Duty AR - Need Pro Advice

Adam Striegel · Nov 5, 2012

I'm a Reserve Deputy, so we have to provide our own guns. I'm wanting to get an AR to keep in the car, but I know almost nothing about them. Hoping the brain trust on Boomer Shooter can help me with buying a good solid rifle.

This needs to be sturdy and 100% reliable. I don't need the carbon fiber hand guard and super expensive scope like you guys would use in competition. I'd like to keep it short so it's easy to grab in the car. I'd like to have a light for sure and maybe a laser on the front, but I'd like to use good iron/open sights on the top. I don't want to end up dropping five grand on it and would like to keep it in the $1000 or under range if possible.

Would a stock Smith AR or Colt M4 be good enough or should I talk to someone local about custom building?

Appreciate the input!

jtischauser · Nov 5, 2012

Stag Arms Model 1, 2, or 2T is perfect for that. Lots of LEO departments use Stag rifles currently.

They have a LEO discount too.

http://www.stagarms.com/index.php?cPath=13_22

ToolBox · Nov 5, 2012

I get this everytime Jim Anderson with Okla. County sheriff see's my AR i built.
" A part gun if used for a Duty Rifle will get you killed. Always buy a well built rifle if its for Duty"

Just a thought.

Matt1911 · Nov 5, 2012

The stag guns jesse mentioned or a s&w MP15 would be my choice. 16" midlength barrel with magpul handguards and CTR stock would do well for a duty rifle. Use the stock front sight and a Daniel defense fixed rear and you're good to go.

Dustin Cantrell · Nov 5, 2012

I would probably look for an off-the-shelf AR for duty as well. I have zero experience with the Colt LE6920 but I've seen many recommendations and good reviews on them. If I were wanting an off-the-shelf AR that I could stake my life on for $1000 or just a touch over I'd consider the Colt LE6920 or a BCM M4 Mod0. I have been very, very pleased with my BCM M4 Mod2. The Mod2 is the same as the Mod0 but comes with a Troy quad rail and Troy rear flip up sight as opposed to standard handgaurds and no rear sight on the Mod0.

Doesn't say if they're in stock or not but this place has the LE6920 for $995. http://www.gtdist.com/ProductDetail.aspx?PartNumber=COLT-LE6920

Walmart sells the LE6920 I think for $1078 or something around there.

Wormydog1724 · Nov 5, 2012

If it were me, I'd go with these.

16" BCM BFH midlength
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/mobile/default.aspx#P1274

BCM bcg
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Bolt-Carrier-Group-MPI-Auto-M16-p/bcm%20bolt%20carrier%20group%20auto%20mp.htm

BCM ch
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-GUNFIGHTER-Charging-Handle-GFH-Mod-4-p/bcm%20gfh%20mod%204%20556.htm

BCM lower
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Lower-Receiver-Groups-M4-AR15-s/117.htm

Surefire x300 with mossie tactics FSB mount
http://battlecomp.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=51

Then add a Troy folding rear sight or a BCM carry handle
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Folding-Battle-Sight-REAR-p/bcm%20rear%20sight%20troy.htm
Or
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/AR-15-Carry-Handle-BCM-p/bcm%20carry%20handle%20ar-15.htm

Then you could add an Aimpint micro H-1 in a LaRue mount if you really wanted to. But that would jump you cost up a bit.

Oh and you would need handguards since they don't ship with the upper. Either the Magpul moe midlengths or centurion rail would work.

That's my preference if I wanted to carry something and knew it would work.

Wormydog1724 · Nov 5, 2012

Oh nevermind you said you wanted pro advice. Disregard everything I posted.

aestus · Nov 5, 2012

As much as I dislike Colt, if you're looking for a reliable duty weapon and don't have much experience in AR's, get a Colt. It's the bar that everything measures to. It will work out of the box period. If you were a bit more experienced, I'd say a BCM with their midlength gas and typically heavier buffers will purr a bit better. They're just as reliable and some might argue more reliable. However, can't deny the off the shelf record of Colt if you need something to go bang that's made with quality components out of the box.

jtischauser · Nov 5, 2012

aestus said:
As much as I dislike Colt, if you're looking for a reliable duty weapon and don't have much experience in AR's, get a Colt. It's the bar that everything measures to.

Is this why the military chose Remington for their latest contract?

Matt1911 · Nov 5, 2012

Just speculation on my part, but I'm sure the military chose remington cause they could be had cheaper.

jtischauser · Nov 5, 2012

Matt Rigsby said:
Just speculation on my part, but I'm sure the military chose remington cause they could be had cheaper.

That would be pure speculation.

ChrisC · Nov 5, 2012

Also do me a favor (and your family) and enroll in a patrol rifle school or go to a private rifle school before deploying a rifle for duty use. You go learn how to run the rifle and burn through 700+ rounds will ensure you and your rifle is truly fit for duty.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

technetium-99m · Nov 5, 2012

I would give Bravo Company a call before Colt. Parts AR's can be crap if you use crap to assemble them, this results in crap assembled into a rifle and can result in a gun that performs like crap. Quality parts put together with a little attention will give you a nice rifle.

Matt1911 · Nov 5, 2012

Jesse Tischauser said:
That would be pure speculation.

Indeed.

SgtDave · Nov 5, 2012

My dept only allowed Colt until I argued to get the Smith M&P rifle approved a couple of years ago. I'm trying to get Stag and a couple of other quality brands approved. Find out what armorers you have at your agency and get one from that company. The rifles will have to be inspected yearly and they won't be allowed to work on a brand that they have not been trained and approved to work on.

TroyF · Nov 6, 2012

Quality without breaking the bank: Stag, S&W, BCM, Rock River, Loki, Larue, JP, Noveske, Daniel Defense.....

The list of quality ARs is long.....

Adam Striegel · Nov 6, 2012

Thanks for the input guys. The department issues Rock River to the full timers. I absolutely planned on doing the rifle training from one of the instructors before carrying one. Right now I wanted to get an idea of what to get so I can figure it into the budget.