My new AR and 2 Questions

[ASAdog]

Well, I went and did it.

I’ve been thinking about getting a semi-auto carbine for some time, but went back and forth on what I wanted. First an AR platform, then a M1 carbine, then an AK platform, back to the M1, and so on. Then the Presidential election happened. Prices started going up, the guns began to get harder to find, so I decided I really needed to act. Luckily I had started putting some money aside for this starting last October, and I now had just enough, so I began my search. I decided that an Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine was my first choice, a decent quality AK my second, an AR my third, and a Ruger Mini 14 Tactical my fourth.

I contacted six different stores on a Sunday, and this is what I found out –

Auto-Ordnance M1 Carbine, out of stock, not known when it will be available, there’s a waiting list.

AK, only a handful of the Norinco (Chinese) available and I don’t want a Norinco.

AR, only a handful available, and I’m picky which version/model I will to accept.

Ruger Mini 14, out of stock, not known when it will be available, there’s a waiting list.

Sportsman’s Warehouse does not have any semi auto carbines of the type I want in stock. None, nada, zip.

NW Armory did have a few Norinco AK’s and six or so AR’s in stock. They’re nearby so I go there. The selection is one S&W M&P AR, one DPMS, and the rest being Bushmaster (they did have three each Ruger Mini 14’s, but not the Tactical model, and besides the Ruger twenty-round magazines for these are hard to find).

Since, obviously, I’m going to be picking out an AR, my focus is now on features. Since my interest is in relatively short range (under 200m, likely under 100m, even indoor distances) crises management, a compact model will do just fine. With my optical inserts in my eyes I don’t have a good ability to focus on a front sight through a rear peep-sight any more, so the ability to use extended eye-relief, low power, optics is important me. I find the usually tall front sight of the AR gets in the way of most of the optics I like, so not having this front sight is important.

They have one carbine in stock that fit the bill, and this is it –


It’s the Bushmaster ORC (Optics Ready Carbine).

I’m getting ready to order sights for it. I’m looking for a reflex or red-dot optic, extended eye-relief. Trijicon makes a couple of what appears to be good ones. AimPoint may have some also. I’m not a big fan of battery powered optics, so the Trijicon’s are probably going to be favored by me, but the AimPoints have 50,000 hour battery lives so they could interest me. Any input, ideas, or suggestions?

Also, I understand that optics sometimes fail, so having back-up iron mounted does make sense. Do any of you now if someone makes low-mount or flip-up add-on iron sights for this gun? Remember, I have problems focusing on front sights through peep-sights, so standard partridge sights or shallow-V rear sights are preferred.

Thanks in advance!

In Pursuit,

[Kansas2]

Here's the one I bought several years back. The A3 handle comes off if you want to add optics.

http://www.davidsonsinc.com/consumers/subsites/inven_product.asp?dealer_id=498699&item=BCWA3F%2D16M4&instock=all&manufact_combo=Bushmaster&mod_ser_combo=E2S&category_combo=None&model=E2S&g_type=None&act_type=&finish_type=None&calib_combo=223&sight_class_combo=None&price_range=None&left_handed=&youth=&Offset_rec=0&num_rec=50&item_num=

The only thing I've hunted with it is wild hogs in Oklahoma. Was a blast. Chased them down on horse back. I've got pictures somewhere, I will see if I can find them.

[daddog]

That sounds like a lot of fun Kansas!

Where did you do that? Public land? Federal land?

[Kansas2]

Private land. You don't even need a license.Still looking for my pictures. I hope they're not lost. 

http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/hoghunting.htm

[daddog]

I have always wanted to hunt wild pig.
Used to hunt a lot as a young man. Mostly small game and quail was my favorite.

[trap78]

Very cool Kansas. Years ago I owned a Colt "Sporter". Basically and A2 with the reciever fabricated such that it would require significant machining to fit an auto sear and selector assembly. It was a 20" H-Bar (heavy barrel) with standard military peep sights. It was a bunch of fun. I really had to practice with the iron sights but eventually I got pretty good. I really like that 5.56 caliber. I was told the projectile actually leaves the barrel super sonic. One time I was shooting with some buddies and I was standing about 8 'o clock to the shooter. Every time he pulled the trigger I could feel the shock wave as the bullet left the barrel.

I also owned an M1 carbine for awhile. It was a WWII vintage rifle manufactured under license by General Motors I believe. It was a kick. Wasn't to impressed by the .30 caliber carbine cartridge though. That cartridge was also used in a revolver, can't remember what kind though. My favorite is the good old stamped out reciever AK-47. I'm convinced that you could throw that weapon down on the ground, kick dirt all over it and then back over it with a pick up truck and it would still function just fine. I also really like the 7.62 cartridge. The only thing I don't like is that the bolt doesn't stay open after the last shot. Got spoiled with the AR I guess 

[mrmidi]

Dang man you should have spent a few dollars more and got this one
it's coardless, great for putting up picket fences from a distance 





Just kidding just wanted to contribute something to the conversation. 

midi

[Opi]

ASA I have a good friend that I go shooting with often. He owns 2 Ar's, and sks, and a few glock 40's.
I'll give him a call see if he has and V mounted sights i could send you.

[ASAdog]

Thanks Dugy!  I'm still looking for/at back-up iron sights.

Optics that fit my requirements have been difficult to find here, so I went with my second choice as soon as I spotted one (just two weeks ago). This is the optic I went with:

Leupold Prismatic
 

Power Off - Reticule etched in black onto glass is still visible.
 

Power On – Reticule glows red.
 

Though battery life is rated for extremely high number of hours (unbelievably so), I still don't trust a battery so it is comforting to know, that if it should fail, I still am able to see the reticule since it is etched into the glass. Brightness is adjustible through eight levels. I use the third lowest. Eye relief is not as much as I would have preferred, but it’s better than most. I get about 5 inches.

This optic is used by both military and police, with no negative comments that I am aware of.

I know of a soldier (through a reliable personal contact in the military) who was using one of these in Afghanistan. He was seriously injured (now mostly recovered) by a road-side AED, but this Leupold, other than a slight damage to the battery compartment, survived and was still usable.

I’ve been impressed by it so far.

Ammo is also a problem; hard to find or very expensive when found. A friend recently came up with 200 rounds of Remington-Peters for me at 40 cents a round (a great savings right now here).

I hope to take it out this weekend to shoot it!

Peace,

[Cajun]

I'd go with Trijicon.  Take a look at the reflex.  A lot of specwar groups have adopted it.  No batteries required.

If you're going to go with midi's suggestion I would make sure you get the lithium ion option.   

Seriously, having played with both, I like the trijicon much better than the aimpoint.

[Kansas2]

Finally found a couple of hog hunt pictures from 2007.

Me and my nephew on horseback. I have my M4 strapped on.     



My nephew Adam, my brother Tim and me posing with our hogs.

[ASAdog]

That's great Kansas2! Thanks!

Peace,