All things AR-15 and variants from newbie to advanced. Find answers here.

[unclejumbo]

This is the place to learn AR basics, to build an AR, keep it running and get the most out of it. Check the links below to see if your question has been asked and answered. You may also post a question that you can't find an answer for.

To get things started, here are a couple of videos from Midway on building an AR.




Below are links to threads discussing ARs. Some are more valuable than others.

AR PORN!
http://forum.pafoa.org/gun-pictures-...ures-here.html

Offsite basics for the newbie.
http://forums.officer.com/t81462/

Newbie advise thread.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/274...ds-advice.html

Discussion about poor AR quality.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/270...ally-suck.html

Torture testing at a rental range. Long read but some great info.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_4/160...ervations.html

Feed ramp mismatch due to different manufacturers.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/270...ramps-fml.html

Some parts resources for a specific build.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/271...-a2-clone.html

First AR.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/270...buying-ar.html

Muzzle devices.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/271...le-device.html

Muzzle device removal.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/269...e-removal.html

Bolt hold open.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/268...round-why.html

Stripped lower discussion.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/269...r-project.html

.22 LR ARs.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/269304-ar-22-a.html

AR barrel discussion.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/268...rrel-help.html

AR pistol problem.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/268...here-help.html

AR mags.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/266968-ar-mags.html

Buffer weights.
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.ph...=buffer+weight

Cleaning your AR.
http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/173...e-ar-15-a.html

Barrel material and treatments.
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=323027

[RXM]

Great, we can turn this into a min-arfcom.

Get a Windham rifle

/thread

[animalmother85]

Finally...me putting words into your mouth worked!

I have some things I'll add later today.

[RXM]

There are a few things that you can do to increase accuracy out of your gun (removing the shooter as a variability).

1. Quality barrel
2. Upper receiver that has a tight fit to the barrel extension. The barrel extension should not easily slip in and out of the receiver.
3. Bolt
4. Free float rail

To get precision out of the gun, the shooter has to become consistent and a good trigger will help you do that.

Good tip if you want to check your rifle's accuracy. If you're doing a 5-round group (as you should be doing), put a cheap 6th round in there and pop it off into the berm before you do your grouping. Part of precision is consistency and this allows the BCG to cycle the same from 1st to 5th round. This was taught to me by a guy that knows a thing or two about murdering things from far away.

[theunrulychef]

There are a few things that you can do to increase accuracy out of your gun (removing the shooter as a variability).

1. Quality barrel
2. Upper receiver that has a tight fit to the barrel extension. The barrel extension should not easily slip in and out of the receiver.
3. Bolt
4. Free float rail

To get precision out of the gun, the shooter has to become consistent and a good trigger will help you do that.

Good tip if you want to check your rifle's accuracy. If you're doing a 5-round group (as you should be doing), put a cheap 6th round in there and pop it off into the berm before you do your grouping. Part of precision is consistency and this allows the BCG to cycle the same from 1st to 5th round. This was taught to me by a guy that knows a thing or two about murdering things from far away.

One piece I've wondered about since I got the AR bug is the bolt. I ask this out of genuine curiosity & not to start an argument.

I understand how you can increase the precision of your rifle by using a better barrel, free float tubes & better trigger etc. I know a better fit & options on the upper / lower / stock can make life easier through better controls (or by just making it prettier). But I do wonder, how does a more expensive bolt actually affect the chambered round to increase accuracy? I get that it should be machined well & close tightly. Does a more expensive bolt close tighter or more straight somehow? I thought some of the coatings were essentially to make them easier to clean & need less lubrication.

[TheRealDonJohnson]

One piece I've wondered about since I got the AR bug is the bolt. I ask this out of genuine curiosity & not to start an argument.

I understand how you can increase the precision of your rifle by using a better barrel, free float tubes & better trigger etc. I know a better fit & options on the upper / lower / stock can make life easier through better controls (or by just making it prettier). But I do wonder, how does a more expensive bolt actually affect the chambered round to increase accuracy? I get that it should be machined well & close tightly. Does a more expensive bolt close tighter or more straight somehow? I thought some of the coatings were essentially to make them easier to clean & need less lubrication.

I have a nib coated bolt that I run wet and lubricate prior to each range session. After only about 150 rounds the coating has already started to wear where it contacts the upper receiver. I will post pics later of it, but a good quality phosphate MPI bolt is better than most new age treatments.

[chp1911]

There are a few things that you can do to increase accuracy out of your gun (removing the shooter as a variability).

1. Quality barrel
2. Upper receiver that has a tight fit to the barrel extension. The barrel extension should not easily slip in and out of the receiver.
3. Bolt
4. Free float rail

To get precision out of the gun, the shooter has to become consistent and a good trigger will help you do that.

Good tip if you want to check your rifle's accuracy. If you're doing a 5-round group (as you should be doing), put a cheap 6th round in there and pop it off into the berm before you do your grouping. Part of precision is consistency and this allows the BCG to cycle the same from 1st to 5th round. This was taught to me by a guy that knows a thing or two about murdering things from far away.

Check out a guy named Joe Carlos he has some excellent build tips and covers the reason that the upper and barrel extension can have an effect on accuracy.

[Splittiebus66]

If you use set screws you can acquire Rocksett from silencer shop in single dose packets for just a few bucks and free shipping.


http://www.silencershop.com/shop/rocksett/



Mcmaster Carr pt. 90289A337, I've seen these screws recommended several times in my research on the subject....looks like it would do the job well?

[unclejumbo]

Great, we can turn this into a min-arfcom.

Get a Windham rifle

/thread

NEVER, I will delete all sniping at one another or snipe to delete those that can't behave.

Anyway, lets try to keep it on track. If we have a bitch about a manufacturer, be specific and include pics. Don't use, "they're junk" and think that's a positive contribution to the thread. None of us want to buy something and learn we screwed the pooch so legitimate warnings about quality are appreciated.

The other thing I will do on occasion is go through and delete chatter. No reflection on anyone but I'm sure someone looking for information isn't going to want to read pages of purple nurples and wet willies.

[RXM]

NEVER, I will delete all sniping at one another or snipe to delete those that can't behave.

Anyway, lets try to keep it on track. If we have a bitch about a manufacturer, be specific and include pics. Don't use, "they're junk" and think that's a positive contribution to the thread. None of us want to buy something and learn we screwed the pooch so legitimate warnings about quality are appreciated.

You're starting to set ground rules. First rule of arfcom-mini is that there are no ground rules!