Feeling the call of the "Dark Side"... Trade Sig 1911 towards AR-15?

[MacTech]

Okay, first off, let me state the following facts;

I'm a rifle guy
I prefer manual action guns (bolt/lever/break action/pump)
I'm an "accuracy at all costs" guy

I'm also a revolver guy at heart
I don't have a CCW permit
I live in an area with practically nonexistent crime
My Sig 1911 is basically a range toy

So, why, when I went to KTP tonight, was I looking at EBR's?

I don't know, really, I just felt like checking them out, knowing full well that I wouldn't like them as I'm "not a fan" of semiauto rifles, or so I thought....

I looked at a new S&W MP15, the M4 styled sporter, but it just didn't feel right, so I looked at a few used AR's of varying make and model, found one that just felt "right", it actually felt amazingly good, something I wasn't expecting my traditionalist tastes to like, I liked it so much, I put it on 7 day hold to think about it, more specifically, about if I wanted to trade out of the Sig 1911 to get it

It's a Bushmaster lower, with the classic M-16 style buttstock and pistol grip and fore grip, flip iron sights and carry handle, and a 1:9 twist 24" barrel upper component group, it basically looks like a long-barreled M-16, not the comically short M-4 style

I especially like the lack of rails and other silly hard points festooning the current crop of M4geries

Trigger pull is crisp, with a nice clean break, it balances and points naturally, the LOP is perfect, it fits like it was made for me

I've come to realize that my Sig 1911 is basically a range toy at this point, I have a Rem. 870 for home defense, a bunch of .22's for recreational use (and no, I'm not selling any of them, they all serve purposes) but I don't have a center fire rifle currently.....

I figure I'd get more utility out of a center fire rifle (I live on a farm, we have the property planted with Timothy and alfalfa for haying, have horses, chickens, sheep, and pigs (all pets) and have a small varmint problem with the gardens (woodchucks and raccoons mostly, the occasional skunk...) than out of a range toy handgun

So, basically it comes down to which would make more sense, an AR, or my Sig 1911

 

[bgrav321]

24" is pretty long, but it's your rifle, so get what you want! As long as you have the HD covered, I'd go for it. That said, in my state without a CWP you can keep a pistol in the glove box and that is very useful, but that's a lifestyle call on your end.

Also, I loved that episode of Blackadder. Season 4 was hilarious.

 

[Quentin]

I also think 24" is getting real long. And what components went into that upper, that's what really counts. And how much is it, a FrankenAR with an unknown pedigree should be marked way down. It might have got the Abby Normal brain.

 

[Red Tornado]

If you primarily want it for utility (pest control) keep the 1911 and get an H&R break action in .223 or .243 and add a collapsible buttstock if necessary, and a scope. Utility, accuracy, and a preferred action.
RT

 

[Girodin]

It's a Bushmaster lower, with the classic M-16 style buttstock and pistol grip and fore grip, flip iron sights and carry handle, and a 1:9 twist 24" barrel upper component group, it basically looks like a long-barreled M-16, not the comically short M-4 style

Hmm, I'm not sure that I would want a 24" barrel. I would only get that long of a barrel for a gun I intended to use almost exclusively for longer range shooting.

Many of the other things 1:9 twist, carry handle, stock, are not my preferences but I don't see them causing a problem for your uses.

I would rather have a Sig 1911 than an unknown AR. As stated in #3 where the upper parts, most notable the barrel and bolt carrier group came from makes a big difference. I would rather buy a different brand, Colt, BCM, PSA, or if you really are an accuracy above all (including price) person like you say than a Noveske to a mystery gun or one of cheap parts.

H&R break action in .223 or .243 and add a collapsible buttstock if necessary, and a scope. Utility, accuracy, and a preferred action.

Handi rifles in those two chamberings are actually renowned for accuracy issues. I'd much rather have a stevens if I wanted a cheap accurate gun in one of those for shooting varmints. I'd also rather have an AR.

 

[MacTech]

Okay , let me clarify one of my statements then, "accuracy at all costs....
On a budget...." (budget is no more than $750)

Yes, I am aware they are normally mutually exclusive…

So, let's assume the upper is also a Bushmaster upper, I'll check with KTP tonight, but until then, assume it's a bushmaster upper…

Does that change anything? Are Bushies decent, reliable rifles?

They're asking $750 for the rifle, I paid $825 for the Sig 1911
(used gun), I can get $700ish for the 1911 in store credit

Any other good choices in that range?, how would a brand new S&W MP15 compare, KTP has them on sale until Sunday for $599 …

Oh, I just remembered, this particular Bushmaster AR is a pre-Cerberus buyout gun, a real Bushie, and as a Maine native, the fact that it's a Maine-made gun is even more appealing

 

[KeithR]

The S&W M&P15 Sport will be accurate out of the box. There is an on going test comparing the Sport and the Colt 6920 and the Sport has been holding it's own.

 

[RainDodger]

One single piece of advice for ever and ever... don't sell one gun to buy another! One day you will regret it. Just sayin'.

Save pennies until you can buy what you want outright.

 

[Water-Man]

I personally wouldn't make that trade.

I want a long gun AND a handgun for HD.

24" barrel is too long for your purposes.

