Lets talk about ARs

[kwelz]

Come on guys. This isn't about particular brands. We can save that for other discussions.

 

[Zerodefect]

"Colt only" can satisfy a lot of needs, but it's a major FAIL when hunting in a 5.56 restricted state.

Goes to my point - choose a brand name first, you cannot always get a tool that meets the needs. A 6920 is a good, versatile gun, but in an illegal caliber in some states for hunting. It's way too big as a PDW, that's a less than 14.5" role, and won't reach out and set 600m records for accuracy. The 6.5G or 6mm PPC calibers do that in 20'+ precision guns. A 6920 won't get very far doing that.

I agree. The 6920 is not a hunting rifle. It's a combat oriented carbine. Not a long range rifle. Carbine.

Let's get specific - if Job X is an all around gun for use by any shooter in America, the 6920 remains out of the game. Not even counting the AWB stupidity, the caliber won't pass muster for hunting in all 50 states. Do you care, maybe not, but 75 million tags are sold annually, hunting IS the gun users market. If it's an all around gun, it hunts.

I'd rather have a LMT .308 or Larue OBR for hunting anyway

Most hunters use scopes, that means an A3 flattop. All around, for plinking, etc, a scope is better, and back up iron sights make it even more all around. A fixed front sight base on the AR is the most reliable and cheapest to use, especially if it's pinned. A carry handle rear sight will not accomodate an optic. Wrong rear sight on the 6920.

My 6920 is an A3 flat top. The carry handle sight is removable.

You don't need a free float on an all around gun, and a fixed stock will do.
Meh. Not for me. I need to stretch out my grip for accuracy. And I prefere adjustable stocks on long range rifles or even carbines. I use a different setting for standing and prone. The Magpul UBR rocks with scopes. Especially when the eye relief on mine changes with magnification settings.

M203 barrel cuts? NO LONGER MILSPEC on the newest model. They were a compromise from day one and a committee decision, not the greatest improvement ever. On a 16" barrel, carbine gas is NOT the answer, that's for military 14.5" and shorter issue guns. 16's need midlength - which reduces stress on the BCG and bolt, has less bolt bounce, and feeds more reliably as demonstrated in high speed video. Shooters use the softer recoil impulse to get back on target quicker, and make more hits. That's superior for all around work.
I agree. But some carbine gas systems use a smaller port hole anyways. So it allmost evens out, except you get a longer dwell time. Middy 16" is the sweet spot for sure. But a properly built carbine gas works fine. Carbine will have more recoil, but it will handle weak ammo better.

Meaning, the 6920 has a number of shortcomings just looking at all around use. It's not built with the optimum features - it's just a compromise of issue parts and civilian marketing demand. Doesn't make it junk at all, but for the purposes of this example, it's not at the top of the list of all around. Not hardly.
True. It is what it is. It's a great rifle in it's intended role.

What makes it nice is that it can still do most of the job, just accept the limitations and stay in it's lane.

Define what you want the gun to do, then get the barrel and caliber, upper, optic, furniture, and trigger you need to execute the task. No one gun will Rule Them All, each is tailored to something, it might as well be what YOU do with it, not the Marketing Department's latest ad campaign to move a bunch of high profit fashion toys.

Exactly. You have to know exactly what you want your AR tailored to before you can pick one.

Which makes them hard to recommend when shooters don't mention their specific roles when asking for advice. But many mention "home defense" which deos narrow it down. Can't normally recommend a SPR or Ar pistol for home defense.

 

[Zerodefect]

5.56 can go through a number of sheets of drywall before stopping. I have shot right through a steel fire extinguisher with standard 55g FMJ's.

A shotgun load would be a better choice in a populated area IMO.

All true.

But remember:
Light and fast -flys through steel
Slow and heavy -penetrates thicker but softer mediums better.

5.56 zips right through steel plate, often better than way more powerful .308 rifles. But 5.56 is less impressive against brick, cinderblocks, wood blocks etc.

For example. 7.63x39 will bust through brick huts better than 5.56, and 5.56 will penetrate thinner steel body armor plates much better.

Generally if you hit your target with 5.56, it'll lose alot of it's energy quickly. It's the upper limit of power for HD in my opinion, but still suitable.

00 buckshot is quite powerful. You don't want any to miss. Patterning is important concerning HD. The problem is: Is 0 buck or #4 buck ok for HD?

 

[M&PVolk]

I used to believe a shotgun was the ultimate for home defense, but now realize that if you are concerned about over-penetration at all, it isn't necessarily the best fit. Generally speaking, your best bet for home defense is going to be 00 or #4 shot. These are good man stoppers, anything less, and you need to be really up close and personal to do the job. Problem is, 00 is a serious penetrator and #4 isn't far behind. Both of those recommended HD loads will penetrate through drywall materials far worse than an appropriately selected 5.56 round. Ammo capacity, length, good loads, and light mounting may actually make an AR 15 the best choice in this role.

FWIW, I am not a Colt fanboy. They are quality (although I have seen and heard enough QC stories to indicate that they don't deserve the sole place at the head of the table anymore), but you can do as well or better by shopping carefully. Try not to let a brand name dictate your purchase unless it has a longstanding bad reputation. Additionally, if you are going to purchase a brand name AR, try to do it from a shop that will actually let you examine the components. A lot of small shops will actually remove the BCG and things for you so you can do your own spot check before purchase. It is the only way to go, IMO.