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My first AR - and some questions...

M

MPJune69

Alpha
After a lot of looking, I purchased a SAINT AR rifle with B5 Systems furniture, a flip-up rear sight and A2-style fixed front sight.

I am extremely happy with my choice! I'd like to add two things: an optic and a tactical light with a wired remote. If I had to put a "label" on this rifle, I'd say it's 90% for sport (range, outdoor shooting for distance/accuracy) 10% for home defense backup. My EDC and primary home/self/property defense weapons are all handguns.

I used "optic" as a generic term because I don't know what type would be best suited for what I'd like to do. If possible, I'd like to retain the existing sights. The main thing I'm looking for by adding an optic is to push or test my ability to shoot at distance with the challenge of doing so with the tightest grouping that I can become proficient at - my desire is 100yds minimum. This is strictly for fun, personal challenge and sport. I don't have the skill or desire to shoot competitively (not to mention budget)!

Regarding a tactical light, that would be for the 10% use as a home defense backup. From what I've read and watched online, basically an attached light that has similar features as the light I have for my primary home defense handgun, but mounted/attached to the rifle vs. hand-held. An adjustable beam focus, high and low setting and a momentary strobe via remote switch.

And that's basically it - but I'm open to any "extras" that I have overlooked.

I just remembered a few more things - either as a set or individual items: a front sight tool, barrel and nut wrenches and any other tools I might need under normal operation.

I'm planning on 2 additional MagpuI magazines and possibly a single/double point sling. I'll also be adding the proper cleaning rods and bore brush to my existing cleaning supplies.

Any other recommendations or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you!
 
Welcome to the forum.

As to an optic? If you want to use the existing sights as well, probably a red dot; that should get you to 100yds plenty easy; you could add a magnifier I’d you want to go further, if you need it. I’d look at a Aimpoint PRO; it’s a solid u it with a good track record; add a Vortex 3x magnifier if you decide you want one.

The other option would be a LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic) in a good quick-detach mount; something like a 1-6 or 1-8 Vortex Strike Eagle or Primary Arms ACSS would do nicely.
 
Light? Streamlight ProTac is a great unit for an excellent price. Or a Surefire Scout, if you want top-notch kit.

You really don’t need a front sight tool...tip of a bullet works fine. But, if you want one...Brownells, Midway, etc have them, for cheap.

You really don’t need a barrel wrench or castle nut wrench (or a combo armorers tool that has both) unless you plan on tearing your rifle apart...removing the barrel and/or buffer tube is not part of normal maintenance.
 
2 Magazines is not enough, believe me.

As for slings I think you won't like the single point unless you like your rifle slapping off yer balls every time you take a step. 3 point is ok, but it's kind of awkward and complicated. A good 2 point is best in my opinion. Magpul makes a good one ( MS4) that is convertible from single point to 2 point. My favorite sling is the Blue Force Gear padded Vickers 2 point. It's about 75 beans and worth every penny.

I like Hans' suggestions and definitely won't argue against them, but if you are on a tighter budget the Sig Romeo 5 is a solid red dot that comes in around $150. I have a few of them, one on an ignorant SOB of a shotgun and they have been rock solid.
 
Get lots of mags. some loaded with range rounds, some with experiment rounds you like and some empty to load on a whim with new rounds from the gun shop.

aimpointPRO, with vortex is very nice per Hans. I have the set up on my .308. Vortex red dots are nice as well all around for budget.

single point sling is a ball crusher. If you notice the military has them high up above waist over all the equipment. We dont wear all that equip for combat daily, so the sling puts the rifle into our civilian crotch 😩

Hans had nice light work ups

enjoy and have fun !!
 
I have an IWI Zion 15 set up with the red dot Vortex SPARC complimented by the Vortex Micro 3x magnifier to cover longer distances. I highly recommend this combination with any M4 variant.
 
Thanks for the great feedback! So far, I think I've eliminated the single-point sling idea, two words mentioned more than once: "ball crusher". It's one of those things that you just don't question - unless you're a masochist. Not me!

