Best places to buy an AR in Boise - or buy online?

[HD-DVD]

I'm starting to look at ARs now that they're showing up again and need to find the best places to shop in the Treasure Valley. Would like to get one by the end of the year so am studying up on them.

Was just over at Cabela's and it was a zoo. Finally got someone to talk to but he didn't know a thing about ARs except "they're black and ugly". Asked if they had a Bushmaster Carbon 15 and he didn't know so asked another guy who said "right there in the showcase". Sure... so I gave up and will have to try them again mid-week.

Then went to Sportsman's Warehouse which was busy too. Did have DPMS in the $800-900 range and some S&W M&Ps which I like. Need to check out Impact Guns, too. Also Alpha Omega, I got my WASR 10 from them at a gun show a few years back.

Or maybe should just buy a complete upper, stripped lower and parts kit? I'm new to all the choices in parts so reading up at AR15.com. Seems like CMMG comes up often as a good choice for the money. I don't want tacticool and don't want optics but do want to get the right parts in the first place. Debating whether to go A2 since I'll use open sights but a flattop with a removabble A3/A4 carrying handle probably makes sense in case I change my mind or my eyes can't handle iron sights later. Sure was a lot easier when Uncle Sam just handed me the M16!  

[Beamncoke]

Off the rack is fine... but you'll end up modifying it later anyway.  I would have to suggest a custom build.  For not a lot more money you can have all the options that  you would like right off the bat.    You can then add specialized uppers to your collection thereby expanding your arsenal for not a lot of money.

[9Shooter]

Your not going to find much better price on an upper than what Jeff sells at sawtac.  With the BoiseShooters discount it's a fantastic deal on a Stag.  Then just get a LPK, a stripped lower, and have at it.  The instructions they have at ar15.com make it pretty easy to do it yourself.  The only tools i ended up using were needlenose pliers, a small hammer, a finish nail punch, and some electrical tape.

[Jeff]

Biggest selection is probably Impact Guns.  Ponderosa Sports probably has a bunch too.  Both should be very knowledgeable.

[Nomad]

 Try Zidaho and KSL classified.......
 In most cases there is only a private sale...........

[popsgunner]

RK Gunsmithing has a new dpms ar15, m4 style for sale, and yes I KNOW ar's, I also have 2 lpk's for sale and a mess of small and other parts. Check us out !

[HD-DVD]

Thanks guys!

Yeah it doesn't look like I'll find what I want off the shelf here in town. Best to go custom to avoid replacing parts later but first must get a handle on choosing the right parts. In a way it's a good thing I'm not ready to buy right now, don't know enough. Spent some time looking at CMMG uppers at their site and sure like their specs. Really like their 16" uppers over 14.5. Would like to make this thing look a little like the one I carried in Nam but not the full 20" barrel.

Just registered at SawTac Website and will look around. Heard a lot of good things about Stag.

[Norton1]

I would have to say that popsgunner does know ARs very well - go check it out as he is easy to deal with and knowledgable.

[ManOnFire]

If I'd buy an AR today, I'd get a RRA lower and LPK here:
http://pkfirearms.com/content/1/20/108/6?page=2
a Daniel defense/CMT upper here:
http://pkfirearms.com/content/1/20/117/9?page=2
and butt stock kit from this guy:
http://ee.ar15.com/ItemView.aspx?iid=21691 they're unmarked and highest quality I've used
send the lower to First national pawn downtown for $10 FFL fee
thats a High quality AR for 800 bucks

[HD-DVD]

Man, thanks for all the information guys! Lots to study up on. The CMMG website really takes some time to figure out but I like the wide selection of uppers there. And Stag looks great too.

I'm thinking it's best to go with Jeff and Sawtac, for a complete Stag lower and probably Stag upper as well. Only thing Stag barrels have a 1/9 twist though probably not a big deal since I've read they are accurate. Or there shouldn't be a problem with a CMMG upper with Stag... Anyway, lots to study up on for now.

[popsgunner]

Thanks Steve N, I am easy to deal with, y'all gotta remember, they are all about the same, same specs, same materials, same same. custom parts are nice but spendy depending on what you need, too much junk on an AR is useless. Reg sights, back up sights, sling, light and a decent trigger. All else is iceing in my book, Stag is good, as are a bunch more, the list of crap is much shorter, Oly, Hesse, Vulcan are the main baddies, I think everyone acknowledges those, the other end are the machined uppers and lowers, nice and very spendy.
Always more to learn, however.

[jordonhurd]

What's the deal with AR barrels? Chrome moly, chrome lined? I don't really understand which is supposed to be the best way to go.

