Which .223 for HD?

[mljdeckard]

There are some non-bad options, like the Kel-Tec, a mini-14, etc, and there's nothing at all wrong with the Sig, but what will probably happen, somewhere down the line, there will be a toy or accessory you want, that only comes in models for an AR. Just sayin'.

 

[Girodin]

A few days ago I was shooting a LOT more than one magazine at a time.
In any case I think in a HD situation the possibility of rapidly shooting enough rounds to damage the gun isn't likely.

As I noted previously, it is not an issue for the actual HD event itself. Its more of an issue for training with the weapon. I can not refute your statement. I can say that the manufacture says you likely will damage a PLR by doing so. Who am I to argue with kel tec on that point?

Seems to me that a "go to" rifle for home defense would be tested some for reliability of the magazines and for sight-in, and then used relatively little. The idea is not to use it as one's fun-gun for turning money into noise and making holes in paper. "6,000 rounds or more" is irrelevant.

I am one of those crazy folks that thinks what is likely to be a big factor in a gun fight is how proficient you are in using your weapon. Thus I like to be intimately familiar with my defensive guns. I shoot my carry gun a lot. I shoot my HD long gun a lot. I suppose one could obtain two identical weapons and save the wear and tear on one and use the other but I don't imagine many folks will do that. Now for someone who is going to use a weapon to hold up their wall and little else, maybe they have different considerations when they buy a gun.

Use = wear. Wear leads to failure, whether it's a gun, a pickup truck or a washing machine. A warranty doesn't help in a fire-fight.

This is true but to me the answer isn't not to use my stuff. Rather preventive maintenance and inspection go a long way to making sure stuff works when I need it. I can also tell you some products are built better and have longer service lives than others that is true whether you are talking about a gun, a pickup truck or a washing machine. Having saved a couple hundred dollars doesn't help in a firefight either. Having saved some wear and tear is less likely to help than having trained hard enough with your gun to be proficient in using it in that type of scenario IMHO.

The sting of poor quality remains long after the joy of a low price has gone.

 

[TonyAngel]

I haven't checked, but I wonder what it would cost to take a box of parts to a gunsmith and have him assemble them into a rifle. What I'm saying is that non wear (or slow wear) parts can be purchased used. Say $100 for an upper and lower set. $250 for a Bushmaster barrel assembly, with handguards, frontsight base and gas tube with barrel nut. $125 for a good BCG. Another what, $60 for a DPMS lower parts kit. $100 for an MOE butt stock kit, including the buffer spring, milspec tube and buffer. Where are we now, just over $600 for a solid rifle? If you can find a used barrel assembly, you'd save more.

If budget is a problem, I'd be scouring the net for used parts. There are somethings that you can buy used and not have to worry about it. My biggest concern would be the barrel. Well, not necessarily the barrel, but the gas port. Some manufacturers like to make the port a little too big so that they will function inspite of some shortcomings. If going low cost on the barrel, I'd at least stick with RRA or Bushmaster.

With this build, you can add as you go. If you decide that you want to put a longer free float rail on it, all you have to do is take a hack saw to the front sight base to fit it under the rail and then get a flip up front sight to go on top of the rail.

 

[tactikel]

I too believe any weapon considered for HD should be shot, alot. To familiarize you with the firearm (clearing a jam in complete darkness, etc.), to maintain proficiency with it, to validate its function, and to find out what ammo it likes best.

 

[deputy tom]

Thank you Sir.I just knew this.tom.

Quote:
M2,I'll bet with that brake the Bushmaster really barks as well.tom.


Yes it does. Not as bad as a PLR but still hard on the ears. One day I'll get around to taking off that MB and replacing it with a Phantom.