My oldest girl, currently 13yo, expressed an interest in having/shooting a rifle.
First, the background on us as shooters. I'm a recreational shooter, hunter, and revolver collector. I have no military background, do not compete, nor am I a serious benchrest shooter. I just like guns and shooting them.
Daughter is your typical early teen girl, but does like to go to the range with her old man. She enjoys shooting the 22/45 Lite I set up and likes shooting my K38 "Target Masterpiece" with wadcutter loads. She's sensitive to noise though and won't touch my Glock (too loud according to her).
While we were perusing a gun show recently, she mentioned the ARs were neat and she wouldn't mind shooting/owning one. I like the idea because, with a 6-pos stock, it would fit both of us. FWIW, I built an AR right after the AWB Sunset and ran it for a couple thousand rounds before selling it when Obama was elected (for a nice profit, I might add). I also assembled an AR pistol earlier this year, but sold it before I got to the upper portion. I'm pretty comfortable with the assembly of an AR and feel competent at it. Fortuitously, I have a lower receiver already. I ordered a LPK the other day and it has now arrived. I thought this may be a good project for the two of us to work on together.
Ok, background aside...
I'm trying to decide on these items:
chambering (.223/5.56 or 300BO) and buy completed upper or build from components.
Chambering-wise, I think the 300 would be less obnoxious to my daughter's ears. As a reloader with a stock of 30cal bullets on hand, I can go heavy subsonic to reduce the noise. However, .223 is nice and cheap (less than $7/20 at WM), to the extent I won't bother reloading. I have a threaded 308, so a suppressor could be in my future (not anytime soon though).
Buying a complete upper is simple, but I like the idea of shopping around for the exact components I want (or the best deals) and assembling it as parts come in. For example, I like Anderson's sporter upper. For our needs, we don't need dust shields, forward assists, etc. This would make for a simple gun with clean lines. Also, it would be an opportunity for her to see all of the components, how they work together, and gain a full understanding of how the rifle works.
One more thing, thoughts on Bear Creek barrels? I can't find any objective criticisms online. The few people who have them are happy. The naysayers seem to base their criticisms on price or on the build quality of complete rifles, without specific notes on machined parts. The prices are certainly attractive.
Thanks all,
Chris