I did my best to stimulate the economy yesterday.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

I purchased an AR-15 with 6 - 30 round magazines, 1 - 20 round magazine, 400 rounds of ammo and a gun case. All that and I still have $50 left out of my $600 stimulus check. Let's hear some opinions, I figured at that price I couldn't go wrong. If anyone pushes another assault weapons ban through, I figure I'll be able to get double what I paid for it. If not it was still a good deal and I can probably make a little cash off of selling it. I'm a little bit worried about the young ones in the house with it but I figure the lack of opposable thumbs will prevent them from firing it.


David

[angstlessk]

1. what a great idea...in order to keep kids from using guns and getting you in trouble

rip off their thumbs...BRILLIANT! damn this room's IQ must be what?????



















50 at least!!!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

2. Maybe that is the answer to zannes question about how to make things safer for kids.

[scrinmaster]

17. I think the OP might mean that his "kids",

are of the four-legged variety.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

23. Nice catch.

3 golden retrievers, 2 black labs and 2 mutts. My wife runs a dog rescue. Those 7 are just the ones that stayed for one reason or another.

David

[SteveM]

24. Can you spell "cat" and "dog?" Sure. I knew you could.

[DrCory]

64. LOL! I think it's your IQ which is in question. N/T

[spin]

3. If another assault weapons ban passes...

You might make back most of the money you spent by just selling the high capacity magazines.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

4. That's true.

I ordered an M4 stock for it and I have a line on a short barrel. Figured I'd get one of those before any ban comes back into play.

David

[spin]

5. Curiousity..what make of AR-15 did you get (nt)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

6. DPMS Panther Arms lower,

not sure on the upper I assume it's the same, unmarked though. The barrel is a J & T 1 in 9, 20 inch bull barrel. It's way to heavy though. I found a 12 inch with a 4 inch suppressor that makes it legal but it's pricey. Have to wait till the wife gets her thesis done in July to get it. So it was the AR-15 or a new YES putter and a new Ping G10 driver. I couldn't pass a deal like that even if I have to do some modifications.

David

[spin]

8. Yep, that was a great deal...

I don't golf, but I know a lot of good shooters that do.

Most of the shooters that played golf seemed to find it a lot more frustrating and difficult then shooting. (Not that accurate shooting is easy by any means.)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

10. Mark Twain said, "Golf is a good walk spoiled."

I'm an decent shot with a rifle. I love shooting pistols though. We shoot a lot of golfballs with our .22 pistols and see who can shoot them out of the other persons range. We hit them pretty well out to about 20 yards. Then it gets down to a hit every 3rd shot or so. It's pretty fun. I'd say long range shooting is difficult and stressful.

David

[spin]

12. Never shot at golf balls...

Not a bad idea. Have to try it sometime. It does sound like fun.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

13. I've got hundreds of old balls.

If you know some people who golf they should have a bunch around.

David

[maxidivine]

19. Standard Capacity Magazines

Are the magazines that the firearm was designed with. High-capacity magazines is kind of a misnomer, it should really be "extended capacity magazines", but because ordinarily people who use the phrase "high-capacity magazines" are normally trying to push for there restriction, they like to set the number arbitrarily at ten. In this case, the OP bought six standard capacity magazines and one reduced capacity magazine.

Many auto-loading firearms, pistols especially, are not as reliable with reduced capacity or added capacity magazines.

[57_TomCat]

25. I will argue that point...

Magazine capacity is a variable based on many factors. Early lever actions such as the Sharps and Henry's had capacities in the 7 to 12 round range and were "high capacity" compared to single shots and the modern military rifles of the day with three round to 5 round capacity. The Short magazine Lee-Enfield was considered high capacity with a 10 round magazine when most other contemporary battle rifles had 5 round magazines. Full auto hand held weapons were in the inventory with the 20 round and more "high capacity" magazines starting in the late teens and early 20's. Pistols got their 1st "high capacity magazine" in WWI with the parabellem 32 round snail drum but it's standard capacity magazine was 8 round. Until the Browning Hi-Power in 1935 with it's 13 round High capacity magazine all pistols were usually topped ot at 7 or 8 rounds with a few that held 10.

