More than one AR ?

rebs · October 15, 2012, 08:10 PM

How many of you guys have more than one AR ? How many of you have one lower with more than one upper for it ?
I am trying to figure our and decide which is better more guns or more uppers for the same lower.

ruger357w · October 15, 2012, 08:18 PM

I've got three complete ar-15's and a Remington R-25.

**4V50 Gary** · October 15, 2012, 08:20 PM

A classmate told me that ARs are Barbie Dolls for men. You can accessorize it to no end.

I would say the number of lowers depends on the number of your household.

BillyJack3 · October 15, 2012, 08:40 PM

3 Complete ARs. 1 dedicated .22, 1 dedicated carbine length 5.56 with a 16" barrel and flash hider and 1 dedicated mid length 5.56 with a 14.5" barrel and pinned muzzle brake. No extra uppers. If I did have an extra upper laying around, I would find myself a $60 lower and a parts kit so I had a 4th complete AR.

Justice06RR · October 15, 2012, 10:12 PM

I usually don't mix-n-match uppers with lowers. Each complete AR is setup for a specific purpose, so lowers don't get used with other uppers. You can choose to do that if you decided, depending on your budget and applications.

I have 2.5 AR's at the moment

rebs · October 16, 2012, 05:38 AM

The reason I asked this is because of the trigger, adding a new Timney or Giessle or rock river 2 stage can be expensive to buy one for more than one AR.

djcantr · October 16, 2012, 09:42 AM

There's nothing wrong with mil spec triggers. Some polishing and JP springs and it's good enough for me, depending on use. When I build a dedicated 3 gun AR it will have a drop in trigger. The rest of my rifles, mil spec. You could always build enough inexpensive lowers with mil spec trigger parts to have one for each of your uppers and then if you want to do some long range precision shooting with a certain upper swap it to a lower that has a drop in trigger in it. I'd rather have complete rifles in the safe for several reasons.

Technosavant · October 16, 2012, 09:52 AM

Half dozen here.

Lightweight 16" model
Decked out 14.5 with pinned on flash suppressor/QD suppressor mount
18" SPR type
20" A2 KISS, just 'cuz they're fun
20" .450 Bushmaster
16" with .22LR conversion kits for running the Aguila SSS

All of them are homebuilt Frankenrifles.

If you end up with a pile of lowers you also end up looking for things to do with them. But I think I'm pretty much done accumulating ARs. For now. If I were to start clearing them out I'm not sure what would go first, but the lightweight, the A2, and the .450 would be the last to go.

IMO, if you're going to have a bunch of uppers you might as well also start kitting them out with lowers. It doesn't take too much investment to get a few lowers and build them up.

Achilles11B · October 16, 2012, 12:14 PM

I just have two...for now, anyways.

16" general purpose carbine
18" SPR-type with a Giessele trigger (my first from-the-ground up build!).

Used to have a .50 Beowulf but he proved to be too expensive for me to feed.

I too prescribe to the 'different tools for different jobs' school of thought.

CharlieDeltaJuliet · October 16, 2012, 01:22 PM

4 complete AR's and working on a separate upper at the moment.

bedlamite · October 16, 2012, 02:15 PM

It starts when you buy your first basic AR M4gery. Then you buy a new handguard and stock. Then it's a trigger group. Then you get another upper, because you can use your lower and BCG on it, then you say screw it and get a stripped lower so you don't have to switch, and you put the trigger group and stock you took off your first AR onto it. Then you want to put a FF quad rail and folding front sight on the new one, so you buy a panther claw, magazine vise block, and armourer's wrench. Once that door is opened, all hope is lost and you have full blown BRD.

Welcome to the club.

Skadoosh · October 16, 2012, 02:42 PM

Just two.

Technosavant · October 16, 2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

It starts when you buy your first basic AR M4gery. Then you buy a new handguard and stock. Then it's a trigger group. Then you get another upper, because you can use your lower and BCG on it, then you say screw it and get a stripped lower so you don't have to switch, and you put the trigger group and stock you took off your first AR onto it. Then you want to put a FF quad rail and folding front sight on the new one, so you buy a panther claw, magazine vise block, and armourer's wrench. Once that door is opened, all hope is lost and you have full blown BRD.

