High-End AR15 + Arsenal AK vs. SCAR 17s

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arizona_cards_11

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I'm in a bit of a pickle and need some general input on a 'what would you do?' type question.

I currently have a 300blk AR15 I built out of pretty much the highest quality commercially available components . (Noveske upper/lower, Geissele trigger, DD LPK, JP Silent Captured recoil buffer, etc...). I also have an Arsenal SAM7R-61 with a refinished Bulgarian stock set.

I reload for each and have an abundance of funds tied up in dies, bullets, cases, etc....

Both rifles shoot very well, however, neither really tickle my fancy. It's a hard thing to describe, but I really have no passion to shoot either.

I've been contemplating selling them to fund another purchase and possibly thin my reloading supplies to just a couple of calibers. If I do go through with this, I'd probably buy a SCAR 17 and be done with it.

I don't want to be a 'fool and his money.' Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Was in a similar dilema as you years ago, and couldnt find the rifle that had that specific "feel" to it.

AR's, AK,s Fals, M1 Garand, etc........

Ended up getting rid of all of them after the M14 types.

This is what I would recomend. LRB ARMS in specific.
http://www.lrbarms.com/


And/or Smith enterprise......

http://www.smithenterprise.com/


Good luck
 
What's the point of having guns that aren't fun to shoot? Unload them for something you'll have a good time with.
 
IF you get the right price, the SCAR 17 is a great buy, especially in FDE. I have yet to see one depreciate to any extent. AR prices have drastically fallen, but finding a used SCAR for $2600 can be a chore. Expect 2900+ for a blacl one, 3200 plus for a FDE.

My FDE 17 is a joy to shoot.
 
What's the point of having guns that aren't fun to shoot?
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Can't say I've ever found any, even total POS guns are fun to shoot for the novelty of having done so. Not fun to own is a different issue :)
 
Both rifles shoot very well, however, neither really tickle my fancy. It's a hard thing to describe, but I really have no passion to shoot either.
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It's cause they are boring and common assault/battle type weapons that really aren't that fun to shoot after you ring the steel at 100 and 200 yards for a couple range sessions. As the newness and the challenge for your abilities to make it function along the lines it was designed for wears off it won't be as much of a thrill the next time out (edit: unless you challenge yourself each time).

I can't say I think you'd find a SCAR all that much more fun though I will say my FAL is more enjoyable, and costly, than those varmint rifles you listed. But it ain't that much more enjoyable, it just has more power.

By the same token, I don't get into all this "passion" crap. A gun is a tool, learn to use it, stock ammo and parts for it, use when necessary. What do you want, flashes, bells, and mirrors all over it? A foxtail? Do you buy and sell crescent wrenches because you don't have a passion for anything but a real name brand "crescent" wrench? No, if a tool functions as it should, you put it in the toolbox until it's needed.

You want good advice? Here: keep what you have, they work well and you are all set up for it. Don't be parted with more cash or your quality weapons. It can be hard to find a SA rifle right now without issues and yours have none. Go get you a muzzleloader and learn to use it. You may doubt it's ability to thrill you right now, but you won't be disappointed. You can custom tailor your load with every shot. Mild to wild.

Figured I'd make a somewhat different suggestion but it works for me so..........
 
fireside44 said:
It's cause they are boring and common assault/battle type weapons that really aren't that fun to shoot after you ring the steel at 100 and 200 yards for a couple range sessions. As the newness and the challenge for your abilities to make it function along the lines it was designed for wears off it won't be as much of a thrill the next time out (edit: unless you challenge yourself each time).

I can't say I think you'd find a SCAR all that much more fun though I will say my FAL is more enjoyable, and costly, than those varmint rifles you listed. But it ain't that much more enjoyable, it just has more power.

By the same token, I don't get into all this "passion" crap. A gun is a tool, learn to use it, stock ammo and parts for it, use when necessary. What do you want, flashes, bells, and mirrors all over it? A foxtail? Do you buy and sell crescent wrenches because you don't have a passion for anything but a real name brand "crescent" wrench? No, if a tool functions as it should, you put it in the toolbox until it's needed.

You want good advice? Here: keep what you have, they work well and you are all set up for it. Don't be parted with more cash or your quality weapons. It can be hard to find a SA rifle right now without issues and yours have none. Go get you a muzzleloader and learn to use it. You may doubt it's ability to thrill you right now, but you won't be disappointed. You can custom tailor your load with every shot. Mild to wild.