Ever since then high capacity magazines have been in the lexicon. Many new handguns, rifles and other arms started being designed around high capacity magazines. The Ar15 that became the military M16 started out with 20 round magazines and then went to a higher capacity 30 round magazine at the end of the Viet Nam conflict. The US Army in the late 70's and early 80's when testing replacements for the M1911A1 pistol (7 round magazine) required "high capacity magazines of at least 15 rounds. The Beretta M92SBF which was renamed the M92F and adopted as the M9 in the military has 15 round magazines as standard BUT they are still high capacity compared to the lower capacity magazines of other military handguns. Since then many handguns have been adopted by governments with higher capacity magazines and all of the worlds armies now field assault weapons with high capacity magazines. It is still quite correct to call them by their correct names as high capacity magazines.

I do believe that arbitrarily trying to limit a firearm to 10 round magazines or less is a bit silly since it has no practical effect on criminal misuse.

[maxidivine]

29. We're pretty much agreeing

Which is good. I just cringe every time I hear "high-capacity" because it is almost always in the context of either "why does anyone NEED high capacity magazines" or "high-capacity semi-automatic assault weapons".

And as far as pistols go, if a pistol is designed with a grip that fits 16 rounds, and sixteen rounds is what the most reliable magazines are designed to hold, then it isn't "high-capacity" unless you are comparing it to a "low capacity" magazine, like a single stack 1911. The term 'high capacity' is just so subjective and relative to irrelevant things that it is not a useful term for informed debate, and certainly has no meaningful use in the context of combatting crime and criminal use of weapons. It is a term that has been hauled out of the military attic and dusted off for use as a scary word that people use to inflate the description of household firearms to the point that they sound scary and dangerous, as well as unneccessary.

It's a useful term, just not in anything but a gunsmithing or historical context.

[JDPriestly]

7. As my dad, a minister, used to say: If anyone wants to shoot

me, he'll have to bring his own gun.

What in the world will you do with this gun? Put it in a gun case and stare at it? Take it to a shooting range and shoot it? The noise must be deafening. In my experience the ear plugs don't even block out the sound of a room of typewriters much less an automatic weapon. Why in the world would you want a gun like that? You can't hunt with it, can you?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. It's not an automatic weapon.

I will take it to the range. Shoot some competition matches next year. Ear plugs do a good job of reducing the noise levels of all firearms to levels that don't cause hearing damage. I was an Army Combat Medic in an Armored Cavalry Regiment and with the 82nd Airborne Division, so I'm quite used to loud noises. I used to be able to sleep on the Tank ranges in Germany with the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank firing rounds. I have fired .50 cal machine guns, M16A2's, too many different pistols to count, thrown live grenades and dropped 60mm mortars. I could hunt with the AR, but I don't hunt. I see far to much death in my job and I love animals. My reasons for buying the gun was that a friend was selling it, I was highly trained with a very similar weapon in the military and I thought that it was a prudent financial decision considering what happened to the prices of these types of weapons the last time a democrat was in the white house. At least those are a few of the reasons. I hope that explains things a little better. I appreciate your questions and your politeness in the asking of them. I thought about buying some golf clubs instead but, practice is what it's going to take to get my handicap down below 5 this season.


David

[spin]

11. The current AR-15 is a semi-auto rifle, not a full auto.

It just looks a lot like the true assault rifles used in the military which do have the ability to fire full auto.

Ar-15 rifles are used for hunting (varmint and predator), and target shooting:
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/phar_022707/

Yes, shooting can damage your hearing. Ear plugs just don't cut it. Wise shooters wear good headsets. For example:
http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/product/Peltor-TacticalPro-Electronic-Headset.html

Where in today's world do you find a room of typewriters?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

14. Good earplugs are effective.

I wear headsets but earplugs are convenient.

David

[spin]

28. I did a lot of shooting at an indoor range...

A co-worker and I would occasionally both bring our S&W .44 magnums to try a little rapid fire. Once or twice when we did this we cleared the range. Everybody just went outside until we were finished. They all were wearing headsets.

Now that I've moved to a more rural area, I shoot outdoors. It's amazing how much difference that makes. A set of earplugs would prove adequate.

My hearing has suffered over the years. While shooting contributed to the problem, the fact that I worked in a high noise environment for 37 years is more than likely the larger contributing factor. Many of the younger employees used ear plugs at work. The older guys served as a lesson for them.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

35. Hearing Conservation

Amazingly after 8 years in the military and 9 years in the fire service and 15 years of construction jobs or side jobs, my hearing is still perfect. I learned a long time ago that when your hearing goes, it's gone never to return. So I've used ear plugs or headsets whenever possible.

David

[spin]

43. Good advise and a fine example for anyone who...

works in a loud environment.

