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alamo5000
1 July 2017, 19:49
My dad is wanting to get a relatively simple and inexpensive AR now. He is wanting something more along the lines of a reliable 'truck gun' that he can just do whatever and not worry about it.

He's been window shopping and this is the one he said he likes:

http://www.dpmsinc.com/AP4-CARBINE_ep_102-1.html

It is a DPMS AP4 Carbine.

My opinion is that I don't have an opinion. At least not really. I don't know if DPMS is the way to go or not so please offer alternative suggestions that meet a similar set up (carry handle, iron sites etc). That way he can choose what he wants. I am pretty sure he's a Colt fan because well after all he's an old Vietnam guy but we are open to suggestions.

It's probably been a year or more since I've been to a gun show. Maybe two actually but I don't recall ever being overly impressed by DPMS but like I said I have no real opinion about it.

Thanks again and waiting to hear your opinions and/or suggestions.

Stone
1 July 2017, 20:02
They are average at best. Xtreme guns and ammo has a smokin good deal on a LWRC DI 16" rifle. Spiral fluted Nicorr treated barrel, monoforged upper, fully ambidextrous lower, Nib one peice bolt carrier, 1:7 twist, 556 chamber etc,etc. For $1089! Thats alot of rifle for 1K. All he needs are BUIS. I beleive they are in Texas as well. I would dump the carry handle, either the rifle is slung or your are on target.
https://xtremegunsandammo.com/product/lwrc-ic-di/

UWone77
1 July 2017, 20:11
Colt OEM 1

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi

$690

Add what your dad wants to finish it off.

alamo5000
1 July 2017, 20:35
Colt OEM 1

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi

$690

Add what your dad wants to finish it off.

Linkee no workee.

din
1 July 2017, 20:37
*cough*Sionics*cough*

BoilerUp
1 July 2017, 20:41
Linkee no workee.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LE6920-OEM1

BoilerUp
1 July 2017, 20:57
For a factory truck gun, I'd consider the Palmetto stuff (especially their "Premium" line, which is generally the full mil-spec stuff). But for a truck gun, I'd get a blem full lower: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-complete-classic-enhanced-lower-blem.html

and then pick an upper to your liking: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-chf-mid-length-premium-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Depending on where you live, you do it as separate transactions as only the lower needs to go the FFL and everything else can be shipped home (and avoid sales tax).

I pretty much hate Colt and don't give them money (my sole factory AR is LMT), but admit it is silly to skip the 6920 unless the savings is substantial

https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/colt/clt-carbine-a3-m4-16.1-223-30r/

UWone77
1 July 2017, 20:57
Coupon Code: COLT17

alamo5000
1 July 2017, 21:08
I would dump the carry handle, either the rifle is slung or your are on target.

Stuff like this is very helpful. In some cases I am not a fan of those carry handles, but then again I've seen some that were made of friggin plastic and others that were build out of good metal. I personally think a good solid metal rear peep site would be good but that's just me. Not the flip up kind.

If you guys can offer suggestions for parts to finish it off the Colt as UW suggested and maybe a little bit of 'why or why not' I am going to show my dad this thread and let him read it.

We don't want the HiPoint of ARs but we also don't need something high end either. You get the idea. Best bang for the buck.

Also any spare parts might be good too. I already suggested that he get a spare BCG and maybe some gas rings. That way if he's shooting and something goes kaput he can drop in a new BCG and still go to town.

The more suggestions the better. So he at least has a couple of options.

alamo5000
1 July 2017, 21:10
For a factory truck gun, I'd consider the Palmetto stuff (especially their "Premium" line, which is generally the full mil-spec stuff). But for a truck gun, I'd get a blem full lower: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-complete-classic-enhanced-lower-blem.html

and then pick an upper to your liking: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-chf-mid-length-premium-upper-without-bcg-or-charging-handle.html

Depending on where you live, you do it as separate transactions as only the lower needs to go the FFL and everything else can be shipped home (and avoid sales tax).

I pretty much hate Colt and don't give them money (my sole factory AR is LMT), but admit it is silly to skip the 6920 unless the savings is substantial

https://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/colt/clt-carbine-a3-m4-16.1-223-30r/

He's in Texas. Odds are I will take him over to the FFL to pick it up myself.

