So you Want to Get Into ARs?

Way back in the day, I bought an AR-15 Academy sports in Topeka, and it was the single worst decisions I could have ever made being a gun owner. Instead of researching what kind of AR I wanted, I decided to just buy one. I want to make damn sure that doesn't happen to you if you are wanting to get into this platform.
     
           One thing you should never do is impulse buy an AR. you should do research as to what kind of AR you want, as well as what you want to use it for. The AR platform is very versatile. People use ARs for everything from hunting, to self defense. this is the first thing you should determine if you want to get an AR, what you are using it for.

           Now if you are using you AR for hunting, You are going to want to figure out what you are using it to hunt with. This will also help determine which caliber you will want to use. Let's say you are using it for small varmint type animals, like rabbits or coons. In that case the most popular caliber people would use is the 22 LR. Smith and Wesson makes a 22 LR version of the AR platform for fairly cheap. For any medium game animals, like coyotes, turkey, or bobcats, etc, Most people use the .223 or 5.56 NATO caliber round. However, there are other calibers available such as the .204 Ruger, the .300 blackout, the sharps 25-45, and, to an extent the .308 round. Now for big game such as deer, elk, moose, or just about anything else, You could still use the .223/5.56, however, unless if you get a modified higher grain bullet, I would not recommend it. Other rounds you could use are the .308, 6.5 Grendel, the .300 Winchester, 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39 mm, .458 socom, and the .243 Winchester. Or if you need to kill, you know, a FUCKING DINOSAUR, you could use the .50 Beowulf. The Beowulf is a magnum version of the .50 BMG caliber... it's so unnecessary that I almost want to buy one.
           
           If you are using an AR for home defense, I would actually recommend using pistol calibers. I myself would highly recommend the 9mm option. If you want to know more about these pistol caliber ARs, watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIY2Gcjtdd0          
         
          HOWEVER, if you want to build a pistol caliber AR, there are some guidelines that you need to follow. for example, in most states any barrel under 14 inches must be registered so the government knows you have it. The same regulations go with stockless ARs. In some cases you need to have a certain license to get certain upgrades, for example, full auto triggers are HEAVILY regulated, not like you would ever need a full auto trigger anyways.

          there are plenty of other factors that go into buying your first AR. I would recommend, in fact, that you don't buy an AR whole. I recommend you build your first AR, so that way you get exactly what caliber, barrel, receiver, accessories, etc. that you want. Now I'm not going to lie, building your AR is going to be a bitch, but if you got some buddies and access to youtube you ought to be done with it in an hour. Both of my ARs were built by me, and they both fit the roles I intended them to fit.
       
           I don't intend you to take everything I've said as scripture, my goal was only to give you some advice to steer you in the right direction. The point of this post is that you should do some research before you dive into your first AR purchase.