View Full Version : What do you look for?
So, the thought occured to me that I have no idea on what to base an opinion on an EBR. I do not own nor have any lasting or relevant time with them besides a turn or two at the range. So, what do you look for in an EBR if you were say a first time buyer?
With all the new offerings of the past several years there have been more and more items on the market to choose from. So, to keep this manageable:
- Stick with Noveske/LWRC, FN SCAR, Robo XCR, and the illusive ACR
- Pros/cons or your experience with above
- Main use as a range gun, mild hunting, etc.
- Price points/availability should be a non-issue.
- Non-NFA versions (16 inch barell, etc...)
Thoughts?
Reading and research is great but when it comes time to lay down the big bucks try to shoot it first.
There are several shoots over the summmer where you can rent guns to shoot. There are ranges around that rent guns too. You might even be able to connect with someone on this board to let you try something out.
This doesn't answer your question but it is something to consider. I have bought several guns that turned out to be totall incompatable for me when I actually shot them.
Happy Hunting
Steve A.
Thus the old adage: Shoot first, ask questions later.
Really that is the best advice. Reading will narrow the choices, but the real proof is in the firing.
Yes Sirs, I understand that. I'm actually trying to figure out the "why" in Ars. What are the selling points, etc.
I'll take a LMT, BCM, or Colt with a bunch of mags and ammo over a scar any day. Yeah there's the "look what I got" factor, but it's pretty short lived IMO (with something like a semi automatic scar anyways)
ronaldrwl
02-10-2010, 14:53
I like to research and read reviews first. That usually narrows it down for me. Then you can rent at the range for first hand testing.
I'll take a LMT, BCM, or Colt with a bunch of mags and ammo over a scar any day. Yeah there's the "look what I got" factor, but it's pretty short lived IMO (with something like a semi automatic scar anyways)
Yes Graves, but WHY?
The question I'm trying to figure out is WHY do y'all prefer one over the other?
cowboykjohnson
02-11-2010, 14:49
Yes Graves, but WHY?
The question I'm trying to figure out is WHY do y'all prefer one over the other?
Money, why spend that money on a scar that does the same thing as a nice built LMT or RRA gun for alot less. If I had the money I would buy one just to have it. But thats just me.
I was trying to pick the top end models or the "new craze" in the AR design to figure out what intrinsics people look for in the purchase of one...
But all I can ascertain is that it "looks kewl," it's "a new model," and "it costs a lot so it has to be better than the rest" syndrome...
Does it really just boil down to that?
Birddog1911
02-11-2010, 15:11
You could always get this one...
http://www.barrett.net/firearms/modelrec7
cowboykjohnson
02-11-2010, 15:21
The only logical upgrade I can think of that I would like would be piston operated.
The question I'm trying to figure out is WHY do y'all prefer one over the other?
'cause.
'cause.
Lol, thxs Hoser.
Let me ask something along the same lines then. Not barring any Ar15, what do you look for in a weapon. They all go bang, they all seem rugged and can take some abuse, etc. I've seen the differences in M4 feedramps, solid rails, Moly coated barrel, and what have you, but why do you look for these things... again, they all go Bang... Hopefully that makes sense...
A lot of what is best depends on what you want it for. The beauty of the AR15/M16 is the huge amount of stuff for it. You can build an AR to be just about anything you want. I am not a precision shooter so most guns will shoot better than I can. I don't think of the AR platform as a long range hit a dime at a thousand yard rifle.
My preference is for more original stuff. I prefer the old A1 tri-sided forend because feels better. That said I have talked with experienced people that say the vertical grip really helps for beginners. I like the old handle top uppers but it's a real pain if you want any type of optic stuff. With all the back up sights and other optical goodies I think a flat top will be my choice in the future. I'm not a fan of collapsible or folding stocks, for what I'm doing they aren't needed.
I won't put a piston on a Stoner action. It wasn't designed for that. If I want a piston action I will get something that was designed that way from the beginning.
I like stuff simple. "If it ain't there it can't go wrong" was one the best bits of advice I ever received. KISS (Keep It Simple Sucker) is a newer version of that. I don't put much value in looks. A lot of the newer guns seem busy and more complicated than they need to be and are designed to look cool. I really don't see them as an improvement.
If I were just starting out I would look at a plain AR to start with, either in my head or in my hands. Then come back and ask about specific parts. Who makes the best lower receivers? Who has the best butt stock? What barrel is best for this kind of shooting? What forend is good under this use? And so on.
Sorry my original post got things going in the wrong direction. You are doing it the way I normally do things. I have seen too many times when people bought only to find out it wasn't right for them.
Happy Hunting (or researching)
Steve A
Carpe Noctem
For an EBR that would be toughness, reliability, and ergonomics.
Toughness is as few pieces as possible made of materials that will stand up. One piece not two pieces screwed or glued together. I like pieces permanently attached.
Reliability is something that has a history. Any thing that hasn't seen combat use hasn't been proven. If it hasn't seen combat it had better have a convincing test program and field history.
Ergonomics is in shooting and maintenance. I like to be able to run the safety and magazine release with my hand still on the grip. I don't like tip in mags like the AK or FAL. I like a last round hold open that can be run easily. You should be able to line up the sights comfortably and quickly. Your hands should naturally grip the gun without stretching or scrunching up. The magazine and the bolt should be easy to operate comfortably. Field stripping should result in a minimum of loose parts. No small parts that fall out. Anything small you should have to take apart not fall apart. Nothing should screw apart. The only tool you should need would be a cartridge. There should be a place to stash a cleaning kit.
When someone tells me a gun really looks cool I get suspicious. The last thing that is important in a rifle is its looks.
Steve A
Carpe Noctem
Troublco
02-14-2010, 00:10
I look at what, specifically, I'm going to do with a given weapon, decide on exactly what features I want on that weapon in order to do what I want it to do, then I look at which makers supply what I want, whittle out the ones I don't like for whatever reason, then bounce prices of the remaining ones against what combination of features they have, quality and finish of the parts, and actual availability of those parts against each other. Usually by that point there isn't much left.
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