AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/4/2007 7:45:54 AM EDT
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I'm a total newb to ARs, so forgive me if these are dumb questions. I've always been a pistol shooter. I'm getting an AR in the next month or so and have some questions. Is there a big benefit to a bull barrel versus a regular barrel? If so, what is the benefit? Can any AR be upgraded to a bull barrel or does it have to have a different receiver? Who makes good aftermarket barrels? FWIW, I recently became a police officer and this will be a patrol rifle in .223. Right now I'm thinking EOTech with folding BUIS and I really like full length handguards. Thanks for the input, and sorry I don't have any pics to post yet. |
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I cant imagine a bull barrel is any benefit at all for a patrol rifle. They "may" have some marginal accuracy benefit, which will probably completely lost by the use of a standard trigger, EoTech, and issue ammo. Stick to a midweight profile. Are you buying the rifle yourself? Having it issued? What brands have you looked at? While many rifles look the same, their simularities seldom continue past cosmetics. |
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It will be an individual purchase. Probably RRA. A friend told me (I know, I know) that bull barrels are the best for accuracy, I wanted to see what the folks here think. I'm thinking it's probably not worth the money given that this will be a utility rifle, not a bench shooter or varmint gun. Thanks for the reply! |
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Bull barrels are for bench rest shooting. They have no place on a patrol rifle. You want an LE patrol rifle to be as light as possible. If this is going to be a rifle that you depend on for your life, you want the best one. In my opinion the best out of the box patrol rifle is the Colt 6920. Next in line would be an LMT rifle of similar configuration, or maybe Noveske's new light N4 carbine. These rifle's are rock solid and are made with better material's and more quality checks than many other brands of AR's. Stay with a carbine with a fixed front sight base, as they tend to be more durable. You also want to stay with a flat top upper so you can add an optic. As far as optics go the Aimpoint Comp M3 or M4 are by far the most durable one to one optics available. They do not have an idiotic automatic shut off, because they don't need one. They will last between 5 to 8 years on a single battery,if you NEVER turn them off. Another must have is a quality sling. Most LE like a single point, but a good two point like Blue Force Gears "Vickers" is a good choice. I highly recommend a quality flashlight as well. Look at Surefire or Pentagon. DON'T BE CHEAP WITH YOU GEAR...remember your LIFE depends on it. Be safe. |
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I appreciate the replies. I have looked into either Colt or Rock River, but my department's firearms guy recommended the Rock River over others. As for the optic, it must be non magnifying and cowitness with the iron sights. Looks like a bull barrel is not for me (at least not on this rifle...) but a sling and a light are definite requirements. Most of our guys use one point slings, I don't know which one. A lot of them use C-More sights, but I like the EOTech better myself. Thanks again for the help, I'm sure I'll be here more frequently once I get the rifle as I have more questions and screw things up. Stay safe. |
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