I'd rather have a Smith than a Bushy in an AR.

An inexpensive bolt gun would be a better option IMO.

 

[CraigC]

Buy the AR if you want but you could do everything you need to do with a good $300 .22Mag or .17HMR boltgun.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I say go for it....My AR does much better varmint control work than any 1911 would.

It would serve more of a purpose than your 1911 will as well. However, the 24" barrel is a tad long, I prefer a 20" max barrel length, especially if I am going to be shooting anywhere other than a bench.

 

[keithbayne]

i agree with Rain dodger. i sold my Para .45 1911 for enough money to buy my AK 47 reciever and my new Argus 9mm 5inch.and had money left over.thats cool and all,but i sure miss my 1911.i will get another soon. i am lucky to work in a good company ( IO INC)and we are developing a new 1911 45. guess whos gonna get the second one

 

[adelbridge]

You can probably build an all new franken AR for what the shop is asking. 24" barrel is going to give you more velocity.

 

[chris in va]

The AR is just a range toy as well. Just depends whether you like 45 or 223 better.

One single piece of advice for ever and ever... don't sell one gun to buy another! One day you will regret it. Just sayin'.

I don't regret any of my gun sales.

 

[Girodin]

If $750 was my max budget I would likely be looking at a PSA gun. They still have some of their uppers on sale.

There will be plenty of people to tell you that their bushmaster is amazing and runs great etc etc. They are likely telling the truth. Although anyone who tells me their gun is flawless etc I always ask for the details of how it has been used, how many rounds, most rounds in day, etc, etc.

My experience with bushmasters leads me to believe that for the money there are better guns. For an all round gun I would get a PSA for $750. It is a real solid gun for the money and IMHO a better buy than the Smiths.

 

[Hunterdad]

Sounds to me that the Bushie you were looking at was either a bench gun or varmint gun. If you want something too shoot off the bench, I say go for it. If you want something that is easy to handle in a standing position, I'd keep the sig or look for something in the 16" variety.

 

[meanmrmustard]

Put the Sig lower on a Mech Tech upper. Instant carbine!

 

[MacTech]

Okay, if I'm honest with myself, an AR WOULD basically be a range toy as well, I'd be swapping one toy for another and be no better off, in fact I'd be a tad worse off, as I'd have to set up for reloading the 5.56 cartridge, I already reload and have components for 45 ACP already

As far as magnum rimfires go, I already have a decent Marlin XT-22M that covers the Magnum Rimfire angle

Dad's also given me his Winchester '92 in 44-40, so the short to mid range hunting rifle angle is covered, I just need reloading dies, bullets and brass for it

The only hole left to be filled is the long range rifle, and I think a decent inexpensive bolt gun will fill that hole nicely

Thanks for being the voice of reason, sure I'd *like* to have a nice AR rifle, but I'd also *like* to own a Ferrari F-40, Ariel Atom, and other supercars, but I'll just be happy with what I have ('07 VW Rabbit 2 door with manual transmission, the manual is the *only* way to drive, I'll never own an automatic, hate 'em)

 

[powder]

Meh, I really like my SIG1911, and even though it is just 1 of many 1911s it is a keeper.

Check out the RockRiver Elite Operator 2, save up a few bucks...

 

[Infidel4life11]

Meh, I really like my SIG1911, and even though it is just 1 of many 1911s it is a keeper.

Check out the RockRiver Elite Operator 2, save up a few bucks...

+1 I've bought a few AR's as of late. I have a new bushy that I like very much, S&W M&P sport I like a lot as well. Maine bushy's are pretty cool guns but if it came down to it I think I'd take the S&W. My current favorite is my CMMG mid-length probably until my Spike's tactical gets here in 8 months. I bought the S&W and a RRA used and on the cheap around $700 for both rifles. Point being shop around PSA has some pretty sweet deals and you can build what you want.

 

[CZ223]

Mac

lets get you out shooting a couple AR's, then you can decide. A 24" barreled AR is a great Varmint rig and will probably provide enough accuracy to make even the Bolt action guy inside you smile. My two heavy barreled Ar's have made me question whether I need my extremely accurate bolt guns. I certainly don't need anything more accurate than my AR's for any varmint shooting I might encounter in the state of Maine. If you want to try a couple Ar's out sometime just get in touch and we can go to the Scarborough fish and game. I am a member there and would be happy to show you what youare missing. I am also a 1911 guy.

 

[JFtheGR8]

If I had a Sig 1911 I would keep it over trading for an AR. If I wanted to part with it I would sell it over trading it. You lose too much in a trade.


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[Fishbed77]

I thought a SIG-Sauer 1911 with an external extrator was the "Dark Side."

 

[MacTech]

CZ223, thanks for the offer, but I have shot an AR before, a guy at my local range (South Berwick Rod and Gun) let me try his heavy barrel DPMS 5.56....

I did two three-shot groups at 100 yards, the first group had two shots almost through the same hole, but I had a flyer about .25" away that opened the group to around a half dollar size, the second group I could cover all three shots with a nickel

All on a gun I had never shot before…

 

[nathan]

Sig 1911 is much better. With a good side holster in the farm, that be a perfect sidearm and they look cool , too.