Figured I'd make a somewhat different suggestion but it works for me so..........
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I appreciate all of the different suggestions. I've think I've been moving in this direction for a while. If my rifle is just a tool, why wouldn't I just have 1 that is as utilitarian as possible and train with it religiously? That's what I need to do.

I don't like flashy items or bells and whistles. My AR has 0 attachments; my AK has 0 attachments. I do like quality workmanship, however. Perhaps I could part with the AR and keep the AK for the time being. That would free up some $$$ let me do a bit of research before I make any decisions.
 
I've been contemplating selling them to fund another purchase and possibly thin my reloading supplies to just a couple of calibers. If I do go through with this, I'd probably buy a SCAR 17 and be done with it.
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Both rifles shoot very well, however, neither really tickle my fancy. It's a hard thing to describe, but I really have no passion to shoot either.
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From my point of view that is just switching from one car to another. Is a different rifle what you want or perhaps new shooting scenarios? I've spiced my shooting up with speed snap shooting, gongs, target jacks, random unknown distances, longer range and smaller targets. For me it wasn't the guns but being boring and predictable that got me in a rut.
 
I consolidated to a SCAR 17s, no regrets. Yeah it cost me $3k used but it was worth every penny. It got me to thinking about a SCAR 16 but really, I like my PWS AR15 enough to hang on to it.
 
I mostly agree with fire. I look at it as a tool and what I find fun is getting better and developing my capabilities. I'd go for the best gun no matter what it is cause as was said after the new wears off its just another hunk of metal.

The noveske sounds like the best of the bunch there. I'd take it over a scar given equal money. Though 300blk is a LOT harder to come by
 
I don't own but have fired a SCAR and honestly I would just as soon have an AR. After you get over the cool factor it isn't that different. I have an AR and vz58 and honestly enjoy the vz58 more than any rifle I have. I bought mine from Ohio Ordnance but I think Czechpoint still sells them. They are much lighter than an AK, with quality parts (milled receiver, nice finish).

If you want excitement get a 50 Beowulf. They are a blast. I had to sell mine though because I couldn't find ammo. When I did I couldn't afford it.
 
If I were you, I would just keep both the AR and AK since they are both nice rifles as you have described and you have your reloading setup already for both.

The Scar17 is a nice rifle (and I'd love to have one myself), but I don't think its worth losing 2 nice rifles for one.
 
By the same token, I don't get into all this "passion" crap. A gun is a tool, learn to use it, stock ammo and parts for it, use when necessary. What do you want, flashes, bells, and mirrors all over it? A foxtail? Do you buy and sell crescent wrenches because you don't have a passion for anything but a real name brand "crescent" wrench? No, if a tool functions as it should, you put it in the toolbox until it's needed.
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Slight difference. I don't know of anybody who collects crescent wrenches. People, like me, collect guns because they have a passion for doing so. Yeah, I like to shoot them too but I also enjoy owning them for a variety of reasons. If it's just a matter of being a tool the vast majority of us would own one or two handguns and a hunting rifle if need be.
 
What do you do with these rifles?
Plink at the range? If so maybe find a carbine course and play with mag changes, barricades, shooting on the move, multiple targets and all that good stuff. Get dirty and fun.

If that doesn't appeal to ya, maybe sell whichever you like less and change it up for a precision rig? Get into the long range game?

After all isn't a scar just another platform designed for the same usage as an ak or ar?
 
Hm. Some rifles are very utilitarian, and more resemble crescent wrenches. Others are works of art in steel, and wood. To me, any "military styled sporting rifle" is closer to a tool, and I don't form any sort of aesthetic attachment. Some of the military rifles of the 20th century and earlier do have a very strong aesthetic to them, such as the SVT40 or Dragunov... just the lines of some of these rifles are very pleasing to me.

I find that I enjoy shooting wood stocked, old technology, rifles the most, and I find that I hold on to them longer. LOL, I just did a mental inventory of my "collection" and I have only one "military styled sporting rifle" these days.

Recently, I have stepped out on a limb an am in the process of building (actually skilled craftsmen are doing the building) a benchrest/belly benchrest/F Class Open rifle. I am spending a boatload of money on it, and have no idea whether it will be an expensive tool or an aesthetically pleasing work of art. I suspect it will be the former. I reckon if it performs in my hands I will grow attached to it.

To OP: Perhaps you would enjoy a wooden stocked M14 or clone a little bit more than you do the plastic and aluminum "military style sporting rifle" and the passion will return?
 
