Must have options for a AR?

Bruiser_Joe

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 22, 2009
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what options are must have's for you, or things you like standard? I"m trying to come up with a Line of rifles, and trying to decide standard options

ambi mag release?
ambi selector?
quad rail? tube?
Nice trigger? or do you like picking your own?
BUIS?

anyways let me know what you guys like to see.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

I prefer ambi Mag releases and selectors, but I myself would advise against picking triggers or BUIS standard. Those are extremely determined by personal preference, and it's almost impossible to please everyone with such.

Definitely do a good charging handle, rails are personal preference to an extent. I like the DD lite on most things, but cheese grater rails do get cumbersome because only a portion of them are actually used.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

yeah thats what i figured, thought about just having bill springfield tune them all so at least they are not standard GI.

rails we are looking at SWS like noveske

PRI charging handles for sure

and barrels we are looking at rock for 7.62 carbines, centurion arms 5.56 carbine and MK12 barrels, and broughton for 7.62 long guns

though we are working getting FN hammer forged chrome lined carbine barrels made for 7.62
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

My FN Scar L came with a great set of BUIS, ambi mag release, quad rails, and ambi safety.

Now that I have owned that, I don't see every buying an AR without all of those things incorporated.

I'm a lefty so it becomes a bigger issue with me of course.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

yeah i've been testing battle arms ambi selector and norgon's mag release. both are really nice so was thinking about making them standard.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

It all really depends on the intentions for the rifle (or rifle line) as to the "standard" features/options that most people would like to see. As you already know...the virtually unlimited number of different parts/upgrades, accessories, etc. make putting together a "standard" list of options a tall order.

For barrels...it looks like you have a good start. Noveske/Pac-nor barrels are also excellent!

Charging handles...PRI isn't necessary unless you are running rifles suppressed and then they are almost a must. Also look at the BCM Gunfighter CHs which are very strong and offer a great quality upgrade over the standard units:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCMGUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-s/123.htm

As for Ambi-ctrls...I like them and run them on my ARs, but they aren't a must for every rifle. The new Battle Arms Dev't unit is VERY nice:

http://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/badass.php

For FF tubes/rails, I am partial to DD Lite rails, as well as Larue and PRI.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

my 2 cents,

Geissle adjustable trigger, everyone can adjust to their like

got to have sights but everyone preference on them are vast so any BUIS that is cost effective FOR YOU

and customizable type free float, some like rail cancer, some only like 2 inches at 3,6,9 oclock.

and a vortex flash hider
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

Here's some commonalities that all my AR's have:

Flat top upper
Flip up rear/front sights
Ambi Safety
Extended/Large charging handle latch
Standard trigger (carbine) or 2 stage for precision
BAD lever or the like
Quality free float rail
VFG
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

ambi mag release and ambi selector are definites, I would leave BUIS, trigger, rails, etc. up to the purchaser to change out. To many options that people might want different.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

1 Good trigger
2 Light weight I have a Wilson Lightweight Tactical 6.8 the forearm has spaces cut in rails for your hand very comfortable to hold.
3 My personal preference in sight are flip up (because of optics)
4 good quality barrel
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

I personally can't stand the feel of an ambi selector under my trigger finger,put one on years ago,did not even fire it and took it off 5 minutes later.

As far as barrels,rails and such,I would go directly to the actual MFR rather than another middleman mark up.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ErikTaylor</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's some commonalities that all my AR's have:

Flat top upper
Flip up rear/front sights
Ambi Safety
Extended/Large charging handle latch
Standard trigger (carbine) or 2 stage for precision
BAD lever or the like
Quality free float rail
VFG </div></div>i like the KISS like this list but ssa trigger is so far best over all -semi hood front sight with a1 post with yellow paint or some of night sight with 5 adjustment clicks - ggandg rear mad rear sight is good .....ideas to play with built for the worst case and rest on the 7th is best rule ...not tacycool
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It all really depends on the intentions for the rifle (or rifle line) as to the "standard" features/options that most people would like to see. As you already know...the virtually unlimited number of different parts/upgrades, accessories, etc. make putting together a "standard" list of options a tall order.

For barrels...it looks like you have a good start. Noveske/Pac-nor barrels are also excellent!

Charging handles...PRI isn't necessary unless you are running rifles suppressed and then they are almost a must. Also look at the BCM Gunfighter CHs which are very strong and offer a great quality upgrade over the standard units:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCMGUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-s/123.htm

As for Ambi-ctrls...I like them and run them on my ARs, but they aren't a must for every rifle. The new Battle Arms Dev't unit is VERY nice:

http://www.battlearmsdevelopment.com/badass.php

For FF tubes/rails, I am partial to DD Lite rails, as well as Larue and PRI. </div></div>

+1 This is how I like my setup as well.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

don't take my post for lack of knowledge on the AR platform as i have 5 of them and shoot them a little at work too, lol. just tring to get a solid grasp of what guys like on their guns and actually use i know what i like
laugh.gif
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

For me BUIS are important on ALL rifles (AR or Bolt - center or rimfire) - nothing worse than having a damaged scope and no back-up. Makes an expensive rifle little more than a club.

