Help with my first AR purchase

[Guest ochretoe]

I am wanting to get an AR platform gun. I have too many guns as it is but no AR style weapon. No reason to get one but I want one . So here are my questions;
1. Is there any bennefit to a 7.62x39 AR? My son has an AK and it would be nice to by bulk in a limited caliber. Are they worth the trouble of finding one?

2. I'm looking to stay under $1,000 to start. I don't know if I will like the modern gun stuff. I am a hard core lever and flintlock guy. I do carry modern guns for work but I play with older stuff. My son is beating me in the head to come into at least the 20th century if not the 21st. Whats a good entry level gun that I can build on if I like it?

3. What should I stay away from? If I don't go 7.62 I will go 5.56. But what are the don't do's?

4. The last question is will I be able to hunt White tail deer and hogs with either 7.62 or 5.56?

[RoDan]

most around here will say go with the S&W M&P sport for a good starter rifle, best bang for the buck out there. Pun intended. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category1_750001_750051_757785_-1_757784_757784

[mikegideon]

No personal experience, but folks say that 7.62 x 39 doesn't play well in an AR because of the straight mag well. The current solution (same ballistics) is a 300 AAC Blackout. That won't solve your common ammo issue. I have a 300 Blackout, and a few in 5.56/223. I would start out with a 5.56. I second RoDan on the M&P Sport.

[Guest JMP]

1) No don't do a x39 in a AR. It can be done but it's not worth it.

2) I would do the Colt at Walmart or the BCM [url="http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=M4-650-111"]http://www.gandrtact...&key=M4-650-111[/url] for a hair over $1000.

I would do the M&P over a DPMS, RRA, Corewhatever, or about 20 other brands if you don't want to spend the extra little scratch, however.

Edit: Left out 3 & 4

3) too subjective.

4) Plenty of people hunt white tail and pigs with 5.56. I don't hunt, but it seems like plenty of people do Edited November 9, 2012 by JMP