Carbine info...

[BUCKMARK]

I have been lurking in this forum for a while now. I'm in the process of researching before the purchase of my first M4 variant. I have been reading several forums, looking in shops, and reading some more. It seems the more I read, the harder it makes this purchase.

I am new to the M4 and it's variants...but I like the way they feel and look. I am NOT new to the AR15. I spent 5 years with a Colt M16A2 while I was in the 10th Mt. Division. I got out in 1997, and we had no M4's in my company at the time. I suppose that has changed.

I'm going to use this rifle for general plinking, range shooting, and "home defense" of my property which is 30 acres with a house and 4 out buildings...I'm not defending a appt. in the city... I feel a M4 would make a handy set-up.

I want a flat top with a forward grip and a light. No lasers, bayonets or scopes...although I might try some sort of optic later.

I looked at a S&W model which had fitting problems from the factory. the dealer took it apart to show me the quality...and the take down pins would not go back in, as if the were out of line.

I looked at a Colt 6920 I think it was... $1325, It was a nice rifle but didn't seem to be finished as nice as a Bushmaster.

I looked at a Bushmaster "Homeland Defender" with a Hogue grip and a quad rail from the factory. $1225, Very nice looking and feeling.

The last rifle I looked at was a Stag. It was left handed, but they said they could order a righty.

I will probably put around 2000 rounds a year through this rifle. I have a Garand, AK and 2 SKS's that I will rotate range time with.

Will any and all of the above rifles work for me? I'm leaning towards the Bushmaster Homeland Defender...what do you tink?

Thanks in advance!

[BUCKMARK]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/buckmark/pix2367772126.jpg


This isn't the same rifle, but a shot of the Bushmaster Homeland Defender.

[MrMurphy]

Any of them will work.

Since you're an M16 guy the M4 will present few surprises.

My M4 is issued with a KAC rail and VFG (vertical Foregrip) plus an M68 (Aimpoint Comp M2).

Troy sights are similar to an A2's yet fold down for optics if you ever go to optics.

For outdoor use a Surefire 9P in a Vltor Scout mount is good, I use a 6P currently but it lacks throw and range for anything but indoor use, i'm upgrading to a 9P before deployment if possible.

[GixxerSixxer]

Take a look at some of the other posts around here. There are a lot of good suggestions.

The best suggestion I can give is to buy the upper and lower separate.

If you came from a military background then pinning a lower to an upper is a no brainer. Hell, assembling a lower would probably be fun for you too. Assembling an Upper requires some special tools and you need to do a couple before you recover the cost.

I really like my Streamlight M6. It has a laser with it but I think the M3 is a light only.

[RMTactical]

Get a right handed Stag configured similar to this:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/mwirig79/IMG_0512.jpg

You won't be dissappointed. You can get an M4gery in the $700-750 range if you buy from the right place. Look at legal transfers, aimsurplus.com, and/or eaglefirearms.net.

[BUCKMARK]

MrMurphy - I was going to buy a A2 style rifle like I had in the Army. I didnt want a M4 or any fancy grips and optics. After getting my hands on a few, I changed my mind. I think the M4 is better for what I intend to do with it. I don't need a 20" barrel since my eyes are no longer good at 300 meters.

Gixxer - I looked into seperate uppers and lowers. I didnt see a real savings with the $20 shipping upper, $20 shipping lower and FFL transfer on the lower. I also found few places that had the uppers and lowers both in stock. I think I want to go with the same brand name on the upper and lower so they match up nice. I will look into this option still..and thank you.

I think the major problem I am having is finding a rifle that is a quality weapon. I had no idea so many manufactures were making AR's today. Since I'm not up to date on what's a quality part...I'm a tad scared to pay $1000 or so for a jam-o-matic rifle with a cheap paint job and sub-par parts.


Thanks for the info so far!

:thumbsup:


Still lurking...

[billwade]

I have the Bushmaster in A2 configuration like I carried in the Marines. Just last week I got a Bushmaster in the M4 configuration an it isn't all that different. The length of pull on the A2 is 13 5/8" and the fully extended M4 is 14". Both shoot great and never give me problems. Hope this helps.

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by BUCKMARK
Gixxer - I looked into seperate uppers and lowers. I didnt see a real savings with the $20 shipping upper, $20 shipping lower and FFL transfer on the lower. I also found few places that had the uppers and lowers both in stock. I think I want to go with the same brand name on the upper and lower so they match up nice. I will look into this option still..and thank you.

Believe it or not but Gixxer's advice was very good, esspecially if you go with a Stag. Like I said, a Stag will run you about $700-750 if you buy two halves or build it from all Stag parts.

IMO, Stag is by far the best bang for the buck. Quality is just as good or better than many of the $900-1000+ guns, as is fit and finish, etc...

[Sierra]

Buckmark, it sounds like you have some great long arms. With your military background there are few suprises with the M-4 clone. The advice so far has been good and the Stag offering, in particular, is a bargain. I would give consideration to adding a light to this rig. The flat top will give you considerable flexibility in the future.

[MrMurphy]

The M4 excels at close in work and maneuvering, and being adjustable to the shooter, not the other way around. I've got more than enough time on an A2 to know how much fun it isn't doing room clearing with one or having the stock be a yard long when I don't need it that length.

Having the rails allows you to set up the rifle they way YOU want it, not the other way around.

I normally shoot with the stock completely collapsed in armor (every day use) or one click out when prone. I have never, ever used the stock all the way open, there's no reason to (short arms, i'm 5'9, not 6'8). Make the gun comfortable to you.


Bushmaster and Rock River Arms have good reputations, Stag is getting up there, and some other companies like Sabre Defense and CMMG also do very very good work.

[TylerDurden]

Colt is the company that makes the M4 for our military, and they make them quite well.

If you want something mil spec, and you want it ready to go out of the box, Colt is the way to go. There are other manufacturers out there with great products but you need to do a lot of homework to put togethter the right rifle.

It's true that Colt has had some poorly finished rifles hitting the market, but I would take a poorly finished Colt over a beautiful Bushmaster any day.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

[c4igrant]

Go with the Colt for $1,325 (is a fair price). Finish on an AR matters NOT!!!! The quality inside (barrel steel, bolt steel, proper carrier, HPT/MP testing, H buffer) is what matters the most!



C4