QD scope mounts are also top of the list (LaRue LT100 and LT104 at the moment).

I have a Jewell trigger at the moment but a Geiselle coming in my current build.

After that I spec ambi-selector and mag release, PRI Gas Buster with the combat latch, Magpul MIAD with the fat back strap and UBR stock.

I've one AR spec'd with a quad rail (VLTOR VIS) the new one will have just a top rail (Mega MTS Modular). I prefer monolith uppers having had issues with my first AR with the forend lossening off all the time.

Magpul PMAG

DD flushcup sling mount
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

The most important piece of shooting equipment, as essential to shooting as the rifle itself, is the spotting scope. With it, shooter/target analysis is possible, that's to say, it allows shot calls to be compared to actual bullet strikes at the time of the event. With the aid of a spotting scope, mirage, as well as bullet trace can be observed. Without the aid of a spotting scope it's not possible to reach the highest plateaus of good shooting. Buy a good spotting scope before you buy anything that attaches to the rifle.

As far as sights go, consider the Matech BUIS, it has a BDC which allows for good hits on KD targets to the maximum effective range of firearm's ammunition.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

easier to say what i have found i dont like. badger tac latch stabs you if slung. ergo is less than ergo for me. free float is good but only if it really free floats unlike a bushy upper ive seen. dont like tons of rail.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

It depends on the rifle's purpose.

Tactical CQB -
Muzzle device with QD for suppressor
Quality barrel
Quad rail
VFG
Flat top upper
BAD Lever
Flip up rear sights
Quality stock with spaces for batteries

SPR
Same as above except
No VFG
Tube with rails
16-18 inch SS barrel
Two Stage trigger
Magpul Stock
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

Regardless of the AR brand and what's hung on it the most important thing to me a a good quality optic for the paticular job at hand. No cheap knock offs.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

Every AR must have a good set of BUIS but this is not something I want with the gun unless its Troy from the start. (ALL others are not fine) If you want to run a rail I have found the new Spikes (Built by Seekins) BAR rail as being the best I have used.
I like the idea of Billet and think that the Billet charging handle by Bravo company is a must have. I also like a mid gas system. Trigger is something that should come mil-spec with an option to upgrade to something better. I am sure I could come up with some more but I have to run, Good luck!
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

Magpul ASAP sling mount
Ambi-Selector
Ambi-Bolt release like Seekins/Spikes/POF
A real grip
On non-billet lowers, a big trigger guard
An EXO Technology coated bolt carrier/bolt, M16 style for more weight, and a perma-pin vs cotter pin for the firing pin retainer.
Geisele SSA to start with, others available.
Chrome Silicon buffer spring
KNS trigger/hammer pins
Quick release or ez-pull type takedown pins

Lower features:
Someone makes lowers with retaining screws for the springs for the takedown pins. That's a nice touch. I also saw one that retained the selector while changing grips. Also nice. Tension adjustment screw is almost standard at this point.

When it's available, being the first guy with this would drum up business
IMG_5883_292w.jpg

This is from http://riflestocks.com/Projects.htm

For BUIS, I am lazy in acquiring them, but I will admit that I always feel like I'm driving a car with bad brakes in a school zone. They should be there, and it's almost appropriate for you to force us to include them. I like the Troy/Diamondback style.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

That aluminum stock looks ridiculous. What's the advantage? It looks like they just tried copying a CTR, and I'm sure it'll be way more expensive and significantly heavier.
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

It's a prototype, not finished.

Advantage? Not plastic, so it should be able to have a ridiculously tight fit, and be more resilient.

Re: weight, me, I have some rifles that are way front heavy, so any weight increase would be good, not bad. PRS add weight, but I like the more basic collapsible style.

Re: price, I doubt anyone's gonna ever be way more expensive than Magpul. They seem to have taken to the Grey Goose approach to marketing a quality product. Since it works, why change now? "our plastic mags can be ripped off on an assembly line, so no shortages" LOL. It wasn't a cost decision? Really? Nope, the Grey Goose approach is definitely better. LaRue does it too. It doesn't mean the products are in any way inferior, but they don't set price at market. They set price and tell you it's so much better that you can't reasonably settle with a product at what used to be the market price. http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/bizfinance/biz/features/10816/
 
Re: Must have options for a AR?

Good trigger, good barrel, free float of some kind, and customer picks the chamber. IMO, what we don't need to see is another $3k .308 carbine nor $2k AR-15 variant. It would be nice to see something produced for reloaders rather than people who want a warranty.