[benEzra]

15. I personally wear plugs and muffs together when shooting.

Muffs alone don't do as much for me as plugs alone, since I wear glasses.

[benEzra]

16. The AR-15 (non automatic) is the most popular centerfire target rifle in the United States.

What in the world will you do with this gun? Put it in a gun case and stare at it? Take it to a shooting range and shoot it? The noise must be deafening. In my experience the ear plugs don't even block out the sound of a room of typewriters much less an automatic weapon. Why in the world would you want a gun like that? You can't hunt with it, can you?

The AR-15 is a non-automatic civilian rifle, not an automatic weapon, and happens to be the most popular centerfire target rifle in the United States. They are extremely accurate and don't kick much.



The most common AR-15 caliber (.223 Remington) isn't powerful enough to hunt deer with, but it's popular for hunting prairie dogs, groundhogs, and other small game. There are models available in deer hunting calibers, but most buyers opt for the .223 version (most gun owners aren't hunters anyway).

[SteveM]

26. Actually, the AR 15 is increasingly chambered for "deer rounds"....

Remington now makes a model which can shoot larger rounds, and in fact makes its own cartridge, .260 Rem, designed specifically for deer. This caliber is in the same general power range as the old .25 '06, but not as strong as a .270 or .30 '06, the most common deer rounds.

Increasingly, these arms ARE used for hunting; being semi-automatic, they have the power of old-style walnut & blue steel semi-automatic rifles (like the Remington 742), but are lighter, ergonomically more comfortable to carry and shoot, and not likely to be scratched up in the woods (synthetic stocks and flat-black metal). In general, they also kick less.

Noise from this class of arms is no worse than from standard hunting rifles (I use headphone-type ear muffs rated at 27 db, plenty enough to soak up a .270 caliber rifle).

I'm glad you asked these questions and folks got a chance to inform you about these rifles. Did you know that you can go to a range and rent a semi-auto? I recommend you try it. You'll find (with ear muffs), the rifle has a very good "fit," mild recoil, and quite good accuracy with rather inexpensive ammunition. Women are very much drawn to these rifles for these reasons.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

33. If he lets people know what state he is in someone will probably take him shooting.

I keep trying to get Iverglas and zanne to go shooting with me but they won't tell me where they live. Just kidding everyone.


David

[SteveM]

41. Hmm, sounds like an interesting challenge...

Maybe "we" should make a standing offer: Anyone who is anti-gun or would like to find out more about guns, please privately post your address and a pro-2A DU member in your area will take you shooting.

[JDPriestly]

46. I'm too old to go shooting -- and my vision is too poor.

I'm not anti-guns. My uncle and cousin like to shoot. My mother is menaced by deer who eat everything they possibly can chew on in her garden.

I just don't think extremely powerful guns are a good idea for most households. There is too much danger that they will be turned on their owners.

I am very small. Even with a gun, I would be easily overpowered and defenseless. Guns are not for everyone. Thanks everyone for the information on this particular gun.

The world of guns is just beyond my life. I can't imagine being interested in guns.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

50. This is not a powerful gun by almost any standards.

It isn't even legal to hunt deer with in most states. I agree guns aren't for everyone, but law abiding citizens should have access to them if they see fit.

David

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

54. This is a relative statement.

It is powerful compared to a bb gun, not compared to a .460 Weatherby. Just thought I should clarify.

David

[SteveM]

55. I respect your decision and outlook; I just turned 60...

Not everyone should have a gun and no one is advocating that. In my opinion, the "power" of the gun has nothing to do with whether or not it will be "turned on their owners." The power (or large caliber, if a handgun) is designed to stop an attacker, as opposed to a .22 which may kill, but not immediately stop an attacker. Be safe.

[maxidivine]

57. You'd really be surprised

If you took a basic familiarization and safety course, I bet you would find that there are sight systems that work pretty well for people with poor sight, like the XS BigDot sights.

And no AR-15 pattern rifle could ever pass muster as "extremely powerful", in fact they are extraordinarily underpowered for a centerfire rifle. The .223 Remington is one of the middle-low end of the road intermediate cartridges, not powerful at all. I think you are basing that description more on movie scenes and the sound of the technical features of them.

[gorfle]

40. Heh,

As my dad, a minister, used to say: If anyone wants to shoot me, he'll have to bring his own gun.

Don't worry, oppressors and tyrants usually do. Not having one of your own means you'll pretty much do what they tell you to.

What in the world will you do with this gun? Put it in a gun case and stare at it? Take it to a shooting range and shoot it?

