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I have to agree with Vlad G and the others in their assessment and advice. What makes the AR an interesting platform is that it is capable of being able to stretch it's limits, and relatively well. However, I do think that if a budget is being considered and is the most important factor, focus on one task-- and improve upon it later, or get another rifle to fit another purpose. The only advice I have to add is that if you haven't already considered it, after building an AR, instead of focusing on what a tool can do, focus on how you can better use said tool. Buy a ton of ammo, take courses, etc. Even if you have advanced experience with it, shooting is a perishable skill. I am finding out, every time I get the opportunity to shoot with more experienced/trained, that I have a lot to add to my repertoire and plenty of polish to be done.

Ha, wow, they're already sold out apparently.

I'll link it later as I'm on my phone on the bus, but Primary Arms has an ammunition special for LCA XM193 1K boxes for $269.99 with free shipping until 31 OCT or supplies last. Not amazing, but still a pretty good deal.

Ha, I gave the rotor and fixed wing vehicles a try with just the default controls, and was terrrrible. I'll just stick with the tracked or the jeeps. Actually had a fun time 1-manning a jeep, switching between driving and jumping on the gun-- pretty effective too.

The graphics for BF3 are insanely nice. I played a few rounds on the maximum settings, and it's absolutely stunning. If you have the right rig, this is hands down the best looking game I've seen yet. I'm not a complete MW hater, as the game is far better than BF3 in certain aspects. However, content aside, if MW3 and BF3 were put together side-by-side for graphics and game-play (from the technical aspect), BF3 hands down. I'm still going to probably get MW3 when it releases in a few weeks, though it will be to complete the single-player campaign as I'll try to avoid touching the multiplayer. If you do get BF3 for the console, and notably xbox, do the install. Sure the install is another 1.5GB of HD space or whatnot, but it makes a world of difference to have the high definition textures. My biggest critique of BF3 is the fairly weak single player campaign (though, let's be honest, who plays it for that). And from the technical side, I had way too many random disconnects today. I don't know if that was on my side, the server, or EA fussing around with stuff. I didn't have any issues on release day with these, so I'm thinking it has to do with something with EA. Still, better than my COD: Black Ops experience where the game was not playable for at least a good week after release on PC.

Hopefully this page doesn't get shut down like the original

Installing it now... almost wish I had done a digital preorder so I could have pre-loaded it Highlight of waiting in line, some customer's girlfriend almost getting at it with the store manager who was trying to explain that because they had come later, they would have to wait for everyone else to go through first (yea, the logic did totally go over her head). The off-duty police officer who happened to be standing in line next to me that I was chatting with almost had to step in. Good times in my podunk town, haha.

Ray is definitely a bit of a troll in person. Tall, kind of weird looking, talks in gibberish... could be a bit more hairy I suppose jk! kind of!

I talked to the manager of my local Gamestop, and he broke it down how the stores are doing it these days. You come in between 10-11:30, and they'll verify your information, and give you a stamped receipt. You then wait, again, in a line until 12AM, and once the magic hour strikes, they just send the line through ASAP. He said for Gears 3 they had around 50 show up, and had them in and out within 5-6 minutes. So, while I think the extra waiting in the beginning is a waste, at least it should be quick once they start handing it out. And I didn't hear about EA doing that with Origin tonight, ugh. Seems pointless.

Ha, what do you base your perceptions on, Ray? As a kid, I spent all day outside playing basketball or football for hours, literally. Even played ball against Andrew Bynum on the local courts more times then I can remember. I also spent time playing video games, getting involved in the community, etc. I swam varsity for four years, was All-County for four years, and swam with some of the best in the world on my club team for over 10 years. I was also heavily involved with gaming as a CAL admin, and manager for a "professional" gaming team-- and was part of the group that helped create the concept for DirecTV's World Championship Gaming series. I then ended up serving four years with distinction in a extremely precise and technically advanced military job that required quite a bit of physical exertion. If you're basing it off of pure stereotypes and other hoopla that media is throwing down your throat, well, troll on, Ray, troll on.