I don't know who you are, where you live, or why you did this, but GET YOUR CAMERAS OUT OF MY HOUSE!!!

(Yeah, that's pretty much how it goes)

mavracer · October 16, 2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

A classmate told me that ARs are Barbie Dolls for men. You can accessorize it to no end.

I like that.
Right now I have 2 complete a 16" 300 blackout and a A2 set up for CMP service rifle and working on putting a mid-length 16" 5.56 together.

NWPilgrim · October 16, 2012, 04:11 PM

I always like to have at least two of anything important so I normally have two complete AR, a 16" M4 and 20" A4. The A4 is set up to be CMP compliant (fixed A2 stock, A2 grip, A2 front sight and handguards, removable handle rear sight, military web sling) but can also do double duty with a detachable scope for testing handloads for accuracy. If I ever get an aftermarket trigger it would go on that lower. The M4 is set up more for fun and defensive use: Magpul handguards and grips, M4 stock, Aimpoint red dot, etc.

At the moment I have two other M4s from SILs who are in transition and storing them at my place. If I get another AR for myself I would just get another upper such as a SS target bull barrel (using the A4 lower), or another caliber such as 6.8 SPC or .458 SOCOM for fun.

The main reason I can see to have several lowers is the trigger, stocks, grip, etc. Good to have at least two lowers, but if you need different configurations for different sports or purposes then it's easier to just get another lower rather than swapping parts all over. The standard trigger is not bad but when doing slow fire I notice an over-travel "click". For an accuracy rifle I would prefer a clean break and little over-travel and no clunking, clicking or squishing.

iraiam · October 16, 2012, 04:21 PM

2 complete AR's, multiple uppers as well.

DasGuy · October 16, 2012, 10:01 PM

I have 2. The first one was a cheap DPMS I bought not thinking I'd really get into ARs. My second one I built after I decided what all I wanted.

doofus47 · October 16, 2012, 10:54 PM

2.
7.62x39 Bushmaster A3 upper with MOE lower for hunting.
5.56x45 in A1 upper/Cav arms A2 lower psuedo-Vietnam configuration for plinking/varminting.

Metal god · October 17, 2012, 02:26 AM

I have more then one and plan on having many more .

HEY SKADOOSH

Whats up with that AR on the bottom . Do you have some kind of horn on the front or what

oh man I crack me up

Skadoosh · October 17, 2012, 06:35 AM

Quote:

HEY SKADOOSH

Whats up with that AR on the bottom . Do you have some kind of horn on the front or what

Its a Streamlight SuperTac

Beretta686 · October 17, 2012, 06:56 AM

I guess I'm in the minority and only have one lower which I plug and play with 5 different uppers in 3 different calibers. Unless you're having different set ups, such as a fixed-stock and a folding-stock I just don't see the point in spending more $$$ on something you pretty much already have.

Though there is draw backs to having only one lower, as I've run so many rounds (especially .22) through my lower that I actually managed to wear out my RRA match trigger.

madcratebuilder · October 17, 2012, 07:59 AM

A few stacked in the corner. There are so many ways these can be configured you need a dozen or more.

TMD · October 17, 2012, 07:59 AM

I only have 7 but I also have two more complete lowers that I haven't deceided what to do with.

Mrgunsngear · October 17, 2012, 08:43 AM

I seriously don't even know how many ARs I have. I also have a bunch of ongoing 'projects.' One day I'll finish those builds but they're currenlty works of art in progress

Until I have more ARs than my wife has outfits I don't think it's a problem

DasGuy · October 17, 2012, 11:18 AM

"Though there is draw backs to having only one lower, as I've run so many rounds (especially .22) through my lower that I actually managed to wear out my RRA match trigger."

