ReeferMac

THANKS! That's what's missing from the 20-or-so articles about the differences that I've read.

Thanks! Barrel in question is a 24" 1:7 twist rate, so I should be good for the heavier projectiles. - K

I've read several articles that talk about the differences between the two, and own a 5.56 chambered rifle, so I'm capable of shooting both. Is there a ral-world difference between the two rounds performance-wise? Is there a reason I should choose one over the other? I've read pressures are greater on 5.56 rounds, and that .223's have a different head-spacing... but does any of that really matter, or for the average user, are they functionally equivalent? (The reason I'm asking is I'm going to start buying boxes of ammo, and frankly am unsure what to buy? Do I just get whichever is on sale at the time, and it's safe to mix and match my supply, or should I try to stick with one or the other religiously? Is there a cost-savings to one? My initial preference is to 5.56 NATO ammo, or possibly heavier projectile rounds. I'm guessing there will be a performance difference in my given setup, so for accuracy, should pick one and stick with it.... but which one?) Thanks. - K

Well, it's shipping out later today! I ordered the stainless 24" Barrelled upper from Anderson earlier this week, after contacting customer service... and I gotta say, they were great to deal with. I think speaking with/contacting/eMailing customer service definitely improved the process....: I emailed support asking when they would be in-stock again, as they've been listed as 'out of stock' for thee last two weeks. Got a response back, check after 4 PM. It was 4:30, I checked, showed 1 in stock! Placed order. Order said "On hold, will ship in 15-21 days. Emailed support to find out what's holding up, GOT A CALL BACK, that's our standard deal right now b/c of the volume of orders we're taking. OK, thanks, anxious to get it, but I understand, appreciate the call, thanks again, looking forward to getting it... Got eMail today, Shipped, here's your tracking number. WOO HOO!!!! NOW I've gotta find some glass. It'll be a while before I can afford a NICE scope for this thing (supposedly a 400-yd gun), but is there a cheap system I could get to start out with? Pic rail on the top. - K

Ahhhh, thanks for the info! Anderson does make some chrome-lined one's, but I don't recall seeing them in their upper-parts kits, must be sold separately: http://www.andersonrifles.com/product/16-chrome-lined-m4-1-7-twist-barrel/ I did notice they have a lot of stainless steel barrels. Is there any advantage beyond weight savings? I was considering a longer-length barrel in stainless (hoping the lighter metal offsets the length). - K

If I may expose my ignorance, what benefit does chrome lining the barrel provide? Wouldn't it just wear off after ### rounds? Or get covered/fouled by all the carbon? Thanks.

LOL @ Mike 357! Mostly plan on using the rifle at the range and around the farm for smaller game and bigger varmints... but I suspect all but a few rounds will punch holes in paper. I purchased the lower in part to ensure I'm able to get one after November... but I figure since it's just sitting in a box under the bed :D, I might as well get the rest of the bits and pieces for it so I can shoot! Don't want to get into the tax-stamp stuff, though I'm sure it's fun. If anything went that route it would be a can. I've shot a couple supressed AR's and they are nice. Thanks for the advice on the gas-block... would like to get a set of optics over iron-sights for this thing eventually (but will probably start w/o due to costs). I plink @ 50 and 100 yds w/ a .22 w/V-Notch sights, and... you cover the entire target and then some w/ the front-sight. - K

I'm interested in completing an AR platform rifle. I have purchased a complete lower from Anderson Manufacturing w/ Hogue grip. I'll admit I'm overwhelmed by all the options available... but rather than just 'take someone's word for it' and buy "X', I'd rather have at least a rudimentary understanding as to WHY I might want X over Z... I would _like_ to stick w/ Anderson gear, but don't NEED to. I'm particularly interested in their no-lube system, it appears to be quite impressive if it actually works as advertised. I would like to stick w/ a common caliber. The lower is multi-cal, but I'm leaning towards 5.56. I'm pretty sure I don't want 300 Blackout. I don't need a sub-sonic round, don't plan on supressing the gun, if anything, I want a longer-range projectile that pack's some punch... but I think a .308 would be too much. Stainless 24" Stainless barrel w/ 1:8 twist or 10.5" 1:7 twist? I understand generally speaking the longer barrels generate more pressure, ergo better for longer-range? Twist rate is determined by projectile weight, correct? Heavier bullet, less twist, lighter bullet, more twist? What features should I look for in a gas block/tube? What separates the 'charging handles' from one another (does it really matter?) Are all bolt control groups the same? - K

I use the Titegroup for 124 gr. round-nose from Berry's bullets, and have loaded from 3.7 up to 4.5 grains. My usual load is about 4.1-4.3, much more than that and you really feel the crack in your wrist, 3.7's a cream-puff though. S&W M&P compact cycles fine on that whole range. Haven't used a chrono, so dunno what it's coming out at. Seems to punch holes in paper just fine however. - K

