Need help selecting an AR

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critrxdoc

critrxdoc

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I have spent all my time in handguns, shotguns, and hunting rifles. I want to get an AR-15. This will be a range rifle/home defense in addition to the tactical 870, so I am looking at a 16" carbine.

I am trying to decide on .223 vs .308. My thoughts are that the .223 is the obvious choice, but the .308 would get the nod for flexibility and the abilty to hunt with hit.

I have looked at the Bushmaster as well as the DPMS Panther line. Are ARs similiar to pistols where you have to find out which one fits your hand or are they pretty similiar? What others should I consider? Thanks
 
I'd highly recommend .223 for your first AR. Maybe .308 as a second. Reasons:

1) .223 rifles are less expensive
2) ammo is less expensive
3) .223 is easier on the shooter
4) there are endless accessories for the .223 rifles
5) those accessories are cheaper
6) mags are standardized, plentiful, and cheap
7) for protection the .223 will have less barrier penetration
8) with standard AR lowers; many many caliber choices buy changing out just the upper receiver, extremely flexable. No reason you couldn't use 6.8 SPC, .50 Beowolf or one of the new .45 uppers for deer, hogs, etc.

On brand, I'd lean toward the Bushmaster line. I've had good luck with them. All mine as well as my friend's have been 100%.

Also check out Rock River Arms, the have some options not available on Bushies, like mid-lenghts.
 
I have a DPMS but have handled and shot a bunch in 3 gun competition. There honestly is little difference between Bushmaster, DPMS, Colt, Rock River, or any of the others. You will get different features with different rifles...different handguards, grips, etc. My DPMS has gone through an almost complete rebuild...only the barrel and lower receiver are the same and I replaced the stock trigger with a JP. You will find some differences in the high end AR products but not in the range and purpose you are considering. Buy cheap and upgrade as you go along.

Be aware that the stock triggers are absolutely horrible in any of the ARs. I was shocked at how bad it was but everyone told me there's was the same. I upgraded the trigger real fast.

As far as 223 or 308...the 223 is the quintessential AR: fun to shoot, cheap ammo, lots of after market parts, low recoil, light, handy, fun to shoot (I know, I'm repeating myself) and a great varminter and hog getter. Its a must have for any gun nut.

The AR-10...not a must have, lots of recoil, expensive to buy and to shoot. I'm a gun nut but there are about 2 dozen other firearms I want before even considering an AR-10...like a M1A1 in 308:D Oh Yeah.

Here's a pic to inspire you

nice2.jpg
 
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The cheaper ones in most manufacturers lines probably won't have chrome lined barrels. There is an after market grip to fit anyones hand, and a good selection of butt stocks. I don't personally subscribe to .308 for home defense if you live in the city...even with the defensive ammo.

Be aware that the stock triggers are absolutely horrible in any of the ARs. I was shocked at how bad it was but everyone told me there's was the same. I upgraded the trigger real fast.
Click to expand...

For a defensive firearm, I see nothing wrong with them.
 
Thank you all for replying. I was hoping for a little better response, but I will take what I can get, thanks.
 
frankly, i'm surprised anyone responds to "which AR should I get?" threads anymore. is there anything left to say beyond making sure your fav vendor gets props?


in theory, all of the base ARs should be the same dimensions, and therefore, fit your hand or don't. if you don't like the grip, trigger guard, stock, etc, there are thousands of aftermarket parts you can custom fit. i'd recommend using search for "ar grips" "ar stock" etc and I'm sure you'll find more posts on the subject than you can read.
 
Here is a good way to select your first AR:

1. Go to store.
2. Find AR's (shouldn't be hard)
3. Cover eyes, extend arm with finger pointing straight out.
4. Turn in a circle 10 times.
5. Look at the AR your finger is nearest too.
6. Write Check/Slide card/Pay cash
7. Begin zombie invasion plan.

The point that I am trying to make is that there a lot, and I mean a lot of AR's out there. Bushmaster has earned my business, but I don't think your gonna go wrong with S&W, DPMS, Colt, Rock River, LMT, Stag and so on either. I would say that the average AR is less sensitive to the end-user than a handgun is, but there are a lot of options that you may not want. For example, I do not like collapsable stocks. I prefer a solid stock. Another good example is that I do not want rails all over my handguards. You may want as many rails on your gun as humanely possible.

I know this isn't the best advice thread, but there just isn't a whole heck of a lot of difference between the various brands. Just so I can pimp out my preferred brand, I will say that Bushmaster has given me excellent service, and so I stick with them.
 
Outlaws, no offense was intended and perhaps I did not phrase my question appropriately. TimboKhan answered my main question that there is little difference in ARs and they end user is not sensitive to platform/brand as is seen in handguns.

Opinions vary and internet opinions vary even more, so it is always nice to get a variety of them when you are starting from scratch on a topic.

I still respond to "should I get a 9mm or a .40" if the question seems reasonable because I remember what it was like just getting started. The search function is sometimes difficult to ferret out exactly what you are trying to find an answer to. I would hope we would all be willing to help advance the shooting sports.

My point was that if you start a worthless "I hate Glocks" thread you get 50 replies in 10min.
 
TimboKhan answered my main question that there is little difference in ARs and they end user is not sensitive to platform/brand as is seen in handguns.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that exactly. Comparing all the various platforms of handguns from manufacturers wouldn't be the same because then it should be AR -vs- FAL -vs- AK, etc. That would be more of a fair comparison.