While some people simply collect firearms, most firearm owners probably shoot theirs. The AR-15 is a popular target rifle.

The noise must be deafening.

AR-15s are nothing compared to my .44 mag, and when wearing ear muffs it's not that bad. Never shoot firearms without hearing protection.

In my experience the ear plugs don't even block out the sound of a room of typewriters much less an automatic weapon.

I always wear ear muffs, not plugs, but to each his own. The best is to wear them both together.

Why in the world would you want a gun like that? You can't hunt with it, can you?

The primary reason for firearm ownership in the United States is to have an armed populace able to replace or counter federal military power. In that light, any firearm you would own would be for this reason, and the AR-15, being similar to military arms, is acceptable for this purpose. That said, the AR-15 can be used for hunting or target practice.

[iiibbb]

18. Assuming the new AWB is written the same way as the old one.

maybe... maybe not.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

22. True

I figured it was a good deal anyway.

David

[57_TomCat]

27. It is a GREAT deal. N/T

[SteveM]

42. I saw a Panther in Field & Stream (.260 Rem) going for well over 1K (nt)

[michreject]

48. Regardless of the type of AWB that passes

I live in a state that doesn't register long guns. Private sales are cash and carry. Nobody knows who owns what.:evilgrin:

[Tejas]

61. Same here in Texas

and it works very well.

[57_TomCat]

20. I wish I could find a deal like that.

I will be spending mine on a CMP M1 Garand.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

21. Very nice.

I'd really like one of those Springfield M1A Scout Squad rifles. That will have to wait on the wifes PHD also. If shes as smart as I think she is she'll probably promptly divorce me.

David

[gorfle]

30. What a deal!

I thought ARs started around $800. How did you get all that for $550?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

32. A fellow fireman just sat down in my office and said you want to buy an AR-15.

I said how much, he said how does $550 sound. Sold I said. Then he told me all the stuff he had to go with it and said he'd get it all together. It's only had 100 rounds through it. He brought it to me the next day. It will probably cost me $250 to get it the way I want it. But I'll still have an extra barrel and stock.

David

[WWFZD]

47. 100 rounds, thats all?

With the mags and the ammo? That is a great deal.
I haven't priced .223 ammo but 400 rounds of 7.62 Wolf for my SKS is pushing $100.
You oughta buy that dude a few lunches, something, because you picked his pocket. I've been offered, and accepted, deep discounts on various items over the years. You have to wonder what the person was thinking but he made the offer. Some people just feel that they've accumulated too much stuff and periodically need to clean house.
Don't forget the pics.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

51. He wants a 7.62 of some kind.

It was a good deal. I think it was just a house cleaning issue. He is a little bit older and money isn't much of an issue.

David

[maxidivine]

31. I thought I did well

With my CMMG 16" M4 profile, 3 SSAT mags, and cleaning kit for a bit under $700!

Congratulations, is it your first EBR?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

34. Other than the ones I carried in the military, yes.

I just have to do some mods and make it a little more close quarter friendly. I'll post some pics when I get it finished.

David

[maxidivine]

36. Mine too

I'm in the Guard right now, but anyone who joins thinking they will get to shoot quite a bit is sadly mistaken, only if you are deploying do you get to. I will be practicing with the marksmanship team, since my state has a great program and uses it as an extra-curricular training club on top of it's competitive side.

I just added a more curvy pistol grip to mine a couple nights ago, it feels REALLY good, despite being pretty inexpensive. I ordered it from CDNN, it's the Israeli one for about $15. Do you have a sling on it?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

37. Not yet.

I just ordered a holographic sight and a collapsable stock yesterday. They should be here next week, good thing my wife is going out of town. So she won't see the packages come.

David

[maxidivine]

38. heeheehee isn't it true

ordering some holsters right now, good thing I'm not at home!

[bossy22]

39. good job

im a Rock River guy myself

[east texas lib]

44. You done good podnah!

Happy shootin! I always wanted an AR but really never could come up with the cash. But my brother
bought me a Polytech M-14S about 18 years ago NIB for 450.00 and let me pay him back over time.
It shoots very well, indeed.

[sportbike100]

45. nobody is gettin my gun

i love my gun

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

49. Sounds like a personal problem.

I can't say much though about loving inanimate objects, I do love my Cleveland Golf CG14 Lob Wedge.

