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Posted: 10/31/2002 11:08:40 PM EDT
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I took my mother to the range, and recently shot a rental AR15 rifle equipped with iron sights, and really liked it. She thought it was quite a good rifle, although since neither of us have handled that kind of rifle before - it took a bit to get used to. I am thinking of purchasing my own AR15, and am basically wondering which route I should go. Should I go Pre-Ban, or Post-Ban? I am pretty sure that I would choose a Bushmaster simply because I like the rifle. I would like to purchase the gun in a new state, or as new as I can (I know Pre-Ban rifles are NOT new, if they are - they are collectors, and I would be flame bait for shooting a collector rifle), but I would like to have the 'evil' options allowed by my state (Minnesota). Can anyone help me out? |
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Yes, I mean 'evil' in a roll-the-eyes-sarcastic way - but basically, flash suppressor, folding stock, bayonet lug... I don't know if I want to get a rifle with all those options already on it - but I want to be able to do it without the BATF drop-repelling off my roof, through my windows, flash grenading my folks, killing my pets, and smashing my stuff... ;) I thought about getting back into handgun target shooting, but right now, I just don't see the appeal of it. Basically, I wonder if folding stocks are legal in Minnesota - had one FFL tell me they weren't, and one that just shrugged. |
| You need to check your state laws. Saw one guy with an M-60 at the range. As soon as he put it away and drove off the range property, the cops moved on him. IA does not allow Class II (suppressor) or Class III (machinegun possession). At least that is what I have been told. |
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*nod* I just figured I would ask in case someone just ran across this, or was from Minnesota, and knew for sure. The law is a little sketchy as far as what's allowed on a rifle and what's not, but then again, I may just have been tired at the time. If I were to seek to purchase a Pre-Ban AR15 with flash suppressor, folding stock, etc - what might I expect to pay for it? I don't wanna just buy the first one I come across if the price is way too high, or if the price is too low - I know to ask more questions to see WHY it's so low... |
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Durandal, if you want an AR-15 you have to buy a Colt to get one !! NO !! they are not collectors items, i have two pre-ban NIB Colts i will sell if you are interested in one of them..... Bushmasters are very good rifles, i have one but i prefer Colts, because they are the original !!!!!! |
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ArmaLite is the original, but Colt pretty much created the legacy. So much for that: 1. Colt's use non-standard fire control parts (pins). That means, depending on the Colt, you will have to find special parts to repair/upgrade your trigger group. 2. Again, depending on the Colt, you may have a front pivot pin larger than standard (milspec), so you might need an offset pin to fit a new upper. 3. Colt likes to put in sear blocks in the rear of the lower receiver so you can't do anything illegal. How thoughtful of them. Personally, I like Colts because A LOT of them are preban. However, if you want a new, postban rifle, I'd suggest the Bushmaster. So much more of the Bushmaster is in the original, standard dimensions (pins, pivot pins, etc.) |
If you want the "original", then buy an ARMALITE. But as Cactus stated, Colts are great for selling! Best resell value of them all. Everyone loves the colt name.  |
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*chuckle* Well, I do appreciate all of the advice, even if it is only "Buy this brand over this brand" as I do like to know all the players who make a style of firearm, having come from shooting pistols that are only manufactured by one maker (Desert Eagle / Magnum Research). I do have one question unanswered though - what can I expect to pay (a range is fine) for a pre-ban AR15 with collapsable stock, flash suppressor or muzzle brake (detatchable would be very nice - so I don't mind if the barrel has to be a inch or two longer to allow for this - this is a target shooting rifle, not a defense carbine-look-alike), and bayonet lug. |
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It all depends, I just bought a preban Olympic Arms carbine for $750, it was unfired. I just bought a Colt Preban carbine with a brand new M4 upper for $1480. I think both of these are good prices, but the good prices are out there. It is a matter of looking and talking to people. Don't jump on the first thing you see, and make sure whatever you get is a preban, not just a postban with preban features, which sticks you with an illegal rifle. In general, the AR market is soft right now. When the AW ban is re-enacted in 2004, prices are going to go through the roof. I figure mid 2003 prices are going to start to go up as all the politicians start admitting they are voting for a new AW ban. Another thought is that you can always buy a Colt SP1 for $900-1000 and modify it later for whatever look you want. I have a line on a few SP1s in the 850 range, I am going to try and work some OT and grab a few. |
Go to the Equipment Exchange and see for yourself. |
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Durandal, Stick with Bushmaster or Armalite. Colt customer service sucks. Always has and always will. Prebans are considerably more expensive but do allow you to have those "evil" options you refer to. For target shooting I see no advantage to owning a preban. I have seen most prebans in the $1000 and up range(usually more) while youi can buy a brand new Bushy or Armalite for around $800. Have fun deciding! I wish you the best of luck. |
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I just wanted to say Thank you for all of those who helped me by answering my questions, however inane or newbie-ish they might have been. I am definately going to go pre-ban, if I can find one that isn't insane in price (definition: over 1500 for used, over 1900 for new). I want to put together a good piece that I can take a few pictures of decked out and to shoot at the local range in a more stripped down version without having to worry if this part or that part is allowed on a post-ban gun, as it's my understanding that the most options (flash suppressor, muzzle brake, telescoping stock, hi-cap removable mags, M203 Flare Launcher/Grenade-Launcher-Look-Alike, bayonet lug) exist on the pre-ban rifles only - except if the AW ban is allowed to lapse, or I want a free trip to federal prison. If anyone is selling a pre-ban Bushmaster lower, stripped lower, or full rifle, please feel free to let me know, as we might be able to make a deal. My price examples above are flexible, especially if the piece has the options I want already on it - saves me the time of adding them and trying to play gunsmith. :) |
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Durandal, No one will flame you for buying a pre-ban rifle and shooting it. Most of us have done so ourselves. My favorite AR15 is my pre-ban Colt lightweight match and my new post-ban ultra lightweight Cav-Arms with Colt lightweight match upper runs a close second. THISISME |
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