New LEO and first rifle, go big or go home

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

hey guys, been lurking for a while and decided to finally join. Anyways Im 21 and live in FL and just put in for my first rifle. build should be done early next week and can’t wait. soo here is what I got.

Tactical Machining Upper and Lower
Magpul CTR
Magpul Miad Grip
Magpul AFG2
Magpul MBUS gen 2 sights
Magpul ASAP plate
Troy MRF Mx 10" rail
Viking Tactical Light Mount
Fenix TK15 Led light
PMags

  • Everything in Black

soo thats about it for now lol, decided to just put everything I wanted minus an Optic for right now. Any input would be great Thanks everyone!

2

Everything looks “good” except for Tactical Machining. Why not use a known-quality mfg like BCM, Daniel Defense, or Colt?

I’m sure you want to buy something made locally but I wouldn’t sacrifice that for quality in a patrol rifle. DD is of course right up here in Georgia.

3

I think GeorgiaBoy got it right. Apparently our opinion is a moot point, as you indicate that the purchase has already been made.

Next time, ask before you buy. I feel certain you will yield better results.

4

I went with TM because I have heard nothing but good about them. They have great products and quality. I did also want to support a local business and many of my fellow coworkers including our firearms instructors and some swat team members carry TM rifles. Also full lifetime warranty and near instant service.Another biggie is the fact that I got everything above exactly as I want it or the price of a basic colt or big name company.

5

I’m trying to figure out how any of that is “going big”.
How much did you spend?

6

I was considering it “going big” for my first rifle. Did not plan to get all the goodies at first.

I got some of the parts on my own but the entire build total was $930.

7

If you got want you wanted, at the price you wanted, then no one else’s opinion matters.

If you signed up to get a pat on the back, or an atta boy, or to start a thread to defend your purchase, believe me you came to the wrong place.

8

Well i did exactly that. Was not looking for any pat on the back. I was just excited for my first rifle and thought I would share.

  • Not looking to cause any issues and did not think i would have to defend my purchase.
  • And i was paying tomorrow and build starts monday so if i am seriously making a big mistake please do tell. If its just personal preference then im fine but if there is something I need to know then let me know.
9

A lot of guys here will tell you if you arent buying a BCM, Noveske, DD, LMT, or Colt you’re wasting your money…but its your rifle and you should build it how you want.

Im sure if your local guys are running the Tactical Machining rifles then they’re good to go, and it’s always good to support local business! Plus a lifetime warranty from a company that you can drive to and talk to directly face to face is a huge plus if you ask me.

Make sure to post some pictures when you get it, Im interested in seeing and hearing more about the TM brand.

10

That is sheer genius…

I guess if your local “guys” are running Sea Sick Sea Serpents, they must be good to go as well?

11

^ will do blstr88 thanks.

  • And i understand how some feel about thier brands but only time will tell. I will make it my goal to show the quality of TM. If it sucks then ill claim it but ill post pics as soon as I get it an keep updates rolling.
12

I know a local department that runs shurikans instead of rifles. They have are all happy with them and even the chief gives them a thumbs up!

13

First off, I have no experience with TM. Looked at their site and based on their listed specs, they appear to have a variety of barrels from 4140 - mil-11595e cmv, other listed specs appear good. Barrels dont indicate any testing though but their BCG does. It’s also listed as being made of the right stuff. That said, i would still opt for the old reliables. And yes, to the poster 4 posts above, that is Colt, BCM, DD, Centurion, Noveske. Why? Known quality. Not saying you should never get a TM but this being your first AR, youre better off getting quality and spend your time shooting rather than potentially fixing.

14

Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) is a great choice for LEO’s. I sold my EoTech XPS and bought an Aimpoint PRO because of the battery life on the Aimpoint. You simply leave the optic on and it lasts up to 3 years (I plan on changing the battery once a year for safe measure). Having the peace of mind that I don’t have to worry about dead batteries or turning the optic on when deploying the rifle was a big plus for me.

15

Understood. Now if I opted for one of those brands would I still be able to maintain that price point?

  • and the reason I even looked at TM is that the many people that I know that have them all love them and have not had any issues.
16

All Im really getting at is that I bet 99% of people on this site havent touched a TM product…I know I havent - I havent even heard of them before now. And I’ll be the first to admit, Im no AR expert and I dont look at/read every single post on this site, but I have read a lot and dont remember seeing a single thing about TM products, good or bad.

I own 2 ARs, a Daniel Defense and an LMT and I got the recommendations to go with those from this site and couldnt be happier…but sometimes I just feel like a lot of guys on this site are really quick to label things are “junk” if it isnt one of those big names we all love.

Maybe TM makes a great product, but its not “known” yet? Why not give this guy and the TM name a chance before we mark it as an “inferior” product?

If someone has used a TM product and had a negative experience with it, please post it up…Im always interested in hearing about various brands and I (and Im sure AWVCSO) would like to hear about it.

17

That is actually what I was planning on. Ive heard the same…

18

Maybe they do, but do you want him to find out as a rookie LEO while facing down an armed suspect? :confused:

OP, check your PM’s if you haven’t.

19

You can get a brand new Colt for $945. There is no comparing the quality of a factory built Colt/LMT/DD/BCM/NRW with a homebrew using Tactical Machining components.

20

From what I understand, Tactical Machining is a fairly small company owned and operated by Law Enforcement and for Law enforcement. They just recently became a full machining shop and may not have had the chance to prove themselves. And like i said before, if i get it and its total crap then ill claim it and move on. If on the other hand its a solid and reliable rifle then I would hope to change some peoples opinions.

  • Not here to start a riot…