AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/22/2014 2:53:08 PM EDT
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I made the move to CA a couple years back (please don't ask why, we all make mistakes ;~) and see that prices for AR's have fallen over last time I tentatively shopped. Knowing the choices in this state are severely limited I am asking for a few ideas on suitable guns. Have a few specifics in mind that should streamline the choices some.
A) $1400 and would spend more if presents good value in long run B) Production gun. Prefer not to build my first AR C) 16" - 1 / 7 twist D) As much tan / earth colored parts as possible - not important at this point E) Flat top to mount a Aimpoint CPO and later Micro sight possibly F) Thinking folding sights, but not set in stone - A2 fixed front seems to make sense now from durability point G) Thinking mid-length hand guard / rail, but again open gas system G) Very good trigger and one of few parts willing to source aftermarket besides Aimpoint - Geissele Super Tricon in mind H) Comfortable grip for my small hands I) I will be using for target fun and home defense J) will possibly at some point want ability to mount flashlight - not important at this point Any and all comments or suggestions warmly welcome. I have some experience shooting mostly semi auto handguns and to a lesser degree an AK over five years ago. Edited 1-24-14 |
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Quoted:
I made the move to CA a couple years back (please don't ask why, we all make mistakes ;~) and see that prices for AR's have fallen over last time I tentatively shopped. Knowing the choices in this state are severely limited I am asking for a few ideas on suitable guns. Have a few specifics in mind that should streamline the choices some. A) $1200 or less (Prefer about $900 give or take and would spend more if presents good value in long run) B) Production gun C) 16" barrel D) As much tan / earth colored parts as possible E) Flat top to mount a Aimpoint CPO and later Micro sight possibly F) Thinking folding sights, but not set in stone G) Thinking mid-length hand guard / rail, but again open G) Very good trigger and one of few parts willing to source aftermarket besides Aimpoint H) Comfortable grip for my small hands I) I will be using for target fun and home defense J) will probably at some point want ability to mount flashlight Any and all comments or suggestions warmly welcome. I have some experience shooting mostly semi auto handguns and to a lesser degree an AK over five years ago. I was just in the same situation as you, as the previous guy said make sure you post in your hometown forum to make sure of the local laws. I also suggest visiting a local gun shop, they are very into the laws, since they are trying to sell everything they can. A) I went with an RRA Operator III, currently limited edition. Through my browsing here it seems a lot of people like Colt's. B) Not sure what you mean? C) The RRA I spoke about has a 16 inch barrel, but I would say every manufacture has a 16" barrel option. D) These are normally after-market parts, such as Magpul that come in colors, you can get Magpul fitted weapons, where they come with all magpul parts. E) They are all flat top, not all handguards are flat tops, but almost every part on the AR is interchangeable, you can get quad rails etc. F) Sights dont even come on all guns, but 90% of the guns that I have seen that come with sights, are at least fixed in the front as they have the fixed triangular front sight. G) Depends on the manufacture, but like the barrel almost every manufacture offers different hand guards, and if it isn't one you like, you can get a new one! H) The grip that comes with the rifle you may not like, but it is also interchangeable, grips come from 5-100$ from what I have seen. I) Home defense, get a shotgun with buckshot (my opinion, everyone has one), but all rifles brands WILL go boom when you pull the trigger, if not almost every company has a lifetime warranty. J) That depends on the handgaurd, which is interchangeable. I hope this helped, as I said I am new to this also so apologies if some of this is not fully correct. I have been searching on these forums constantly and have been absorbing alot of knowledge, very good people here and they are all happy to help! Here is a link to the rifle I am going to get Rock River Arms Operator III Some Manufactures that I have heard good about. Colt Rock River Arms Daniels Defense Smith & Wesson Windham BCM Delton Hope this helps! Also, if you google "California Compliant Rifles", alot of internet dealers have a section of rifles, set aside of State Compliancy. |
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The Calguns site is a good place to go for information about what's legal and illegal in CA. There's chart that will help you navigate the confusing regulations. A) $1400 will easily get you a good gun from numerous manufacturers. Will probably not have all of the things on your laundry list. B) With your laundry list, you could get everything you want within budget, if you are willing to buy an assembled upper, and assemble the lower yourself. You would be better off looking on a site like PSA to find the upper you want with the features you want to avoid having to buy the gun, then going back and rebuying all the parts that you would have to change to meet your goals. It's silly to pay a premium on a complete gun, when you are planning on changing major parts like the FCG (firing control group). Sounds like you are going to taking it apart anyway, why pay to buy it assembled? C) A 14.7" or 14.5" barrel is a bad idea, because the muzzle device will be required to bring the barrel length to a minimum of 16", and is required to be permanently pinned to the barrel, making changing the handguards or front sight base, or gas block a major PITA if you decide to change parts in the future. D) PSA has no-cost options for tan colored furniture with some uppers and lower parts kits, rifles, carbines, and lower assemblies. E) PSA sell combinations that include a Aimpoint, if that is what you prefer. F) PSA G) PSA has numerous mid-gas uppers G) PSA has LPKs that include aftermarket triggers if that is what you want. H) there are plenty of skinny handguards available. Just make sure that you an upper assembly that has drop-in handguards and a standard barrel nut so you can easily change them. J) there are plenty of ways to mount a flashlight to the handguards or barrel, a quad rail is not required to mount a flashlight. |
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