Essential Questions to Consider Before Buying an AR Rifle

In recent years, there has been a drastic increase in the number of manufacturers of AR-type rifles. As the market grew so did the available options. Nowadays, there are many custom-type manufacturers which design and produce premium rifles and their corresponding parts. Furthermore, large manufacturers also make budget-friendly guns within the AR-10 and AR-15 style. In other words, this is the first time in history that this many calibers and configurations of AR-like rifles are available in the market en masse. On the other hand, a buyer has to browse through a large number of choices when it comes to purchasing an ideal rifle within their intended budget. Therefore, it is essential to ask the following questions before you pick your next rifle from the wide array of options available on the market today.

What is the Proposed Use?

This is the most important question you need to ask before purchasing a rifle. Certain rifles are more versatile in their application while others are more specialized. There are rifles that cover every need and are generalist in nature, however these guns won’t be specialize in any one intended use. Hence, it is advisable to narrow down your search to a couple of types.

If you want to use the rifle for home defense, you might want to look for a mid-length gas system or a carbine system one. This will leave you with the option of a shorter barrel length spanning 14.5 inches for a carbine or 16 inches for a mid-length gas system. There is a common misconception that the lighter the rifle, the more compact and recoil friendly it will be, however both heavy and light guns can both pack considerable kick.

Conditions are similar in the case of competition rifles. The lightweight maneuverability of a gun is one of the most important key factors, and AR-15’s certainly deliver on this front. Competition guns function on match or custom ammo. They also feature high-end triggers which have an adjustable gas system, minimizing recoil and maximizing accuracy.

While competition guns are equally well suited for game hunting, they generally require fine-tuning for different loads and cost quite a bit more. In the instance that you want to use the rifle for hunting purposes, it is recommended to go with mid-length or rifle-length gas system. These systems give you a barrel between 14 and 24 inches. Furthermore, different sized prey will require different calibers of rifle as well as variations of rounds and ammunition.

Which Caliber is Appropriate for your Needs?

Caliber selection is yet another important aspect to consider before finalizing your rifle choice. AR-15’s are a great choice for home defense because the .223 Rem./5.56 NATO rounds are accessible to many home defense loads. These excel at target practice and reduce in-wall penetration in home defense scenarios. The same rifle has the capability to be used as a game hunting gun due to the continuous availability of high-quality loads designed for hunting with the.223 Rem.

In the event of big-game hunting with AR-15, there are other options available in caliber selection. Different AR-15 accessories can be utilized in this instance customize the gun and satisfy your requirements.

Several AR-15 firearm modifications like.300 BLK, 6.8 SPC, and others are meant for small game and can be helpful for the varying needs. There are also accessories available for long distance firing such as scopes and bipods.

Is it Possible to Upgrade Later?

The ability to transform your gun is one of the biggest advantages of an AR-style rifle. You can buy a low-budget gun and construct the gun of your dreams by adding accessories to it.

The price of AR-type rifles fluctuates based on its original components. The basic chassis is the same, however, so you can buy a system on a budget and upgrade at your own pace as you please. You can create thousands of different designs with the available range of accessories and combinations.

Which Components are Functional and which are Cosmetic?

As is the case with most rifles, the main factor that impacts cost is the presence of aesthetic and cosmetic items. Components like posh paint jobs, artfully machined billet aluminum receivers, and spiral fluted barrels are all very luxurious but their functionality should be compared when it comes to budgetary concerns. This is also the case when it comes to artfully CNC-machined bullet receivers. The truth is that many of these high-cost accessories can be done away with if the budget you’re working with doesn’t allow them

The components that you should add to your rifle should be of top quality and integral purpose. The first aspect you should consider putting your budget into starts with the trigger itself. A good trigger will contribute to improved accuracy and fast follow-up shots.

What are the Types of Optics and Shooting Aids Needed?

Majority of the AR’s are equipped with a Picatinny top rail, a rail which is capable of mounting any number of riflescopes, combat optics, or red laser sights. There are several options available for mounting scopes including quick detach, one piece, lightweight, two-piece, and various height options for a different range of shooting. The presence of a full-length Picatinny rail allows the use of many mounting options.

In the case of hunting or home defense rifles, a handguard with 3, 6 and 9 o’clock attachment points are needed. A similar handguard will function smoothly in a hunting rifle used for long-range shooting purposes.