I've been planning out an AR for my girlfriend for training and home defense. Reliable, lightweight, and low cost are the main objectives, in that order. The main idea right now is a lightweight midlength 14.5" w/permanently attached muzzle device or a 16" barrel, MOE stock, grip, and handguard, G2X in an offset mount, MBUS, and a red dot of some sort.
Current ideas and questions;
Lower - The polymer lowers like the Plumb Crazy are extremely low cost ($119 for a complete lower) and are much lighter than a standard lower, but I can't find much on the net about them. Does anyone have experience with them? Weight savings and a lower price tag isn't worth something that's going to crap the bed in 500 rounds.
Barrel - Looking for a lightweight midlength 14.5" or 16". Still trying to decide if a BCM or DD barrel will be worth it or not. I'm not too concerned about the 1:9, because she won't be shooting anything other than 55 or 62g ammo. If it's not a CHF barrel I don't think it'd be a huge issue either, because I can't afford to shoot out a barrel, and if she ends up at the range more than me there's something wrong. RRA makes what I'm looking for, for about $250 for the complete barrel assembly, versus $350+ for a BCM or DD. As to the length, how much will soldering run, roughly, to attach the FH if I go with the 14.5, and how much weight will 1.5" of a .625" barrel save? Thoughts?
Optics - I'd like to get her used to irons before I put a red dot on the gun, but I'm also looking around for a red dot of some sort. I've heard good things about the micro clones from Primary Arms as far as durability and holding a zero. She's not going to be scuba diving with the rifle or using night vision, so I can't justify dropping the funds on an Aimpoint for something that may get shot every few months. What are other options, like the Sig red dot or others? Something around $100 seems reasonable for the purpose of the weapon.
I've already got the stripped upper, and I'm going to get a BCM BCG and Gunfighter CH when I get the upper put together. I don't mind spending money for quality, but I'm also considering what this will be used for. You don't need a super duty pickup to get groceries and travel across town, so why pay for it? If I can stay under $1000 I'll be happy.
Kut
Current ideas and questions;
Lower - The polymer lowers like the Plumb Crazy are extremely low cost ($119 for a complete lower) and are much lighter than a standard lower, but I can't find much on the net about them. Does anyone have experience with them? Weight savings and a lower price tag isn't worth something that's going to crap the bed in 500 rounds.
Barrel - Looking for a lightweight midlength 14.5" or 16". Still trying to decide if a BCM or DD barrel will be worth it or not. I'm not too concerned about the 1:9, because she won't be shooting anything other than 55 or 62g ammo. If it's not a CHF barrel I don't think it'd be a huge issue either, because I can't afford to shoot out a barrel, and if she ends up at the range more than me there's something wrong. RRA makes what I'm looking for, for about $250 for the complete barrel assembly, versus $350+ for a BCM or DD. As to the length, how much will soldering run, roughly, to attach the FH if I go with the 14.5, and how much weight will 1.5" of a .625" barrel save? Thoughts?
Optics - I'd like to get her used to irons before I put a red dot on the gun, but I'm also looking around for a red dot of some sort. I've heard good things about the micro clones from Primary Arms as far as durability and holding a zero. She's not going to be scuba diving with the rifle or using night vision, so I can't justify dropping the funds on an Aimpoint for something that may get shot every few months. What are other options, like the Sig red dot or others? Something around $100 seems reasonable for the purpose of the weapon.
I've already got the stripped upper, and I'm going to get a BCM BCG and Gunfighter CH when I get the upper put together. I don't mind spending money for quality, but I'm also considering what this will be used for. You don't need a super duty pickup to get groceries and travel across town, so why pay for it? If I can stay under $1000 I'll be happy.
Kut