I just ordered a new sling from Blue Force Gear. The padded VCAS and their quick release. My NIB Colt LE 6920 has been waiting for some attention. I just haven’t been able to afford much. I want to keep this AR simple with the primary role being plinking and home defense.
Future plans call for a Troy BUIS, a red dot optic (Aimpoint or EOTech, just not sure) and a light. I can’t decide if the Surefire M500A dedicated forend light is a good choice or if I should get a rail and a clamp on light. I really don’t plan on a verticle grip and I like the M4 handguards so I’m leaning towards the M500A.
I would get the LaRue rear sight if you really want to keep it simple. The sling was a good choice.
Before I bought an Aimpoint/EoTech I would buy at least 10 mags (PMAGs or T-Mags), and 1,000 rounds of 5.56.
Check the Tactical light forum, your choice isn’t bad but they are expensive. You could spend around $30 on a section of rail to bolt on to the Colt hand guards and mount either a G2+Vltor type setup or just go with an X300.
I want a folding BUIS and I’ve heard good things about the Troy, I’ll have to check out the LaRue.
I already have some standard GI mags and also have 20 of the 30 rnd Pmags on backorder. I have over 1,000 rnds of .223 (my other AR is chambered for .223) and only a few hundred rounds of XM193 5.56. I plan to get more.
…and I have been checking other sources for the M500A.
Priority #1 for a serious gun is a decent light, provided that you have sights. #2 is quality training, which will give you solid knowledge and experience to figure out what else you need, and how to use what you have.
Training is a good point. I’ve been around guns for many years but am fairly new to AR’s. My only experience has been local range time. A carbine class of some kind would be great. Someday I hope.
I want to get a good light for the home defense role. I realize that it would probably be of no value in a carbine class. As for the optics, I like the view through the EOTech better than the Aimpoint but am concerned about EOTech’s bad rep for reliability. I’m just not sure.
An MI light mount, is an option if you don’t mind attaching the light to the front sight base. http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=94. Personally I’d go with a DD lite rail 7.0 (what I have on mine), is about the same weight as the original hand guards, and give you more options if you decide to add a VFG or anything else.
You bought a great carbine, and made a good choice for a sling. The Troy BUIS is a very well made piece of equipment. When you get to it, I think a railed handguard and a clamp on light is a better way to go than the M500A. The rails will allow you to do much more should you choose to. When you look at red dots, stick with the Aimpoint’s if you want a one-to-one optic. They are a far better choice than any of the EoTech’s. If you want a magnified optic look at an Acog.
A carbine class would also be an excellent idea. Enjoy your new rifle.
First, what’s the budget for the first round of upgrades? and what’s your free time like? Saying “get training” is all well and good but if you can’t get away from job/family commitments or don’t have the scratch for the ammo/class fees to attend then it’s kind of pointless. Also, if your budget is $2k then ammo, mags, BUIS, optics, light, training, etc. would be no problem. If its $100 then something has to give.
Second, what’s your immediate use for the carbine? Personally, I wouldn’t use it as my go-to home defense gun without a little training on it first. Given that, something like a light and mount can wait a bit, and I’d focus more on getting good hits quickly.
Leaving out training and defensive use (as well as ammo and mags which I think should be a given), my list of priorities would go like this:
[ol]
[li]Grip
[/li][li]Sling
[/li][li]BUIS
[/li][li]Optic
[/li][li]Light/Mount
[/li][/ol]
If you have the money/time/ammo to get the training, then it would go like this:
[ol]
[li]Grip
[/li][li]Sling
[/li][li]Light/Mount (if the training will include low-light)
[/li][li]Training
[/li][li]BUIS
[/li][li]Optic
[/li][/ol]
I REALLY hate the A2 grip and would go with something like a Magpul MOE with a gapper or the Tango Down pistol grip (which needs no gapper) before anything else.
After all of the above you can start to worry about whiz-bang stocks, free-float rails, etc.
rob_s makes some good points… My budget is limited, but not as limited as my time. Job and family keep me very busy. I have always taken the time to research and get the correct components. I would rather slow down, pay what it’s worth and not replace it later. A carbine class is on my “wish list” but it won’t happen real soon.
I’m begining to second guess my choice for a light. Perhaps a rail would be a better idea (DD Omega I like). Even though I don’t plan on a VFG, the additional mounting options would be a plus. I’m not interested in mounting a light on the front sight blade. If I go with a rail, I like the Surefire Scout M600C for a light. I’m not sure about the grip. I need to try some others in person before I change it. My hands are average, but not big.
My plan to rely on it as a home defense weapon is because I feel it would be a good choice. I already have a handgun and a shotgun for that role so the AR would not be my only choice.
Based on my budget these mods will take some time. I can’t afford everything at once.
I’m really surprised you would mention replacing the pistol grip before getting a sling. That’s like telling someone to replace the stocks on a 1911 before they get a holster. Stuff an ear plug in the gap if it’s that annoying.
If he’s got a 6920 and is not going to run optics then why get a BUIS? Is there any BUIS out there offering a sight picture or features that much better than an A2 style rear sight? Most BUIS are trying to duplicate A2 performance.
After a suitable pile of good mags have been obtained, I would suggest:
Grips are cheap. If all he’s going to be doing is plinking, the grip is more important than the sling. Re-read the post and take in the whole context. There are even some training schools that are either anti-sling or don’t require one, and if all he’s looking to do is tote the rifle the gun came with a sling. And I really do hate the A2 grip that much, and it’s about the finger groove and not the gap. Even if you go to the gunshow and buy a $5 A1 grip and a $2 gapper you’re still better off than with the A2 grip and it’s still the first thing I’d do on any gun. I keep an A1 and gapper around for just this purpose on T&E and loaner guns.
The BUIS before optic is again a function of cost. If your plan is to get the optic, then it’s cheaper to buy the BUIS first, and IMHO you shouldn’t have an optic without a BUIS.
Sure I got the gist of the what the OP was asking, but he did mention getting a Surefire dedicated weapon light, optics, etc. and he already ordered the VCAS. Combined with a 6920 that’s a lot of juice for plinking.
I wouldn’t advise anyone relying on something for critical use without training on it first. To me, until he gets the training, it’s ALL about plinking.
and, if he already has the sling, the grip is an even better next purchase.
The M500 is a very good light, but is heavy. I had one and it made the gun very front heavy. If you do not plan on a VFG, then a piece of rail attached to your handguards or FSB w/ a X300 would be alot lighter and cheaper.
