I'd trade my AR for one like MT2008's in a heartbeat. I love the way those AR's look and feel. Also, the sights kick ass

Yeah, a big one, how about you? :D

Yeah, a Colt for $800 is a really good deal. It's rare I see them for under a Grande, and the ones I see are always pretty well used.

Well, you can always replace the rail forearm for cheap. Standard forearms are plentiful and inexpensive. I actually want to buy a rail forearm for my Panther eventually (not immediately, as dropping $1K on a new gun means I won't have the capital for a while).

Speaking of which, until this weekend, I had no idea that STAG made left-hand ARs. When did this start? The first time I saw one on a dealer's table, I did a double-take.

I've bought AK ammo from them before (actually, my Dad did, but it was with my encouragement). A lot of their stuff really is a "take it or leave it" affair, and I think I can afford to be a little less frugal on getting good mags.

Their whole marketing deal is that they are the only ones that make leftie AR's

Thanks, but...what's special about the sights? (remember I say this having had very little range time with ARs)

Ah, I see. Somehow, I missed out completely. Even though I'd heard of STAG, I basically knew nothing about them.

They're OK, I just don't like rails. As for the sights, I love the standard carry handle sight. My AR came with really crappy flip ups.

Remember that it isn't "Operator-worthy" until it has a foregrip and a C mag.

But you can buy the carry handle and stick it on.

Well, guess I'll never be an operator then. I don't need/want a C-mag. A vertical grip might be good, though...

Or an M203 and 2 kinds of optics

I don't have a foregrip, but I have a Beta Mag:D

I finally took the Panther out for a spin yesterday evening; my friend and I put about 200 rounds through the gun. It shoots quite well. One of the things that surprised me is how easy it is to shoot consistent groups with ARs. The last time I shot my uncle's Colt AR-15 A2 (years ago now), I remember thinking it was decently consistent, but now that I'm grown up, it feels lots easier with my Panther. I actually managed to get 2" groups pretty quickly. Although my eye sight has deteriorated a bit, too (my contact lens prescription has increased in the last 5 years), so I remember squinting a little more to focus before shooting.

I still don't have new magazines yet, but maybe I was a little hard on the factory mags. I guess I was just hard on them because they look/feel too much like the mags on my airsoft M16A2. I didn't have any problems with them, though the green followers sure do get dirty pretty easily (and look it). I've never seen the followers on my synthetic AK mags get that dirty.

BTW, the ammo we bought was Brown Bear. Can anyone tell me if it's any good? My Dad and I buy Wolf for the AK and were going to do the same for the AR, but Brown Bear was what they had at the range.