Shopping for an AR

j-bird

Well-Known Member
So I'm shopping for an AR platform. Not for hunting....more for having fun and target shooting. I think it will be a 5.56 chambering. What sort of things should I be looking at to ensure I am getting a VERY reliable and robust firearm. I am fairly unfamiliar with AR platforms. I am thinking something in the $500 to $750 price range should get me something decent.
 
Look into the S&W MP15, the classic line. Ruger AR556 is good. There are forget brands too that do good, just research. I like a 1:8 twist, but a 1:7 is fine. Both will shoot most any ammo available, the 1:8 will go down to a 45-50 bullet. The 1:7 will shoot a 55gr, but does better with 62gr or heavier. My 1:7 doesn’t like 50gr ammo, does decent with 55gr, shoots little groups with 62gr and I haven’t tried 77gr, but it should do best.


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At the current time you may have a problem finding much at a reasonable price. Here are some things to consider:
  • One thing I would get is a flat top with removable carry handle. That way, with quick detach scope mounts you can easily change from the carry handle sights to a scope and still be sighted in with either. I have one set up to change from carry handle to regular scope to night vision scope and it is super easy.
  • 1 in 8 twist gives more flexibility with the most common and available ammo over a 1 in 7.
  • For long range varmint shooting I prefer longer barrels, but 16 inch is okay if you are willing to take the velocity loss.
  • I personally don't like the feel of a metal handguard and prefer the traditional plastic feel. Hold each type in your hands and see what you think.
  • Stick with well known brands and avoid guns put together with various "parts." Those might be okay but might not.
  • Hunker down and be brave when they come to take it away from you.
 
Think you will have tough time in that price range or let alone finding one in current environment. 5.56 is going to shoot a .223 round less accurate, so i would factor that in if you are going to be buying store bought .223 which seems to be more readily available than 5.56.

One of the best purchases i ever made was a S&W M&P 15-22. This is virtually the same gun as M&P 15, but shoots .22 cartridge which is much easier on the pocketbook if just looking for target practice (0.05/round vs. 0.35/round). Again equally as tough to find ammo as of late, but in long run extremely fun gun and haven't had a jam or fail in thousands of rounds.

Also....if really looking for forum where guys truly know what they are talking about when comes to gun talk join 6mmbr (accurate shooter) forum. I would stay off of ar15.com forum, lot of ummm whats the word "know it alls" that don't know it all on there.
 
Think you will have tough time in that price range or let alone finding one in current environment. 5.56 is going to shoot a .223 round less accurate, so i would factor that in if you are going to be buying store bought .223 which seems to be more readily available than 5.56.

One of the best purchases i ever made was a S&W M&P 15-22. This is virtually the same gun as M&P 15, but shoots .22 cartridge which is much easier on the pocketbook if just looking for target practice (0.05/round vs. 0.35/round). Again equally as tough to find ammo as of late, but in long run extremely fun gun and haven't had a jam or fail in thousands of rounds.

Also....if really looking for forum where guys truly know what they are talking about when comes to gun talk join 6mmbr (accurate shooter) forum. I would stay off of ar15.com forum, lot of ummm whats the word "know it alls" that don't know it all on there.

All the AR’s I have shot, shot .223 better than they did 5.56. Now, it wasn’t a huge difference, in some instances, but it was different. If the 5.56 shot 1 ¼”, the .223 shot ¾”-1”. My AR has a 1:7 twist 5.56 chamber and will usually shoot 55-62gr ammo into ½”-¾” groups with .223 and 5.56 ammo is usually 1 ¼” at 100yds. It will shoot 50gr bullets into 1 ½” -2” groups.

Speaking of .22, for half or a little less $ than another rifle, you can buy a CMMG .22 conversion kit for your AR and use it to plink\train with(more money to buy .22 ammo) and you don’t have to buy twice as many optics and accessories. The S&W MP22 is lighter than an AR-15 and will affect your handling of the rifle when switching between the 2. Use the same rifle, same weight, same optics, etc. and you don’t have to be bothered by all the differences in handling and feel. Make notes of where the scope is zeroed with each and you can change back and forth without issue(with a quality optic).


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Didn't buy a gun not to long ago? A gun that I recommended you to get an AR but you went a different direction? Lol, I'm just joking (and might even have the wrong person in mind).

I can't imagine that there is much out there right now that is reasonable in price. I haven't been looking, but this close to an election tends to makes anything to do with guns expensive. Something that you may or may not have thought of is to build one; buy and lower, an upper, and a trigger kit to assemble. Lots of fun shopping and assembling. Get your kids involved (mine love stuff like this).
 
look into a 223 wyld. They can shoot both 5.56 and .223 rounds through the chamber and are most accurate of the guns that can do so. I forget the twist the gun builder said was best for that combo but there is one. It will be tough to find them at this time.

