Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Ok... I've been wanting the Ruger SR556 and now that it is tax season, the time is right, lol.

I'm looking at spending $2,000 on toys.

I went to 2 gun shops, both in Hampton, to see if they had one in store and they both do. Now here is the decision I have and where I need everyone's expertise.

at A & P Arms they have a new SR556 for $1,550. It comes with 3 magpul magazines and a soft padded case. That leaves $450. A & P also has the Surefire X400 light/laser I've been wanting for my XDm 40 for $399.

At Superior Pawn and Guns they have a used SR556 for $1299 that comes with the 3 magpul magazines and a nice Hard case. It also has a tactical foregrip installed on it. I will say the gun looks new. The guy stated that the guy that owned it only had it for a couple of months and was in the military and had to get rid of it because he couldn't take it to his next duty station. Since it was used, I made the excuse that I was just pricing them now and still had to get the ok from the boss at home. He stated that if I wanted it, he would work with me on the price.

So my options:

New for $1550 and the Surefire X400 light for my XDm
or
Used for less than $1299. And then go get the X400 and maybe a scope for the 556?

My whole thing is I'm not sure if I want to spend over a thousand on a used rifle. That's why I need your suggestions/help.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know your experience with an EBR so I'll play devils advocate.

I'm usually hesitant on purchasing first run production guns. Sounds like a good price compared to list, but the rifle hasn't had enough time on the market to shake out any defects.

You mentioned a scope. If you're going for under 100yds, I would just shoot with iron sights and consider a red dot type after practice. I use an Eotech and the target acquistion/shoot time is greatly reduced over iron sights. But starting with iron sites is critical to good marksmanship. Go with a scope if you're shooting over 100 yards. Starting with iron sights still applies.

The Sure Fire has it's purpose, but your adding to the size of the gun. If you have a CHP or plan on getting one, you're greatly reducing the options for carry. I don't have experience with lasers that hang of the lower rail, but it would seem they are easily knocked out of alignment due to their location. Constant reholstering (if you can find one) would only add to the problem.

I would suggest a Crimson Trace with an on/off switch so you can shoot competition later. You'll be required to turn the laser off to shoot.

The flash light portion is eh... I deem it useless. Practice with a separate small light and you'll be better off. I don't know anybody who actually uses a light on the rail after trying it out. I can see LEO quick entry teams needing it, but me and others, no. I know my house well enough and can point shoot within my house with the ambient light at night.

Hope it helps and always looking for feedback myself.

Cannot speak to the Ruger AR platform (in process of either purchasing or building my own), but I can speak to the SureFire and whether or not to purchase new/used.

a. New vs. Used purchase - just a personal preference of mine - is to only purchase new firearms, especially if I have limited knowledge of the unit - something about "learning" a firearm that someone else owned, you just do not know how well (or not) maintained that weapon was in previous life; at least new you have the availibility of a warranty (gun-shop and manufacture). There are only two-folks that I would purchase "used" from and they both are retired USA artillary officers (that I know on a personal level); because I know the care that they provide to their firearms. YMMV, with a used purchase, I haven't gotten to that level of comfort yet - but I am sure that there are some folks here who have bought/sold amongst themselves with good experiences/deals, etc.

b. SureFire lights; don't like them, owned one for about two-weeks, returned for money back. As the other poster noted - you need to be aware of "why" you want the light (needs, limitations, etc). For me it was the battery-life and the cost of the batteries that soured me on the system. I own a StreamLight TLR (Chantilly Gun Show, Nov09, $90) that I keep goes on the SIG each night, then off each morning - it is for home-use only and never goes out the house, unless walking dog early/late hours. I personally like the easy of on/off of the StreamLight system (there are three main units, white light, white-light w/laser, and a compact unit - I have white light only - TLR-1).

... hope this helps...

Rumson wrote:You mentioned a scope. If you're going for under 100yds, I would just shoot with iron sights and consider a red dot type after practice. I use an Eotech and the target acquistion/shoot time is greatly reduced over iron sights. But starting with iron sites is critical to good marksmanship. Go with a scope if you're shooting over 100 yards. Starting with iron sights still applies.

I'm pretty good with plain old iron sights. Had my fair share of range time in the Army. I just want one to play at different ranges. And I don't mean anything big, a smaller ACOG style scope.

Rumson wrote:The Sure Fire has it's purpose, but your adding to the size of the gun. If you have a CHP or plan on getting one, you're greatly reducing the options for carry. I don't have experience with lasers that hang of the lower rail, but it would seem they are easily knocked out of alignment due to their location. Constant reholstering (if you can find one) would only add to the problem.

Nope, this is our Home defense/Range weapon. Don't get carried.

Rumson wrote:The flash light portion is eh... I deem it useless. Practice with a separate small light and you'll be better off. I don't know anybody who actually uses a light on the rail after trying it out. I can see LEO quick entry teams needing it, but me and others, no. I know my house well enough and can point shoot within my house with the ambient light at night.

Well, this might be an option with me, but not with the boss of the house. She only feels comfortable with both hands firmly on the gun. And I've heard/seen many good things about the X400 not losing it's zero.

Rumson wrote:Hope it helps and always looking for feedback myself.

Of course it does, the more advice/opinions on something like this is great. I love hearing what other people think. Of course everyone has their personal preferences.

jadedone4 wrote:a. New vs. Used purchase - just a personal preference of mine - is to only purchase new firearms

That has been my preference as well, but this one looks brand new. It was stated the previous owner only had it a couple of months. The only reason I knew it was used was because of the foregrip that had been put on it.

jadedone4 wrote:b. SureFire lights; don't like them, owned one for about two-weeks, returned for money back. As the other poster noted - you need to be aware of "why" you want the light (needs, limitations, etc). For me it was the battery-life and the cost of the batteries that soured me on the system. I own a StreamLight TLR (Chantilly Gun Show, Nov09, $90) that I keep goes on the SIG each night, then off each morning - it is for home-use only and never goes out the house, unless walking dog early/late hours. I personally like the easy of on/off of the StreamLight system (there are three main units, white light, white-light w/laser, and a compact unit - I have white light only - TLR-1).

I guess this one comes down to personal opinions. I have 2 guys at work that I ask their opinions as well. Both are retired military SPEC OPS guys, one being a retired Colonel. The Colonel has a StreamLight at home and the Enlisted guy has a SureFire. LOL. They both swear by their brands, haha. So this one is a coin toss. They are both nice.

Thanks for your input.