AR-15 ... or should I buy something else???

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Logistar

Guest
I'd like to buy a rifle. (All I currently have is an old .22 Mossburg.)

Here is what I want to do with it:

1. Plink/have fun.
2. OCCASIONALLY use it for a varmit.
3. Available for SHTF scenerio.

Reasons 1 and 2 probably call for a .22 bolt-action but I keep thinking that a .223 semi-auto would be a LOT better for defense. Is an AR-15 too much? Is it too little? Should I go to the .308 (or 30-06)?

I have no plans to go hunting. I have only shot bolt action rifles in the past. What do you guys think? Am I crazy for considering an AR-15?

Logistar
 
I can't think of a better choice. I have a safe full of rifles that I never shoot. I shoot one of my AR15s at least once a week. I have never had half the fun with any other rifle. I am a total addict.
 
AR is a good choice. It's like a giant tinkertoy set. The basic gun fires a .223 good for defense and small game. You can get a .22LR adapter for plinking cans. You can get complete uppers for different configurations such as competition shooting or changing caliber to 9mm or .45.

There is an endless supply of accessories to trick out the AR to your hearts content. All starting with one carbine.
 
That didn't take long! THANKS GUYS! I really appreciate the responses. Looks like I will start checking out the AR-15s then!

I know my dealer stocks Armalite and Bushmaster. (Same price.) Are there any manufacturers, barrel lengths, or features I should look for (or try to avoid)?

Any other comments about the AR-15s are also greatly appreciated!

Logistar
 
I believe that Bushmaster is the only company that makes a true mil-spec rifle that is available to the public if that interests you.

I have several 5.56 ARs, and a Colt in 9mm NATO. I have an upper coming in .458 SOCOM. Can't beat the versitility. Poodle Shooter ? Yeah, with that SOCOM barrel I can shoot a 300 grain HP at 1900 fps. That should work on a poodle. Or how about a 500 grain solid at around 1700 ? Think a poodle might notice that one ?
 
I have 2 pre-bans, a Colt National Match with 20 in. barrel, 1 in 7 twist and a Essential Arms with a 16 in. barrel, 1 in 9 twist. The Colt is more accurate at distances over 100+ yards, but the E.A. is much more handy and points quicker. Personally, I prefer the 16 in. barrel length. Of the post bans, I've heard a lot of positive comments on the Bushmaster. A friend has one and is very satisfied. I've shot it on one occasion, and it shot as good as a Colt. You might want to check out AR-15.com and handle both the 20 and 16 inch to see which feels better for you. They are lots of fun.
 
Don't get one with a muzzle brake. They aren't necessary on a low recoiling rifle like an AR-15 and they raise noise and muzzle blast to unacceptable levels.
 
AR-15

Stick with -

Bushmaster
Amalite
Rock River

I bought a ASA once :banghead:

I bought a DPMS once :banghead:

After selling the problems childs, I only have A, B, and R.


USMC
 
http://www.ar15.com/content/docs/idealRifle/

Here's a great article on AR15s. I'm looking for one myself and I'll probably go with a Rock River. www.ar15.com has a lot of great info.

If you don't plan to use it for hunting, an AR15 seems an excellent choice. Cheap ammo, inexpensive magazines, low recoil, readily available parts, easy to change uppers/lowers into a completely different weapon and accurate enough to win shooting competitions.
 
I'd like to recommend that you get a flattop. It seems that most of the 'hipper' accs are designed around the A3 flattop.

My bushy came with the carry handle, so I can use it if I want, and thats what I'm doing while I sift thru the endless variety of optics and mounts and flip-up irons.

That may be the only downside to the AR :uhoh: (that, and its maintenance), try to choose one accs over another. Of course, with unlimited funds, you could just trick-out severeal different uppers or complete rifles :D .
 
Another vote for ARs. Change the uppers when you feel like varminting. Change the upper for plinking.

BTW, flat tops are the way to go.
 
I have a bushmaster shorty. A ton of fun to shoot. Nice size package. 223 Ammo is cheap, and high cap. mags are easy to be had. Good luck.
 
Are there any manufacturers, barrel lengths, or features I should look for (or try to avoid)?
Click to expand...
Handle a 16" and 20" models in various barrel tapers. The "feel" part of barrel length is very subjective. I personally prefer an HBAR 20" for it's higher velocity and longer sight radius, as well as the solid, heavy feel of the barrel in hand when shooting at distance. Other's prefer a fast swinging lightweight 16" barrel. Only you can make up your mind. I concur on the flattop. It's more money, but you give up very little durability, and you gain the ability to scope it w/o the hassle of cheekpieces or odd zeroes at close range. Avoid "no-name" receivers and parts guns as a general rule. Go to www.ar15.com for more info.
 
I just love my AR15,
I sleep with her,
She is named Charlene.

After having a Mini-14, I am in total love/lust with my Bushmaster 16" shorty A2 model. A great rifle! I am fondling her at this very moment. Yummy.
 
Definitely an AR! Everyone needs at least 1 AR. Anytime I go shooting, it goes with me regardless of what else I take. I'm now debating on another AR, or a bolt action .308. I'm leaning towards the AR. That's after I sell my Marlin .357 Cowboy. Too many guns, too little cash.
 
