Got a new EBR (My first!!!)

[Guest Len]

Just wanted to show off my newest. Picked her up today at Guns & Leather In Greenbrier. The S&W factory rep was in the shop today and they had some great deals on the full S&W line. I got there about 215pm and over 80 guns had already found new homes. Place was a madhouse.

I picked up a S&W M&P 15, 16" barrel, 5.56 NATO, fold-down battle sight, good-size rail along the top. Pic is below. I chose the S&W for a few reasons:

1) Good price/value for the $.

2) Generally good reputation of the M&P 15 family.

3) Its a basic gun that I can play with in regards to set-up, etc. It's going to get dressed with a sling and an optic to start, along with some decent mags (the one that came with it is less than spectacular...) Who knows what else will find its way onto the gun over time.

4) I am a complete AR noob, but wanted to get into them somewhat, I figured this was as good a place to start as any.

A question for the AR owners out there: They love to run wet. Does anyone use any kind of spray lube? I've seen video clips of guys practically hosing their ARs down with spray lube. Any suggestions on what works best?

[Guest darkstar]

Congrats on the new AR, they are awesome. I've used some CLP on mine and thats about it. Do invest the $15 or so and get a bore snake, you'll be happy you did, so much easier than using patches on those. That and a chamber brush to clean out the locking cams ( those spoked wheel looking things in the chamber ). Have fun with it, the only thing that sucks about 'em is the price of 5.56

[Guest clutepc]

That's nice!!

[andersmg]

Congrats on your new toy!

As far as mags go I have the pmags, http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80_120&products_id=268

they are supposed to be one of the best, so far I like them. I have not done any torture tests on them myself but they are supposed to hold up really well to abuse.

[fury2neon]

Very Nice Len!

[Guest flyfishtn]

Very nice, welcome to the EBR club!

[Guest harbinger]

Congrats on your new toy!

As far as mags go I have the pmags, http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80_120&products_id=268

they are supposed to be one of the best, so far I like them. I have not done any torture tests on them myself but they are supposed to hold up really well to abuse.

There's a video on YouTube where a guy shoots a hole in a PMag, disassembles it, cuts the spring where it was hit, and stretches whats left of the spring in the mag to get the follower to the top. Loads it up and shoots a mag off. I'm sure it wouldn't last long after that, but a very tough mag indeed.

[Guest Len]

I picked up a standard Brownell's mag and a pmag. I have yet to shoot them (this weekend hopefully!) but it seems to me the Brownell's is pretty standard quality, except the base plate seems a little better. The pmag is in a class by itself. Looks to be so much better and smooth-feeding. And it has this neat cover that is supposed to prevent feed lip wear when the mag is loaded. We shall see.

I've also been looking at slings, optics and various ways of carrying spare mags. Needless to say, the choices are many and varied. I think there is going to be a bit of a learning curve as I figure out what works best for me. And probably more $ spent on accessories than on the rifle until I get it all figured out. But to me, that's part of the fun, and a valuable learning process.

Edited April 11, 2008 by Len
typos

[Guest canynracer]

congrats!!! oh...I hate you...

[Guest bigbuck_tn]

Lube everything!!

Seriously though, as best bet is to lube anything shiny after you fire it the first couple of times.

Any old CLP type lube will work. Some guy even used Vagisil and it supposedly worked.

Lube all the bolt carrier parts and the bolt itself and you will be fine. I would suggest taking it completely apart and see how it works. Then you will know which parts will need the lube.

Do buy lots of magazines though. They definitely aren't AK mags.

Ammoman and 44mag have good deals on mags, cheaper to buy in bulk.

ps. Don't listen to much you read on barf.com. There are alot of guys there with too much time on their hands.