[popsgunner]

My understanding and experience is that chrome lined bbl are great for full auto, long life and not so great accuracy because the chrome lining is not evenly put thru out the bbl and chamber. Can they accurate sure but takes alot, cr-mo bbls are much more accurate and easier to crown and make the chamber more precise. My son in Iraq says all their rifle are chrome lined. Ask the shooters who are winning the top matches and 3 gun events, they use non chrome lined bbls.

[HD-DVD]

Thanks for the good info, popsgunner! Sounds like a chrome moly barrel is the way to go for accuracy. And I've been reading the 1 in 7 twist rate isn't the best for all types of ammo, 1 in 9 might be a better compromise and widens the selection. Also a true 16" barrel over 14.5" plus a mid-length gas system instead of standard carbine length. So many choices.

As for a lower I really like the looks of the Stag and it seems to be made by CMT which also may do Rock River Arms, Noveski (some), Global Tactical, S&W, Wilson Tactical, Daniel Defense and Colt (sometimes).

Right now I'm leaning to the A2 full stock but suppose that I can use the same buffer assembly in both the A2 and M4 telescoping stocks if need be. The A2 stock, flat top upper with carry handle and slightly longer barrel and foregrips will look a little more like an M16.

[egress81]

of you want to shoot a heavier bullet but would still like the option of a lighter bullet you could go with a 1:8 twist rate for the best of both worlds

[High Wall]

What's the deal with AR barrels? Chrome moly, chrome lined? I don't really understand which is supposed to be the best way to go.

It depends on the level of accuracy you are after.  Chrome lined barrels can be capable of sub-MOA accuracy in the 5.56, so you may not be giving up much there.  I have a couple of Colt barrels that can do that, as well as a Bushmaster.  But I'll agree if you need/want better than that, a chrome-lined barrel is not the way to go.  If you want an excellent non-chromed barrel for a reasonable price, check out Lothar Walther.

[agunforeachhand]

Thanks Steve N, I am easy to deal with, y'all gotta remember, they are all about the same, same specs, same materials, same same. custom parts are nice but spendy depending on what you need, too much junk on an AR is useless. Reg sights, back up sights, sling, light and a decent trigger. All else is iceing in my book, Stag is good, as are a bunch more, the list of crap is much shorter, Oly, Hesse, Vulcan are the main baddies, I think everyone acknowledges those, the other end are the machined uppers and lowers, nice and very spendy.
Always more to learn, however.

What is wrong with Olympia's? I thought that they took care of their problems and they really aren't that bad anymore?

[egress81]

What is wrong with Olympia's? I thought that they took care of their problems and they really aren't that bad anymore?

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php?topic=6731.0

[agunforeachhand]

http://www.boiseshooters.com/index.php?topic=6731.0

I read that egress thanks. But that seems like only one case. Kind of like the myth about Glock KB's. The Oly plinker I shoot is great. Of course I have never really shot any highend AR's either.

[Michael N]

When was the barrel made ? The best shooting AR I have ever owned had a Olympic Arms 1 in 10 twist super match barrel . The guy I sold it too sent me an e-mail about twice a week for 2 months thanking me for it .

[egress81]

I think it was sometime late 07, My buddy had it put on a build as part of a present to himself after returning from a deployment.

[bourneshooter]

If you want to learn something about AR's, read this links info. READ EVERYTHING ON IT!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA

[Jeff]

That's a nice doc.  It turns out I prefer 1:9, castle nut not staked, and some others.  I prefer Armalite. 

It's funny though that most everyone seems to like Bushmaster, RRA, and DPMS but they aren't much different than Olympic on the chart.

The Olympics I've used in the past have been just fine.

[HD-DVD]

Great spreadsheet, bourneshooter, thanks for the link!

Still studying here... gotta make my one and only AR the right one for me. Pretty much set on a Stag lower though.

[bourneshooter]

I'll admit that right now my castle nut isn't staked. But It is the MAGPUL ASAP I just installed and haven't got a chance to stake. Why do I want it staked? Cause I don't want it coming loose during a course of fire be it training or the longest 2 seconds of my life.

I prefer to make my AR as deadly as possible so I like the 1 in 7 barrel. Heavier bullets, preferably the 5.56 Hornady TAP 75gr T2 or Black Hills MK 262, are much deadlier than any other round out of the AR platform. Hence my like of the 1 in 7 barrel.

For lowers, most of them are the same - Noveske used Stag lowers at one point. I own a Stag and LMT amongst my collection of lowers. Remember, PARTS ARE NOT PARTS. There is a difference in quality.

By the way, Pat Rogers of EAG tactical recently posted an AAR on lightfighter.net about his Colt 6940 that was at 14,000+ rounds without a non magazine induced malfunction and no cleaning. Just the liberal use of Slip 2000. This is the standard for quality guns in a "combat" or heavy training enviroment.

For the occasional plinking, olympic/rra/dpms/bushy/etc might be okay. I wouldn't rely on them for a gun my life might depend on though.