A local gun shop sponsored a visit from a Rock River rep on Saturday. I got 5 rounds each on a TASC rifle, a National Match A2, a CAR A4 with an EoTech, a Coyote rifle with a Leupold VX-7 on sandbags, a 9mm CAR, an Elite CAR A4, an Entry Tactical, and something else I can't remember. As an added bonus, I also got to shoot a Pro Carry 1911 and a Tactical Carry 1911.
Impressions:
Of the 1911s, I much preferred the Commander-sized Pro Carry. My 1911 has a polymer frame, so I'm used to a lighter gun, and it didn't handle like a compact pistol.
Of the rifles, this was an illuminating experience as I'd only shot a full-auto Bushmaster before, and only 10 rounds at that. I've been agonizing over what configuration of AR I want for damn near 2 years (16"? 20"? Heavy Barrel? Twist Rate? Quad Rail? Flip-Up sights? Red Dot? Low Power scope? High power scope? Etc.). Probably the most gratifying was the Coyote Rifle, but that was just because I was gleefully plugging clay pigeons on the berm at 100 yards. I actually found that I really don't want all of the versatility that I thought I did. I think I'm going to go with the Elite UTE2 http://http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR1229X&storeid=1&image=elute07.gif&CFID=43440591&CFTOKEN=78869200 as I now realize the only optic I'm going to want is an EoTech and I'll be co-witnessing the irons, so I don't want them to flip down. If I decide I want a long-range rifle later, I'll get a second upper, because I don't think I'd be happy if I tried to compromise and ended up with a Jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
Impressions:
Of the 1911s, I much preferred the Commander-sized Pro Carry. My 1911 has a polymer frame, so I'm used to a lighter gun, and it didn't handle like a compact pistol.
Of the rifles, this was an illuminating experience as I'd only shot a full-auto Bushmaster before, and only 10 rounds at that. I've been agonizing over what configuration of AR I want for damn near 2 years (16"? 20"? Heavy Barrel? Twist Rate? Quad Rail? Flip-Up sights? Red Dot? Low Power scope? High power scope? Etc.). Probably the most gratifying was the Coyote Rifle, but that was just because I was gleefully plugging clay pigeons on the berm at 100 yards. I actually found that I really don't want all of the versatility that I thought I did. I think I'm going to go with the Elite UTE2 http://http://www.rockriverarms.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=AR1229X&storeid=1&image=elute07.gif&CFID=43440591&CFTOKEN=78869200 as I now realize the only optic I'm going to want is an EoTech and I'll be co-witnessing the irons, so I don't want them to flip down. If I decide I want a long-range rifle later, I'll get a second upper, because I don't think I'd be happy if I tried to compromise and ended up with a Jack-of-all-trades and master of none.