Which .223/5.56 Piston AR-15 should I choose? (Poll)

Which .223/5.56 Piston AR-15 should I choose?

  • SIG Sauer SIG516

    Votes: 12 57.1%

  • Ruger SR-556

    Votes: 7 33.3%

  • Adams Arms (sorry, don't know what model)

    Votes: 2 9.5%
  • Total voters
    21
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everydefense

everydefense

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My dad has always been generous with his firearms collection (and in general). Recently, he has mentioned that he would like to pass along one of his ARs. I have never owned an AR, so this is unfamiliar territory for me. He is giving me the choice to pick between the options given in the poll, so please do not suggest something outside of the poll, as those are irrelevant and will not be considered.

I don't have any current NEED for an AR, per se, so I would mostly be using it for plinking at the range for now... Obviously everyone would like their guns to be accurate and reliable, but one of my main goals would be selecting a model that is compatible with a range of easily available uppers in a different caliber for hunting. From what I've read, Sigs are good quality rifles, but can be picky regarding fit of non-Sig uppers to Sig lowers.

Are piston uppers typically proprietary designs (rather than standardized/MIL-spec like many DI guns are, from what I understand)? Does that make upgrading/replacing parts tricky?

Any general comments or recommendations would be welcomed, as I know little about ARs in general. Thanks! :)
 
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Your choices, from top to bottom, are in order, both highest to lowest value, as well as most difficult to easiest to get replacement/upgraded parts for. So, it would depend on whether you want to keep it as-is, or possibly customize it later.
 
If those are the only choices I'd pick the SIG for sure. I have two "push rod" ARs from POF that I've had for eight or nine years now. I have a P415 (5.56mm) and a P308 (7.62mm). Everyone and their uncle talked about how POF won't be around for long, how there won't be any support and that proprietary stuff isn't a good idea but what a bunch or crap that was. I recently converted the P415 to a machine gun and it's a beast. It runs like a well-oiled sewing machine. The only thing I've had to replace is the bolt from the P415 since it wasn't a full-auto variant which surprised me given POF's market.

As a counter point, I converted a Daniel Defense AR15 to a machine gun and that also runs like a champ and being that it's 300 BLK and I'm shooting mostly subsonic and 100% suppressed it runs considerably cooler than the POF. I have more than a few ARs with the majority being the original Stoner design and I've encountered more than a few of those (not mine) that don't run worth a damn. My point is that a well designed AR should be an extremely reliable machine regardless of whether it's a push rod or a Stoner. I hope you enjoy whatever you end up getting ... but get the SIG.:D
 
So how come i have the only vote for it so far, Armored Farmer?
My vote would go for the LWRC IC-A2 if it were on the list.
 
Your choices, from top to bottom, are in order, both highest to lowest value
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Actually, the SIG has an MSRP of $1,888 whereas the Ruger has an MSRP of $2,199 so in theory the SIG is more than $300 cheaper. That's enough of a difference for a decent optic. Personally I don't think you could go far wrong with either if a push rod AR is in your future.
 
everydefense said:
Are piston uppers typically proprietary designs (rather than standardized/MIL-spec like many DI guns are, from what I understand)? Does that make upgrading/replacing parts tricky?
Click to expand...

Yes and yes

Any general comments or recommendations would be welcomed, as I know little about ARs in general. Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

Since it's being given to you, one can't really complain, but my advise would be that if you go AR shopping in the future, stick to the Stoner gas system. Op rod uppers are a solution in search of a problem, and create issues themselves.
 
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