Joelski
2 July 2017, 04:32
Anything less than a level 0 operator-endorsed rifle is garbage and your life is in jeopardy by not spending at least 9k on a CSASS rifle. Texas is flat (like the earth!), so he needs something that shoots a fur piece.

Stone
2 July 2017, 05:56
To start with I would say some training would be the best tool he could have. A truck gun means he may be moving and shooting and also shooting around a vehicle. There are parts of a vehicle that are considered cover and parts that aren't. Those skills are an entirely different animal than shooting from a bench at the range. I would take him down to a local gun store and let him hold, feel, shoulder different rifles so he can get a real feel for what he wants. Pictures on the internet are a good start but there is no substitute for a hands on experience before purchasing. As far as spare parts go that you would keep with the rifle, I would go with a spare bolt, firing pin & a firing pin retaining pin. Beyond that I really cant see changing out more than that in a firefight. Even that is difficult to do while your adrenaline is going mach 3. Try to get him to look at the sum of the parts on a rifle (quality) over how a rifle looks(aesthetics) This is something he may need to defend his life with is that the time to find out that saving a few bucks wasn't worth it?

fledge
2 July 2017, 06:33
As already said:

Colt OEM (add mapgul furniture)
BCM OEM (ditto)
Sionics

With BCM and Sionics you get midlength gas. Here's Sionics newest offering only $950. http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/store2015/home/132-patrol-ssk-12.html

Stone's point is critical. Training with a reputable group opens your eyes to the real world. None of the above would be a regret after such a class.

gatordev
2 July 2017, 07:29
Since you mentioned the carry handle and are looking for irons, I'm guessing your dad is comfortable with adjustable irons. If that's the case, either a carry handle or a non-carry handle A2 rear sight would fit the bill. Then all you'd need was the furniture on that OEM rifle. There are a couple of fixed, rear A2 sights on the market, but the one of the top of my head is a LMT rear sight that will give you all the functionality of a carry handle, but less weight and won't take up the whole top rail. With nothing more than an allen wrench and some Googling, you can configure that sight (or a carry handle) to match whatever shooting needs you have with a decently calibrated adjustment knob (think a mechanical iron sight ACOG).

At the end of the day, I just can't see how you could go wrong with a sub-$800 Colt 6920. Whether that's an OEM or a complete rifle like Boilerup linked to.

BoilerUp
2 July 2017, 08:39
Is this more for a ranch gun for critters or a defensive weapon? When I hear "truck gun", I hear "beater gun that I don't want to put much money into and that I'd also like to keep compact" that's what made me think of the blem deals from PSA.


If "ranch gun for critters", then accuracy is going to be more important and I would skip the old-school plastic handguards and get something with a free float rail. All things equal, I'd rather spend the money on a good setup than a roll mark and it's also probably best if you get exactly what you want the first time out. With the OEM guns you are going to have to mess with them and if you think you are going to upgrade to a free float handguard later you are still going to end up with a frankengun and not save much money. A better trigger should probably be the only thing you could upgrade later w/o wasting money.

If you really want to stick with old school handguards, here is another good option: An Aero Precision w/ mid-length gas or $550 (and I believe coupon code M5W will give you another $30 off and free shipping)

http://www.brownells.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/ac-15-5-56x45mm-nato-16-mid-length-rifle-prod82606.aspx?avs%7cCartridge_1=AKK_5xzzx56%2bmm% 2bNATO

Jerry R
2 July 2017, 09:07
If you go with the Colt OEM ...

Midwest makes a nice quad rail that will work with the handguard cap and delta ring.

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/product-p/mctar-17g2-blk.htm

Also, if you decide against the carry handle and don't want a foldable rear BUIS, I have a new detachable A2 rear sight that your Dad can have. PM me if you decide to go that way.

BoilerUp
4 July 2017, 08:39
If cost is a major factor, then maybe a DPMS for $379 could be palatable:

https://gun.deals/product/dpms-panther-lite-16-556x45-16flat-65984

mustangfreek
5 July 2017, 03:55
I'd grab an aero before a dpms..just sayin..[BD]