Comparing the AR to the handgun world can only really be done with the 1911. (not including SAA copies)
 
Gary G23 thanks I was out looking for that chart.
Problem is - I don't think it will it will do much good when there are posts like:

1. Go to store.
2. Find AR's (shouldn't be hard)
3. Cover eyes, extend arm with finger pointing straight out.
4. Turn in a circle 10 times.
5. Look at the AR your finger is nearest too.
6. Write Check/Slide card/Pay cash
7. Begin zombie invasion plan.
Click to expand...

critrxdoc: You might be better served in your quest for information with some of the forums that are more specialized in just AR style weapons -

www.ar15.com
www.m4carbine.net

- are two very good sites with days worth of information to read and hopefully help decide which is better suited for your needs.

Unfortunately you'll still get lame replies there like the ones you received here. You just need to blot out the background static and you'll find some really good information.
 
What distance do you shoot????

If most shooting is done at 300 yards or less, I prefer the .223.
If I am shooting 400 and beyond, I prefer the .308.

If hunting, what do you hunt?? Varmints or big game??

The .223 will be cheaper to shoot, and have less recoil to deal with.

I started with .223, and now have .308 and 30-06 also.

I have NO favorite brand. I judge every gun on it's own merits.
I currently own a Bushmaster, because it was good quality, met my needs,
but especially, beacaue the price was right when I bought it.
I had an Armalite AR10 and and FAL. I shot both for awhile, then sold the AR10 and kept the FAL. Others will not agree with the choice, but it was my decision based on my own personal likes and dislikes.

I see Olympic AR's get knocked a lot. My experience has been 100% positive.
No jams or feeding issues, and super accuracy.
I am looking for a long range AR15 right now. I want the long, heavy barrel,
and free floated handguards. I plan on single loading the heavier bullets for 600 yard shooting at my gun club. Brand wil not matter. Price MAY be a deciding factor.

If there are other shooters in your area, see if you can try their guns.
I have been able to do this. I offer them a chance to shoot at the private gun club, and I supply the ammo, and they keep the empties. It cost me a bit, but I get to shoot a lot of different guns. Don't forget to pay the guest fees when shooting at a club. I always pay, even though it is on the honor system.

Have fun.
Good Shootin!!
DarryH
Nebraska
 
Hey RTFM, ever hear of a little thing called "Sarcasm"? It's called a sense of humor, buddy.

Since you only decided to qoute that part of my post, and ignored the part where I gave an actual opinion, tell me what I am missing? Tell me what real differences that there are between all the AR manufacturers whose products are represented in gun shops and sporting goods stores around the country. Tell me how an AR is sensitive to the end-user. Tell me, without talking about aftermarket accessories, what "needs" a shooter could possibly have. It is an AR. Different stocks (which I addressed), Tac-rails (which I addressed) and sifferent sighting systems (which I didn't address, but seems obvious) are about the only real difference between all the companies that I can see. Hey, if I am wrong, tell me. If my opinion is erroneous, then inform me as opposed to deriding me.
 
Thanks for posting the AR comparison link, Aloha. I have the impression that mil-spec'ers act like it's the bible of how to build an AR and that anything less is heresy.

This will be a range rifle/home defense
Click to expand...

This type of use doesn't require mil-spec. If you need mil-spec you will be issued one.

MPI of every bolt and barrel? Pressure test the bolt? 4150 vs CMV barrel? Parkerising under the FSB? I'd like someone to explain why a range rifle that gets ridden easy and put up dry needs these features.

For range rifles, a manufacturer should MPI a percentage of every bolt or barrel from a lot. Same for pressure testing. That is the way it is done in manufacturing industries with statistical quality control.

The only time I have ever seen 100% inspection (and I work in a very hazardous industry) is for services we deem "Lethal" - very rare, I've only seen it once. Well, guess what - military service is lethal and we are rich enough to provide our servicemen with 100% inspected parts.

I have heard of one failure that might be due to not shot peening the bolt - when you burn off 6 or 7 30 round mags - consecutively and fast - through a Bushmaster, sometimes the bolt head will crack. Guess what? Don't do that with a Bushmaster.
_______________________________________

+1 Timbo. It's only happened a couple times to me, but I have a low tolerance for people who don't read/quote an entire posting of mine.
 
What gary is pointing out is an excellent thread that points out that all ARs are NOT the same.
There is a difference in quality of materials and manufacturing that separates the various versions of the rifle.
Click to expand...

Interesting thread you left there, and it actually was somewhat informative, and does illustrate that there are more differences than meet the eye. I maintain my basic opinion that the average end-user will be happy with any AR from any reputable manufacturer and that ergonomically they are all pretty much the same, but I will say that I can see that there are some manufacturing differences, and will stand educated and slightly humbled.

That being said, is there really any advantage for the average shooter in spending $400.00 more dollars on a Colt? I mean, I am perfectly satisfied with my Bushmaster, and I have no intention of giving it up, and to be honest with you, I notice absolutely no working difference between my BM and the M-16 I carried in the USMC, with the exception that the sights seem a touch more coarse on my BM. My experience leads me to say that there is not, although the heavy volume shooter probably stands to gain something. I try to run between 1000 and 2000 rounds of .223 a year through my AR, and for me, I just can't see where that extra $$$ would change anything.
 
I just put this together:RRA 16"chrome-lined HBAR over a RRA lower. Now saving $ for an optic. The neat thing about Ar's is that there is a huge number of variants you can buy or build.Whatever "floats your boat!"
IMG_0376.jpg
 
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