Need help deciding on my AR Build.

[Cpt. America]

Alright here's my problem. I have an AR lower stripped, I just got done parkarizing it this past weekend. I originally thought about making it into a 9mm just for fun. But I like the idea of hunting with it as well as using it for home defense. I have a rifle in 7.62x39 already so I figured that would be a good place to start rather than going with the .223. I don't own a .223 so it wouldn't be to bad to go that route either. What do ya'll think? And if you know of any good web sites to find the parts I need please buy all means post them. And if there is another caliber I could build from the standered AR-15 lower reciever let me know.

 

[DougW]

Cpt. your biggest issue will be availability. 7.62X39 uppers are scarce and complete kits are tougher. I would search the web and AR15.com for the manufacturers that make kits in 7.62X39. It took over 5 months for me to get the .223 kit I ordered Nov 23 last year. HUGE waiting time on everything AR.

There are lots of caliber choices. 6.8, 6.5, .243, .223, .204, etc are additional choices. Dont forget .450 Bushmaster. There is also a .50 out there somewhere.

 

[lvcat2004]

I just received my 223 upper I ordered 6 months ago, and I still have 2 uppers, one in 223, other in 204 that may take another 6-12 months to arrive so keep in mind that whatever you get, it's gonna take a long time.

I have a few 7.62x39 rifles, but wanted to get something different. IMHO, 7.62x39 ammo is cheaper and dirtier in general. Dirty ammo doesn't work so well in the AR platform....it ain't no AK. I personally find it somewhat weird to shoot that caliber in AR platform...when you have a lot of other good options in which that caliber was specifically designed for.

I also have 9mm carbine Beretta, fun plinker, good SD piece, but if you are thinking about hunting, I don't think that it's good option. I'm not sure what you hunt, but if you are thinking long distance varmint like cotyotes, squirrels, and such, 223 or 204 would be a good caliber.

 

[FlyinBryan]

i think you should go with the 223.

i would still say 223 even if you already had a 223, but since you dont you should definitly go that way.

its a great little round.

 

[MJR007]

Ar15 for deer - 25wssm

 

[fletchbutt152]

.450 Bushmaster or what I call the 450 Bushy

I need someone to help bring the ammo costs down! Take a look at Bushmaster's page on them. Sounds like a great hunting round.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

It's gotta be in .223/5.56

 

[kwelz]

5.56

 

[wally]

At this point, with most suppliers now filling orders placed in December '08, I'd go with what you can find first and go with others later. Otherwise you may not get anything for another six months or so.

I like my 7.62x39 AR -- it shows that the Comblock 7.62x39 ammo is not as inaccurate as the AK makes it out to be, but unless you are happy with 10 round capacity, getting good mags is a bit of a crap shoot right now.

--wally.

 

[CtMarksman]

You should do .223. If you want something really cheap do .22LR.

 

[jakk280rem]

that new 30rar looks like it has promise. its still too early to tell.

 

[ARNETT44]

voted 223, but Doug is correct on wait times. Have 6 still waiting for since November and December 08

 

[NC-Mike]

I have an Olympic 9mm Upper. It goes on a standard lower, no mod necessary.

It is kinda uninspiring, if you ask me.

 

[ARNETT44]

Come on, Capt. America and you dont have a 223, say it ain't so! Next you will be trying to tell us you dont have a .45 either!!!!

 

[SoCalShooter]

I have two in .223/5.56

I am building a .223/5.56 DMR rifle,.22LR rifle,.50BMG single shot

 

[Cpt. America]

Suprisingly I don't have a .45 either.

 

[10-Ring]

I'd go w/ the 223 & 7.62 X 39 -- you can mix and match the uppers to your lower as needed. The 9mm upper will req some mods to the lower so it's not as easy a conversion. I ended up building 3 dedicated guns in each caliber & have enjoyed each!
Good luck

 

[Cpt. America]

Thats my biggest draw back to the 9mm build and the fact that I can't hunt with it. I do like the new 30AR but I wonder what that will cost?

 

[NC-Mike]

The 9mm upper will req some mods to the lower so it's not as easy a conversion.

My Olympic 9mm upper goes on a standard lower. No mods to the lower are needed.

 

[snakeman]

model1sales.com
jtdistributing.com
galatiinternational.com
ar15kits.com

 

[snakeman]

combathunting.com has great prices on accessories and grips.

 

[gvnwst]

Go with a .223 upper. As otehrs stated, 7.62x39 uppers are harder to get than normal 5.56 ones (and 5.56 uppers are hard enough to get) plus, there are only a few kinds of mags that work well, or so i am told.

 

[Eightball]

I'd go for a .22lr for the moment, then upgrade later.

But, voted for a 9mm--because you said you'd enjoy it. Buy something you enjoy, and use the heck out of it.

 

[ZombieKiller]

Go 6.8

 

[a-sheepdog]

I like 6.8spc.