AR15 vs 1911

[rbernie]

Everyone should have a long rifle, and the AR is a fine all-around choice.

 

[HoosierQ]

You need a rifle. Every man needs a rifle. Centerfire, and rimfire. For the price of a top shelf 1911 (and I do mean top-shelf) you can get a decent AR and a Ruger 10/22 or a Marlin 60. Lot's of rifle shooting fun and utility right there.

 

[tomrkba]

The handgun is for personal defense. The rifle lets you go on offense. Focus on the rifle and play around with 1911's later. Put $25 a week into a sock until you can buy the 1911 you want. Good 1911's are expensive. I do recommend the Colt XSE and Springfield Armory (number 9109).

Dump the HK and the SIG. The Glocks cover your defensive and action shooting needs. Perhaps even swap the 17 out for a 26. Use the cash to buy an Aimpoint with magnifier or lower end 1-4x (or 1-6x) illuminated optic. The optic makes the gun, so don't go too cheap with the variable. Buy a quick detach mount (Bobro, ADM, or LaRue preferred).

You can get a Bravo Company rifle for around $1,100 that is built properly. This is more important than saving $200.

Use Magpul P-Mags and nothing else.

 

[Warp]

Once again I say get both, Doublestar M4 at Bud's http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/411537957 and one of the best lower price point 1911s, an American Classic http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/49736

I recommend against buying cheap crap.

Pick one and do it right.

 

[rikman]

I recommend against buying cheap crap.

Pick one and do it right.

+1 Buy once, cry once.....

 

[Derek Zeanah]

+1 Buy once, cry once.....

In general, yes. However, I bought a RIA 1911 and it did pretty good at Gunsite. After talking with the head of operations at Rock Island I'm not surprised -- they work hard at quality control, and IIRC they expect (due to statistics they track) that one out of every 2,000 they put out will have a flaw in it.

Not perfect, but not bad.

As to 1911 or AR, I think you should have both. The question to me is "what would you use the most, and which would bring the most pleasure?" It seems like you like shooting pistols, so I'd probably start with the 1911.

 

[mljdeckard]

I agree with building one. If I had know it was that easy I would have done it years ago. If you really can't see yourself doing that, look at a Colt 6920.

 

[tarosean]

Buy whichever one you'll use the most and save for the other. Far to many makers/manufactures in the "types" of guns you listed, ranging from crap to top of the line.

 

[Grassman]

Get yourself a Rock Island 1911, decent gun for around $500, then get you a Entry level, Bushmaster or DPMS. Problem solved.

 

[Warp]

Get yourself a Rock Island 1911, decent gun for around $500, then get you a Entry level, Bushmaster or DPMS. Problem solved.

If you ignore his budget and, further, don't mind cheaping out on the quality of the AR. And assume that, even after going over budget, things like ammo and magazines and other basic accessories are not a $$$ concern, either.

 

[savanahsdad]

get the 1911 first , that will make picking witch others to sell a snap, then get the AR,

 

[FMF Doc]

AR all the way. Right now all your pistols use the same caliber. If you are going to add another caliber to the collection, it should bring a platform with it that gives you something too. A 1911 won't do anthying that you can't do with what you have. An AR on the other hand, opens a whole new world of possabilities. You can hunt small to med game, target shoot, varmit shoot, or even get into 3 gun. Then there are the "zombie civil war" applications too, if that matters to you. Get the AR

 

[savanahsdad]

I just took a look at your gun list again ,, oh oh you need a good wheel gun too !! S&W 357 or a Ruger 44mag , time for a 2nd job lol ,
and stay away from 22lr auto pistols, or you could end up like me with 5 or 6 of them and a few bricks of ammo, and not knowing witch to load frist , aawhhh the stress !!

 

[CountGlockulla]

Get a 1911. They can explode tanks. I saw it in a movie once.

 

[Kyle M.]

Get a 1911. They can explode tanks. I saw it on a movie once.

