? on EBR

[MrPoker]

I wasn't sure what forum to put this in so I put it here. Feel free to move it if it goes anywhere else.

OK, so I am a "hand gun guy" Didn't own a long gun for 20 years til today and I picked up a JIC Mossberg kit after spending most of my morning at 5280 Armory.

While I am not 'thrilled' with the recent election and not feeling like the sky is falling, I do feel the screws holding it up are loose and while not panicking, a sense of responsible urgency does exist :cool:

Without spending months learning, I can do that later, I ask this for now.

What would be a good EBR to get for the first if not the only one. I spent a loooong time at 5280 and got to play with many.

Short, Light(relative really), easy to get parts and ammo, not tempermental.

I am leaning toward a Bushmaster E2S modular w/folding stock and I also really like the look of a Carbon 15 V4? M4? I believe it was. They had a Carbon 15 there but different model and it just looked like it wasn't finished with the exposed fluted barrel but it was light. The Ar was nice but on the heavy side but not awful.

So assuming I do not want a $300 semiautorustomatic nor a gold plated pimpster, with a decent budget, say =<$2K, is there something I should be looking at first? I prefer 5.56 but will not discount 7.62 just not an oddball round I have to wait to surplus out from the Romanian Boys Scouts :cool:

[Merl]

hard to go wrong with a FAL :)

if you do not have a SKS, they are well worth the <$150


buying a rifle right after an election... way to say disaproval :)

[JohnTRourke]

For 2 grand you have your pick of anything.

First you gotta decide on a caliber, then a platform, then you can go wild.

For 5.56, I think the AR platform wins this hands down. I personally like lighter smaller rifles, but your call. You can anywhere from about $700/$800 bucks right on up to the roof. Go to Jensen's and play. :cool:

for 7.62 You can go FAL, M14/M1A, G3/CETME, AR10. This is a whole nother discussion, but I think the FAL and the M14 platforms are the best of those bunch. The M14 has better ergo's, the FAL has cheaper mags (although M14 mags on sale at 44mag.com for $23 does a lot to help that out). The M14 has better sights, the FAL is probably tougher. Again, go and play at hte gun store, decide what you like

First EBR, I'd go AR15, then the BRD will have a hold of you and then you will need many more. :P

[michael_aos]

Probably a "Ford -vs- Chevy" kind of thing, but I just like Rock River Arms and CMMG.

I also think the mid-length gas system just makes a lot of sense.

Cavalry Arms makes a nice lightweight rifle. In fact I saw one for sale on this board recently.

I'd also suggest .223 for the first one.

Mike

[thedave1164]

Don't mess with a carbon 15.

Your run of the mill Bushmaster is a good place to start, ArmaLite and Rock River are good as well. If you are afluent a Colt is ok. Cav arms are ok, but i would not recommend one for a first rifle, they can require some dialing in.

If you are just looking at 1, you might consider an A3 or M4 configuration, be sure to get either the A2 sighted carry handle or a good BUIS (Back up iron sight) 6 position telescoping scope, chrome lined barrel and chamber, 5.56 chamber. You can also get optics.

USGI mags and so on........

[MrPoker]

I appreciate the replies and info. Definitely not affluent but have spent more replacing cheap stuff than good would have cost me to start with so I learned my lessons the expensive way.

[Gman]

I started with a Bushmaster M4A3 (aka "Patrolman"). It's pretty much a bullet-proof introduction to EBRs.

[MrPoker]

I started with a Bushmaster M4A3

Well you and quite a few others all suggested this as a good bet so now it's just a matter of waiting on Fedex :mrgreen:

[trv1911]

...I am leaning toward a Bushmaster E2S modular w/folding stock and I also...

Just curios, and hate to let you be terrably dissapointed with youre purchase.... (not trying to be a smart ass either) but Stoner AR's do not have folding stocks. This would interfere with the buffer tube.

ZM weapons offers a modified desiged AR type rifle that has a folding stock. Oly makes one too, but has a raised flattop rails.
...sorry... :cry:

I like my Olympic. oly's arent that expensive for a base model. You can build an AR for not that much either.

TRV1911