Posted on 04/25/2009 1:36:34 PM PDT by wafflehouse
Today and tomorrow, theres a pretty cool gun show going on here in Kansas City. I was thinking of buying an AR-15, but there are apparently a lot of options. What is the difference, CMMG, DPMS, Olympic, Bushmaster, Colt? Is there anything specific I should look for while comparing these? I was thinking of the .223 chambered variant because there is at least some of that ammo available here. CMMG, DPMS and Olympic are about the same, right at a grand.. Bushmaster is about 1200-1400 and Colt is just straight out of my price range, 1600-2000. Any helpful advice on how to pick the best weapon would be greatly appreciated. Are there magazine capacity restrictions or any legal issues I should be aware of? I dont know a lot about rifles. Im an army veteran though, so I have put quite a few rounds through an M-16. There is just no ammo available for handguns around here on a constant basis or I might get something in addition to the .380 Bersa I have now. There are some cheap shotguns but I have never shot one before, and dont know anything about them.
Some are chambered for .223 and 5.56.. can you buy military 5.56 for these?
Nothing like buying on the hype side, that way you get the best deal!!!!
Probably go with Bushmaster.
Here is another nice choice in .308:
http://www.dsarms.com/STG58-Austrian-FAL/products/9/
You better be first in line when the doors open; from what I’ve seen at a couple of shows the AR-15s are ALL gone within ten minutes.
Actually, based on the gun shows I’ve been to lately, you are better off buying from a local dealer or online.
Boy are you gonna “PAY”
An example, I have a reissue of a Colt 1911 (earlier model) that I paid about $950 for. I've been thinking about another one and a store I've visited frequently had one for sale about $985 three years after I bought mine.
At the local gun show, I saw one for 'sale' at $1300. You tell me. These show hawkers are out to make a quick buck. And believe you me, the local population was out in sucker town that day (Sunday)....people buying up guns/ammo at outrageous prices.....
Bide your time, visit a few long term gun shops and think about what you buy.
I saw some DSA ARs a few months back in the $700 range
Armalite makes IMHO the best ARs. However, you can get an AK for about half. Just doesn’t have the “sex appeal” of an AR. Getit in .223, easy to shoot.
Good luck and happy shopping.
.223 cal. is US inches vs 5.56mm in Euro mm measurement.
Same thing.
Be sure to get 62 grain bullets if you have a 1:7 twist for the barrel
If you get an older “SP1” type Colt, you’ll need 55 grain bullets for the quicker 1:14 twist inside the barrel.
They are all about double in price what they should be. They are built basically the same, some have tighter fits than others. It also might depend whether you want the basic model or a suped up job with all the bells and whistles. I have a GSE (Gunsmoke enterprise) which is well built and quite accurate. Ammo will be fun trying to get.
Sound advice.
DSA also makes their own AR line:
http://www.dsarms.com/DS-AR-Rifles/products/10/
Their FAL’s are nice but start at $1700. According to one FR person here - DSA sold out production for two years post 9/11 because spec ops guys were buying their FALs. I never verfied the story and have no idea if it is true. They seem to get good review. Their AR’s start at $1,050.
It will cost you a buttload...but try to keep 5,000 rounds per battle rifle....and be sure to save every peice of brass you drop.
If you can make sure the one you purchase is chambered for 5.56mm NATO.
I checked out a lot of brands before I bought and I chose the Rock River Arms. Your mileage may vary.
L
There’s an explanation about .223 vs 5.56 on the web somewhere (I forget)....supposedly, the 5.56 chamber has a slightly longer ‘leade’, which is a lengthened chamber taper at the slug end of the chamber for ‘military’ rounds.....one can imaging if a military 5.56 cartridge is fired in a .223 chambered rifle that overpressure, etc. could occur...I’ve not seen this mentioned in any of the manufacturer’s manuals I have, however....
I would get me a good shotgun, unless you are made out of money. The prices have gone through the roof locally.
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