New Rifle, Or Just Get an Optic?

AD43576

AD43576

Well-Known Member
Charter Member
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
4,121
Location
Western NC
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Alright, I admit it, I have a problem. I buy way too many guns and rarely shoot any of them. Which is somewhat stupid. So I've been thinking I need to make some bulk ammo purchases and invest some money in training.

I had planned to buy a new AR with which to take said classes (because that's my default setting: BUY! BUY! BUY!), but now I'm wondering if I should. I only have one modern-ish rifle which is an M16-A1 clone. Part of me thinks I should just start shooting what I actually have and worry about upgrading after I get some training. But the other part wonders if I will be at a disadvantage using an old style gun without the modernization that brings the AR into the 21st century. Will I get everything I can out of a class with an old school set up?

If I decide to just use the M16-A1 clone, I will buy a Trijicon Reflex like the one pictured below. That would save me a good bit of money over getting a more modern gun AND an optic which I could then put towards more ammo.

So what do you guys think? Go with what I have, or do I really need to upgrade to take full advantage of any class I may take?

Pics of the rifle I already own and the optic I may slap on it if I decide to go that route:

DSC_0046.JPG

opplanet-trijicon-rx01-10-rfx-6pt5-moa-amb-dot-sgt-m16-handle-mnt-main.jpg
 
You're coming to this group for what now? Buy a new one, of course!.
Also, modern-ish rifles don't generally look exactly like C&R rifles.
 
Roll with what you got.

I don't think you'd necessarily need an optic either.

I don't have an M16-A1 clone but I do have an iron only mid-length AR that I feel pretty dang comfortable with. You don't need to be the most flashy guy at the training course.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 
Daleo8803 said:
Buy both! Lol get the optic and a new Ar. The ARs right now are stupid cheap.
Click to expand...


Ditto on the "ARs are stupid cheap" comment. Buy a pre-built 16" upper from PSA, pick up a $50 lower and $40 LPK at a local FFL, slap them together. You can easily be into a decent quality (not top quality) AR for $4-450. Upgrade or not from there as you see fit.
 
Last edited:
That’s a crappy old rifle ... you need a newer fancy version ... unless it has a new wizbang M-Lok, Key Mod or Quad Rail along with fancy collapsible stock you can’t even hit paper. If you buy that I got Tennessee beach property you might be interested in. For a basics AR class iron sights is all you really should go with. Only thing I’d say add is a good period correct sling and run the old school A1! The only thing I could see a minus is the barrel length of the rifle versus a carbine but again in a basics course it shouldn’t make much difference.
 
If what you have is reliable it's fine.
Evaluate your needs. What's new get you? Short? Free floated? Places to hang junk?

You have to be in some serious tight places or a vehicle for shorter to really be an advantage.

Free floated handguards are the most overblown neccesity ever, unless you shoot small things way out there.

Hanging stuff for no reason is stupid. You can FSP mount a light. What more do you need?

Slap an optic on and the only thing you give up is a brass deflector for left shoulder work.

Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
 
Tim said:
Ditto on the "ARs are stupid cheap" comment. Buy a pre-built 16" upper from PSA, pick up a $50 lower and $40 LPK at a local FFL, slap them together. You can easily be into a decent quality (not top quality) AR for $4-450. Upgrade or not from their as you see fit.
Click to expand...

Or you could buy an M&P 15 Sport for that price or less and have a lifetime warranty.
 
I'd build a new rifle right now. I'd do the Sionics build kit special from Western Sport plus Aero Gen 2 lower and and Aimpoint Pro. That's under $1,100 for a gun that'd last you forever and be a fine training gun.
 
Last edited:
Tim said:
I’m gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there.
Click to expand...
Most of mine are. If buying new in this market, no reason for it not to be. There are benefits. Most noticeable to me from the bench or bipod. I hear slinging up like a high power shooter does makes a strong case as well.

Running and gunning doing drills, I can't tell a bit of difference on the targets.

I would not buy another rifle or upper just to gain a floated barrel for the purposes of taking a class.

Sent from my SM-G360V using Tapatalk
 
I sold a BCM/Spikes Rifle here recently for STUPID cheap. It took weeks to move. What the heck dude. Get in the game, it’s the right time!
 
jmccracken1214 said:
oh jesus christ. dont let pipboy know you have that rifle!
Click to expand...

I'd offer to sell it to him, but he wouldn't be interested.

Tim said:
Ditto on the "ARs are stupid cheap" comment. Buy a pre-built 16" upper from PSA, pick up a $50 lower and $40 LPK at a local FFL, slap them together. You can easily be into a decent quality (not top quality) AR for $4-450. Upgrade or not from their as you see fit.
Click to expand...

Only problem with that is I'm a bit of a snob (OK, more than a bit). I've been surfing the Knight's Armament website... Buy once, cry once. Lot's of crying...

NCFubar said:
Only thing I’d say add is a good period correct sling and run the old school A1!
Click to expand...

Already got that covered!



I really appreciate all of the feedback so far. Just what I was looking for!
 
Run what you have, then decide what you would like to change, lots of uppers out there that would work with that lower.
I do like the CMC flat 3.5 trigger group, I have 2 and want more when $$$ allows.
 
Man, I like that rifle a lot and would rock that without a second thought. That design has seen plenty of action. That's a nice gun.

I'd get some 30 round mags, work up a sling solution, get a case of ammo and be in business. I would also use the iron sights if I were taking a class.
Irons teach you to use a repeatable cheek weld and whatnot. Just my opinion!

Edit: all that said prices are cheap and building another upper would be pretty affordable, or even a rifle.
 
Last edited:
Train on what you have. Seriously. Buying a new widget is not going to make you a better shooter like time shooting will. Buy ammo, take the class. You just admitted that you buy too many guns but don't shoot them. Then you say you want to shoot more. Then you said, do I need a new gun to be able to go shoot more?

No.

Just go shoot.
 
Climberman said:
You just admitted that you buy too many guns but don't shoot them. Then you say you want to shoot more. Then you said, do I need a new gun to be able to go shoot more?

No.

Just go shoot.
Click to expand...


Damn you and your logic...
 
Agree grab another AR, you need a backup rifle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom