2aHawaii

Tools and Uses => Firearms and Accessories => Topic started by: JeetKuneDont on August 05, 2015, 09:56:04 PM

Title: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: JeetKuneDont on August 05, 2015, 09:56:04 PM
I'm new to firearms and newer to the site. I've been looking around and asking a lot of questions because I'm looking at getting an AR-15/M4 rifle and ran across Aero Precision's M4E1 (http://aeroprecisionusa.com/ap/m4e1-m5e1-carbine/). Has anyone tried know someone who's tried it or any of AP's other rifle parts?

I'm also wondering about the SIGM400 Enhanced that has the flip up front and rear sights. I got to fondle lots of rifles at SEC and it looked pretty good.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: macsak on August 05, 2015, 10:17:25 PM
I'm new to firearms and newer to the site. I've been looking around and asking a lot of questions because I'm looking at getting an AR-15/M4 rifle and ran across Aero Precision's M4E1 (http://aeroprecisionusa.com/ap/m4e1-m5e1-carbine/). Has anyone tried know someone who's tried it or any of AP's other rifle parts?

I'm also wondering about the SIGM400 Enhanced that has the flip up front and rear sights. I got to fondle lots of rifles at SEC and it looked pretty good.

welcome to 2aHI.com, JKD

first tip-
click on this link:
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php
in the upper right hand corner, there's a search box
enter in "aero precision"
read some of the listed threads
then enter "sig m400"
and read some of those
then enter "build an ar"
and read some of those

second tip-
hawaii defense foundation holds range days the last saturday of every month
see here for more info:
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?board=44.0
details of this month's range day should be posted at 8 am this saturday
we usually have an "open shoot" session and a class session
people who come to these range days have an assortment of different setups and rifles, and you can meet a bunch of us and discuss what people are using and why
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: dogman on August 06, 2015, 04:36:40 AM
Has anyone tried know someone who's tried it or any of AP's other rifle parts?
Hey Jeet, Welcome to the site,
I have used AP's standard stripped lowers and uppers, including their blemished receivers and they are excellent.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: oldfart on August 06, 2015, 05:37:15 AM
Hey, welcome aboard.
When people tell me they want to buy something, I always ask them what their intentions are.
I ask because:
1. I am nosy
2. Sometimes people want stuff which is inappropriate for their intended purpose
3. You will get better quality advice from forum members

So....what do you want to do with this gun?
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: JeetKuneDont on August 06, 2015, 08:10:14 AM
welcome to 2aHI.com, JKD
...

Hey Mery, it's Kawika. I didn't see too much when I tried searching so I figured I'd ask and see.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: JeetKuneDont on August 06, 2015, 08:26:29 AM
Hey, welcome aboard.
When people tell me they want to buy something, I always ask them what their intentions are.
I ask because:
1. I am nosy
2. Sometimes people want stuff which is inappropriate for their intended purpose
3. You will get better quality advice from forum members

So....what do you want to do with this gun?
Mainly to learn how to handle/shoot rifles and probably get into accuracy/marksmanship. I did try a bunch at the shooting fair and the 223/556 guns felt pretty easy to handle. The 308/762 rifles were a little intimidating and kicked pretty hard.

Not really self defense right now since I live in an apartment. Even my handgun seems ill suited because of the possible ricochet and the noise in a small, enclosed space.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: GZire on August 06, 2015, 08:42:38 AM
Mainly to learn how to handle/shoot rifles and probably get into accuracy/marksmanship. I did try a bunch at the shooting fair and the 223/556 guns felt pretty easy to handle. The 308/762 rifles were a little intimidating and kicked pretty hard.

Not really self defense right now since I live in an apartment. Even my handgun seems ill suited because of the possible ricochet and the noise in a small, enclosed space.



Accuracy/marksmanship..........Teichi and ren are heavy into this.  You may want to PM them about doing the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program).  Lot's of stuff to learn and ren can give you some good advice on how to set up an AR.

Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: macsak on August 06, 2015, 09:11:20 AM

Hey Mery, it's Kawika. I didn't see too much when I tried searching so I figured I'd ask and see.

Aloha kawika
This is Steve
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: Hi state on August 06, 2015, 09:32:24 AM
HI I would say since your new to firearms then go and buy a rifle instead of building one. Get used to how it operates and functions practice and get proficient with it. Then later you can build your self one (cus you know you cant just have one) once you know what and what you don't want on your platform. I have a Sig M400 and its a very good reliable firearm never had any issues or malfunction with it..
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: JeetKuneDont on August 06, 2015, 09:35:06 AM
Aloha kawika
This is Steve

Oops! Sorry about that, I thought in an email she mentioned the user name. You actually did the HDF class for 2 of my coworkers, I had Mark. The 3 of us work with Mery.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: macsak on August 06, 2015, 09:45:52 AM
Oops! Sorry about that, I thought in an email she mentioned the user name. You actually did the HDF class for 2 of my coworkers, I had Mark. The 3 of us work with Mery.

 :shaka:
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: aieahound on August 06, 2015, 09:50:49 AM
Aloha kawika
This is Steve


He called you Mery. 

That's your new nickname.  :rofl:

HiState gives good advice.
And depending on your budget, consider the smith and Wesson sport.
Doesn't have the tacticool dust cover or forward assist but still a smith and Wesson.
(Though for range use I wouldn't recommend forcing a round into the chamber anyway)
Mine's reliable and accurate. 1 in 9 twist though.

Sig's probably way better though.
Is it DI or piston ?
Another consideration for a first rifle.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: oldfart on August 06, 2015, 09:56:47 AM
Mainly to learn how to handle/shoot rifles and probably get into accuracy/marksmanship. I did try a bunch at the shooting fair and the 223/556 guns felt pretty easy to handle. The 308/762 rifles were a little intimidating and kicked pretty hard.

Not really self defense right now since I live in an apartment. Even my handgun seems ill suited because of the possible ricochet and the noise in a small, enclosed space.
....
I'm going to make some broad suggestions based on what you said.
You have a handgun.
If you can shoot a consistent cluster about the size of your hand at 25 yards, then you already have marksmanship skills that will carry over to a rifle.
Go for an ar15 type rifle.

If you can't shoot a nice cluster with your pistol, then go for a 22 rifle because you need more practice. Practice takes plenty more ammo.
22 is cheap practice.

Does that make sense?
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: aieahound on August 06, 2015, 10:31:23 AM
Good comment oldF.

Another consideration is do you want semi-auto or is bolt Ok.

For less money a bolt gun will generally be more accurate.

Also check out the 243 round. Less kick but good accuracy out to distance in a bolt gun.

And everyone needs a 22 rifle.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: JeetKuneDont on August 06, 2015, 10:49:29 AM
....
I'm going to make some broad suggestions based on what you said.
You have a handgun.
If you can shoot a consistent cluster about the size of your hand at 25 yards, then you already have marksmanship skills that will carry over to a rifle.
Go for an ar15 type rifle.

If you can't shoot a nice cluster with your pistol, then go for a 22 rifle because you need more practice. Practice takes plenty more ammo.
22 is cheap practice.

Does that make sense?
Thanks, it does. I'm still working in improving with my pistol. Lately I've just been practicing at 50 yds on the Koko Head steel silhouettes because I've been a little lazy to deal with the frame and paper targets.

I'm actually highly considering a 22 rifle because of the economics of ammo that would let me do high volume practicing.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: justin1098 on August 06, 2015, 11:53:12 AM
Thanks, it does. I'm still working in improving with my pistol. Lately I've just been practicing at 50 yds on the Koko Head steel silhouettes because I've been a little lazy to deal with the frame and paper targets.

I'm actually highly considering a 22 rifle because of the economics of ammo that would let me do high volume practicing.

Well, yeah everyone should have at least one 22... and one AR-15.


If you buy a ruger 10/22, just don't get carried away accessorizing it as most accessories cost as much as the gun. ie $200 barrel, $200 trigger pack, $200 stock
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: Drakiir84 on August 06, 2015, 12:56:11 PM
Well, yeah everyone should have at least one 22... and one AR-15.


If you buy a ruger 10/22, just don't get carried away accessorizing it as most accessories cost as much as the gun. ie $200 barrel, $200 trigger pack, $200 stock

Aye, just get something like a Savage mk2 ($250) and throw a cheap scope on it. Can build on the fundamentals with that.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: mf_tom on August 06, 2015, 01:37:35 PM
Aloha kawika
This is Steve

Mery looks way better, but DL finds you attractive lol
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: ren on August 06, 2015, 02:13:21 PM
I have an AeroPrecision upper on my service rifle that I compete with. I believe AP forges and/or machines their own. Works fine.

Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: Sodie on August 06, 2015, 09:52:16 PM
I built myself an AR with an Aero Precision lower, upper, barrel, bolt carrier group, barrel nut, and hand guards.  I've never shot it from a bench rest, but I'm pretty sure I'm the limiting factor in the system when it comes to accuracy.  Parts fit together very well with little to no "play," and I haven't had a malfunction with it yet (but only ~100 rounds through it).  Would a Bravo Company, Daniel Defense, Sig, or Noveske probably be more accurate?  Sure.  Would they cost a bunch more? Probably.

I'm happy with my AP stuff.  If I build another AR (probably in .308), I'll probably stick with AP for the upper/lower...  Might go elsewhere for BCG, barrel, trigger.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: Wake27 on August 07, 2015, 06:05:42 AM
.22 is a great option - I highly recommend the S&W M&P 15-22. It works exactly the same as an AR so the experience you get on it will carry over. There are a lot of people on here throwing out all kinds of suggestions. I suggest picking a platform you really want to focus on learning. You can work on fundamentals with any gun but you'll spend a ton of money real fast if you buy a bolt gun and then decide you want a semi auto, etc. For me, I focus on the AR. It's what I use at work and IMO it is the most viable and versatile weapon I have access to in the civilian sector so I want to be very good with it. Sure I want a bolt gun eventually, but I'm still working on my ARs for now. As far as the rifle itself - I know AP's stripped lowers have worked very well for many people and I know many people like to build their first AR. It's very doable but I still don't recommend it. Do your research and invest in a quality rifle that will have high resale value. Even if you research everything on the rifle, you will find stuff you don't like on the first one. If it comes down to it, you can sell it and buy or build a new one. I have no personal experience with the Sig. I know people who like the Sig and people who don't. My only personal experience is seeing two malfunction repeatedly at the last range I went to. Could it have been something other than the rifle? Definitely. But there are likely other rifles out there that could have kept going. I'm in the minority, but I won't spend any of my money on a gun that may have an occasional malfunction - I will pay the extra money for a brand with a better reputation. Colt or BCM are the two big ones that I recommend. Colt will likely be a it cheaper, but BCM will have better features. Both will run like hell.
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: ren on August 07, 2015, 08:55:21 AM
.22 is a great option - I highly recommend the S&W M&P 15-22. It works exactly the same as an AR so the experience you get on it will carry over. There are a lot of people on here throwing out all kinds of suggestions. I suggest picking a platform you really want to focus on learning. You can work on fundamentals with any gun but you'll spend a ton of money real fast if you buy a bolt gun and then decide you want a semi auto, etc. For me, I focus on the AR. It's what I use at work and IMO it is the most viable and versatile weapon I have access to in the civilian sector so I want to be very good with it. Sure I want a bolt gun eventually, but I'm still working on my ARs for now. As far as the rifle itself - I know AP's stripped lowers have worked very well for many people and I know many people like to build their first AR. It's very doable but I still don't recommend it. Do your research and invest in a quality rifle that will have high resale value. Even if you research everything on the rifle, you will find stuff you don't like on the first one. If it comes down to it, you can sell it and buy or build a new one. I have no personal experience with the Sig. I know people who like the Sig and people who don't. My only personal experience is seeing two malfunction repeatedly at the last range I went to. Could it have been something other than the rifle? Definitely. But there are likely other rifles out there that could have kept going. I'm in the minority, but I won't spend any of my money on a gun that may have an occasional malfunction - I will pay the extra money for a brand with a better reputation. Colt or BCM are the two big ones that I recommend. Colt will likely be a it cheaper, but BCM will have better features. Both will run like hell.

That's a great suggestion  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Looking at buying/building my first rifle
Post by: tanakattack on September 13, 2015, 10:50:30 AM
you could always pick up a Colt OEM2 and put the handguard, trigger guard and buttstock of your choice on it.  It would allow you to set it up the way you want from the get go.

(http://www.slickguns.com/sites/default/files/4474_1_.jpg)