I'm thinking of buying an AR

[Iowa Fox]

Build it. That's both the upper and lower piece by piece. I doubt we will see a ban on them but just in case there might be some restrictions you're going to have to know how to work on what you have plus it will give you a lot of confidence in what you build. A few parts every month and you won't even know you bought another rifle. Just remember Mil Spec is Mil Spec from a reputable place. Lots of the fan boys get hung up on spending (Wasting) money on roll stamps & names. The barrel is the place to make the investment. Triggers- starting with my preferred lower parts kit, a set of JP springs (10.50) and a grip adj screw (13.50) I can hit 3 smooth lbs with just a hint of take up. AR's are just center fire 10/22s.

 

[Liven The Dream]

Building one it's a Gas .. I live on Tums .

Rock River has great Dealer Deals now ?

White Oak complete upper are Tops .
Builder a Lower .
Good Trigger very important.

Good Luck

 

[klamathsteel]

I've really never had an interest in them but there going to be banded soon. I was thinking a short one with a 1x? scope, a small flash light and laser. Something for home defense and 15 yard zombies at night. I could just buy one or should I build one. Having a good trigger would be nice.

For home defense and 15 yard zombies a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun would be my choice.

 

[argrendel]

If you really think you will only buy one, I’d get a Daniel Defense or similar quality. I can’t imagine it will just sit in the safe like my SKS. So it should be very dependable and well made.
However, warning! It’s addicting! You can’t own just one!

 

[Kurz]

Or you could really make a good decision and get an AR10 style rifle and be miles ahead of anything in the AR15 field. When built properly these rifles can be an excellent 1,000 yard rifle or anything up to that with the careful choice of cartridge and barrel. 6x47 Lapua, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, even a .308 Win. can be a lot of fun as well as being able to shoot longer ranges and good groups. Yes, it will be a bit more expensive than the rattle battle you put on with the AR15 style rifle but that's the price you pay for longer range and more energy.

For home defense and 15 yard zombies a 12 gauge short barrel shotgun would be my choice.

This is the best solution for home defense and anything within 35 yards. The extreme penetration of the .224 bullets in a home where your loved ones are is a huge problem. Shotgun pellets, not so much. Also stress makes aiming in the dark or subdued light difficult and inaccurate with an AR15 whereas the pattern of the shotgun will cover small errors.

Enjoy the choices!

 

[mic2377]

If you want to buy an AR for blasting, just buy a complete one. The market for AR's is soft and amazing deals can be had. If you want to go cheap, think S&W MP-15, or Ruger AR-556. Or pay a few more $$$ and get a Colt 6920, which is a true mil-spec carbine. Given the price difference it is hard to argue not buying a Colt.

Build one if you want use it for long-range target shooting. But remember not all home-built AR's run properly. +1 on spending all the $$$ on barrel/BCG if you go this route.

 

[mic2377]

Or you could really make a good decision and get an AR10 style rifle and be miles ahead of anything in the AR15 field. When built properly these rifles can be an excellent 1,000 yard rifle or anything up to that with the careful choice of cartridge and barrel. 6x47 Lapua, 6mm Creedmoor, 6.5 Creedmoor, even a .308 Win. can be a lot of fun as well as being able to shoot longer ranges and good groups. Yes, it will be a bit more expensive than the rattle battle you put on with the AR15 style rifle but that's the price you pay for longer range and more energy.



This is the best solution for home defense and anything within 35 yards. The extreme penetration of the .224 bullets in a home where your loved ones are is a huge problem. Shotgun pellets, not so much. Also stress makes aiming in the dark or subdued light difficult and inaccurate with an AR15 whereas the pattern of the shotgun will cover small errors.

Enjoy the choices!

The over-penetration issue of .223/5.56 is a myth... Shotguns with buckshot or slugs are even worse offenders, and birdshot has really poor terminal ballistics. This is of course dependent on bullet choice, but multiple tests (as well as my own tests shooting random stuff) have totally debunked this.

In terms of lethality, an AR-15 with expanding bullets is significantly more lethal than a shotgun/handgun for defense purposes. The biggest downside is the muzzle blast and concussion when used inside. It is HORRIBLE.

But yes I also agree that owning an AR-15 is practically a duty, like having a 22 LR or 12-gauge. It is an useful tool for every American.

