High Exposure

2015-2016-ish if I remember right.

S&W (as well as many other manufacturers) have tiered levels of their guns. The Sporter is the no frills lower level. It is hobby grade, using lower cost parts made from lower grade materials using lower grade manufacturing techniques and assembly.

No, value is what I mean - quality is a part of value, and quality generally plays directly into cost, but not necessarily into needs/requirements. I can “reasonably afford” a Knights Armament AR - super high quality, super high price. Should I get one? It can’t do anything I currently need an AR to do any better than my LaRue, Colt, BCM, ADM, or home built guns. I get more value from a $1500 BCM than a $3000 KA if they both meet my minimum requirements. The “higher” quality and commensurate price increase of the KA is now working against my best value and preventing me for meeting other needs with that extra cost - such as ammo, accessories, and training. Value is subjective - someone else may need the increased capabilities/quality of that KA gun, where I do not. Value is the best market price for the highest quality of the item that fits your needs the best. If it doesn’t fit your needs, the quality doesn’t matter, and the item is valueless. If the quality is greater than your needs, than the extra cost is wasteful. I use their stripped lowers on a couple carbines. Cost the same as Anderson when I got them, but the quality is way better. The older Stag stuff was ok, before they got smacked for making unserialized machine guns…

I think the $600 Colt upper (That I linked to) on any quality mil-spec lower is a much better value. MM, BCM, FNH, Colt, LaRue, DD, LWRCI (their DI guns), LMT are all a better value, IMO. They may cost more, but you are getting a better product for your money. Best value always trumps lowest cost - Buy once, cry once.

I have seen many, Many, MANY more piston ARs fail than DI guns. And proprietary parts with no TDP suck. Piston guns don’t run cleaner or cooler than DI guns. The heat and dirt just go someplace else. On a piston gun, that someplace else was never designed to take the heat and dirt in the first place.

I like Ruger as a company, but there is better value out there in the AR world IMO. Hell, you didn’t even include them in your “Supposedly the best” list (which is the part of your post I was referring to as being good to go but over $1k). Ruger was in your “lower” tier.

This makes baby Jesus cry.

Arms Unlimited has genuine Colt 6920 uppers (complete with the BCG, CH, and BUIS) for $600. (You will need to shave the bayo lug down and swap the flash hider for something NJ legal) https://www.armsunlimited.com/Colt-AR15-16-inch-Upper-Receiver-Assembly-p/le6920ck.htm Another ~$100 for a lower, $60 for a quality LPK and $50-$80 for a quality receiver extension and Magpul Fixed Carbine stock. You can shave the lug yourself with a dremel, a cold blue pen, and some high temp black BBQ paint, but will likely have to have someone pin the new brake for you. Do all that and you are good to go for under $1k with a rifle that will serve you a very very long time. IMO, it’s a way better option than a complete carbine from any of the makers you or @Krdshrk listed, and is really about as good as it gets for a budget AR. if you want to buy a complet rifle,@Scorpio64’s list was right on - my only edit would be: • Add Modern Materiel (local NJ base AR manufacturer) • Bump FNH up to the higher level since they got the TDP from Colt • Drop Noveske - they are a boutique/niche company lately that is way overpriced and whose quality has dropped since their founder was killed in an MVA Any of those rifle manufacturers are good to go - but they will be more than $1k. Some After that it is: • mags • sling • vis light • optic In that order. Oh, yeah…. Piston ARs are dumb. AKs are fun and reliable, but are stupid expensive lately. There is no “standard” making parts and repair difficult unless you are an AK savant. I have the same Bulgarian Arsenal AK that @Jon has, and it runs great, but there is an AR in my “Break seal for EOTWAWKI” box. If I could have only 1 long gun for defense, plinking, hunting, zombies, it would be an AR.

What’s your definition of “reliable”?

Oh, I know that one. It’s 42. And thanks for all the fish!

RIP Pat. Still miss you daily.

I thought Creeping Charlie and Ground Ivy were the same thing…

At first I thought it was Henbit, but I think you are right Peel.

Yes and yes! The whole series of movies is great.

I used to smack two blocks of wood together during training for active shooter response to simulate gunfire. The sound travelled well and was great for getting everyone moving in the right direction, even from the other end of a long hallway. It was loud enough that I had to wear hearing pro when I did it, and it was a lot safer than blanks.

To the top.

Our Brussels Sprouts gave us more than one season with only one planting. The wife started seeds (so many veggies, I can’t remember them all) early in “milk jug hothouses” and transferred some of the baby Bok Choi and butter lettuce that started sprouting into the raised beds a few days ago. Everything looks like it’s doing well.

I think it is just under a pound and a half as it is. You can get it lighter taking off the rails and NOD mount.

He is risen! Happy Easter everyone.

That’s a good question. I can tell you this - the bags I get would not hold groceries. They would tear. They are perfect, however, for picking up dog doody. I am fine using cloth bags to shop. No issues. I keep a 1/2 dozen in the glovebox of each car. The bio bags were brought up for those lamenting “No plastic bags?!? Now what am I supposed to use to pick up my dog poop”. Even if the stores still gave out bags, they aren’t a good choice for that chore.

This. Additionally, you are taking one of the most degradable substances on the planet - poop - and wrapping it in plastic so it lasts forever. Get biodegradable bags - you can get 1000 bio bags for $25.

Scorpion Softshell Pouches sold to @axeman_g

Bump and open to possible trades.

Bump - open to trades and offers

Bump - open to trades and offers