Posted on 02/16/2013 2:00:47 PM PST by lafroste
I am interested in adding an AR-15 to my microscopic collection. My question is about the pros and cons of a carbon fiber receiver and lower vs. milled 7075 Aluminum parts. My gut reaction is that the carbon fiber parts are likely superior, but I also know that they have detractors. In addition the cost of using the carbon parts are substantially less than the Al parts. That makes me suspicious of their quality. Does anyone here have experience and may be willing to make suggestions on which way to go? Thanks very much, FReepers are the best!
This is not nearly the same as a carbon fiber part, assuming such a thing exists. All sorts of things would probably require metal inserts like pin holes and other load bearing surfaces. An answer to a question nobody asked. Not like an AR needs to be even lighter..........
I don’t think you should buy one NOW unless it costs around what they did two months ago. I guess it depends on your state. I don’t think the federal ban will pass, but if it does, I think my state will nullify.
I saw New Frontier stripped lowers for over 100.00 on gun broker but I’m thinking they’ll go back down.
What about Lowers?
Bide your time and buy a fully assembled genuine Colt's whenever you find one available and new in the box. Prices are sky-high anyway.
If you'd seen the foolishness I'd seen at the local gun show today, you'll stay home and buy from a reputable online dealer. Have your credit card handy, because you're going to warm that mother up.
I’m looking for optics but have no idea what to get. Have looked at trijicon and aimpoint. Both are expensive but I’m looking for quality.
Hopefully prices and availability will improve and I can get a couple more.
Take a look at the Burris AR-332 and AR-536 Prism sights. I have the 332 on a 16" AR-10, and it easily sustains the recoil forces of the .308. It's relatively low profile and compact, and for its size, has good light gathering ability. The reticle can be illuminated in green or red w/ five brightness settings in each color. Best of all, when you turn it off or if the battery fails, you still have the reticle in black.
You can also get kill flash screens and quick detach mounts for them, and will pay far less than you would for a Trij.
Wait until the price comes back down.
We've been through this before.
The Left is not going to get a single gun bill passed. They are just stirring up as much dust as possible so while you're paying attention to guns, they get six other things on their bucket list done.
Don’t bother with carbon fiber.
If you get a nick or abrasion on it, the first time you run your hand over any fibers that are cut and sticking up from the surface, you’ll be wishing you had bought aluminum.
CF also isn’t something you can re-finish, should you ever wear off the outside finish.
Overall, I really don’t see the point for CF on guns. To add stiffness to a wood stock, sure. But to make a receiver or front tube out of one? It’s a solution in search of a problem.
Carbon fiber is really nasty if you try to sand or machine it. It will tear up your lungs and if any pieces get under your skin you’ll have a very tough time getting them out.
I have a slightly different take on this.
Just casual observation, but Carbon Fiber AR15s seem to be slightly easier to find these days. Personally, I would rather have a Carbon Fiber AR15 than no AR15.
If you can find one, go for it.
A close second is a Mini-14, which will fire either .223 or 5.56.
great point al
plastic or aluminum, either one
but no paper
No stripped lowers were in sight. Plenty of kits.
I am surprised.
Good point but my money is on the shortage easing up in 6 months or so.
Correct. Run parallel paths. Place an order for a fully built now, and have fun parting one while the other is being built. But definitely get in the queue for one NOW!
Getting mags may be less difficult than finding reasonably priced ammo to fill them. Ammo choice is another hot topic, I really like the terminal effects of M193 spec ammo so I try to stockpile that (Federal XM193 is well liked), there are better rounds in existence if I understand correctly. Mk262 spec ammo tends to have better terminal effects at 300+ meters, and Mk318 spec is supposed to be a better penetrating version of Mk262. Those rounds are sometimes used by the spec ops guys iirc. The modern spec military ball is M855, it behaves similar to M193 but fragmentation amount and range tends to be lower. It does a better job of penetration than M193 but I tend to favor a greater fragmentation range over increased penetration (5.56 is small, I want the greatest terminal effect I can get from it, M193 fragments dramatically, leaving exit wounds far out of proportion to entry wounds.). Others may disagree. This is just my somewhat researched opinion.
The Aimpoint is nice and has seen a lot of combat in the middle east. Two things swayed me to the Eotech. The Aimpoint red dot can be seen from in FRONT of the weapon possibly giving your position away. Military in combat in the Middle East are spending THEIR OWN money to put Eotechs on their weapons. Granted they get a huge military discount but still.. Battery life is much better on the Aimpoint but still pretty good on the Eotech. I consider my AR-15 as a 100 to maybe 200 yard weapon. If I need to go farther than that I have a Savage 10FP in .308 with a 6-24x50 Vortex Viper PST scope that even my tired old eyes can hit with out to 300-400 yards. With better eyes and more skill the rifle should make hits out to 800 yards or so.
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