Picked up my first AR today..now what

ashnic · 11-18-2012, 19:19

Well I picked up a new Colt M4 today..ordered some ammo as well..looking forward to getting it out and putting some rounds down range..just wondering what else I am going to need and should look into purchasing...This is my first rifle..mainly into handguns..

**MrMurphy** · 11-18-2012, 19:39

The M4/M16 Handbook by Mike Pannone.

Green Eyes, Black Rifles by Kyle Lamb.

Some good lube. I use SLIP 2000.

mjkeat · 11-18-2012, 21:33

Look into some training in your area and a good place to shoot that doesn't have all those 3-5 seconds b/w each round type rules.

collim1 · 11-18-2012, 21:41

A front sight tool is handy. The front sight post on my rifle was very tight from the factory and using the tip of a bullet just didn't work. They are cheap and well worth it. I paid $7 for mine and it makes adjusting the sight a breeze. I shoot whatever is cheapest and often adjust zero between brand/types/weights of ammo I am shooting that day.

After that a few extra mags (I like Colt 20rd mags) and as much ammo as you can afford. Congrats on a nice rifle.

steve1911 · 11-18-2012, 23:38

Congrats! on your Colt.

1911club#410

Durden · 11-18-2012, 23:44

It's not sexy, but you'll be waaaay ahead of most AR owners if you can learn to consistently and expeditiously field strip it and put it back together within a reasonable amount of time.

Within 2 minutes is a laudable goal, but even if it takes you twice as long, you're still ahead of 95% of others in knowing how to do an essential task in terms of maintenance and cleaning.

Once you master than, you can have fun detail stripping it.

The second thing is to get to a range that will let you fire it, and zero it in properly.

Congrats!

R2D2 · 11-19-2012, 06:51

How about some optics, lots of mags, mag pouch, proper cleaning kit, some spare (critical) parts, gun case

RyanNREMTP · 11-19-2012, 06:57

1. Training
2. Ammo
3. Training
4. Good cleaning kit
5. Training
6. More ammo
7. Books
8. Training
9. Then toys to put on it.

Sent from my Federation issued communicator.

ashnic · 11-19-2012, 07:33

Sounds like some solid advice...Going to my LGS Weds and see if they offer any training..also looks like online is the only place to get ammo for sure...

fnfalman · 11-19-2012, 08:08

You'd need a $300 tactical belt.

Just kidding.

You'd need a cleaning kit if there's none that came with the carbine.

LL6 · 11-19-2012, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjkeat

Look into some training in your area and a good place to shoot that doesn't have all those 3-5 seconds b/w each round type rules.

You aren't kidding.

The range closest to me charges $20 and has an oppressive list of rules.

Off the top of my head:

No rapid fire - (1 sec between shots)
Magazines can only be loaded to 10 rds
No steel core
No hip or fast draw
etc...

So it was ok to zero but I'm checking out my other options in the area.

scccdoc · 11-19-2012, 09:00

Learn to shoot iron sights first, then you may want to go to a red dot. I'm going to an Aimpoint PRO which will co-witness the irons in case of malfunction. DOC

arushus · 11-19-2012, 14:50

For me, a vertical foregrip was a must before I even shot my gun, but that's me. I also think a weapon mounted light is a very good idea. Other than that, I would suggest putting several hundred rounds downrange before deciding what, if any, accessories you want to install. Training is a great suggestion, as well as ammo and mags. My preferance, and many others', is magpul PMags. A lot of courses require you to have a minimum of three to four mags loaded and ready to go, so make sure you check out requirements like that before taking the course, still, seems most places have items such as mags that they loan out...

Congrats on making an excellent decision for a first AR/M4! That really does put you way ahead of others just starting out.

Durden · 11-19-2012, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by scccdoc

Learn to shoot iron sights first, then you may want to go to a red dot. I'm going to an Aimpoint PRO which will co-witness the irons in case of malfunction. DOC

A huge, huge +1 on that.

I inadvertently left that off my list of suggestions above. My bad.

I absolutely believe that anyone owning an AR (or any rifle, for that matter) should master the task of accuracy using only the iron sights (yes, it's difficult on some rifles, such as AKs, since stock AK sights suck).

bigmoney890 · 11-19-2012, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by LL6

You aren't kidding.

The range closest to me charges $20 and has an oppressive list of rules.

Off the top of my head:

No rapid fire - (1 sec between shots)
Magazines can only be loaded to 10 rds
No steel core
No hip or fast draw
etc...

