My first AR

Tucci454

Tucci454

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So I've shot a lot of other people's ARs, but today I got my own. In the immortal words of my friend: It's about time.

I picked up the Anderson AM-15 (optic ready) locally for $469.

Any way here's a pic and a quick report.

Anderson AM-15 optic ready, purchased locally for $469. Also picked up Magpul front and rear folding sights, and a barrel mount picatinny rail made by Pro Mag.

I have to admit that I paid no attention when I installed the Promag rail. If I had, i may have noticed the 0.2500"or so difference in the installed height of that rail relative to the rail on the upper of my gun. Yeah. I didn't. I was in a rush to get to the range. Whatever.

Well, I found out when I got there. Couldn't even touch the target at 50. Brought it in to 25. Still no dice. So I just started started shooting at crap on the ground with both eyes open and someone else watching and found the flaw.

After that, I can say that this is a fine gun. The fit and finish exceeds what I expected at this price point, and accuracy and repeatability is spot on after I discovered my oversight.
 
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I haven’t seen that barrel mount thing before. If you flip it over is that other rail maybe higher to match the receiver? The one you are using looks like gas-block height, which as you found out requires a diffferent set of irons.
 
I’d still recommend moving it back off that rail. It can get crazy hot up there an melt it. Melted optics kinda suck.

I’m also very proud of you for recognizing this as your “first”.

These things multiply like rabbits in a viagra factory.


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Looks like someone else has been stricken with the AR disease. Congrats!
 
No matter how happy you are with your first AR, soon you will NEED another! Congrats!
 
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Tucci454 said:
So I've shot a lot of other people's ARs, but today I got my own. In the immortal words of my friend: It's about time.

I picked up the Anderson AM-15 (optic ready) locally for $469...
Click to expand...

Magpul manufactures both a front and rear sight having all steel construction. There a bit pricier than the polymer version, but everyone I know that has them speaks highly of them.

http://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-mbus-pro-flip-up-front-sight-black-mag275-blk

http://www.primaryarms.com/magpul-mbus-pro-flip-up-rear-sight-black-mag276-blk
 
So many things to do with an AR. They are a "tinkerer's dream".

A word of advice, if you reload, do not, repeat do not, purchase a variable gas block - ever! That will result in tinkering overload and you will loose sleep, your eyes won't point the same direction anymore, you will start mumbling to your self, and drool at inopportune times in front of people.

Take my advice and go to Home depot and by the top part to a rolling tool cabinet. You will need it to keep all of the parts in one place and inventoried. If you do, you will notice, in a month or two or six, that you only lack a lower, maybe an upper, and a safety to build your own second AR. And then the party really gets started.
 
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Charlie R said:
So many things to do with an AR. They are a "tinkerer's dream"....
Click to expand...
^^^^^ This!

If you are like a lot a lot of us, this will be the first AND LAST "off-the-shelf" AR-15 you purchase. Wait until you want to "explore" the pistol/SBR" version. Then the "other caliber" options....

.....crap, that reminds me, I still have to decide what 300 BLK barrel length I want for my new pistol build....... :confused:

CONGRATS on the new purchase! Enjoy!!
 
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$20 says you end up with a free floated handguard lol your wallet will be begging you to stop lol


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Tucci454 said:
So is my wife.
Click to expand...

We all know the drill:

WIFE: "Well if it wasn't what you wanted, why did you buy it?"

WHAT YOU SAY: "They don't sell one with ALL of these components on it."

WHAT YOU ARE THINKING: "Because if I bought it all at once, I would be having this conversation with your attorney."
 
Optics ready ... my 2¢ says buy a budget red dot (Vortex Sparc, Holosun, Primary Arms or such) and run it for now. That gives you a good basic carbine to play with and even put in a corner for HD ... no need for a free floated rail or other stuff except maybe a weapons mounted light. The next AR you get (and likely you will since the bug has bitten) is one you make your own by the extras you choose ... but keep thay first Anderson as a basic backup! To me it is a good idea to have 2 (or more) of the same platform so if really pushed can keep at least 1 running plus your spare parts kit covers 2 keeping things a little more simple.

A good basic carbine! Unless you plan on feeding it high dollar ammo or special hand loads or are taking it out extra long range the basics there will function 95% the same as the fancy add ons.
 
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So I grabbed a cheap optic. Got great reviews, so we'll see what happens there. In the meantime, I think I finally came to a permanent solution with the front sight shenanigans. At least until I replace the plastic fore grip with a quad rail. ;)
 
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So I have both of these, just absolutely full of tools. Turns out I need to buy more to work on my AR? HAHA! It just never ends

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Related: is there really any difference between the $50 armorer's wrench and the eBay $15 armorer's wrench? I know that with some tools, I don't go cheap. But there are others that the bargain equivalent is just as good.
What say you more knowledgeable folks??
 
Tucci454 said:
Related: is there really any difference between the $50 armorer's wrench and the eBay $15 armorer's wrench? I know that with some tools, I don't go cheap. But there are others that the bargain equivalent is just as good.
What say you more knowledgeable folks??
Click to expand...

My Magpul wrench has a bottle opener on it. To me that is worth big $$$! :p
 
Tucci454 said:
Related: is there really any difference between the $50 armorer's wrench and the eBay $15 armorer's wrench? I know that with some tools, I don't go cheap. But there are others that the bargain equivalent is just as good.
What say you more knowledgeable folks??
Click to expand...
Best one for the $$$ is a Tapco one, I think they'r around $45ish.

I bought one of the cheap ones on ebay, tried to take a barrel nut off a PSA AR10, sheered the teeth off the wrench, didnt budge the nut... very crappy/soft metal used I guess.
 
Also! the cheap vise blocks will hold up for light stuff. Cleanings, trigger swaps, etc... Ive had one of the magazine blocks break on me as well. The cheap ebay stuff is alright, but might as well spend a little more and just buy it once, unlike me :(
 
Thanks guys. That's what I needed to know. I have no problem dropping some cash on tools, but it's silly to waste money if the bargain tool is just as good.
 
The magpul armorers wrench is good to go. My next investment woll be a reaction rod.


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Tucci454 said:
Well, I didn't know that was a thing. I do now...
Click to expand...

It makes the vise block obsolete. It is just a bit expensive but you don’t need a barrel block to remove flash hiders or do work on an upper


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Got my bargain red dot. Really impressed with the quality of it for the price. We'll see how long it lasts...

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Moved the front sight away from the gas block and made these spacers to put the rail at the correct height.
 

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Well now you have! It's only meant to be temporary until I get my floater...
 
Do I need an AR... no, not really :)
Do I own an AR... yes, and it's damn fun to shoot. :D
Why do I own an AR... purchased when it looked like Hillary was a slam dunk sure thing. o_O
Why do I own more AR's... because of Trump... who would have thought :(
 
Range report! Took it back out today and put ~100 through it. I have the irons set at 100 and the red dot a just a touch high at 50 now. Need to screw with that a little more. 55 grain 223. 2 MOA :( off the bags. Beat the crap out of the red eye on the target though...I need to try some 62 grain 5.56, or maybe just shoot it more! Maybe? For sure, HAHA! Loving it so far.

Edit. The super cheap red dot is still hanging in there. Really impressed for the money.
 
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