GUN STUFF

[muskrat]

Got a lead on an DPMS panther AR-15 in a 223/556 configuration.   It's relatively cheap, never shot and a friend's.  I wanted a bigger bore but I've been reading about a 300 blackout mod by ACC.  What do you "experienced" guys think?  I'd be into this gun for $1k tops. 

[ducatiz]

Got a lead on an DPMS panther AR-15 in a 223/556 configuration.   It's relatively cheap, never shot and a friend's.  I wanted a bigger bore but I've been reading about a 300 blackout mod by ACC.  What do you "experienced" guys think?  I'd be into this gun for $1k tops. 

think about what?  you can spend $700 on a DPMS panther AR or $2000.  What's it got?  Barrel type, length, upper type, glass, butt type, etc...

The nice thing about ARs is that you can swap uppers pretty quickly.  All you need is a fingernail and an IQ over 80. 

DPMS are decent ARs overall, but there are just so friggin many around that brand name means little for the vast majority of them.  S&W makes an AR now (!).

As far as putting a 300aac upper on, you just have to buy it and the mags.

I googled randomly and found CMMG sells one for about $500
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=300+aac+ar+upper&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10829745950898859934&sa=X&ei=qoQGT6KTAcHl0QHv3oCZAg&ved=0CDsQ8wIwAg

there are others.

swapping a barreled upper on an AR is 1st grade level.  You don't have to match brands, they are all identical inside, 100%. 

I built both of my ARs from the ground up.  AR receivers can be bought for as little as about $60 up to !!!!. you just make it with the parts you want/have. 

But for me, I can't see the reason to pick up a non-standard AR unless the ammo is cheap.  I bought a 5.45x39 upper when they came out because that ammo is dirt cheap and now I got a Tokarev upper for the same reason (and I bought 2 pallets of it for 8c/round).  300AAC is selling around $1.25 per round so unless you're loading your own, suck it up.

I used a remington 338 in the field, but i wouldn't bother with that round if i had to buy it.  expensive as hell to shoot and i rarely need to touch anyone 1000 m away anymore.

[muskrat]

16" chrome-moly with the M203 "cut out", A3 upper receiver. 

I have considered ammo and the 300 conversion would be for pigs and big game, mostly pigs. 

I have looked at so many my mind spins but the S & W felt cheap to me. 

[WarrenJ]

The 300 Blackout and its variants work real well for their intended purpose - subsonic suppressed work in an AR platform.  Its not exceptionally powerful - somewhere around 7.62 x 39 Russian.  The heavy bullet loads are real quiet when suppressed but really don't have any great power.  I'd want something far more substantial for hogs and other game.  It will work, but not nearly as well as other things. 

If the 223 is loaded correctly with the right bullets, its amazingly effective on thin skinned game.  The 75 grain Swift Scirocco bullets work very well on deer, etc as long as shot placement is good.
The Barnes bullets are an excellent choice also, if your gun shoots them well enough.  Guns seem to either shoot them into a ragged hole or pattern like a shotgun with them.

If you want something more substantial on hogs and other game at reasonable ranges on an AR platform, I think the 450 Bushmaster has quite a bit going for it.  A 250grain bullet at 2000 fps +  will be far more decisive on game.  Ammo cost is similar to the 300 Blackout, but its far more real world effective on meat.

I'm considering a 450 Bushmaster upper addition to my battery.  My main hunting rifle in woods and ranges out to 250 or so is a Marlin 45-70.  Big bullets at moderate velocity always work, especially if you are hunting in brush or hunting game that might bite back.

[DRKWNG]

As far as putting a 300aac upper on, you just have to buy it and the mags.

Regular AF mags will work just fine for the 300 Blackout round, as it's just a 5.56 that's been cut down, and then flared to accept the 7.62 bullet.  All you really need is a barrel swap to go between calibers; bolt and all that jazz are the same.  

[muskrat]

she came home tonight.

[fastwin]

Sweet! Get an Aimpoint or Trijicon Reflex II red dot. Either one will rock your world. Consider some extra mil spec mags too. I'm digging the new 60 round Surefire mags I got. They even offer 100 rnd mags. But I have Beta C-mags for that round count. Bring on the zombie nonsense!!

[muskrat]

my head is spinning........too many freaking options but if you buy lunch I'll show up with pen and paper.

[mitt]

Went to the local gun show on Saturday.  There were some OK deals IMO - I was mainly looking at a glock 26s for carry - almost bought one, but decided it is too close to my 19.

Anyone with good IWB and OWB 19 holster advice?  Right now I am leaning toward a comp tac Minotaur MTAC.  I am a little paranoid about hiding it well on my body.  I would start with a IWB, and then maybe buy a OWB down the road for winter jacket wear and or being out in the woods or on a farm.

mitt

[WarrenJ]

I really like the Comp-Tac paddle holsters - I think I have about 6 of them.  Easy on, easy off, secure, very very fast and they ride pretty close - not as concealable as some, but very easy to live with.

As far as IWB, I like the Blocker LFI rig.  My Colt Defender rides in there real well and its pretty concealable depending on what you are wearing.

[WarrenJ]

my head is spinning........too many freaking options but if you buy lunch I'll show up with pen and paper.

Before you go spend jillions of dollars on optics, spend some time seeing what you can do with the iron sights.  Irons are very fast and with a bit of practice, very accurate and far more reliable than optics. 

The ACOG is a wonderful scope and I like the Trijicon Reflex II with the triangle reticle pretty well.  I just can't get excited about using sights that run on batteries for serious business though.  They are fine for games and at the range, but I prefer something with less potential for failure for hunting or serious business.

[muskrat]

Oh I'll be running a few hundred through before any scopes.  I do love the red dot though.  . The fun is just beginning.  
I did look at these tonight at Cabelas though http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-truglo-open-red-dot-sight-red-green-illuminated-multi-reticle-matte-black-tg8360b.html
http://www.opticsplanet.com/reviews/reviews-truglo-tru-tg8030dcr-red-dot-scope-30mm-irm-camo-black.html

[fastwin]

Went to the local gun show on Saturday.  There were some OK deals IMO - I was mainly looking at a glock 26s for carry - almost bought one, but decided it is too close to my 19.

Anyone with good IWB and OWB 19 holster advice?  Right now I am leaning toward a comp tac Minotaur MTAC.  I am a little paranoid about hiding it well on my body.  I would start with a IWB, and then maybe buy a OWB down the road for winter jacket wear and or being out in the woods or on a farm.

mitt

I too am a huge fan of the 19 although I also have a 26. I am also a fan of Blade-Tech kydex holsters. But not IWB holsters, mine is a regular belt holster with a slight forward cant to it. I hide mine under a coat during this time of year.

Optics Planet are good people. I have bought several sights and scopes from them over the years. There website is jammed with goodies and is a good place to research your options.

[mitt]

Optics Planet are good people. I have bought several sights and scopes from them over the years. There website is jammed with goodies and is a good place to research your options.

I have swam in the optics planet website too - lots of ideas.  I am hoping to support a local shop since it is nice to touch and try on holsters.  One shop here carries the comp tac stuff, so I am leaning that way.  So far I like there design over crossbreeds.  I will check out the blade-techs.

mitt

[fastwin]

That part of my post was pointed at muskrat's red dot/Optics Planet post but I guess it applies to your holster question too since they also handle carry gear and tact gear.