where fellow LEOs get ARs

[1*mike]

im in the Bay Area and looking to get an AR (w/ Chief's letter). Im open to RRA, Colt, and Bushmaster. I dont know anything about S&W or the many others. Do you guys have any advice where to go and even what to get.

I have a millenium light and C-mor so I just need a m4 flat top platform

thanks

1*

[.45shooter]

LC action in san jose or build your own!

[1911su16b870]

Negative on building your own, unless the dealer who sells you the lower, dros-es it to you as an AW. Does LC Action have an AW permit and dros lowers as AW?

[1*mike]

I know about LC but the wait is up to a year for a colt...do they sell non-colt???

[CaliTheKid]

Proforce in Brea. Don't know if they can ship and AW.

[gunrun45]

You do not have to DROS it as an AW when purchased. You can buy it as an OLL, get the chief's letter (names make, model and serial #) and submit to DOJ along with DOJ AW reg form. Trust me, it has been done.

I don't recomend building your own though for liability reasons. Colt's are not all that by the way... They have some serious quality problems as of late.

[1*mike]

You do not have to DROS it as an AW when purchased. You can buy it as an OLL, get the chief's letter (names make, model and serial #) and submit to DOJ along with DOJ AW reg form. Trust me, it has been done.

I don't recomend building your own though for liability reasons. Colt's are not all that by the way... They have some serious quality problems as of late.

SO what other brands besides Colt would you recommend??

[1*mike]

Proforce in Brea. Don't know if they can ship and AW.

ok I think I saw them at Urban Shield

[AJAX22]

You might want to consider building an off list colt up, that way you don't have to give the rifle up anytime down the road, just convert it back to non AW configuration and submit the nececary paperwork.

[1911su16b870]

You do not have to DROS it as an AW when purchased. You can buy it as an OLL, get the chief's letter (names make, model and serial #) and submit to DOJ along with DOJ AW reg form. Trust me, it has been done.

I don't recomend building your own though for liability reasons. Colt's are not all that by the way... They have some serious quality problems as of late.

If you can use an OLL and reg it as an AW, that is great. I was thinking that after you get the chief's letter, you have 90 days to acquire the AW and submit the forms to BOF. I thought the place you get the AW or OLL has to have an AW permit from BOF in order to sell it/transfer it to you. If you could pm me or post here how to reg an OLL into a AW, that would be great. Thanks gunrun45!

[homerm14]

im in the Bay Area and looking to get an AR (w/ Chief's letter). Im open to RRA, Colt, and Bushmaster. I dont know anything about S&W or the many others. Do you guys have any advice where to go and even what to get.

I have a millenium light and C-mor so I just need a m4 flat top platform

thanks

1*

My first one I purchased before 2000 so no problems there. Now we get or RRA's factory direct. Sorry that probably does'nt help much. Try calling RRA or Colt if you prefer. You could also check Gunbroker, some shops out of state are willing to ship to Ca if you have letter head.

[CaliTheKid]

SO what other brands besides Colt would you recommend??

From good authority Colts hold up the best. Bushmasters seem to have a LOT of issue. RAA are in the middle.

[Digital_Boy]

Question/opinion from a non-LEO:
Are you limited to AR-15 type rifles only? For the money you'd pay for a Colt, perhaps you might consider something like a Robinson XCR in 5.56. They accept all the AR accessories (tactical handgrip lights, holosights, etcetera), and by all accounts are less maintenance intensive than the AR platform.

I do have a friend who's a LEO in Georgia who owns a heavy barrel XCR in 5.56, which is his trunk gun, and he prefers it to the AR.

[gunrun45]

I highly recomend CMMG, LMT and Bushmaster. I have versions of each and they all perform well. I have recently seen Colt LE models choke in training due to bolt issues, spring issues and feed ramp issues. My last dept issue true M4 (class III) was a bushmaster and it ran without a hickup. I have also owned several bushmasters without issue in various dressings.

Persomnally, I think the LMT's are the top of the heap for general LE use right now.

It is very simple to register an OLL as an AW as a LEO.
1) Aquire OLL via normal routes at FFL.
2) Obtain letter from your chief or sheriff that you work for. At the same time you can obtain the form from DOJ firearms to register it as a AW. It is the same 1/2 page form everyone else filled out back in 1999 believe it or not.
3) Submit the completed DOJ registration form and the ORIGINAL letter from your chief. Keep a copy of both for your records.
4) When you get your confirmation letter back from DOJ you are good to go to remove your BB or whatever you used to keep your OLL legal. It is now a registered AW in your name and you no longer need it. Technically though you are good to go the minute you get your chief's letter to aquire the letter. Every AW I purchased on letterhead I picked up the same day and submitted paperwork on ASAP to DOJ firearms.

I have several LEO friends who have obtained AW's in this manner.

[fourXfour]

I'm going to try the OLL/letter route as well. If you still want fully built AR, try Bullseye in San Rafael. They are very motivated to get into the LE market and they have a AW permit. Great place.