I've been pondering which semi-auto rifle to buy for general plinking and SHTF-type applications. In Africa I used the FN-FAL, H&K G3, AK47 and the R4/R5 (South African select-fire version of the .223 Galil - the civilian semi-auto version is the LM4/5/6).
Leaving aside the whole 7.62 vs 5.56 debate, I'm thinking of starting with a 5.56 rifle (I can always buy a 7.62 at another time). I'm not very familiar with the AR15-type rifle and I'm a bit worried about its reliability, especially after reading a review of the Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle 1 course - the guys with the H&Ks and AKs had no problems, but the AR-owners seemed to have a really hard time.
I don't really care to shoot sub-MOA groups - reliability is my main concern, so I've tentatively settled on the idea of a South African-made LM5 rifle. Where can I get one (or something similar of equal quality) here in the US, what do they cost - and do you have any comments on the apparent reliability problem of the AR15 (or how to solve it, etc)?
Leaving aside the whole 7.62 vs 5.56 debate, I'm thinking of starting with a 5.56 rifle (I can always buy a 7.62 at another time). I'm not very familiar with the AR15-type rifle and I'm a bit worried about its reliability, especially after reading a review of the Thunder Ranch Urban Rifle 1 course - the guys with the H&Ks and AKs had no problems, but the AR-owners seemed to have a really hard time.
I don't really care to shoot sub-MOA groups - reliability is my main concern, so I've tentatively settled on the idea of a South African-made LM5 rifle. Where can I get one (or something similar of equal quality) here in the US, what do they cost - and do you have any comments on the apparent reliability problem of the AR15 (or how to solve it, etc)?