So apparently CMMG has recently opened a store in the Columbia MO. area, which is about thirty miles from my house. Everyone that I have asked has said that they have excellent ARs. Is this the case? I am looking to buy my very first AR from them, and I recently went to their store and checked out what they had in stock, and I liked what I saw. Basically, I am fairly ignorant as to what I should be looking for. I believe he said their barrels were "soft-chrome", which I have no idea what "soft" means. In the Marines they basically handed me my M-16 and that was it. ;)
Anyone have any advice on what I should be getting for my first AR? Also, what type of Eotech I should purchase for it?

I bought from them before and was VERY happy.

John and Jeff are good people I have bought from them on and off for years. If they have the rifle in stock you are wanting I would get it now while you can.
Soft Chrome I have heard that before but it is not coming to me now for exactly what it was, it must not matter that much since I do not remember it.

Well I guess I am pretty much sold on CMMG, but are there any definite features that I should get with my rifle?

Do you want a full length rifle or a carbine? What purpose(s) will it have? Do you plan to use an optic, EOTech, Aimpoint or ACOG most of the time? Things like that will help us help you.


TS

I would like the shortest barrel legal. I believe that is fourteen inch, correct? I would like to have an EOTech as well, but again, not sure what kind. I would like a chrome barrel, but when I asked about it he said all they had was "soft chrome" which I'm not sure what that is.
EDIT: Also, I will be using the gun for home protection, and also would like to take it to the range. Nothing too extraordinary.

This post has been edited by gatorboyrules: November 30th 2008 7:16 PM

16" Barrel is the legal length, but you can get a 14.5 with a permanently attached suppressor.

E-Otech not much help here I just ordered my first one a few weeks ago, but I did purchase my father the 512 since it used the AA batteries and he really likes it.

Most are purchasing the chrome lined barrels I have both. I clean my barrels no later than the next morning after a range day, so not having a chrome lined barrel does not bother me, but some might go a week or longer before cleaning their Rifles if you do not clean regularly then I would get the chrome lined barrel.

I currently have one of their rifles for sale in the FFL section. using it to fund a sig 556. $400 off the new price with less than 1000 rounds through it. priced to sell =D

I've never heard of soft chrome. The whole point of chrome is that it's hard which make it last longer. I just did three google searches and the only time soft and chrome come up together is by themselves, not with "AR15 soft chrome barrels" or "soft chrome barrels". It appears that soft chrome is used for faucets and guitar strap furniture. I'd check back with them and get that defined and made clearer.

Sounds like you want a 14.5" barrel flat top carbine. You may want a flip up front sight, but it's not necessary. There are a lot of EOTech models but they are almost all the same as far as the dot and ring go. The differences are night vision or no night vision and how they attach to the upper. The most economic EOTech is the 512. It uses two AA batteries, doesn't have NV and uses a screw to attach to the upper.


TS

Go with the 512, unless you plan on doing any night vision stuff. Here's the link.
Eotech 512

Awesome, I guess I'll go with that.
I appreciate the previous post as well, all very informative. I guess thre really aren't any different offerings of barrels other than chrome/non-chrome? I guess I'll be getting the chrome barrel then.
Again, thanks to all for the help.