AR Choices...

[theautobahn]

I helped the owner of my LGS out with a project and he's going to give me a smoking deal on an AR in return. If you had your choice, which would you choose:

Daniel Defense V7
Colt 6940
Colt 6720
Sig 516

I covet a light carbine with a mid-length gas system and smooth tube (the DD), but he keeps bringing up Colt and last night mentioned the Sig 516 (as well as the M400, but I don't care for that one). For now it will be my go-to AR for plinking, training and possibly some coyote hunting. After things (hopefully) die down, and parts become available again, I'm going to finish some builds (so I could wait for my mid-smooth-lightweight carbine).

And not to hijack my own thread, but I told him I'd cover the difference if he could get his hands on a LaRue PredatAR, but his distributor doesn't carry LaRue so he didn't think he could touch one.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Out of those choices I would take the DD M4V7, I don't really care for pencil barrels. I, like you, prefer mid-length gas systems. While the Colt is a great gun, Daniel Defense also makes a fantastic gun...

 

[Torian]

I don't have any experience with DD...but the Colt 6920 is the STANDARD (production rifle) by which all other M4s are judged.

 

[Walkalong]

I like the mid length gas system for 16" barrels. I like light weight, but not pencil weight, barrels. I can live with a "standard" weight barrel.

Hard to go wrong with a Colt or a DD AR 15. Sigs are probably good as well, but dunno.

 

[theautobahn]

As I said, I like middy-systems and light guns and the pencil barrels don't bother me so much (even though I have occasional access to full-auto lowers, I wouldn't be putting enough rounds through it to melt a barrel), so I was leaning toward either of the DD's or the 6720, but after fondling the Sig... I don't like the weight at all and I'm not enamored with a quad rail, but I like the idea of a piston system, and it's got some cool features (QD points on the receiver and rail, comes with a sling, etc.), ambi mag-release (I'm a righty, but it seems like most of my friends are wrong-handed).

AAH- why don't you like thin-contour barrels? Just the way that they look?

 

[allaroundhunter]

AAH- why don't you like thin-contour barrels? Just the way that they look?

While I don't like their aesthetics, that is not a reason that I would not recommend them for another because it is more of a personal thing. From a functional perspective, they heat up quicker than standard weight barrel (which leads to handguards heating up faster), and they really don't cut down on weight too much. The extra couple of ounces from a standard barrel will give you a slightly less recoiling rifle (yes, ARs do recoil some), and if you shoot an extended string like if you are in a competition, your shots won't walk as the barrel heats.

 

[meanmrmustard]

I don't have any experience with DD...but the Colt 6920 is the STANDARD (production rifle) by which all other M4s are judged.

I'd like to think it is the MINIMUM by which all others are compared. Many exceed this level of quality.

That said, this chap will gladly take the DD M4V7.

 

[briansmithwins]

PErsonally, I prefer the light weight profile barrels for rifles that are carried or shot from standing or kneeling.

That extra couple ounces is on the end of a very long lever and makes the whole rifle feel heavier than it actually is.

If the rifle is going to be shot of a bench or prone go for the heaviest barrel you can get.

BSW

 

[Skylerbone]

A friend has a Colt 6940 which IMO is a very nice set-up for his purposes. If this aims to be your only AR, I'd also suggest a standard profile barrel so my choice would be the DD. it may be that your FFL can get the Colt at a better price, something to consider. I do think the DD is a more refined rifle vs. a Colt but hard to go wrong.

 

[Reloadron]

This thread is going to be an interesting thread. Let's discount brand names for a little bit. The following is my opinion and just my opinion.

When I buy a rifle, any rifle, I actually have a use planned for it. Unless I stumble into an unbelievable deal where I buy a rifle simply because it is there and the price is too good to believe.

I have never hunted with an AR type rifle. Not that I see the AR as a poor choice for hunting but because over the years I have more than enough rifles I feel are better suited for hunting and the type of hunting I have done. When I was more active hunting it was mostly whitetail deer in West Virginia. Depending on the terrain of the day it would be my Ruger .44 Carbine auto loader or my Remington 7400 in 30-06. My personal thinking is either of these rifles is better suited for hunting whitetail deer in West Virginia. For my application I see using my Colt AR as a piss poor choice when I have better choices.

When it comes to AR rifles and the infamous Tacti-Cool I have no use for it whatsoever. I will go to the grave before I need a flashlight, fake 37mm grenade launcher, or other crap hanging off one of my rifles. That discounting a flashlight I once tapped to a 410 shotgun bolt action barrel. While some see a need for these things I sure do not.

This gets us to intended purpose. I buy a rifle with an intended purpose plain and simple. My AR type rifles were bought and improved upon for match shooting. That includes standing offhand, sitting and kneeling as well as prone position shooting. That is all they need to be good at. They will never see hunting and they don't need to look tacti-cool, they only need to be good at their intended application.

theautobahn, you mention:

For now it will be my go-to AR for plinking, training and possibly some coyote hunting.

I would likely choose the Colt 6720 as an all around rifle. I would choose it for a few reasons starting with the 1:7 twist as I like the heavier bullets. Open sights with adjustable windage and elevation also contribute and the Top picatinny rail with number designations in case optics is in the future. The rifle is basic, simple and will do what you mentioned. Again, just my thinking. So choose wisely based on your needs/wants.