Only if it's a 10mm 1911, I'd get both you can shoot tanks with the 1911 and quarters at 1,000 yards with the AR.

 

[TrueTexan]

Get the AR, then sell your Glocks and get a real good steel gun, a 1911. Can you tell I don't like Glocks.

 

[Rail Driver]

Sell the HK and the G17 and buy both and AR-15 and a 1911.

 

[WinThePennant]

You already have a Glock, so why do you need a 1911?

Buy the AR. Sell the Sig and the HK and buy a Glock 26.

Use what is left over and buy ammo.

Easy-Peasy.

 

[WNTFW]

I have both.

I could get thought the rest of my life not owning a 1911.

I would really miss my AR15.

I would sell my 1911 & keep the AR if I had to get rid of one.

Get the AR first is my advice. Now the term AR leaves a lot of room for variance. A 20" NM AR is a great all around rifle.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Several nice handguns and no rifle?


Get the AR now.

Get a 1911 later.


Full disclaimer - I've got no direct experience with the Smith & Wesson Sport, but by all the accounts of those who do, it's a perfectly fine rifle for the casual shooter. It'll come in under your budget nicely, leaving you enough for a few more magazines and ammo to actually enjoy it with.

 

[Creature]

WNTFW wrote:

I could get thought the rest of my life not owning a 1911.

I would really miss my AR15.

You and me both!

 

[wacki]

recipe for quality AR at a reasonable price:

Aero Precision or Spikes lower
Price: $79 via aimsurplus.com
Quality: CNC Machined from a 7075 T6 MIL-H-6088 Forging. Spikes is a good name, Aero is a military supplier.

CMMG AR15 Lower Parts Kit
Price: $59.95 via aimsurplus.com

Spike's Tactical 6-Position Mil.-Spec. Buffer tube kit
$59.95 via aimsurplus.com

Magpul STR Carbine Stock Black Mil. Spec
$94.95 via aimsurplus.com

Now you have a quality complete lower for $294

For the upper I'd recommend

M&A Parts Mid length
Price: ~$300.
Quality: Same factory as LMT (top military supplier) but batch testing instead of individual. Some configuration differences as well. It's the workmanship that matters to me most.

Sights:

Magpul Gen. 2 MBUS Back-Up Rear Sight
$55.05 @ aimsurplus.com

will get the job done but I believe

Troy sights for $109.00 are worth the extra cash.

Roughly $700 and you can spend the rest on magpul magazines and ammo.

Don't have a rifle range?

You can get a .22 LR conversion bolt. No comments from me on that one as I went with a dedicated .22LR upper that I use at the pistol ranges. It's a bit more expensive but *theory* says dedicated devices are more reliable. Dunno what the reality of conversion vs dedicated upper is.

 

[Warp]

recipe for quality at a reasonable price:

Aero Precision or Spikes lower
Price: $79 via aimsurplus.com
Quality: CNC Machined from a 7075 T6 MIL-H-6088 Forging. Spikes is a good name, Aero is a military supplier.

CMMG AR15 Lower Parts Kit
Price: $59.95 via aimsurplus.com

Spike's Tactical 6-Position Mil.-Spec. Buffer tube kit
$59.95 via aimsurplus.com

Magpul STR Carbine Stock Black Mil. Spec
$94.95 via aimsurplus.com

Now you have a quality complete lower for $294

How much is shipping?

What FFL transfer fee are you assuming for the lower receiver?

You often lose a lot (if not all) of the cost savings when you have to pay a bunch of different shipping fees.

 

[dprice3844444]

i second the colt 6920 or the 6940 for the free float bbl. for a 1911,i would recomend the colt ss rail gun . even better,the full sized glock 45(can't hit squat with the 1911)
glock is lighter,cheaper,built in comp,and better factory service.less chance of accidental d/c.higher capacity mags.
ratworxusa.com has decent prices on colt and free shipping

 

[coolluke01]

Get the AR15. It's a great rifle!

Then you can get into 3 gun shoots!

I have a DPMS sweet 16. It's a great gun.