If those are your choices, go with the UTE2. If you mount optics, you want the optic axis as close as possible to the bore axis, and it already has a back-up iron sight (BUIS), so you won't have to buy one.

I'll tell ya what - I like the way S&W has a 4 sided rail for the forgrip on their most expensive AR. From what I have read on other sites, U can order some of those parts from the company who actually makes the AR for S&W. I think that looks pretty sweet

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I'll tell ya what - I like the way S&W has a 4 sided rail for the forgrip on their most expensive AR. From what I have read on other sites, U can order some of those parts from the company who actually makes the AR for S&W. I think that looks pretty sweet

Are you talking about this one...?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976720696.htm

I'd go with the true flat-top (the first gun) because it's more versatile. You actually DON'T want the optics "as close as possible to the bore axis" on an AR. If you did that, you'd never be able to get down far enough on the stock to look through the optic. This is why Aimpoint mounts, etc. have risers.

I prefer flip-up rear sights that stay out of the optical sight picture until needed. I have an ARMS #40 backing an Aimpoint on my personal M4gery.

Originally Posted by js

Are you talking about this one...?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976720696.htm

Yes, I think that may be the same one - here it is (you can get rail covers for part of the rail - like in this photo):

I think you should just go all out and get the Government model. http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-de...TOKEN=93273966

Then, since we're both in NC, you can let me come and shoot it.

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

I'd go with the true flat-top (the first gun) because it's more versatile. You actually DON'T want the optics "as close as possible to the bore axis" on an AR. If you did that, you'd never be able to get down far enough on the stock to look through the optic. This is why Aimpoint mounts, etc. have risers.

I prefer flip-up rear sights that stay out of the optical sight picture until needed. I have an ARMS #40 backing an Aimpoint on my personal M4gery.

I was going to say the same thing.....the A4 is a tad more versitle on what sighting equpiment you can stack on it also.

Originally Posted by jwkimber45

I was going to say the same thing.....the A4 is a tad more versitle on what sighting equpiment you can stack on it also.

+1, and if you later choose, you can take the whole darn thing off, including the rear sight, which would be handy if you want to mount an optic and a flip down rear sight.

And the S&W is made by Stag Arms.. the rail is really nice and well finished - I've had a chance to handle one. But of course, Stag may not actually make the rail themselves - I'm not sure if they do or not.

Either way, you can always put a rail forearm on the RRA.. there's a dizzying selection of parts for these out there..

I'd get the black one it goes faster..No wait that's for the biker forum, sorry.

But black is beautiful so IMHO either one would be cool... But the smarter people about AR's gave you good advice.

W

Originally Posted by A_J

And the S&W is made by Stag Arms.. the rail is really nice and well finished - I've had a chance to handle one.

I have a Stag upper on a Bushmaster lower. The Stag unit is of excellent quality. No issues whatsoever, and I shot it a lot before I ended up here in Yuma. I think Stag is currently the best value on the AR market.

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

I have a Stag upper on a Bushmaster lower. The Stag unit is of excellent quality. No issues whatsoever, and I shot it a lot before I ended up here in Yuma. I think Stag is currently the best value on the AR market.

Mike or anyone,

Is it pretty easy to connect the lower and upper together...? I know, I know...dumb question, but I may go that route. The stag uppers are a little cheaper than the RRA's. This way I could get a nice RRA lower with the 2-stage trigger, etc. and get a cheaper upper. Basically come out a little cheaper than buying a full RRA AR. I'm pinching pennys so I can get some extra's as well.

Originally Posted by js

Mike or anyone,

Is it pretty easy to connect the lower and upper together...? I know, I know...dumb question, but I may go that route. The stag uppers are a little cheaper than the RRA's. This way I could get a nice RRA lower with the 2-stage trigger, etc. and get a cheaper upper. Basically come out a little cheaper than buying a full RRA AR. I'm pinching pennys so I can get some extra's as well.

take Complete upper, set in place in complete lower/ push 2 pins in and yer done
I reckon that falls under the EASY category huh?

Originally Posted by scooter

take Complete upper, set in place in complete lower/ push 2 pins in and yer done
I reckon that falls under the EASY category huh?

Yup, took me about three seconds.

Originally Posted by scooter

take Complete upper, set in place in complete lower/ push 2 pins in and yer done
I reckon that falls under the EASY category huh?

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

Yup, took me about three seconds.

Well, that's great! I may go ahead and order a RRA lower tomorrow and take a little time for the upper.

