Which AR-15 should I get?

[kidchill]

So, I'm looking to pick up an AR-15 this weekend. My LGS has Ruger, Sig, S&W, and Bushmaster. I'm planning on buying (once they're in stock) a dedicated upper for 22lr and then disabling the gas tube for a single shot action (hunting in PA). I know the Ruger 556 is a piston system. I'm not sure, but I think the other brands are DI. So, anyone have any recommendations? I'm honestly leaning towards the Ruger, mainly 'cause the LGS has it on sale and I've heard good things about it...My main concern is if any of these systems has proprietary parts, or anything that will preclude me from customization. Thanks for any info! Also, if there's any other brands that aren't listed and are worth the wait, or worth checking out, I'm all ears...

 

[Telekinesis]

Pretty much any piston system is going to have proprietary parts. If you want to easily get replacement parts without going through a specific manufacturer, I would recommend going with a DI system. Another gun you might want to look at is the Colt, they are supposed to be very good.

 

[Warp]

So, I'm looking to pick up an AR-15 this weekend. My LGS has Ruger, Sig, S&W, and Bushmaster. I'm planning on buying (once they're in stock) a dedicated upper for 22lr and then disabling the gas tube for a single shot action (hunting in PA). I know the Ruger 556 is a piston system. I'm not sure, but I think the other brands are DI. So, anyone have any recommendations? I'm honestly leaning towards the Ruger, mainly 'cause the LGS has it on sale and I've heard good things about it...My main concern is if any of these systems has proprietary parts, or anything that will preclude me from customization. Thanks for any info! Also, if there's any other brands that aren't listed and are worth the wait, or worth checking out, I'm all ears...

Of those, I would definitely get the Smith and Wesson.

I strongly prefer DI. For 99% of shooters I think there are no benefits and several negatives to a piston.

THE standard is DI.

 

[adelbridge]

Piston system is good for shooting suppressed but DI does just as well if you dont mind scrubbing. If you are hunting look to get a bigger bore upper like a .300 blk, 6.8 spc or 7.62X39.

 

[gotigers]

I would get the S&W. My S&W MP15 is a fine AR.

You can hunt with 223, just get good ammo. TSX, Bear Claw or a good soft point in the mid to high sixty grain range.

Get a adjustable gas block. Turn off gas for single shot.

I don't care for pistons. Front heavy, un-needed extra parts, DI works just fine.

 

[wow6599]

I think Stag makes a nice AR-15 for the money, and the lifetime warranty is a big plus.

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/212079/file-21434523-jpg

 

[Frosty Dave]

I'm planning on buying (once they're in stock) a dedicated upper for 22lr and then disabling the gas tube for a single shot action (hunting in PA).

It sounds as if you haven't accepted the information passed on in your other thread on ARs. You can't change a .22 AR upper to single shot by disabling the gas tube. You can remove the gas tube and throw it away, and you will still have a semi-auto .22 AR.

Disabling the gas system in any of the ways you have mentioned or seen posted here on THR will indeed change your .223/5.56 AR to single shot but it will not effect .22 operation at all. Many of us have accidentally turned our .223 rifles into single shot that way!

 

[Quentin]

So, I'm looking to pick up an AR-15 this weekend. My LGS has Ruger, Sig, S&W, and Bushmaster...
Thanks for any info! Also, if there's any other brands that aren't listed and are worth the wait, or worth checking out, I'm all ears...

If you must have one this weekend I'd get the S&W or SIG (but which models are you talking about?)

Much better yet, take your time and look at PSA, BCM, Colt and others.

What are your applications BTW?

 

[kidchill]

Yah, I just posted in the other field about the 22lr conversion, I got what you're saying about the blow-back vs gas loading. See my other post. I'm gonna wait to talk to a friend that has just opened a shop before I buy. Thanks for the info, and I'll post back about what he says.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

I'm planning on buying (once they're in stock) a dedicated upper for 22lr and then disabling the gas tube for a single shot action (hunting in PA).

You're going to have a hard time removing the gas tube from a dedicated 22LR upper. They don't have a gas tube, because they don't use one. 22LR uppers (and conversion kits) do not use direct impingement; they use straight blowback. Look up a blowback action on Wikipedia and you'll see how they work and why a gas tube isn't even involved.

 

[goon]

I think you could maybe look up one of the DPMS pump-action AR-15 uppers. I'm not sure if they still make them, but they did in the past. You could hunt with that in PA, then just snap your regular M-4 upper back on when you were done.

http://www.proguns.com/dpmsarms-pumpactionrifle.asp

These dudes also make a straight pull AR.
http://www.lannertactical.com/AR15-Straight-Pull-Side-Charging-Rifle.html

Not sure how you'd outsmart the .22LR problem. The conversions and dedicated uppers are all straight blowback. You'd need a real gunsmith to think up a way to convert that into a straight-pull bolt action. I still don't think it's feasible.

I don't remember if you can hunt small game with a centerfire in PA, but if you can, handloading the .223 can bring a 40 grain bullet down to around 1900 FPS. Kind of like a .22 magnum in a centerfire casing.