AR-15 questions...barrel length + others

[Jedi_7.62]

First off I know some of this has been asked before but fresh opinions are sometimes nice.


I am looking into Ar 15 mostly because I am worried about new legislation. If it were not for that it would be further down my want list.

I am impressed with the accuracy of an AR over other EBR's. How does a 16 in. bbl affect this. I want a general purpose rifle. Target, plinking, SHTF, I don't think I would hunt w/ a .223. How difficult is changing a bbl if I decide later I want a 20 in.?

What manufacture is best recomended? I have read good and bad about RRA and Bushmaster? Is Colt really all that or are you just paying for a name?

I would like a flat top because I want to scope it yet I want the option of iron sights as well what set up would you recomend there are so many choices I get confused.

What advantages/ disadvantages are there to the different types of muzzle brakes/ flash hiders?

I read an interesting review of RRA Tactical CAR A4 in Guns and Ammo recently and have been looking at it. Yet I know a few well placed $$ can buy many great reviews. Is RRA good stuff or is it a trend since they got a DEA contract. Would any rifle they make be of the same quality as the ones for the DEA?

Thanks for letting me fish in your pond,

 

[Zak Smith]

Within reason barrel length does not affect accuracy. Barrel quality and ammo choice do.

For a general purpose AR, I recommend a 16" with mid-length handguard & gas system, and a flat-top receiver with your choice of iron rear sight or optics.

Good manufacturers include: Armalite, Bushmaster, Rock River, Sabre Defense, Stag, ...

 

[JonB]

So going with a 16" vs 18" or 20" barrel won't matter much? I am looking at RRA with a heavy barrel or varmint barrel. Stainless steel. Although I could be talked into just a heavy Chrome Moly / Chrome lined if the accuracy is the same as a Stainless heavy/varmint. Looking at RRA mostly because they use the .223 Wylde chamber instead of 5.56 or .223 - kind of a hybrid of the two. Shoots either 5.56 (i am thinking NATO surplus for plinking) and .223 (better for serious shooting?)

 

[Zak Smith]

Accuracy is a function of barrel quality, ammo choice, and upper "build quality." There are short and lightweight barrels than shoot 1/3 MOA, and most AR-15's can be coaxed to shoot 1 MOA if you find the right ammo.

 

[adobewalls]

I you want to shoot varmints or do longer range plinking then the long heavy stainless barrels rule.

If you want a general purpose rifle, the 16" CM with a chrome lined chamber and bore is hard to beat.

The beauty of the AR split receiver system is you can buy other upper receivers with different barrel configurations to satisfy most any pursuit.

So if you are not sure what you want to do with the rifle, then I would suggest getting the carbine in a flat-top upper configuration and add uppers as the paycheck or Misses allows.

 

[jem375]

I like the 20" barrels myself, and would go to a 24" barrel for varmints....You could buy a 16" ar15, and then just buy another complete upper if you needed to go to a longer or shorter barrel....

 

[rino451]

You can use the Wylde or 5.56 chanber for both .223 or 5.56. I'd gro chrome lined barrel and chamber and chrome lined carrier. 20" will do ok with .223/5.56, 24" will wring it out and 16" will get the job done. If you plan on hiking at all with it, a 24" heavy barrel gets heavy.

ETA I'd also go with anything other than the carbine gas system. I have two and can't wait to change to one mid and one rifle length.

 

[Steve H]

I have 2 of 'em. a 16" and a 20" both Bushmasters. At 100 yards the 16" shoots (for me) just as good as the 20". I like the 16 as one of my "house guns". It points pretty fast. We live up in the mountains where there is a pretty large amount of coyotes and it really works well on them.