Looking for an AR-15

[USMC_5-Echo]

Alright folks, I've spent a bunch of time both on here and various areas of the internet looking but haven't found what I'm looking for. As you may know I was in the Marine Corps and would finally like to get an AR-15, mainly because I want to start doing 3-gun competitions. But I'm an old school guy and am looking for an A2 clone. I'm not sure if I need to build or if there is one that's made to spec out there. It would be sweet to have the burst option too but I know that's a whole different class and a lot more money, so I'll just stick to "as close as possible". At the same time I'm now debating between an 18" and a 20" barrel with a 1:7 twist.

Again, I would eventually like to start doing 3-gun but have qualified out to 500m with iron sights, so I don't necessarily need an optic. What's your opinions?

[MarkCO]

Quals to 500m are a bit different than the targets we put out for 3Gun. 3 to 4 MOA is usual, once in a while a tad smaller. A2 sights are fine, but you will want to have a target front post thinned to a bit of a point. 20" barrels are fine for Limited Irons provided you put a sight block right behind the comp to take advantage of the sight radius. 300 yard zero and 55s or 60s at 3100 fps will be just fine. Regardless, you will want a free float hg. Most 3 Gunners opt for 1:8 twists as the 1:7s tend to pop jackets on the cheaper bullets once the gas port starts to erode out.

Now, the real opinion...don;t buy anything. Come out to a few matches, bring some ammo and try some stuff out. 3Gun is not cheap, and buying gear before trying it is an expensive mistake for many. Come out to CRC on Saturday for the USPSA pistol match. There will be a few of us out there practicing for SMM3G and you can get some free wise counsel in person.

[USMC_5-Echo]

I probably should have mentioned that 3-gun is an eventual goal and I'm not itchin to hit the shop tomorrow and walk out with something. I'm going to be hitting the range for awhile before even entering into that. Plus I've heard (and seen) that it's a good work out....and considering I'm still not used to the elevation yet I don't think it would be a good idea to jump into a 3-gun asap, I still get kinda winded going up the stairs in my house haha

[USMC_5-Echo]

Hey Mark, I found the listing for the match at CRC but it doesn't say anything about times. I'm thinking I'll head to the New Member Orientation at 10:00 and see where I end up from there.