifications including an Eotech holographic sight w/5x magnifier and skeletonized trigger with very smooth and quick action. He also installed the gas piston system similar to that used in the HK 416.
We set the targets out at 100 yds…which I was a little hesitant about since I’d never shot anything beyond 25 yds. 32 rounds later this was the result:
The stick-on target is 8" in diam.
Needless to say, I am now hooked……but I will be needing more $$ and WAY more research before I even think about getting into the rifle-owner’s club….much less the AR club, but it’s defiantly something to work towards. While I’m learning, I can save so when the time and opportunity present itself I can purchase quality equipment that fits my needs and preference.
Something about many gun owners I’ve found is that they’re some of the nicest people especially on the range….they’re very open to helping people understand equipment and feel comfortable with firearms.
gun owners do generally love to show off their knowledge, and this often manifests itself in the form of “nice.”
keep in perspective that just because someone talks fast and lot, doesn’t necessarily mean they know jack shit. there’s sooooooooooo much misinformation floating around out there, being perpetuated by so many people, twisted and skewed worse and worse every time the story/line/gimmick passes from person to person. listen to what people say, but don’t ever take anyone’s word on anything.
Welcome to the forum. This is all good advice and remember to ‘pay it forward’. Learn as much as you can about firearms without developing the contempt that comes with familiarity (i.e: always respect your weaponry) and then share the sport as it’s been shared with you.
True words…do your research on any firearm before purchase. As far as the AR, read all of the tacked threads in the AR Technical and AR General discussion forums. Welcome aboard and Merry Christmas (or Happy Festivus, IF the previous salutation doesn’t apply).
Welcome to the forum. It is always good to see another person take up shooting and enjoying themselves. You will learn a lot from the folks here and they will treat you well.
I can tell by the target that you are also from the Houston area. Drop me a line if you would like to hook up and shoot some time.
Normally I don’t try to contribute to these type threads because almost everyone on this site knows more about ARs than me. I’ve only been shooting an AR since shortly before it became apparent that Obama was going to be the next president and I contributed to the panic buying. But the advice I CAN contribute to someone like you (new to ARs) is the following:
I would absolutely start your research by reading Rob’s THE CHART. Now that single piece of internet gold has been both much misunderstood and maligned by many an AR purchaser (this used to include me) who feels slighted or talked down to on this site because the AR they purchased doesn’t measure up on The Chart.
Here’s the deal, The Chart is an exceptional place from which to launch your research into the world of ARs. It doesn’t list every model of every manufacturer, but it does give you a good basis for comparison across the AR spectrum. It also allows you to realistically evaluate your AR needs.
This forum is unlike most other internet gun forums in that it is populated by a very large majority of people for whom a properly-running AR can mean the difference between life and death. As such, they do not suffer those lightly that come asking for advice and then pick a sub-standard rifle based on cost. The rifle cost, to them, is the potential cost of their life. For them nothing less than a tier 1 rifle will do.
For people like me (and you) a lesser rifle might be just fine. If you do nothing more than punch paper and steel with it then a lower tier rifle is probably great as you will probably never stress it so much that it begins to fail.
That being said, if you (like me) are obsessed with being the master of your firearms, then you are likely to begin to take classes. Classes have very high round counts (typically) and the lesser rifles begin to show their weaknesses. So if you (like me) don’t like to have everyone else’s stuff working when yours doesn’t, then maybe you do need a higher tier rifle.
I first bought a S&W M&P15T (a fantastic rifle but not top-tier) and it worked great. Then I bought a Charles Daly Defense M4LED (still not considered a top-tier rifle). A definite step up in functioning and performance. Because of that obvious improvement in quality I’m now thinking of one of the top-tier rifles (which don’t cost that much more than the lower tier rifles anyway).
Ultimately only you can decide what you need. But if you have the means, just buy once and cry once! And enjoy the heck out of whatever you get. It’s just an amazingly fun platform.