If you look up Nebraska Ballistics, call that guy and he can help you understand what you're looking for. His name is Jason.

I have nothing to gain from this recommendation, just knowing what he does and does well I would seek him out if I were looking for one. He can't get some parts at this time so he can't get me what I want but he can educate you on what's out there.
 
Just did a search on Buds Guns. Ruger 556 for $799. I have had good luck with Buds. No experience with the Ruger 556.
 
look into a 223 wyld. They can shoot both 5.56 and .223 rounds through the chamber and are most accurate of the guns that can do so. I forget the twist the gun builder said was best for that combo but there is one. .

1:8 is best .223 Wylde, and .223 if you want the largest range of bullet weights. It should get you from 50gr to 77gr


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Most ARs now made are chambered in 5.56. Supposedly the 5.56 can use the .223 Rem round but not vice versa. Read up on that a little as it ain’t necessarily so. The accuracy of an AR depends on the ammo it “likes” more than any other factor. I have two Mossberg ARs that, according to the experts, should not shoot 75 grain bullets accurately but lo and behold, they do. At least they shoot Hornady Boat Tail Hollow Point Match bullets well. They do not shoot well with a few brands of 55 grain bullets that I’ve shot through them.

I have five ARs, two in .223/5.56, two in 6.8 SPC, and one in .450 Bushmaster. Two Mossbergs, one S&W M&P, one Bushmaster, and one Delton upper with an I-can’t-remember lower and a parts kit. That last one as well as one Mossy started life as a 5.56 but both were rebarreled to 6.8 SPC because it’s a much better hog and coyote killer in my eyes.

Buying an AR these days can really be confusing because everbody makes one. You can buy them from $500 to as much as you want to pay, at least before Covid. I have no idea what the cheapest sell for now because I’m not in the market, but the recognized brands should do ok for you. My Mossys were about $500 each several years ago, (they have no forward assist or dust cover), and I’ve never felt slighted in the least since I’ve never had to ram a cartridge home because I was crawling through sand or mud. If you take care of your guns you won’t miss them either. Good luck in your search.
 
You get what you pay for...
Yep. But, what do you want? I personally don't go to the AR platform for high quality. I like the fun factor, to pull the trigger fast... and a lot. I like single shots for long range shooting. Otherwise the AR is a fun gun that is perfect for upgrades.

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Yep. But, what do you want? I personally don't go to the AR platform for high quality. I like the fun factor, to pull the trigger fast... and a lot. I like single shots for long range shooting. Otherwise the AR is a fun gun that is perfect for upgrades.

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I'm an accuracy freak, so I prefer my GA Precision and Noveske, but you make a very good point. The AR platform has someting for everyone.
 
If you are thinking about buying an AR you'd better act fast. Things could change soon and no one will be able to buy or even own one.
Check the "Safe Act" of 2013 in New York State. This could become a model for the rest of the country.
My son and I each had 'Rock River Arms' AR 15's ordered in Dec. of 2012. The dealer had to cancel the order when the "Safe Act" was passed in January of 2013. We haven't been able to overturn the law after many attempts here in my state.
Lynn
 
If you are thinking about buying an AR you'd better act fast. Things could change soon and no one will be able to buy or even own one.
Check the "Safe Act" of 2013 in New York State. This could become a model for the rest of the country.
My son and I each had 'Rock River Arms' AR 15's ordered in Dec. of 2012. The dealer had to cancel the order when the "Safe Act" was passed in January of 2013. We haven't been able to overturn the law after many attempts here in my state.
Lynn
Why would you overturn something that cured violence and made crime non-existent?






(Sarcasm...)

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Actually I have said ever since Patrick Purdy used an AR in the "Texas Massacre" if the media didn't dwell on the type of gun used and call it "The Gun of Choice" for mass killings the AR wouldn't be used hardly at all. When these crazed killers want to commit these crimes they are looking for recognition. What better way to get it then use an AR.
The type of weapon should never be revealed when these horrific acts are committed. I believe in a free press but there are times when reporters are causing more harm with their style of reporting than they are helping.
This is my opinion. Worth just what you paid for it.
 
I have an AR that you can have (if I could get it to you I would). Our Liberal government just banned all AR's & variants and made them prohibited guns with a stroke of a pen. We have no clue if they will offer a buyback or just require us to hand them in for destruction. Anyone that legally owns one cannot so much as take it out of the house - cannot shoot it at the range, cannot transport it anywhere, or sell/transfer it.

These were restricted firearms so the gov't knows who own them so there is no hiding. The crazy thing is that the AR has never been used in a mass shooting in Canada - EVER.

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