 

[Kurz]

The over-penetration issue of .223/5.56 is a myth... Shotguns with buckshot or slugs are even worse offenders, and birdshot has really poor terminal ballistics. This is of course dependent on bullet choice, but multiple tests (as well as my own tests shooting random stuff) have totally debunked this.

In terms of lethality, an AR-15 with expanding bullets is significantly more lethal than a shotgun/handgun for defense purposes. The biggest downside is the muzzle blast and concussion when used inside. It is HORRIBLE.

Well, you may have join us for some tests that we run in real houses with real firearms and you will see and hear the difference. Your version of debunking is fallacious, especially when using the proper loads for defensive shotguns in a house. You also need to read about the horrendous over-penetration of .223 ammunition in those same houses. There are some very good reports which cover the topic in a reasonable manner.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I like what Palmetto State Armory sells.

 

[Richard Coody]

I like what Palmetto State Armory sells.

+1 for that

My first AR was a stock PSA ar15. Still have it. It is always in my truck.

I got the bug from that one and have built a bunch since. Have parts for 3 more in my parts collection now.

What i will say is it is very easy to build them. Lots of fun.

It is also very easy to make them so heavy they have little use but as a bench gun.

My favorite now is a 6.5 grendel i built lightweight for hog.hunting. jp makes a nice lightweight barrel that is not much heavier than the stock noodle barrel but is much more accurate. With a skeletonized stock and a lightweight 2×10 scope is is a pleasure to carry.

Now if you want to build a precision ar15 i recommend the 6mmar, 243 LBC, fat rat or other 6mm grendel based cartridges. Phenomenal accuracy, better long range ballistics and a much harder hitting cartridge then the 5.56. There is a reason why the military wants to ditch that .22 caliber m4.

Of course the barrel for those precision rifles weighs as much as my PSA 5.56 or my lightweight grendel.

Want to get rid of the boing sound. Buy the JP silent buffer assembly.

 

[joe12180]

Well, you may have join us for some tests that we run in real houses with real firearms and you will see and hear the difference. Your version of debunking is fallacious, especially when using the proper loads for defensive shotguns in a house. You also need to read about the horrendous over-penetration of .223 ammunition in those same houses. There are some very good reports which cover the topic in a reasonable manner.

Depends on the bullet. Hard ones penetrate, soft ones not so much.

 

[Richard Coody]

All these home defense arguments tickle me. I have had a pistol toters license since i was 18 and now i am 64. Construction superintendent traveled from miami to san Francisco so i have not lived a sheltered life. Never once in all those years have i ever felt the need to pull the gun that is always close by. Fact is 95 percent of cops never fire their pistol in their careers.

Face it. We buy guns because we like them. Home defense is just a good excuse.

 

[Evan]

Anyone can do a real, legitimate test themselves. Build a small wall of 2x4, fiberglass insulation, and 1/2" rock on each side. Stand 3ft away and shoot it. You'll be surprised at the results. I used to think 9mm was a pretty decent choice for the home but it goes right through. Only thing that wall assembly stops is low power shot gun.

 

[Westhunder]

I never got used to the BOING sound in my right ear. Fun rifle...and I would build. More enjoyable that way.

Jp silent capture. No more boing!

 

[people]

Depends on the bullet. Hard ones penetrate, soft ones not so much.

This right here.

What kills me is most of these tests are "let's shoot a wall and see what happens!" They go into the other room and usually the next.

There are only two reasons to use a shotgun for shooting in your house.
1. You like it or it is what you have.
2. It is not as hard on your hearing like a 223 is.

If you are just shooting walls you fall into the group that is known as an asshole.

There is no reason to turn this into a measuring contest. There is a reason why entry teams use 5.56 machineguns and not shotguns.

 

[Bc'z]

Here's my suggestion on AR's we have 3.
"PISTON OPERATED"
These pics of my BCG are after 60 rounds. now I need to convert the other 2. I can clean this rifle in minutes compared to the arduous task of cleaning a direct impingement although wype out helps.

 

[jwink]

If you build one and you don't like it, there are a bunch of citizens down in Venezuela that wouldn't mind having one along with couple high cap mags and maybe a couple thousand rounds. They really miss their freedom.