Well, post up when ya assemble the entire thing

Originally Posted by Mike Barham at Galco

I'd go with the true flat-top (the first gun) because it's more versatile. You actually DON'T want the optics "as close as possible to the bore axis" on an AR. If you did that, you'd never be able to get down far enough on the stock to look through the optic. This is why Aimpoint mounts, etc. have risers.

I prefer flip-up rear sights that stay out of the optical sight picture until needed. I have an ARMS #40 backing an Aimpoint on my personal M4gery.

I apologize for not being clear. I used "optics" when I meant "scope". You want the line of sight axis of a telescopic sight as close as possible to the bore axis to minimize parallax error. Eliminating parallax is virtually impossible for a scope mounted above the bore; most scopes are made to be parallax-free at a specified distance. More or less distance from this point will induce some error.

I have no problem getting "down far enough" to use the telescopic sight on my flat-top AR-15 rifle. The hard part is to get the sight mounted at a comfortable height for your eye and still make a good cheek weld. You don't want to hunch down, nor do you want to have to stretch to see through the scope. The size of the scope objective (front) lens will directly affect this height. The AR-15 front sight will blur out on anything above about 2X; you won't even see it.

Reflex (red dot) and holographic sights are not affected by parallax, so they can be mounted at a height to clear or partially clear the iron sights. Most shooters prefer these sights to be co-witnessed with the iron sights. Here's what I mean:

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h74/rfawcs/All3-2.jpg

Go here http://www.chuckhawks.com/optical_sights.htm for a good primer on optics.

I suggested the UTE2 as it had a rear sight built in, to save J.S. a little money. Personally, I wouldn't have picked either one of those rifles, but that wasn't the question asked.

J.S. - good luck with your choice. What ever you end up with, after some period of time, I suspect you'll be bitten by the bug and want another one. I really enjoy shooting my AR-15s and I know you will too. Good shooting!

Originally Posted by rfawcs

I suggested the UTE2 as it had a rear sight built in, to save J.S. a little money. Personally, I wouldn't have picked either one of those rifles, but that wasn't the question asked.

J.S. - good luck with your choice. What ever you end up with, after some period of time, I suspect you'll be bitten by the bug and want another one. I really enjoy shooting my AR-15s and I know you will too. Good shooting!

Thanks everyone...

rfawcs... nice pics...what is the make of the AR that you have pictured here...? Is it a .308 caliber?



I've decided to go ahead and order the complete lower, I'm going to get the Rock River Arms lower... I've contacted a few AR dealers to try and get a good price on what I want. As soon as I get a good quote, I'll order it. I'll more than likely get a RRA upper, I just want to do more research on the upper first.

All three were built by Fulton Armory here in Maryland, all in 5.56mm.

The 20-inch barrel rifle is the "Liberator" model and has an inexpensive Nikko-Stirling 2x-7x scope and Harris bipod.

The 16-inch barrel carbine is the "Classic MIV" model and has a 2-stage RRA target trigger, an Aimpoint Comp M2 sight with a GG&G cantilever quick-detach mount, and a few other minor modifications.

The 11.5-inch barrel short-barreled rifle sports an EOTech Model 552 sight, also with a quick-detach mount from GG&G. It also has a 2-stage RRA trigger, an ACE collapsible buttstock, and some other minor stuff.

I'm warning you now: once you get bitten by the AR-15 bug, you're doomed. DOOMED! And broke.

I'd like to put a better scope on the rifle, but all my gun money went for the four handguns I recently picked up. My purchase funds are tapped out until next March.

Alright gentlemen, The complete Rock River Arms lower receiver has been ordered! As soon as I have my FFL fax their info to the dealer that I bought it from tomorrow, it will be on it's way!

This is what I odered...

Nice choice! Photos when you get the upper, please.

Originally Posted by rfawcs

Nice choice! Photos when you get the upper, please.

Thanks, I should be receiving it Thursday or Friday...It was shipped yesterday. Now I just need to decide on what kind of upper I want... I'd like to put an EOTech sight on it at some point, so I need to take that into consideration.

I snagged an EOTech 512 a few weeks ago, lovin it. I've got it mounted directly on a A3 flattop, so it has absolute co-witness with the irons, but I also added a flip-down rear sight. You can also get a 1/4" riser mount for the EOTechs that will give 1/3 co-witness...

You have been to AR15.com, haven't you?

Welcome to BRD

when your ready i have a good range in my front yard where you can practice change-ups different target distances and cover fire. just up the hill

I am well acquainted with RRA's products and all I can say is that they make good stuff. I have a rifle of theirs that never gave me issues. You'll love RRA's trigger.