So it was ok to zero but I'm checking out my other options in the area.

Not sure where you are located because I-40 is a rather large highway

But if you are a reasonable distance from Lillington, in Harnett County, check out Range37. It's expensive as hell ($35 a day for civilians, $30 for .mil/LE) but it's a LOW restriction range. Just a thought! They have tactical bays that you can set up your own steel targets in, 100 meter covered rifle range, and a 11 room shoot house IIRC. I've toured the place, but never shot there because of the $35 a day, that's 100rds of .223 ammo for crying out loud!

Here's their site: Range37.com

and a picture of their layout

LL6 · 11-19-2012, 20:46

Thanks for the info. I'm in the Piedmont Triad area so Lillington not impossible, just a bit far.

I've heard about a range in Thomasville and my brother has a contact that has some acreage nearby that he shoots on. At this point don't need anything fancy just a place to hang some targets.

bigmoney890 · 11-19-2012, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by LL6

Thanks for the info. I'm in the Piedmont Triad area so Lillington not impossible, just a bit far.

I've heard about a range in Thomasville and my brother has a contact that has some acreage nearby that he shoots on. At this point don't need anything fancy just a place to hang some targets.

No problem.

And OP, invest in ammo, mags, and training so you can be as proficient as possible. Other than that, have fun!

**Cole125** · 11-19-2012, 22:09

Ammo, cleaning kit, more mags.

Aimpoint red dot, too.

cowboy1964 · 11-19-2012, 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigmoney890

Not sure where you are located because I-40 is a rather large highway

But if you are a reasonable distance from Lillington, in Harnett County, check out Range37. It's expensive as hell ($35 a day for civilians, $30 for .mil/LE) but it's a LOW restriction range. Just a thought! They have tactical bays that you can set up your own steel targets in, 100 meter covered rifle range, and a 11 room shoot house IIRC. I've toured the place, but never shot there because of the $35 a day, that's 100rds of .223 ammo for crying out loud!

Here's their site: Range37.com

and a picture of their layout

That is awesome. I wish there were someplace in Ohio like that. Given how busy ranges are these days, and how much people spend, I'm surprised some enterprising individuals haven't jumped into stuff like this.

ohio1425 · 11-20-2012, 06:42

Seeing as how you are from Ohio, TDI has a carbine course that might interest you. TDI is located in SE Ohio. I've had their handgun training courses and it's a great place for training.

I just got my first AR also, just for plinking.

wwcadre · 11-21-2012, 10:00

Congrats on a great AR. All you really need is ammo, mags, and trigger time. Enjoy

Jack23 · 11-21-2012, 13:21

There are different opinions on this. Some folks are natural born tinkerers and can't help themselves. They will reinvent every gun they ever get, bless their hearts. Me, I'm old school. I don't believe that I could ever build a better gun than Colt, Glock, S&W. etc. But that's just me.

AR are so versatile I understand the urge to "fluff" one up. But when I got my Colt LE6920 I decided to run it bone stock for a little while until I could figure out what all I wanted to put on it. A funny thing happened. I discovered that I was having so much fun with it right outta the box that I decided to just leave it alone. I haven't drawn a bead with military sights since 1966 and even though my eyes are not what they were back then I can still produce a respectable target at 50 yards. That's good enough to suit me for now. If it changes I can always put some glass on it.

Meanwhile I suggest that you MIGHT want to just play with it for a bit and make sure you want to ad any mods. This way if you do decide to "fluff" it you will know for sure what you want.

Good Luck and happy shootin'!

ashnic · 11-21-2012, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack23

There are different opinions on this. Some folks are natural born tinkerers and can't help themselves. They will reinvent every gun they ever get, bless their hearts. Me, I'm old school. I don't believe that I could ever build a better gun than Colt, Glock, S&W. etc. But that's just me.

AR are so versatile I understand the urge to "fluff" one up. But when I got my Colt LE6920 I decided to run it bone stock for a little while until I could figure out what all I wanted to put on it. A funny thing happened. I discovered that I was having so much fun with it right outta the box that I decided to just leave it alone. I haven't drawn a bead with military sights since 1966 and even though my eyes are not what they were back then I can still produce a respectable target at 50 yards. That's good enough to suit me for now. If it changes I can always put some glass on it.

Meanwhile I suggest that you MIGHT want to just play with it for a bit and make sure you want to ad any mods. This way if you do decide to "fluff" it you will know for sure what you want.

Good Luck and happy shootin'!

Sounds like some pretty solid advice!