223/556 Rifle Question

K

kifeter

Joined
Sep 8, 2011
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Hi guys,

I am looking into purchasing a rifle in the 223/556 caliber. I am mainly looking for a complete gun. Not really looking into building it on my own, there are just way to many options out there and it would take way to much research to decide exactly what I wanted.

I am looking for something with a flat rail on top so that I can mount an ACOG. Of course reliability is a main factor as well as front rails in order to add a light. This is not going to be a competition rifle, this is mainly going to be used for range outings and home defense.

If you guys know of any good options out there in the $0-$1900 range please let me know. I would greatly appreciate first hand accounts and any pictures if you have any. Please state what you would consider the positives and negatives to the firearm that you are recommending.

Thanks in advance.
 
http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...ssion/130242-ar-15-brand-recommendations.html

Colt LE 6920 M4 carbine - A true M4 for civilians - not an M4gery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETzlacPRZYU

http://www.youtube.com/user/mixflip?feature=mhee

I'm going through the same thing and have a lot to learn so no expert advice from me, but also trying to decide whether to build (mostly for the experience - on a side note, I'm told user assembled rifles usually don't do well on resale).

A few links a friend forwarded to me:

The first link is for a discussion similar to what you are (and me also) looking at. Pretty long discussion but somewhere in there is a really good, detailed discussion of all the different features to look for in an AR. In that same post the author lists, what in his (seemingly experienced) opinion are some of the better choices in your price range. Helped me out a lot. The Colt LE6920 is featured fairly heavily here and in the below links. Browsing some the shooting related sites will get you a lot of information.

A bit out of your top limit (but not too far) are the Wilson Combat and Les Baer type AR's - pieces of very functional art in my opinion. Check their sites out for a look at different options, calibers, and just what is available. I do like the Colt model. There are a lot of uTube video reviews for it. And if I had the spare change could see myself with one of the Wilson Combat or Les Baer ARs. Good luck. Mike
 
Have owned Colt, currently own Rock River, Eagle Arms and DoubleStar.

All have met my requirements however as I aged I fell out of love with the Colt HBAR with fixed carry handle..started having trouble with consistent check weld on scope..still in the family...gave to my son a few years ago.

You can spend a lot of money..or considerably less..nice part is it's your money and you get to do the choosing.

Enjoy what you buy.
 
I have owned several AR type rifles and MY OPINION- Go buy an Olympic Plinker Plus for $600 and add your ACOG. Sure you will not win any style points from the range snobs, but you will save $1000. Plus you get the forward assist-dust cover- hard case- and LIFETIME WARANTY.
Some brands I have owned -DPMS-Olympic-Colt-Rock River. All of the 5 AR's I have owned performed better than I could shoot. Blind folded you probably couldn't tell them apart! My all time favorite AR is the Olympic K30 in 7.62X39. That being said I have recently purchased a Ruger Mini 14 in .223. I like it more than the AR style rifles, but that is one man's opinion.

OLYP.jpg
 
I went with a Colt 6920PD, a model that was made for the LAPD. Shoots and functions really well. I'm going to get another MOE Handguard, the flashlight just adds too much weight to the front end for the range. Mine has the Aimpoint Pro on it. I think I have just under $2000.00 invested and it's about how I like it, might change the trigger, though.

Win

xlarge.jpg
 
Thanks for the replies so far guy.

Unk- I actually have a Colt HBAR with the fixed carry handle. I prefer leaving that the way it is and shoot it just with the iron sights. That is the main reason I am looking into something with a flat top. I like the HBAR, but I don't like having a scope on it.

Jbob24- Thanks for the recommendation. I have been looking into a scar for some time, I wish I could shoot one prior to investing in one though. Do you use any optics for your or do you stick to the iron sights?