David

[DemOkie]

52. Hey Dave..not to be a safety nazi, but

Shooting golf balls with a .22 isn't a really great idea. With older golf balls, the center can get pretty dense, and still be elastic. Results in a 30-40 grain projectile coming back about as fast as it hit. Now, believe me, I've shot my share. It just so happens the range where I'm the safety nazi had two folks get dinked by "return fire" from golf balls.

Otherwise, great purchase with the AR. My wife has a DPMS lower on hers, and it works great.

Shoot, with Wolf .223 going for $245/1000, the ammo alone is a great deal.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

53. Interesting

We've never had a problem. Are you sure it was lead coming back and not part of the cover? I could see an old hard cover chipping and sending flakes everywhere. It's hard to believe that you would get a richocet off of a 1.6 ounce ball loose on the ground, the physics just don't seem to work. We are talking about 120+ foot pounds of force into a 1.6 ounce unsecured object. Regardless you don't want anything flying back at you at the range. That's why safety glasses are so important. I had an old AMT Hardballer, the firing pin stuck forward on it and struck the primer of the last round in the magazine as it chambered it. It blew out the sidewall of the casing, blew the welds of the bottom of a stainless steel magazine. Left me with slight powder burns all over my face and a decent sized piece of brass sticking out of my nose. My eyes were fine though thanks to my safety glasses. Thanks for the info. Didn't mean to be the physics nazi just curious is all because we've shot hundreds and never had a problem.


David

[DemOkie]

56. No problem buddy

This may fall under the category of "who can really know"? I was shown a deformed .22 projectile in each case. It may have been due from partially burying the golf ball in the berm to avoid target movement. I dunno. I agree that the physics of a golf ball placed freely on the ground make this a very unlikely scenario. I have been hit by enough splatter off steel targets to know that stuff happens. Of course, my motto has always been "If you don't have lead in your mustache, the targets are too far".

Once again, congrats on your purchase...you done good. I have my eye on on a Springfield XD-40, with the change going to Sen. Obama's campaign.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

58. I've got an XD-40

Tactical model with Trijicon night sights. Love it. Used to be a big Glock guy but the XD sets up for me a little better. I've got big hands. I was in Florida a few years ago with FEMA for the hurricanes another one was rolling in a lot of people left, I stayed in Orlando. A buddy of mine called me and asked what I was going to do. I told him I was going to get in the bath tub with my Bible and my XD-40 and wait for it to blow through. He said I understand the Bible but why the gun. I told him just in case I land in a bad neighborhood. I want one of the new compact XD-45s. That will have to wait a while though. Take care, I really appreciate the info.

David

[DemOkie]

59. I used to have the XD-40 tactical

Up until my wife shot it. Then, sadly like my Para LDA, it became her property. BTW, what did the Trijicaon sights add?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

60. Just a little low light visibility.

They may be a little lower profile to but not much.

David

[OffWithTheirHeads]

69. I love my guns AND my Cleavland sand wedge

Does that make me bi?

[Tejas]

62. I think I saw you on Youtube

during the debate. AR? Messy bed? Britney Spears poster?


Quit making the rest of us look bad.








(I keed!)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

63. Jessica Alba is more my speed.

You got the messy bed right though.

David

[radioburning]

65. This is an OUTRAGE!!!!!

You can't even get a cheap AR, with NO ACCESSORIES, in Kalifornia for under $1000!!! Somebody call all the 7-11's in this guy's area and alert them that the crime rate is gonna skyrocket now!!! Seriously though-very jealous...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

66. That's sucks.

You'll have to use yours and your spouses economic stimilus money to buy the same gun. Shame. It was a good deal. The rifle alone would have cost me $750 here if I had bought it new and probably $700 from a dealer in its current state.

David

[Wcross]

67. I have no interest in owning an AR15, underpowered & over rated in my opinion.

I own a couple of these in various configurations;



I guess it is all a matter of opinion though. Thanks for stimulating the economy Dave!

(BTW- I have had plenty of experience with that rifle although it was the full auto version that was issued to me. I am not making the judgement lacking experience)

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

68. I'd like one of those too.

But I can't get one for $550. Not with mags and 400 rounds of ammo.


David

[avenger64]

70. Way to go...

... got 'em before the Obama Ban, too. Heh heh heh.

I've got all the weapons I need - gonna get me some mags and ammo when I get my rebate.

[Ready4Change]

71. Opposable thumbs?

I think you need to take a gun course if you're shooting guns with your thumbs.

I'm just saying... :D

[SiNNiK]

72. Makes me sad

I can't find deals like that, ever. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Congrats on your purchase!