My first AR15

[MegaGlide]

Spend money on ammo. Available at 30-35 cents a round for good stuff (Federal/LC). Buy on stripper clips when you can.
Then, spend money on correcting any deficiencies you notice while shooting.
How it feels/functions in the field is way more important than how it feels/looks on the couch.
The only concession I made to looks on mine was a teardrop forward assist, because I'm old. And I never use it. Why take a clearable jam and pound the action shut on it with, essentially, a ball peen hammer, rendering the weapon unusable except as a lightweight club?
My carry handle isn't even detachable.

[OKC Fatboy]

Looking good! Get a light for it. I'm ambivalent about the vertical fore grip. Make sure it's QD. They are like a Lays potato chip. Bet ya can't have just one!

Bob

[Ancient Iron]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

Spend money on ammo. Available at 30-35 cents a round for good stuff (Federal/LC). Buy on stripper clips when you can.
Then, spend money on correcting any deficiencies you notice while shooting.
How it feels/functions in the field is way more important than how it feels/looks on the couch.
The only concession I made to looks on mine was a teardrop forward assist, because I'm old. And I never use it. Why take a clearable jam and pound the action shut on it with, essentially, a ball peen hammer, rendering the weapon unusable except as a lightweight club?
My carry handle isn't even detachable.

I also spurn the forward assist. In fact the next toy will probably be a slick sided upper with no assist.

[Bluetoys]

Ammo is starting to build up here. I am nowhere near stockpiling status in any way yet I've wondered about .223/5.56 on stripper clips. I wasn't sure if it was a good idea though, mostly with loading the mags. Thumbs up eh?
I have several hundred rounds on stripper clips for one of my SKSs, (lots of mags for the other) but only because it is the best way to load the 10 round mag on it.
I watched Hickoc45 demo an AR 15 with a side charging handle and no forward assist. Looked pretty slick. I went and found the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aUOdBX3k9U

[MegaGlide]

Well, way back when, the only way to get the new sights, etc., was to get an upper w/ forward assist.
And G.I. stripper clip guides are only like fify cent apiece...

[Bluetoys]

Originally Posted by MegaGlide

Well, way back when, the only way to get the new sights, etc., was to get an upper w/ forward assist.

And G.I. stripper clip guides are only like fify cent apiece...

Way before dreams of retirement filled your head eh? oke:

[MegaGlide]

Nah, dreamin' about it even then,
And some of the cans come with a couple guides in 'em.

[Inspector 12]

Originally Posted by Ancient Iron

I also spurn the forward assist. In fact the next toy will probably be a slick sided upper with no assist.

The only down side to most of the slick side non assist versions is they also lack the dust cover. I don't recall ever using a forward assist but do like the idea of a dust cover to keep the crud out of the action.

[MegaGlide]

There was a dust cover on the first SP1 I ever bought. The rifle was made of bronze and fired .22/25 black powder cartridges.


Just another damn Dave
Fluent in Pidgin Cigar Spanish

[stupidglide]

I agree with the Boss on this one, don't gorp it up, leave it as stripped and functional as possible, and stock up on ammo and mags. We have 4 "red dot" 30 round mags, with rounds that have been "faced" (blunted tips on the rounds) to increase the round's "effectiveness"...........


Lets just say that NATO would not approve of them.......................

[Infidel!]

Why not just use hollow points, or frangibles?

[stupidglide]

Originally Posted by Infidel!

Why not just use hollow points, or frangibles?

Till I have enough surplus brass to start reloading them (.223, BTW) it all comes down to cost and availability. The standard NATO .223 is dead cheap and plentiful, and the frangibles and hollow points are more expensive and harder to find 'round these parts.