[Quintin Likely]

Whilst browsing through the Shotgun News today, it hit me:

My scoped, evil, sinister, politically incorrect, too powerful, "tactical" (read: black) rifles just isn't complete without an AR.

So now, I ask the wise and powerful members of this board, who and why for a good AR? Bushmaster? Armalite? 16" or 20" barrels? A2 or A3 uppers? M4 fake or not? The possiblities are mind boggling.

The intended purpose? To say I've got one, mainly ;) Punching paper, and/or a weapon to see me through the TEOTWAWKI scenario that we all know and love would be a secondary excuse to plunk down the change on one. Local range down here holds a CQB get together once a month that looks like a lot of fun too.

A post ban configuration will be fine, I can live without a flash suppressor, but I dig the collapsible stock on M4s. I'd like to put some type of optics on this thing, probably a red dot of some kind or another. My budget is fairly flexible at this point, so I'm willing and waiting for comments and suggestions.

[cheygriz]

Get a Bushmaster 16 inch "Dissapator." I prefer the A2, with carry handle. Just fine with the original sights, or better yet, a Trijicon Reflex mounted forward to co-witness with the iron sights, or an ACOG on the cary handle.

Of course there's nothing wrong with the Colt, Rock River, or Armalite.

Just make SURE that you get a chrome lined barrel and chamber, and a 5.56X45 MM military chamber instead of a SAAMI spec commercial chamber.

[CleverNickname]

I'll second the Bushie Dissapator. I have one and really like it. The only thing I would change is that I would have paid the $50 more for an A3 upper (removable carry handle) instead of an A2 (fixed handle.) But since I didn't, I guess I'll have to get a second AR. Darn. :D

[Badger Arms]

I'd go with the M4gery they have with the fixed M4 style stock and the M4 profile barrel with permanent muzzle brake. Definitely Bushmaster. It's worth the extra $50-100 you'll pay over some other manufacturers. Armalite is a good way to go also, but they are less available and have fewer good options.

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/Images/pcwa2x14m4my.gif

[bad_dad_brad]

A308Winchester,

You have opened up the proverbial AR-15 can of worms.

I did a lot of research for my first AR and I bought:

A Bushmaster - good solid company with a solid product.
A 16" Shorty Hbar - handy, good for CQB, accurate, powerfull.
A2 handle - simple, easy to learn, combat accurate.

I was looking to replace my Mini-14 with a more capable .223. So requirements for a Mini, were similar for my AR choice. Control the house, control the neighborhood, take out the occasional pest.

I plan on getting a 24" flat top upper in the future for target and serious varminting. Gotta love that AR. So many uppers, so many options. A simply great firearms system.

[Kamicosmos]

I love my Bushy Varminter!

http://www.kamicosmos.com/images/varminter1a.jpg

[Jack19]

I like Bushies....own three. But I'm building a Rock River Arms M4 right now. Have learned a heck of a lot about how the rifle works too. Buy the parts and do it yourself, at least the lower and stock. As pictured but with the non-collapsing stock.

http://www.rockriverarms.com/images/m4entry.gif

[gk1]

If you want the "collapsible" stock to collapse, it'll have to be a pre-ban rifle (read $$$). If you just want the look of a collapsible, then any of the previous suggestions are fine. Personally, I'd get a 20" A2, and I'd put an A1-profile barrel on it, since it won't have a bayonet lug anyway. Besides, if I need to bayonet something, I've got some Garands and Enfields that are much better suited to the task (especially with the short swords they called bayonets in those days!).

George

[Quintin Likely]

Thanks for the replies. Now, a few more questions:

What's the difference between a 5.56x45 military spec'd chamber and a commercial SAAMI spec'd chamber?

And re. the different designations...A2 is fixed handle, A3 is the removable handle with the flat top rail, but what's the difference in the sighting between the two?

[stellarpod]

I've got a 20" DPMS with fixed handle that has been a good, reliable shooter.

However, if I had it to do over again, I would opt for either of the following:

1) A 16" with fixed handle, or

2) A 20" with flattop

I like the idea of a short carbine with no concern about scoping it. I equally like the idea of the longer barrel with the flexibility that comes with the flattop configuration. Wish I'd thought things through a little better before buying.

Of course, it just gives me another reason to buy another rifle.

:)

stellarpod

[MessedUpMike]

Are you trying to start trouble here mister? Saami is a tighter speced chamber, and amid much debating you may or may not fire both round types through it. As the 5.56 is the more generous of the two chambers I would recommend going with 5.56 as it will be less finky as to what you can "safely" feed it.

Man that RRA looks cool, if I didn't alraedy own an Oly I'd buy one! Hell I might do it anyway :D !

[cheygriz]

MilSpec chamber has about .020 more "leade" than commercial chamber. This is actually "freebore" as used in Weatherbys.

Because of this increased leade, military ammo can be loaded just a bit hotter than commercial .223. you lose a small amount of accuracy with this leade, but not enough to matter.

For a general purpose rifle, the MilSpec is the way to go. If you were getting a 24 inch varminter, the commercial SAAMI chamber would be preferable, because you'd be shooting match ammo and/or milder handloads.

The beauty of the AR system is the easy change of uppers. you could get a Bushmaster Dissapator now, and later buy a 24 inch stainless varminter upper and have both a varmint rifle and a "Homeland Defense Rifle" on the same lower unit.

Just my personal taste, but I'd suggest the fixed A-2 handle on the dissipator, and the flattop for the varminter.

[geekWithA.45]

I'll third (or fourth) the A2 Bushie Dissipator.

For fun, I but a cheapo bushnell red dot on it for $75, and it works just fine, no zero probs, or any of that nonsense.

I just love mine. Love it. In fact, I hear it calling to me now....unlock the safe! Let me out! take me to the range!