Considering an AR

[FP2000H]

So, what with the 7.62 shortage right now, I started thinking about getting a rifle chambered in a readily available caliber and since two of my buddies have ARs, I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon. Only problem, I don't know much about ARs. I looked at a few at the last gun show I was at and the two names that seem to keep flying around the inside of my head are Stag Arms and Rock River Arms. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about these manufacturers?

[tpiini]

I believe you will be happy with either brand. The only complaint I've ever heard about Stag is the cheezy logo on the receiver.;)

[FP2000H]

I must admit, the left handed Stag model looks very appealing to me. But I need to do some homework before I jump into anything.

[RMTactical]

Stag and RRA have treated me and ALL of the people I've helped build AR's very good. They are arguably the best AR's out there, in almost every respect.

[Gmountain]

Originally posted by FP2000H
I must admit, the left handed Stag model looks very appealing to me. But I need to do some homework before I jump into anything.

I have the lefty. Great gun. Very well made.

[blahblahblah]

Originally posted by FP2000H
So, what with the 7.62 shortage right now, I started thinking about getting a rifle chambered in a readily available caliber and since two of my buddies have ARs, I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon. Only problem, I don't know much about ARs. I looked at a few at the last gun show I was at and the two names that seem to keep flying around the inside of my head are Stag Arms and Rock River Arms. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about these manufacturers?

You don't really believe in the shortage do you?

[MrMurphy]

Unless you're a dedicated lefty shooter with a large amount of parts for the lefty Stag rifle, stick with the standard rifle. The case deflector works fine and you won't get dinged as a lefty with brass. And "righty" i.e normal AR parts are EVERYWHERE.

[Gmountain]

Originally posted by MrMurphy
Unless you're a dedicated lefty shooter with a large amount of parts for the lefty Stag rifle, stick with the standard rifle. The case deflector works fine and you won't get dinged as a lefty with brass. And "righty" i.e normal AR parts are EVERYWHERE.

There are only 2 parts that are different. Three if you count the upper receiver.

Other than that, every single part is the same.

If you want to have a fun time, ask all your right handed friends to shoot a lefty, and then tell them that's the only choice they have. They'll get the point. Get the left handed version. it's your gun, and your toy.

[Glockdude1]

www.bushmaster.com

;N

[FP2000H]

See, I'm right handed but left eye dominant. Shooting with both eyes open with pistol is one thing, but when I've tried to do that with rifle, I get a headache. I figured the left handed model would be more practical in that respect. I agree, I can't help but think what if I don't like it. Right handed rifle shooting feels more natural to me. But it seems that if I want to learn to shoot naturally with both eyes open, I would go with the dominant eye. The lefty model has the ejection port opposite so brass would be ejected away from my face.

[FP2000H]

Originally posted by blahblahblah
You don't really believe in the shortage do you?

I believe I cannot find any 7.62x39mm. ;)

[Gmountain]

Originally posted by FP2000H
See, I'm right handed but left eye dominant. Shooting with both eyes open with pistol is one thing, but when I've tried to do that with rifle, I get a headache. I figured the left handed model would be more practical in that respect. I agree, I can't help but think what if I don't like it. Right handed rifle shooting feels more natural to me. But it seems that if I want to learn to shoot naturally with both eyes open, I would go with the dominant eye. The lefty model has the ejection port opposite so brass would be ejected away from my face.

Get an EOTech sight and your problem is solved. It's a heads up display that you have both eyes open for, and it feels very natural.

[FP2000H]

Originally posted by Gmountain
Get an EOTech sight and your problem is solved. It's a heads up display that you have both eyes open for, and it feels very natural.

That would require a flat top AR to mount optics, correct?

[toolman_556]

The different part in a left haded stag upper:
1. upper receiver
2. bolt
3. bolt carrier
4. barrel extension

The bolt may work with a " right hand barrel extension" but there are chamfer on the front side where the rotating bolt starts to engage that are reversed for the lefty. You can try it if it works, don't worry about it, but if it intermittenly fails to go into battery, it may be the extension. If you get the complete upper you are good. in Build it yourself you may have to get some help on the barrel, as simply changing extensions is difficult to realign the gas port to the index pin properly.

[glock19_fan]

Originally posted by FP2000H
That would require a flat top AR to mount optics, correct? yes

[FP2000H]

Originally posted by Gmountain
Get an EOTech sight and your problem is solved. It's a heads up display that you have both eyes open for, and it feels very natural.

I'm sorry, was this advice for shooting the lefty or is this something you're recommending I do to a right hand model to aid in shooting with both eyes open since the sights would now be in line with my non-dominant eye?

[MrMurphy]

When you keep both eyes open, the sight centers itself (in your head). Your right eye sees it, your left compensates and puts it "in the middle". Same way dot scopes work.

Several people in my unit have dominant eyes opposite their dominant hand and just shoot eyes open (since we use Aimpoint dot scopes on our M4s anyways).

The Eotech is very easy to use. And having shot quite a bit of lefty with the M4 and M16 and AR15 in very tight quarters (hallways, corners, rooms, stairwells, etc) usually with 3 other guys with M4s doing the same thing, and a crapload of empties flying about, I've rarely been dinged by "my own" brass shooting lefty, even in cramped positions, as it throws the brass 45 degrees forward.

[Drjones]

Originally posted by FP2000H
So, what with the 7.62 shortage right now,


What "7.62 shortage"??

[Cryptoboy]

Originally posted by Drjones
What "7.62 shortage"??

Rumor is, all the 7.62 ammo is being bought by a country in South America.....Can't remember which one off the top of my head though......

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by Drjones
What "7.62 shortage"??

There's no doubt that there is a "shortage", but you can still find it... Prices have jumped up though.

[FP2000H]

Originally posted by Drjones
What "7.62 shortage"??

What everybody else said. I just figured it would be more practical to own a rifle chambered in a readily available caliber. Right now, 7.62 is pricey but not altogether impossible to find. But I find myself thinking, "What if the shortage remains for a while?" I"m sure there's a lot of AKs in the world that need 7.62 more than I need it for plinking. I don't doubt that there may be some validity to the notion of foreign demand eating into the American market supply. There's even talk that the shortage is being exacerbated by dealers themselves who are holding back supplies of 7.62 to jack up the prices. Whatever, I just want a rifle that fires a bullet that's not going out of style anytime soon.