I know Ray is just trying to start sh*t, and that's cool, ha. But I think video games in the right application and in the right amount serve their purpose. Simulated reality has proven to be an effective measure at providing a source of awe-inspiration that many are often incapable of, or unaware that they are capable. There was actually a fascinating study done on it by a researcher from a think-tank who specializes in alternate reality games and also is a programmer herself. This source was dubbed something similar to the 'epic win' emotion that people feel during moments of sheer jubilation, when they are moments from failure, but beat the odds. Also, games have been proven to teach children and young adults the importance of regiment and the fact that there is always a solution. Whether the path is "open-world" or linear, there is always a conclusion to any video game that results from the ability to figure out, in simple thoughts, the regiment/routine. The same could be applied to most any problem in real life, whether the solution is straight forward or more creative. Another beauty of games, and more so with the concept of avatars, is that it allows individuals to express how they perceive their identity in environments that, for the most part, will embrace said identity. While I absolutely agree that there is more value in finding one's identity from daily, real-life interactions, there is also a massive normative way of thinking in the US (and the same would apply to other cultures). Normative meaning that there are social laws/rules that people must abide by or they are seen as outcasts, which is either acted upon physically or mentally (or spiritually)-- often being malicious. While people can/will still face the same types of normative thinking in a virtual reality, this environment is more controlled and allows for their to be actions without as much consequence-- allowing for experimentation with great feedback and little consequence. This can then be applied to, more importantly, real life. Simulated reality has also been used by the US military to better train troops. I can speak for myself that I have personally witnessed and participated in virtual/simulated reality training in which I learned and improved my own skill sets, whether it was marksmanship or act/react situations. Of course though, as I noted at the beginning, there is a point where a person can definitely interact too much with their video games. Learning social skills in huge communities is great, but entrenching one's self where they forgo real life encounters is negative in that while they may find satisfaction in that one community, the world continues to spin regardless. This includes not doing well in school, developing physical problems because a person loses interest in physical activity (obesity, diabetes, chronic back and joint pains, etc), and becoming too dependent (though this is my own opinion). I am actually considering doing some research in foreign countries related to the gaming and the introduction of gaming/social-based media. Really fascinating stuff to see how what we have in our pockets (aka phones) that we really don't think twice about can absolutely change the landscape of places that barely can keep the lights on and have running water. It partially is inspiring, and partially frightening (think technology getting ahead of the people, and it's detrimental effects).

For me, it has always been the intent at the moment. When I was in the military, it was a rifle. When I had the intent to use it in a manner of high discrimination, it was a weapon (the same could be said about my fists, sidearm, spork, AT4, e-tool, Gerber, MRE-pound cakes, etc.) In most cases, as a civilian, the guns I own are just that. God forbid I ever have to use them in a manner of self defense against two or four legged intruders, it will be a weapon. But I don't see those words holding good or bad meanings, just different descriptions for different moments.

I actually just got an email linking me to the updated version of Origin that is required for the retail/full version of BF3 for the PC. Once you open it up, there is a cogwheel on the top, next to a question mark. If you click on that, you'll see "Add a friend..." @jackdawack: I didn't realize you got the digital copy. I did the same thing when I got BF: Bad Company 2 actually, and didn't realize I couldn't play it (even though I had it pre-downloaded as well) until 3AM. If you want my Origin info, shoot me a PM

Huh? My local store is doing a midnight release (at 12AM EST)

I don't know where to find one in state, as I ordered mine online via their store. Regarding the ACE, I'm a bit surprised, even though I feel like someone else shared this same revelation before. Regardless, the Sully has a great balance, and I highly recommend it (as I'm not a fan of bastardizing something that shouldn't [have to] be bastardized-- aka the CTR).

Regarding the PC version, I heard through the grapevine that the final build of the Frostbite 2.0 engine wasn't even utilized in the beta. Of course it wasn't a final build (hence beta), but I did find it odd that Dice wouldn't want to stress test the new engine. Maybe it would explain why they wouldn't let PC users change any of the default settings around during the beta... Needlessly to say, I'm psyched, and as soon as the first weekend of the beta had passed, I had a copy pre-ordered. I'm holding my breath a bit, as developers recently, for some reason, think releasing super-buggy games that need day-one patching is OK... I'll reserve my judgement until after the proverbial dust has settled.

Welcome, always glad to see a new face

Happy birthday! Have a great day.

My understanding is that the President twisted what was a pretty huge loss on the part of the US diplomacy (failing to reach an understanding regarding the Status of Forces Agreement with the Iraqi leadership that would continue immunity for US military forces) into a positive by saying that he's going to bring the troops home by the holidays (which, when taken out of context, is pretty awesome). Without that agreement, troops could be arrested and prosecuted by local authorities. Essentially without it, the troops are absolutely useless, and serve no purpose but eat up funding (with even training being a liability). So, I totally agree that this is purely a political stunt.

I wonder how soon we're going to be questioned to go back...

I had heard about this too, and the fact that if the DD214 doesn't list anything making the document void seemed so... backwards. DD214's list all units that we had ever been affiliated with, including Basic. On top of the required quarterly training briefs and mandatory range time, we had to pass marksmanship and safety briefs during Basic to just graduate.

Ha, wait, we're all going to rush to judgement based on 65 seconds of amateur taping? Wait, no, looking at the state of things in the US, it makes sense. /sarcasm off Unless someone has all the details, incident reports, witness accounts, etc., I think it's a bit much to think that any conclusion at this point makes much sense. There are a ton of reasons to maintain a stand-off, and there could have been a ton of reasons to bum rush the threat-- who are we to judge (or at least the ones who are)? And then to use it for an argument like CCW without having much of the facts? Eh.

Hello, neighbor, as well! Good to see some more representing from our small part of NJ

Victor, the ending really was quiet shocking, but I think it will segue nicely into introducing the farm and it's inhabitants for this upcoming season... plus it added that so-needed drama And Maks, you've got a point with your comment... but it's weird. I don't want to spoil anything at all, but I do hope that the writers deviate some from the source material regarding Lori and occupants.

There are 15 round magazines for 15-22's.