I actually started "collecting" ammo in various brands/loads a few months ago. I'm currently sitting on 2400 rounds +/- of regular .223, 5.56 and 600 rounds of Federal 855. I haven't shot any of the Green Tip, only one (indoor) range around, and they don't like it because it chews up the rubber material on the back end of the range. My other option is a county outdoor range, haven't checked with them, but I can't see a reason they wouldn't allow it. It's run but the Sheriff's department, and I've heard they can be a bit "twitchy" at times. I don't have a reason to worry, but I'll read all the rules/regs before heading out.

I'm sure I could use more than 2 extra magazines - 2 extra would give me 3. I plan on the same Magpul Gen 3 mags that came with the rifle. (Unless there's a good reason not to.) I've put 150 rounds through without a hiccup, so I'm satisfied. The first 80 were cheap-cheap Russian made steel cased 5.56. I'm limiting the number of mags. It's my way of slowing things down - ammo conservation through intentional inconvenience.

I've done the same with my EDC and other pistols. 4 max per platform - I keep 2 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. My EDC is a G19 Gen 5 M.O.S. and my favorite is a G34 Gen 5 M.O.S. I have 3 other Glocks, all are 9mm, so I only needed 8 magazines to satisfy my handguns. G19s are 15 round double stacks, G34s are 17 round double stacks.

I would like to get a basic toolset that will allow teardown to the receiver level on the SAINT. My confidence and skill-set stops at the receivers, definitely the lower. I like to thoroughly C-L-P all my guns beyond the normal maintenance level every 4-5 months, depending on use. Probably not necessary, but I enjoy it. For the SAINT, the ability to change furniture, barrel and muzzle ends and experiment with sights (add/remove/swap) should cover it.

Any recommendations for a traditional scope on high risers (if needed) to clear the front sight? I'm decidedly old school with many things. I'd like to have the capability to hit a 12" target at 200 yards+. Cabability can be bought, I know the SKILL to do so can't. It sounds like that can be achieved with a holo-dot and magnifier, but as I mentioned, I like to keep things simple.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and great advice!
 
Since yu're new to the AR I suggest finding a trusted friend who is and spend sometime getting more familar with shooting, maintaining and being safe with it.
 
MPJune69 said:
Thanks for the great feedback! So far, I think I've eliminated the single-point sling idea, two words mentioned more than once: "ball crusher". It's one of those things that you just don't question - unless you're a masochist. Not me!

I actually started "collecting" ammo in various brands/loads a few months ago. I'm currently sitting on 2400 rounds +/- of regular .223, 5.56 and 600 rounds of Federal 855. I haven't shot any of the Green Tip, only one (indoor) range around, and they don't like it because it chews up the rubber material on the back end of the range. My other option is a county outdoor range, haven't checked with them, but I can't see a reason they wouldn't allow it. It's run but the Sheriff's department, and I've heard they can be a bit "twitchy" at times. I don't have a reason to worry, but I'll read all the rules/regs before heading out.

I'm sure I could use more than 2 extra magazines - 2 extra would give me 3. I plan on the same Magpul Gen 3 mags that came with the rifle. (Unless there's a good reason not to.) I've put 150 rounds through without a hiccup, so I'm satisfied. The first 80 were cheap-cheap Russian made steel cased 5.56. I'm limiting the number of mags. It's my way of slowing things down - ammo conservation through intentional inconvenience.

I've done the same with my EDC and other pistols. 4 max per platform - I keep 2 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. My EDC is a G19 Gen 5 M.O.S. and my favorite is a G34 Gen 5 M.O.S. I have 3 other Glocks, all are 9mm, so I only needed 8 magazines to satisfy my handguns. G19s are 15 round double stacks, G34s are 17 round double stacks.

I would like to get a basic toolset that will allow teardown to the receiver level on the SAINT. My confidence and skill-set stops at the receivers, definitely the lower. I like to thoroughly C-L-P all my guns beyond the normal maintenance level every 4-5 months, depending on use. Probably not necessary, but I enjoy it. For the SAINT, the ability to change furniture, barrel and muzzle ends and experiment with sights (add/remove/swap) should cover it.

