Tell me about your AR clone please, I am trying to pick one, did you buy or build?.
Unclviny
I have three AR-15s: A 1979 Colt AR-15 Sporter, a Bushmaster XM-15, and another clone that IIRC is Olympic Arms (but could be something else). Obviously the Colt, which was my first, was bought already built. I built the other two. The Bushmaster is an -A2 clone, and the other one is a collapsable-stock CAR-15HB. All are pre-ban.
The Colt feels very light compared to the Bushmaster, for obvious reasons. I like the heft of the Bushmaster. I like all three of them, and it’s hard to pick a favourite. The Colt is stock with the triangular handguards, and I like the “history” of having a “classic” rifle. The Bushmaster is nice for its heavy barrel and sights. The “CAR-15” (which also has the -A2 upper) is cool because it resembles the M4.
I’ve never had any problems with any of the rifles. I was going shooting one day with the (unloaded) Colt across my back when I fell of the motorcycle. Naturally I’d left the ejection port open! I took out the bolt carrier and wiped it off with a rag, and it functioned perfectly.
Whatever you do, wait until after September to spend money on ANY assault rifle! You might end up wasting a lot of money otherwise.
FWIW, Quality Parts’s BushMaster rifles are awesome! If you do end up building your own clone, stick with either Colt or BushMaster factory magazines. It’s amazing what problems aftermarket mags can cause.
I have a basically stock Bushmaster XM-15, 20" barrel. Had it for 6 years or so, very happy with it. I’ve run about 5000 rounds down it with no problems. The stock trigger was pretty creepy though, so I put in a Rock River Arms non-adjustable 2 stage trigger that’s beautifully crisp, and was half the price of an adjustable 2 stage. I also put on a Hogue grip, since the stock AR grip is too small for my hand.
BTW, I’m left handed, and the AR is a fantastic semi-auto design for lefties.
Why go with a clone at all when the real thing is still available? I’ve shot a couple of different AR configurations, but there is nothing like an honest to god Armalite AR-10 or 18.