Hello. I am looking to buy a 5.56 carbine. I will probably go with PSA since I’ve had great experience with them and their prices are pretty good for my pocket.
Which of the below ones would you pick?
It will come with a mag……so there’s that. You will need sights….or an optic.
And AMMO….Lots of Ammo ! Everything else is part of the fun exploring how you want your AR set up. Look at lots of pictures and videos……Read what is good & what is a waste of time & money.
But most of all have fun ( within limits of the law) and customize it just the way you want it. AR’s are as different as the people who have them. There is no “right” way…or “wrong“ way. If you like it….go for it. ……and POST a picture of it on the AR pic thread !
I do the midlength, however I like the finish on the freedom barrel’s alot. The railed rifle kit I got came with everything I needed but mags.
Also I like the ept trigger alot more than the milspec if your not swapping out right away.
All 3 of the items he listed are kits, or an upper and lower combination. We don’t include mag’s unless it is a complete firearm. If you get any of the Rifle kits, you will need to get a stripped lower receiver and a magazine to make it operable, and a rear iron sight like the MBUS to use the iron sights (the first one listed has a MBUS included). After that you get into red dots or zoomed optics.
The most common go-to mags will be Magpul PMAG’s if you like the polymer style, or D&H mag if you prefer metal. They both have their pros and cons. I personally run both, mostly based on whats on sale when I decide to buy more. I’ve got quite a few from buying our Bag/Mag combo’s when they come around, its a great deal.
Mid-length is normally preferred by a lot of people because the recoil is lighter, and it tends to be more accurate at the longer reaches of the round. Is this your first AR style rifle, and what experience do you have shooting? This will help throw out some good ideas to get you into a nice starter setup. I say starter, because once you get started, black rifle syndrome kicks in and you’ll never leave it alone.
I just want it for getting more into carbine rifles. I only own short pistols and want something a bit longer and more “fun”. It would be used for range shooting and (hopefully not) for home defense.
I don’t think it would be used more than once per month visit at the range so I just want something simple and pocket friendly before I get to know these kind of rifles.
the differences in the kits you listed (without having the exact SKU to compare) appears to be just the trigger assembly. The EPT is our enhanced polished trigger. Its basically a milspec trigger that is a little more crisp. I love the EPT and run it as my lowest grade trigger in my AR’s. I have had a few with nicer triggers, but usually because I got a really good deal on them. I love the EPT’s. The only other difference I can see is the 1st one also comes with the MBUS rear sight.
All in all, any of the three would be a great starting platform. The last option will be easier to put together because it will just be the two pins. if you want to get something to use with a zoomed optic, I’d recommend something with a free float rail instead of the handguards/front sight post. That’s a personal preference though. I hate front sight posts, but they have their advantages. A free float rail would mean that you’d need to get front and rear irons, if you want irons at all.
Optic recommendation would be any of the following. They are variable zoom from 1-4 up to 1-8 depending on which one you choose. This is plenty for a 5.56 rifle, and will work pretty well for closer targets because of the 1x. They also come with the mount.
If you want to stay with a Red dot instead of a zoomed optic. There are also a lot of great choices. Most will come down to brand preference. Personally, I’m not a fan of Sig optics, I prefer Vortex. Mostly because of their warranty.
These are two of the more popular Vortex Red Dots, and Sigs comparable model.
this is turning into a long post, so I’ll call it quits on the subject. But any questions you have, please feel free to ask. There is an unbelievable wealth of knowledge between all of our users. As as this post proves, we all love to talk about what we know. And there are lots of opinions, usually laid out pretty fairly, as long as we stay out of politics lol. And because I missed it on the original post, Welcome to the Forums!
It has a factory blemish which I am totally fine with as long as I can save some money.
DETAILS
Barrel Length: 16" Gas System: Mid-Length Barrel Profile: A2 Barrel Steel: 4150 Chrome-Moly Vanadium Barrel Finish: Phosphate Chrome Lining: None Muzzle Thread: 1/2-28 Chamber: 5.56 NATO Twist Rate: 1:7" Barrel Extension: M4 Diameter at Gas Block: .750 Gas Block Type: Low-profile Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider Receiver Material: Forged 7075 T6 Receiver Type: M4 Handguard Type: PSA 13.5" Lightweight M-Lok Rail Bolt Carrier Group Included: Yes Bolt Steel: Carpenter 158 Bolt Carrier Profile: Full-auto Charging Handle Included: Yes Optics: Magpul MBUS Front and Rear Flip-Up Sights, Black Fire Control Group: PSA Enhanced Polished Trigger (EPT) FCG Overall Length: 24.5"
FEATURES
Barrel : 16" 4150V Chrome Moly Vanadium steel barrel, chambered in 5.56 NATO, phosphate coated, with a 1:7 twist, M4 barrel extension, and a mid-length gas system. The barrel is finished with a .750" diameter low-profile gas block, PSA 13.5" Lightweight M-Lok Free Float Rail and an A2 flash hider.
Upper : Forged 7075-T6 A3 AR upper is hard coat anodized black for durability. Featuring M4 feed ramp cuts, these upper receivers are made for us right here in the USA.
Bolt Carrier Group : For AR15 and M16 rifles and carbines. Bolt is made of shot-peened, Mil-spec Carpenter 158® steel. Gas key is secured with grade 8 fasteners and staked. Includes Charging Handle.
Lower Build Kit: PSA MOE EPT Lower Build Kit, Black
Includes: Magpul MBUS Sight Set, Black
I don’t think it comes with magazines and stripped lower.
Would you take this one over the other ones which I listed?
Any of our rifle/pistol kits will need a stripped lower and magazine to complete.
Personally, I like free float more. The outside diameter of the rail is more comfortable to me and my shooting styles. And its usually easier to add any attachments you might want. Its really about what style you prefer and what you think looks better. Style preference will only come from experience with both types of setups.
And as far as our Blemished products go normally, if you can find it, its a small scratch or an edge where the coating isnt perfect. Nothing is wrong with them in regards to function. So as long as you aren’t looking to build a safe queen it wont really matter to most people.
I agree with Bernie. That will be a great all around platform to start off with. All you will need to start shooting is a magazine, ammo and time. Building a lower isn’t difficult, and really only requires a few tools. I think we have a blog about how to build one. let me see if I can find it and I’ll post it in here.
Here it is. You dont need all of the tools listed, there are some tricks to getting thing in like the detents that you can do with an allan key or a razor blade. Having the tool definitely helps though.
I haven’t personally used it. But I’ve heard good reviews about the Sig magnifiers. The only one I have experience with is the Eotech G33. I loved having it as an option, but I’ll never have one again unless I come across a deal like I got on that one. Eotech prices are more than I care to spend when there are decent and cheaper alternatives that will work fine for my applications.
That Juliet 3x Micro is too short…look at the advertised eye relief.
I have the full size Juliet 3. The mount and pivot is completed different from the Micro, it’s better, and the full size magnifier is longer getting it back right over the charging handle. The eye relief of the full size is the same or slightly better, the extended length is where this magnifier shines. With the full size Juliet, you can even run iron sights if you’re willing to sacrifice some eye relief. That’s not really possible with the Micro.
You’ll want an extended charging handle with the full size Juliet. And in my opinion the full size Juliet 3 is worth the extra coin.
EDIT
I’m a fan of Sig optics, but I think the Juliet 3 Micro is stupid. If you look at the eye relief and where you have to mount it to even use it, it makes no sense on an AR. On other guns perhaps, but the AR, no…
……and POST a picture of it on the AR pic thread !