I have the Ruger American 22. Great little rifle, very happy with it. Would consider another Ruger American based on the experience. - K

I know it's a running debate, but I think this settles it? http://www.wnd.com/2016/07/1-in-a-billion-police-shooting-cops-bullet-jams-suspects-gun/ - K

Welcome to the great state of Tennessee (from a fellow transplant from upstate ny - lived outside Rochester the last 20 years)! - Kevin

I'd recommend it. While I haven't done the Oak Park tour, I've been to a few of his houses, and they are simply inspiring. - K

I recently acquired 17 acre's of woods, have a Husqvarna 440..... Top-end Stihl saws are nice, I used them while working in the tree-biz, but you WILL pay more for them. They've got a little more power than the Husq, but cost nearly 50% more. Unless you're using one every day, I doubt you'll see the difference. - K

http://heyjackass.com/ Navy pier is fantastic! Stay near the lake, and avoid the south-side. - K

I know one of the TGO advertisers is an Atty that works out of the Nashville area, but is able to work state-wide, and told me he could do everything over the phone/Fed-Ex/ (I think a lot of the meat-n-potato's is boilerplate legalese). LMK how it goes for you. Last I looked into it the costs were prohibitive for my purposes. - K

Is she great or what? Talking w/ the missus today, she suggested I look into getting a silencer so we can use our .22lr and not spook the animals/critters. I also recently acquired an AR lower receiver, so want to get 1 can to work w/ the .223 and .22 caliber rifles. Though I'd love one, I doubt we'll ever have the funds to acquire an automatic gun, so should I bother w/ a trust, or just file to acquire the silencer as an individual? What forms do I need to file, approx. cost? THANKS! - K

Appreciate the offer! (C'mon, you had to know you were the "... experienced friends to help me learn." mentioned initially?!) - K

I'd much rather be responsible for putting a few hours onto the shift of some good 'ol boy at a machine-shop up in KY. Also hoping I'll be able to find parts/supplies if a ban on imports or anything similar takes hold. - K

AND made a little north of here in KY! Wanted to make sure I was buying American for several reasons, I'm sure everyone here understands. Now do I go for the rest from Anderson and get their no-lube features? Anyone have any experience with that system? - K

Saw one at the LGS... understand the attraction whole heartedly! If only money grew on tree's.... LOL! - K

Thanks for the great info guys. Budgetary concerns weighed in the decision, but I stopped at the LGS this morning and picked up an Anderson Mfg. complete lower and a pair of Magpul 30 rd. mag's (for $250 after tax and Background). I'll be shopping for uppers/parts as the budget allows, but I'm glad to have gotten these two parts out of the way given everything going on. Now I can spend a little more on the rest of the bits and pieces and hopefully end up w/ an item I'm happy with. They DID have the M&P Sport model complete for $659, which was very temping (can't build it that quality for that price), but the wife would castrate me if I dropped 700-clams right now, LOL! Thanks again! - K

Bud's will be hosting Hickok45 Saturday for those interested (great excuse for a trip to the LGS!) http://www.knoxnews.com/entertainment/hickok45-to-appear-in-sevierville-on-saturday-3726b5ac-42aa-60c3-e053-0100007ffe86-386069741.html YouTube star and gun advocate Greg Kinman, who uses the name Hickok45, will appear at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at Buds Gun Shop & Range, 2270 Two Rivers Road, Sevierville. A retired English teacher from Franklin Road Academy in Nashville, Kinman has more than 2 million subscribers to his popular YouTube channel which features how-to videos, safety videos, firearm reviews and humorous sketches. His videos have more than 490 million views. Kinman will appear with his son, John Kinman, who occasionally appears in the videos. The event will include a discussion period and question and answer session before Kinman meets with fans. For more information, visit www.BudsGunShopTN.com.

Thanks for the input folks (wasn't aware the 'kit' didn't include the lower, WTF?!) Hard to say what I didn't like about the AR's... I went to open-range day at Windrock shooting range out here, and one of the LGS's brought a collection of their AR's, everything from 500-dollar cheap one's, to $3500 'zombie killers' w/ silencers... to be sure, the fancy one's w/ can's were the best, and I've shot/handled a bunch at ORSA, too. Slap a scope on it and it sends lead downrange very well, I was just never really impressed. I've handled/shot a few other black-rifles that did impress me, but I don't have the budget for that, and this acquisition is as much about timing as anything. Given the current news feed, I'd expect the idea of a "ban" will be bantered about in the press by this weekend.... Would I be better served by buying a quality lower receiver (or two!), and working on building a completed rifle down-the-road (assuming you can get uppers/parts even if a ban is implemented)? - K

I'm kicking myself for not getting the $400 kit they had a couple weeks ago... actually hoping for a deal this weekend: http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-midlength-5-56-nato-1-7-stainless-steel-moe-freedom-rifle-kit.html I believe this ships w/ a completed (and tested) upper? How long should it take to assemble one from a kit? Couple hours? - K