Any recommendations for a traditional scope on high risers (if needed) to clear the front sight? I'm decidedly old school with many things. I'd like to have the capability to hit a 12" target at 200 yards+. Cabability can be bought, I know the SKILL to do so can't. It sounds like that can be achieved with a holo-dot and magnifier, but as I mentioned, I like to keep things simple.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and great advice!
Click to expand...
Armageddon Gear makes a very good two point sling that is made out of bungie type material. It's very comfortable to wear on your shoulder and has a quick adjust strap that allows you to take up slack very quickly if you need pull the rifle tight against your shoulder.

As far as optics, it's hard to know what's going to work for you, everyone seems to be a bit different. I have a Sig Optics Romeo 5XDR which has the same reticle as a the Eotech except its LED so it's much clearer and crisper than the Eotech reticle. I have a 4X Sig Juliet magnifier behind it. It's zeroed at 50 yards and out to 200 it's pretty much just put the dot on the target with the 50 yard zero. I've hit pretty consistently at 200, 150 and 100 yards and it's due to the equipment, not these tired old eyes, but I'm very happy with my Sig optics set up.
 
MPJune69 said:
Thanks for the great feedback! So far, I think I've eliminated the single-point sling idea, two words mentioned more than once: "ball crusher". It's one of those things that you just don't question - unless you're a masochist. Not me!

I actually started "collecting" ammo in various brands/loads a few months ago. I'm currently sitting on 2400 rounds +/- of regular .223, 5.56 and 600 rounds of Federal 855. I haven't shot any of the Green Tip, only one (indoor) range around, and they don't like it because it chews up the rubber material on the back end of the range. My other option is a county outdoor range, haven't checked with them, but I can't see a reason they wouldn't allow it. It's run but the Sheriff's department, and I've heard they can be a bit "twitchy" at times. I don't have a reason to worry, but I'll read all the rules/regs before heading out.

I'm sure I could use more than 2 extra magazines - 2 extra would give me 3. I plan on the same Magpul Gen 3 mags that came with the rifle. (Unless there's a good reason not to.) I've put 150 rounds through without a hiccup, so I'm satisfied. The first 80 were cheap-cheap Russian made steel cased 5.56. I'm limiting the number of mags. It's my way of slowing things down - ammo conservation through intentional inconvenience.

I've done the same with my EDC and other pistols. 4 max per platform - I keep 2 loaded with Hornady Critical Defense. My EDC is a G19 Gen 5 M.O.S. and my favorite is a G34 Gen 5 M.O.S. I have 3 other Glocks, all are 9mm, so I only needed 8 magazines to satisfy my handguns. G19s are 15 round double stacks, G34s are 17 round double stacks.

I would like to get a basic toolset that will allow teardown to the receiver level on the SAINT. My confidence and skill-set stops at the receivers, definitely the lower. I like to thoroughly C-L-P all my guns beyond the normal maintenance level every 4-5 months, depending on use. Probably not necessary, but I enjoy it. For the SAINT, the ability to change furniture, barrel and muzzle ends and experiment with sights (add/remove/swap) should cover it.

Any recommendations for a traditional scope on high risers (if needed) to clear the front sight? I'm decidedly old school with many things. I'd like to have the capability to hit a 12" target at 200 yards+. Cabability can be bought, I know the SKILL to do so can't. It sounds like that can be achieved with a holo-dot and magnifier, but as I mentioned, I like to keep things simple.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and great advice!
Click to expand...
Actually, the lower is an easier tear down/detail strip than the upper; no special tools needed, just a screwdriver/Allen wrench, hammer & punches (a vice grips makes some things easier, though). Upper needs the specialized armorers tools, torque wrench, etc...get a good chamber brush & bolt scraper, youre

You should be able to hit a 12” target with a 2MOA red dot at 200yds with no magnification, if your eyesight is adjustable to 20/20; I do it all the time on 6” steel gongs. Look at the ainpount PRO set to cowitness (I recommend lower 1/3 setup).

If magpul mags are hard to find, get some aluminum mags with good followers.
 
Amend 2 are good mags too but apparently they won’t all drop out of the magwell on their own. About half of mine do. I just bought a pile of gen 2 P mags.
 
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