Josh Montgomery: AR-style rifles – What Should You Pay Attention When Buying.
You’re probably very excited to
buy your first AR-style rifle, yet you’re afraid you might end up choosing one
that is not right for you. You’re not the first nor the last. After all, not
everyone can be an all-around expert, right?
AR-style rifles are semi-automatic
performers that are capable of being used in combat. They are of
multiple types, such as polymer, AK-47, AR-15, compact and many others. However,
combat is not the only way assault rifles can be
put to work, as they can be used for hunting and self-defense as well.
Especially if you’re a first-time
buyer, the many choices you find on the market could be overwhelming and can easily
give you the “this is not for me” mindset. However, it is not as difficult as
you think, and all you need is some guidance. So, if you’re thinking of
purchasing an AR-style rifle, here’s what you
need to look for before you spend your money.
Brand
Is it even worth mentioning that
there are a lot of brands out there? Just like it’s the case for any other
product, there are different brands that are trying to manufacture the best
model on the market. In case you were thinking the brand doesn’t really matter,
well, think again. Each one hires different experts to manufacture the weapons,
so it’s only normal the rifles differ from each other, depending on who made
them.
That being said, some brands sell
their rifles for lower prices, while others seem quite expensive. While we
don’t suggest choosing the pricier item, don’t settle for the cheapest one
either. Unless you want to end up with a gun that will have a poor performance
and won’t resist for too long, you should avoid it.
Look for one with a decent price.
Some popular brands are Smith, Colt, and Wesson.
Triggers
The trigger is the one
determining the bullet to pass through the barrel, so it only makes sense you
have to consider this factor. Some triggers are harder to pull than others, and
choosing the right pull weight depends on your strength and preference.
Make sure you choose one that’s
not too easy to pull, nor requiring all of your power to work. Also, if
triggers have screw adjustments, avoid them, as they may back out.
Feel
How you feel with the rifle while
handling it is really important. So, this should definitely be one of the
decisive factors before you invest in it. You wouldn’t want to feel any discomfort
while struggling to shoot accurately, would you?
Of course, this also differs from
one person to another. So, you have to test the assault rifle before deciding
if it’s the right one for you. You can do this by picking it up and putting it
on your shoulder.
If it feels uncomfortable, it’s
best to avoid buying that model because you will have to spend extra money on
adjustments.
Test each rifle you set your eyes
on and make sure it feels comfortable when you handle it.
Fit
Whether the rifle fits or not is
yet another very important aspect to take into consideration. Just like the
feel, this depends on each individual. It can be figured out through a simple
test.
You have to hold the rifle and
use your dominant hand to make a firing grip. See if you’re able to reach every
control, such as the safety, bolt catch, magazine release and, ultimately, the
trigger. Don’t be surprised if some rifles make this the most difficult task in
the world. As they are manufactured differently, not each one allows for
smooth, easy operation, so reaching every control may not be possible.
That being said, choose one that
allows you to reach the controls without putting in too much effort. Otherwise,
you might drop the weapon and you’ll not be able to use it efficiently. Look
for a different model if the one you tested doesn’t fit.
Durability
Let’s be honest, who would want
to buy a gun knowing it will most likely die after barely being used? Nobody
wants that, given the amount of money spent. It’s important to look carefully
at the weapon and do some research before you settle for it. Assault rifles
should be able to withstand years of usage without losing their good condition.
Coming as no surprise, the market
has many low-quality rifle models that are not only about to crumble after a
few uses but may also be really dangerous. So, you need to be really careful
and not just choose a cheap option, or one from a brand you haven’t heard of.
Check out the rifle, do some research and ask the shop worker for as many
details as possible to be sure that you’re getting the right item.
Accessories
Sometimes, you have to look for
some additional items that will make the experience much better. When it comes
to AR-style rifles, you may want accessories such as optics, lights, and
slings. So, the rifle you choose should have attachment points for them.
This is why you should look at
how many attachment points the weapon has. Particularly if you want to do
competitive shooting, the more attachment points, the better. This is because
accessories can greatly improve your performance by helping you.
So, look for rifles with a higher
number of attachment points, and you can add versatile and useful accessories.
Final
Thoughts
AR-style rifles are not like
children’s toys and looking for one is a task that should be taken seriously. Since
assault rifles can be a really solid investment, you need to know what to look for to
choose one that delivers exactly what you wish. Hopefully, our article has
helped you in this regard.