RRA 2-stage triggers are known to have durability issues. I'd reccomend Giessele for your next trigger. They'll cost a little more but they've been tested to withstand 100,000+ trigger pulls.

October 15, 2012, 08:10 PM	#1
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	More than one AR ? How many of you guys have more than one AR ? How many of you have one lower with more than one upper for it ? I am trying to figure our and decide which is better more guns or more uppers for the same lower.

October 15, 2012, 08:20 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	I thought they were the Legos of guns but A classmate told me that ARs are Barbie Dolls for men. You can accessorize it to no end. I would say the number of lowers depends on the number of your household. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 16, 2012, 12:14 PM	#9
Achilles11B Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2010 Posts: 595	I just have two...for now, anyways. 16" general purpose carbine 18" SPR-type with a Giessele trigger (my first from-the-ground up build!). Used to have a .50 Beowulf but he proved to be too expensive for me to feed. I too prescribe to the 'different tools for different jobs' school of thought. __________________ Good equipment will never be a substitute for good training.

October 16, 2012, 01:22 PM	#10
CharlieDeltaJuliet Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2012 Posts: 755	4 complete AR's and working on a separate upper at the moment. __________________ " The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government...." - Thomas Jefferson

October 16, 2012, 02:15 PM	#11
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	It starts when you buy your first basic AR M4gery. Then you buy a new handguard and stock. Then it's a trigger group. Then you get another upper, because you can use your lower and BCG on it, then you say screw it and get a stripped lower so you don't have to switch, and you put the trigger group and stock you took off your first AR onto it. Then you want to put a FF quad rail and folding front sight on the new one, so you buy a panther claw, magazine vise block, and armourer's wrench. Once that door is opened, all hope is lost and you have full blown BRD. Welcome to the club. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

October 15, 2012, 08:18 PM	#2
ruger357w Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 158	I've got three complete ar-15's and a Remington R-25.

October 15, 2012, 08:40 PM	#4
BillyJack3 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 423	3 Complete ARs. 1 dedicated .22, 1 dedicated carbine length 5.56 with a 16" barrel and flash hider and 1 dedicated mid length 5.56 with a 14.5" barrel and pinned muzzle brake. No extra uppers. If I did have an extra upper laying around, I would find myself a $60 lower and a parts kit so I had a 4th complete AR.

October 15, 2012, 10:12 PM	#5
Justice06RR Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2010 Location: Central FL Posts: 1,360	I usually don't mix-n-match uppers with lowers. Each complete AR is setup for a specific purpose, so lowers don't get used with other uppers. You can choose to do that if you decided, depending on your budget and applications. I have 2.5 AR's at the moment

October 16, 2012, 05:38 AM	#6
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	The reason I asked this is because of the trigger, adding a new Timney or Giessle or rock river 2 stage can be expensive to buy one for more than one AR.

October 16, 2012, 09:42 AM	#7
djcantr Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2012 Posts: 215	There's nothing wrong with mil spec triggers. Some polishing and JP springs and it's good enough for me, depending on use. When I build a dedicated 3 gun AR it will have a drop in trigger. The rest of my rifles, mil spec. You could always build enough inexpensive lowers with mil spec trigger parts to have one for each of your uppers and then if you want to do some long range precision shooting with a certain upper swap it to a lower that has a drop in trigger in it. I'd rather have complete rifles in the safe for several reasons.

October 16, 2012, 09:52 AM	#8
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	Half dozen here. Lightweight 16" model Decked out 14.5 with pinned on flash suppressor/QD suppressor mount 18" SPR type 20" A2 KISS, just 'cuz they're fun 20" .450 Bushmaster 16" with .22LR conversion kits for running the Aguila SSS All of them are homebuilt Frankenrifles. If you end up with a pile of lowers you also end up looking for things to do with them. But I think I'm pretty much done accumulating ARs. For now. If I were to start clearing them out I'm not sure what would go first, but the lightweight, the A2, and the .450 would be the last to go. IMO, if you're going to have a bunch of uppers you might as well also start kitting them out with lowers. It doesn't take too much investment to get a few lowers and build them up.

