Yep, it’s a sweet platform and it’s probably not the sort of weapon that will be in danger of being confiscated or whatever bullshit solution the government comes up with.
In part, this weapon shows how stupid an assault weapons ban would be. It’s not going to perform quite the same way an AR would because the weapon is just so damned easy to handle… So I think the small magazine on the R1 is a knock, in the case of a zombie hoard attack, and yeah it would suck to have only 10 round mags in a firefight. But, it’s still at least in the ballpark close range due to rate of fire, light recoil, and lightweight of the weapon. Heavier round is nice depending on how it effects the recoil dampening and the situation.
The AR in the hands of a good shooter is still excellent at range. Just the R1 is just more accurate and more lethal at range. I know some hunters and snipers take pride in their true bolt actions, I’m more trying to point out that there are excellent weapons out there that have similar utility to the AR platform, that aren’t in danger, and probably will never be in danger of being taken from you. AND, they are less expensive!
Ruffian - I am casually shopping for an AR right now. How is the Windham holding up? In addition to the Windham I am considering similar models from Bravo Company and Daniel Defense. Any opinions on those or any other brands? Ballpark budget is $1300-$1400. I have a Magpul ACS stock and a half dozen magazines on order. I doubt that I will be adding much in the way of bells and whistles at least for awhile. I’m thinking fixed front and Troy flip up rear sights. Maybe an Aimpoint Pro or similar down the road. Laser, flashights, vertical grips etc I don’t anticipate wanting anytime soon. I would appreciate your recommendation.
Anyone else with recommendations for a good basic AR platform? I am a gearhead and handy but would like to start with a complete rifle rather than build one up from individual components.
[quote]kineticj wrote:
How is the Windham holding up?
[/quote]
Very well. I have about 1000 rounds through it now, and about 30 coyotes and 1 cougar, which is why I bought it. All I’ve done is clean it with various of the all-in-one spray deals and run a snake through it each time.
Never heard of them, but there are only a handful of companies that really make the lowers. You can get any name you want stamped on the bottom. Pay attention to what kind of furniture is attached to it. Like you, I tend to look for Magpul everything, not because Magpul is necessarily the best, but because it is consistently very good. There is crap out there, but I won’t say names.
I just won a Sig Sauer AR-15 at an industry event (Clay shot) that seems to be put together very well, but I haven’t shot it.
I would get a EO Tech optic and call it good. Get the one that runs on two AAA batteries. There are all sorts of other things out there, but this is absurdly easy to learn to use. As-in, you will sight it in in about 10 shoots and pass the basic battlefield proficiency test after an afternoon of shooting. (See photo for how-to-use.)
Thanks for the input Ruffian. I have also read good things about the Sig. Lots of AR options out there right now. Walmart seems to have some great prices these days but it seems to be mostly Colts where I am. Most things I have read say that Colts are great quality but they are all carbine rather than mid-length gas systems, and apparently mid-length is the preferred thing these days. I have never fired an AR of any sort so I wouldn’t know one from the other in terms of performance or feel.