Mike157 - Thanks for the links. I will check them out later today when I get home. I sometimes wish there weren’t so many options out there haha.. There is just an overwhelming amount of manufacturers and models for a rifle in this caliber. The main reason I prefer to stick to a complete rifle is so that I wont have to do so much research. There is just an endless amount of toys for an AR. I will also have to see how much the Les Baers and Wilson Combats go for and see if its worth the extra coin. Do you have any knowledge of the Barret? I read a bit on them a while back and from what I can remember they weren’t to expensive.

monofletch- I will have to do some research into Olympic arms. I have to say, it would be nice to save some funds and invest it in more ammo!

win heger- That looks like a nice setup. How far do you shoot with that set up accurately?
 
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So far I've been just playing with it, about 100 yds. I'm 68 and not nearly the shooter I was a few years ago, I'm just hoping for decent accuracy at 100 yds. A good friend bought a Colt 6940 and said it was really accurate with iron sights to 100 yds. He just put a scope on it and feels confident it will do very well out to 300 yds.

I won't be able to shoot for a while due to some injuries from an accident. I'll keep watching this thread to see what you decide on.
 
I reviewed the top link I referred you to and dug up the link to the thread where the person gives a great over view of what to look for in an AR15. The rest of the original link has good info also but this particular thread helped me out quite a bit.

http://forums.officer.com/t81462/ So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh?

I don't know much at all about the Barret (except I'd love to have a .50 cal some day) at all. Thanks. Mike
 
You've asked a big question. 1900.00 is a very healthy budget. LMT, BCM(Bravo Company Manufacturing), LWRC, Daniel Defense, and Noveske are tier one weapons and depending on model, will fit within your budget. Colt, Bushmaster, Rock River, CMMG, and Spikes are good options and used reliably by LE agencies across the CONUS. There are others worth a look. With 1900 scooters in pocket, I would go LMT - /Eotech or Aimpoint. An ACOG is a good optic but... using a 4x scope for home defense is doable for a pro but very difficult for most especially in low light conditions. Keep in mind that an AR will evolve as your needs and skills change. You'll add/change triggers, stocks, sights, mounts, rails, lights, etc...I have a couple of lowers both with upgraded triggers and three uppers, which change with application. One being a 6.8 with magnification for hunting.
 
I know it's not an AR style rifle, but I like this Mini 14 better than any of my ARs. The looks and the performance to me suites what I need perfectly.

Mini14.jpg
 
There is a world of difference between a low end AR-15 as recommended above and a high end AR-15 meant for real harsh service on a two way range.

If you want a toy, there are a lot of options. If you NEED a TOOL, buy a good rifle.
 
Hi Sid, myself, being relatively new to the AR 15 platform, what would be your recommendations for a "good rifle". Thanks. Mike
 
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Sid Post said:
There is a world of difference between a low end AR-15 as recommended above and a high end AR-15 meant for real harsh service on a two way range.

If you want a toy, there are a lot of options. If you NEED a TOOL, buy a good rifle.
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You are correct, if you are not shooting in competition - and like he stated in the OP "home defense and for fun" I think he would be just fine.
If you are worried about the non-chrom barrell-- if you shoot any modern ammo- it will be non corrosive and as long as you swab your barrel with Break Free at the end of the day - it will last forever!
 
Not to muddy the water, but having gone to a gas piston system, I highjly recommend them. Mine is a CMMG with an EOTech and I couldn't be happier with it. I first shot M16s in the Army, and while I love shooting them I hate cleaning them! I had really picky sergeants and for me, there's nothing better than being able to shoot all day and not having to spend half the night cleaning the thing.
 
That's a tough choice between a SCAR and a CAR. I've owned a couple of Ruger Mini-14's one was the type for a scope to fit on, and the other in all Stainless, those both functioned great. I also tried a Mini-30, but it would only feed from the original 5 rnd mag. I think I would go with a newer SCAR or maybe a Bushmaster, just because they sell the complete package. I dont want to be tinkering with the thing other than optics.
 
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