October 16, 2012, 02:42 PM	#12
Skadoosh Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2010 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,016	Just two. __________________ NRA Life Member USN Retired

October 16, 2012, 04:11 PM	#15
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	I always like to have at least two of anything important so I normally have two complete AR, a 16" M4 and 20" A4. The A4 is set up to be CMP compliant (fixed A2 stock, A2 grip, A2 front sight and handguards, removable handle rear sight, military web sling) but can also do double duty with a detachable scope for testing handloads for accuracy. If I ever get an aftermarket trigger it would go on that lower. The M4 is set up more for fun and defensive use: Magpul handguards and grips, M4 stock, Aimpoint red dot, etc. At the moment I have two other M4s from SILs who are in transition and storing them at my place. If I get another AR for myself I would just get another upper such as a SS target bull barrel (using the A4 lower), or another caliber such as 6.8 SPC or .458 SOCOM for fun. The main reason I can see to have several lowers is the trigger, stocks, grip, etc. Good to have at least two lowers, but if you need different configurations for different sports or purposes then it's easier to just get another lower rather than swapping parts all over. The standard trigger is not bad but when doing slow fire I notice an over-travel "click". For an accuracy rifle I would prefer a clean break and little over-travel and no clunking, clicking or squishing. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

October 16, 2012, 04:21 PM	#16
iraiam Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2012 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 1,057	2 complete AR's, multiple uppers as well. __________________ NRA Lifetime Member Since 1999 "I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people except for a few public officials." George Mason Last edited by iraiam; October 16, 2012 at 04:46 PM. Reason: typo

October 16, 2012, 10:01 PM	#17
DasGuy Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Posts: 318	I have 2. The first one was a cheap DPMS I bought not thinking I'd really get into ARs. My second one I built after I decided what all I wanted.

October 16, 2012, 10:54 PM	#18
doofus47 Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: live in a in a house when i'm not in a tent Posts: 2,483	2. 7.62x39 Bushmaster A3 upper with MOE lower for hunting. 5.56x45 in A1 upper/Cav arms A2 lower psuedo-Vietnam configuration for plinking/varminting. __________________ I'm right about the metric system 3/4 of the time.

October 17, 2012, 02:26 AM	#19
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	I have more then one and plan on having many more . HEY SKADOOSH Whats up with that AR on the bottom . Do you have some kind of horn on the front or what oh man I crack me up __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again .

October 17, 2012, 06:56 AM	#21
Beretta686 Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 761	I guess I'm in the minority and only have one lower which I plug and play with 5 different uppers in 3 different calibers. Unless you're having different set ups, such as a fixed-stock and a folding-stock I just don't see the point in spending more $$$ on something you pretty much already have. Though there is draw backs to having only one lower, as I've run so many rounds (especially .22) through my lower that I actually managed to wear out my RRA match trigger. __________________ "Our contract called for 16 cases of rifles and ammunition for $10,000 dollars, not a machine gun...........That is our present to the General"-Pike Bishop “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”

October 17, 2012, 07:59 AM	#22
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	A few stacked in the corner. There are so many ways these can be configured you need a dozen or more.

October 17, 2012, 07:59 AM	#23
TMD Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 1,293	I only have 7 but I also have two more complete lowers that I haven't deceided what to do with.

October 17, 2012, 08:43 AM	#24
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	I seriously don't even know how many ARs I have. I also have a bunch of ongoing 'projects.' One day I'll finish those builds but they're currenlty works of art in progress Until I have more ARs than my wife has outfits I don't think it's a problem __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

October 17, 2012, 11:18 AM	#25
DasGuy Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Posts: 318	"Though there is draw backs to having only one lower, as I've run so many rounds (especially .22) through my lower that I actually managed to wear out my RRA match trigger." RRA 2-stage triggers are known to have durability issues. I'd reccomend Giessele for your next trigger. They'll cost a little more but they've been tested to withstand 100,000+ trigger pulls. Last edited by DasGuy; October 18, 2012 at 02:10 AM.