Ron

 

[Skylerbone]

I would choose it for a few reasons starting with the 1:7 twist as I like the heavier bullets. Open sights with adjustable windage and elevation also contribute and the Top picatinny rail with number designations in case optics is in the future.

All these are features of the V7 which offers short rails at 3,6&9 near the end of the handguard for a bipod, sling attachment and, if desired, light (coyote hunting?). Those features combined with a better trigger make it a hard to beat package for nearly even money.

I do heartily agree that a bargain without a purpose is of little usefulness and that many other traditional rifles make for a better choice in hunting situations. Excellent post Ron.

 

[Welding Rod]

If you are going to shoot irons, get the option that offers the longer sight radius.

If you are going to shoot slung up and not float the barrel, the lightest barrel won't be the best choice. If you don't shoot slung, a quality light weight is a joy to carry and to shoot off hand.

If you are going to rely on it for a night stand home defense gun, I would put a good light on it. I have tried many configurations and personally my favorite is a small, light weight Surefire X300 Ultra (500 lumen) pistol light.

While it could be mounted on a rail section on Magpul handguards or the like, for a light I prefer the mounting security of a quad rail. And if a quad is used, may as well be floated to allow same POI when both slung up and not slung up.

I prefer a Magpul CTR or MOE stock on and AR. I use A1s and A2s for high power competition, but an adjustable is the way to go. Especially in the winter when you may have a couple inches of insulation clothing over the shoulder.

Personally I like RRA NM triggers for recreational shooting. I have owned more than a dozen and never had any problems with any of them. In a purely defensive gun I would go with a GI trigger unless a sidearm was also readily handy.

 

[Reloadron]

All these are features of the V7 which offers short rails at 3,6&9 near the end of the handguard for a bipod, sling attachment and, if desired, light (coyote hunting?). Those features combined with a better trigger make it a hard to beat package for nearly even money.

I do heartily agree that a bargain without a purpose is of little usefulness and that many other traditional rifles make for a better choice in hunting situations. Excellent post Ron.

Yes, I guess I could run with the V7 also.

Thanks
Ron

 

[theautobahn]

When I buy a rifle, any rifle, I actually have a use planned for it. Unless I stumble into an unbelievable deal where I buy a rifle simply because it is there and the price is too good to believe.

Let's just say that the price IS too good to believe (especially considering that I had planned on doing the work I'm doing for him without compensation).

I do heartily agree that a bargain without a purpose is of little usefulness and that many other traditional rifles make for a better choice in hunting situations.

I have hunting rifles. I have handguns. I have shotguns. I do not have a complete "defensive" rifle. I have some built lowers and a pretty good idea of what I wanted to build for uppers, but I was short on funds and then the recent craze happened and everything went to vaporware.

Eventually, I'd like to have at least a couple of lowers, and the following type uppers:

16" Mid-length free-floated round tubed upper with move-able rail sections. This would be an all around gun. Mall-ninja stuff, plinking, nightstand, etc. I like the tubed front ends because they're much more comfortable to run without gloves than a rail, but with short rail sections I could still throw a light, etc. on it. Possibly used for some coyote, etc. hunting as well.

M4gery- for the sake of parts availability and as a backup for the above uses.

18-20" hunting / precision (DMR) upper definitely for coyotes, etc. (this would probably be the last one I'd build / buy).

300 BLK - I think an SBR AR with a 300BLK barrel is about the perfect starter deer gun for a kid in wooded areas. Low recoil, ergonomic, adjustable stock, etc. and I would consider the 300BLK as adequate for deer (the .223 is legal in Maine, but I would be hesitant to use it, let alone giving one to a kid to shoot a deer with).

 

[sappyg]

I voted for the DD LW. Got one.
The first time I handled it reminded me of the first time I handled my father in law's Parker 28 gage. It was like a perfect moment of clarity. Needless to say I retired the 1100 as a quail gun not long after.
Believe you me the LW is a real treat. Feels and handles like no other AR I have ever tried. For me, the thin barrel is just another of the many pluses DD brought to the table. No downside that I can see. When I can hold 5 rounds to 2" at 50 yards with peep sights I'm a happy guy. Absolutely no stringing or drift. Sandbags would improve but I just don't care. It's not a bench gun yet it's at least as accurate as the H-bar I use to play with. Thing is, ARs don't have to weigh a lot to be a great rifle.
No the handgaurd doesn't heat up noticeably based on my use. Yes, to me, the thinner barrel does improve weight and handling and is absolutely as accurate as the best producing ARs I have tried to date. Admittedly I've only got 60 rounds down range with the LW and only ran M855 & XM193 so far but I like what I see and it don't take me long to look at a horseshoe. Pardon the old Mini Pearl Joke/ reference. Guess that shows my age.

 

[Warp]

I voted DDM4V7LW

However, I have a Colt 6920 and would be exceptionally happy to have one. Or another. Or another.

Really, I'd be ecstatic with anything from the list as long as it isn't the Sig.

But that's just me.