Check out this web page. IMO it is the best AR15 site on the net. It has just about anything you might want to know about an AR including a breakdown of the various manufacturers and the pros and cons of each brand.

http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/mainpage.msnw

I just got back from running 120 rounds through my newest upper. It is a Bushmaster 16" with a Wilson Combat muzzle break which brings the barrel length up to 17.1" (I bought the upper right here on The HighRoad.org). It has a Surefire 500A light system, an Aimpoint ML2, a back up iron rear sight, and a tac sling. It was very impressive. The brake works well. The rifle is accurate and functions flawlessly.

As far as parts guns, there is nothing wrong with a parts gun. AR15s are very easy to put together yourself. I just put together a lower last night. It was my first time. I got on the web page from AR15.com that has instructions for putting together a lower. I had it together in an hour with no problems at all. Looks and functions great. I am waiting on a Bushmaster M4 kit that should be here any day now, and am going to put together another one. One note on this; You will not save any money by building your own AR. It is just fun, a learning experience, and gives you a sense of satisfaction similar to reloading your own ammo.

20" vs. 16". That is a tough one. I have both and would be very hard pressed to pick which one I like better. In all honesty which ever one I am shooting is the one I like the best. And I am not trying to be funny. When I am shooting one of them, I am checking off in my mind all the pluses and minues and I can't decide which one I like better. But, since it is an AR, you can eventually just buy both uppers and change them out at will.
 
After these responses to my post I don't think I have any choice! Looks like the AR-15 is the way to go for me. I think I want a flat top. (A2?) I would like to be able to switch from a carry handle to a scope and back again. (And I'd like to keep the scope as close as possible to the barrel.)

My Dealer has only Armalite and Bushmaster in stock. I will stop by there in the next couple of days.

Thanks to all of you for your help!!!

Logistar
 
I agree with your decision to get a flat top with a detachable carry handle. This is the most versitile configuration. One thing to consider in scope mounting is that the stock has no drop at all. The top of the stock is straight. So, you have to keep the scope off the barrel somewhat in order to see through it. Otherwise you have to cock your head 90 degrees to look through the scope.

The one thing that drives me nuts about ARs is that there are so many after market accessories and everyone has to make up an acronym for their product. SIR, BUIS, ......................... It takes a long time just to figure out the acronym for the product you want so you can buy it.
 
Logistar, I bought one AR-15, but after I figured out how I commonly use it, I rebuilt it to a more appropriate configuration...really like it...its the "lego building block" of rifles...I would suggest you start by figuring out how you like to use it first, then buy the appropriate AR-15, since they come in all shapes and sizes.

First configuration for me was a flattop AR-15 (A3) with fixed forward sights, 16" stainless steel barrel, and plastic hand grips from Olympic. I bought a stripped lower receiver and built it up myself with a custom kit from Olympic (great people, BTW). It was a fantastic rifle that NEVER jammed.

However, I found the way I used it was at the range, sighting through a scope (ATN 5x). The short barrel, and front fixed sight was not optimal.

So, I got an upper with a free floating handguard, harris bipod, 24" stainless steel bull barrel, no front sight (but rails on the gas block if I want to attach one) flattop. Its better still!

First, figure out how you will "use" the gun...which you said at the beginning of the post...

Look HARD at...
barrel length...the 16" are sexy, but if you go to the range a lot, 20" or even 24" are better. Even with the 24", my AR-15 is just about as long as my M1.

Get the flattop.

Consider no front sight, but with a "railed" gas block. I tend to use the scope exclusively, but could add a front sight at a later time. The scope is so much better than the iron sights I never went back to the iron ones.

Get the free float handguard...accuracy...

Get the bipod stud on it installed by a pro. You will never line it up right if you don't on the free float handguard without the right equipment.

Take a look at this link from
JT Distributing

JT can make kit uppers the way you want them, so you can contact them at http://www.jtdistributing.com/ if you want to tweak a design a bit. They can do more than their website states if you want a bit of this, or a bit of that. Other companies offer similar options, I had a good experience with them, buying a new upper at a gun show from them. Sold the old upper on ebay for more than I paid for the new one.
 
Here is what I want to do with it:

1. Plink/have fun.
2. OCCASIONALLY use it for a varmit.
3. Available for SHTF scenerio.
Click to expand...

This has AK written all over it. You can by the rifle, 10 mags, webgear/pouches, etc. and a ton of ammo for what you'd pay for just the AR. The AK is a lot more fun to plink with than the AR to me, and I have both. Try one out before you drop all that money on the AR, you may be surprised. And dont listen to the forthcoming cow pie storm from the AR boys, for they are quite opinionated (wrongly I might add) and I still dont know how they shoot with that "nose in the air" stance. :D

Give me a second to get my nomex skivies, then let the flames begin! :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

L
  • Locked
AR-15 Flattop for defense??? HELP!
Replies
11
Views
2K
lostdog
L
T
  • Locked
Which gun should I buy next?
2
Replies
38
Views
1K
Squidward
S
K
  • Locked
AR-15 to 22bolt-action...please help!
Replies
18
Views
3K
22-rimfire
2
C
  • Locked
Should i buy a new rifle?
Replies
12
Views
898
DAL
D
G
  • Locked
AR-15 Varmint
Replies
19
Views
2K
Triple S
T
Back
Top