My suggestion? Keep what you have, & buy some toys for the AR. A Turkish .410" upper, a .223" bbl, maybe a 7.62x39 bbl, bolt, & mags(or a 9mm), a .22"LR converter or a rimfire upper (.17" HMR?), a pistol lower. The AR is the most flexible semi-auto platform out there, but right now you've got 1 scoop of Hagen-Daz vanilla. Keep the Hagen-Daz, but add some more flavor. The FN's a nice rifle, but not nearly as flexible.
 
fragout said:
Was in a similar dilema as you years ago, and couldnt find the rifle that had that specific "feel" to it.

AR's, AK,s Fals, M1 Garand, etc........

Ended up getting rid of all of them after the M14 types.

This is what I would recomend. LRB ARMS in specific.
http://www.lrbarms.com/


And/or Smith enterprise......

http://www.smithenterprise.com/


Good luck
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That is kind of rifle I would get. LGS has on called Soakem 16 or something similar by Springfield Armory. Very handy carabine chambered for very useful 7.62x51 cartridge and 20 round magazine is plenty of ammo. A lot more useful then AK, AKM or AR 15 which are only really useful in selective fire variety. Semi-auto AKM or AR 15 is pretty much worthless.
 
If my rifle is just a tool, why wouldn't I just have 1 that is as utilitarian as possible and train with it religiously? That's what I need to do.
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That was my point, why not just have one you train with religiously? Or several very similar models for parts and ammo commonality. I'm personally not a collector. I have only the items I use regularly. I would say I'm better than average with those items because those are what I practice with. Since I have very little I have a limited selection in terms of what I can spend my time with.

You could get that new SCAR but eventually the newness will wear off and what's left is you and your abilities (unless you are into collecting). To me, the passion stems from abilities I might develop while practicing rather than the weapon itself so much. Sure, I selected out some choice hardware, nice stuff, as did you more n likely. But I'd rather have passion for ability than passion for the hardware itself so much. Appreciate quality but your abilities come first. That's my take and it might not be the right take for you but hey, you asked.:)
 
backbencher said:
Yep, the Army issues completely worthless rifles. And we always practice w/ 'em in worthless mode, too.
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From military perspective the 5.56 cartridge in M16 makes good deal of sense as these are selective fire weapons and more ammo can be carried then 7.62 but from civilian perspective AR15 variants are worth bucket of spit. Shockingly at hight of shortage the little Springfield .308 carabine was available as local geniuses went after AK and AR rifles. With new light plastic stock they handle quite nicely and five round magazines are available for hunting use. Cognac is good people are crazzzy.
 
backbencher said:
... The AR is the most flexible semi-auto platform out there, but right now you've got 1 scoop of Hagen-Daz vanilla. Keep the Hagen-Daz, but add some more flavor. The FN's a nice rifle, but not nearly as flexible.
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I agree. An extra upper or two will add spice to your Noveske!
 
From military perspective the 5.56 cartridge in M16 makes good deal of sense as these are selective fire weapons and more ammo can be carried then 7.62 but from civilian perspective AR15 variants are worth bucket of spit. Shockingly at hight of shortage the little Springfield .308 carabine was available as local geniuses went after AK and AR rifles. With new light plastic stock they handle quite nicely and five round magazines are available for hunting use. Cognac is good people are crazzzy
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Nonsense. How exactly is a 7.62 nato more appropriate for civilian shooters, outside of hunting specific game? It makes more sense to buy a gun for which ammo is far more expensive? Nobody would argue the 7.62 nato is a smarter home defense round. So what are all us "geniuses" who own AK's and AR's missing?

That was my point, why not just have one you train with religiously? Or several very similar models for parts and ammo commonality. I'm personally not a collector. I have only the items I use regularly. I would say I'm better than average with those items because those are what I practice with. Since I have very little I have a limited selection in terms of what I can spend my time with.
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Train religiously for what? Is the OP military, LE or a competitor? I'm not knocking anybody who wants to improve their rifle proficiency. However, except those who carry a gun professionally it really comes down to recreation and the OP should buy what will bring him the most joy.
 
The little short-barreled Springfield Armory 7.62x51 is far more useful to most civilians. Although on light side for elk, moose or large bear it is very viable hunting rifle for just about anything in North America where law allows semi-auto hunting rifles (not legal in PA for hunting for example). It's built around very reliable Garand/M14 action so with 20 round magazines it makes fearsome defensive weapon as well. The new ones with plastic stocks are not overly heavy for .308 and handle quite well.
 
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