Advice on AR caliber, please.

Plunky McPlunker · #1 08-09-2020, 03:13 PM

Hello... Love this forum and all you folks who provide invaluable information to me. So, I'm looking to purchase an AR. I would like the S&W platform. Can you recommend a model and caliber? Mostly concerned about caliber and availability of ammunition. My local Walmart has plenty of rifle ammo, but with shortages going on, I guess I want a caliber that is inexpensive and readily available most of the time. I love to target shoot. Looking to spend $1000 or so? Thanks for any advice. I'm an AR novice. Also considering a Century Arms AK. Thanks.

Mrnurse · #2 08-09-2020, 04:00 PM

stick with 5.56, good luck finding any ar rifle platform at any price.

double-dipper · #3 08-09-2020, 05:43 PM

I don't think you're going to find 5.56mm at Wally world anymore. Walmart got out of the handgun and "short barrel" rifle ammo about a year ago. Like Mrnurse said good luck finding a "black rifle" right now. Walmart does still carry standard center fire rifle cartage rounds such as 243,270, 3030, 3006

Farmer17 · #4 08-09-2020, 05:57 PM

I would buy about any 5.56 m/m or .223 AR you can find, even the cheapest ones work great and the ammo is very cheap and you should be able to find some online or somewhere in St. Louie. I built two AR15s and I bought the lower receiver and bolt-charging group from Palmetto State Armory and the upper receiver from Anderson Arms. It takes less than a minute to assemble the parts and you don't need tools and I have about $350 in each rifle not including scope and they're both 100% reliable and quite accurate. It will be hard to find anything right now and you'll have to pay a premium. Everybody should have an AR15 or equivalent rifle.

Smith & Wesson M&p15 Sport Ii - For Sale - New :: Guns.com

Plunky McPlunker · #5 08-09-2020, 05:59 PM

Thanks, folks. Okay... So maybe the AK might be a better option. I've had really good luck with all my S&W's. My local Walmart did have 6.5 Creedmore, 243, 306, 3030, and also 308. I saw several boxes of 7.62x51mm? I've seen 7.62x39, not 51 rifles before. Maybe just wait this out and shoot my Enfield till this is over, which I hope at some point is.

ISCS Yoda · #6 08-09-2020, 06:06 PM

Welcome to the campfire.

The only place I know of where you can easily acquire an AR-platform type of rifle is Classic Firearms on line and then you will have to ensure that you have a friendly FFL to make the transfer. ARs are in exceedingly high demand presently, and AR pistols even more so. But tomorrow Classic Firearms might not even have ARs, they sell that fast.

If you're lucky you might find a Ruger Ranch Rifle in .223 available on line and if you see one at Walmart or anywhere you better but it right then and there.

Ammoman.com has .223/5.56 ammunition, as does LuckyGunner and maybe some other websites. The ammunition can be shipped to your door and that's the caliber you want.

Between the anti-gun politics out there, and the news media hype, and the rioters, demand went through the roof and it was already high.

Good luck!

ISCS Yoda · #7 08-09-2020, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Maybe just wait this out and shoot my Enfield till this is over, which I hope at some point is.

One the one hand, you might have to wait quite some time - this isn't over any time soon. On the other hand, if you have patience and time you might find what you need on line or at a gun show.

I wouldn't switch from an AR platform to an AK platform but I personally dislike the AK platform, despite it being one of the most ubiquitous and finest battle rifles ever made. YMMV.

Classic Firearms has some WASR AKs in stock. Only because they're not cheap - even so, they won't last long. 7.62x39 ammunition is probably available.

SAFireman · #8 08-09-2020, 06:38 PM

An AR-10 is an option. They come in multi-caliber configurations. 308 winchester is still available at wally world (as it hasn't been deemed 'evil' yet). A 243 upper would also be a nice addition.

Good luck.

RoyS · #9 08-09-2020, 07:01 PM

Hi Gents,

I'm certainly no expert so please take my input with a large pinch of salt. But that said I'm going to throw in a wild card just for fun.

My recommendation is for a Robinson Arms XCR and my personal preference was for 300blk. My experience with this company was second to none, really superb. Their guns are multi-calibre and offered in both rifle and pistol (with brace) formate.

My gun (shown below) is the most enjoyable to own/shoot I have ever had. If I were (and I am not) in the market for a rifle, I would 100% buy an XCR rifle.

Whatever you choose, good luck and let us know how you get on.

Cheerio,

Roy

AlHunt · #10 08-09-2020, 07:13 PM

Bear Creek has complete rifles in stock as of right now.

BCA Brown Bear I Complete AR-15 Rifle

Several others, this one seems to be the most bog stock AR. .223 Wilde chambers 5.56 or .223.

Moe Mentum · #11 08-09-2020, 07:58 PM

Hang in there, this shortage will pass, don't run out and over pay for a rifle that will be half the price next year. I bought my AR during the elections in 2017, thought Hillary was going to win, but when Trump won, the prices dropped dramatically. I paid $600 , a few months later they were $499.

AlHunt · #12 08-09-2020, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Mentum

Hang in there, this shortage will pass, don't run out and over pay for a rifle that will be half the price next year. I bought my AR during the elections in 2017, thought Hillary was going to win, but when Trump won, the prices dropped dramatically. I paid $600 , a few months later they were $499.

This is sound advice. A year or so ago I put together 2 milspec, open sight AR's, 16", 5.56, started with stripped lowers and had less than $800 in in the pair. Now I see the very similar Bear Creek complete rifle I linked above is close to $900 for 1.

jjfitch · #13 08-09-2020, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Farmer17

I would buy about any 5.56 m/m or .223 AR you can find, even the cheapest ones work great and the ammo is very cheap and you should be able to find some online or somewhere in St. Louie. I built two AR15s and I bought the lower receiver and bolt-charging group from Palmetto State Armory and the upper receiver from Anderson Arms. It takes less than a minute to assemble the parts and you don't need tools and I have about $350 in each rifle not including scope and they're both 100% reliable and quite accurate. It will be hard to find anything right now and you'll have to pay a premium. Everybody should have an AR15 or equivalent rifle.

This thread has a couple of rifles showing in stock.
Assuming you are "target " shooting inside 200 yards either will serve you well in .223/5.56cal.

The advantage of this caliber is the option of shooting .22 rimfire ammo with a conversion unit. (CCMG for one)

Beyond 300 yards opens a whole other "window of opportunity"!

I'm not current on national records but the .223 has owned a few out to 600 yards!

Smith & Wesson M&p15 Sport Ii - For Sale - New :: Guns.com

What ever you do will be well worth it in the long run!

Smiles,

vipermd · #14 08-10-2020, 01:23 AM

I use, sell DPMS for the last 20 years and like the options available. I have run them with and with out cans, full auto, 223, 300 BO, 308, customers have also had 260 Rem. I have them in stock at reasonable prices, depending on the model and accessories. 223 would prob be your best choice at this time do to greater access to ammo, but you can get a 300 BO upper later. There is no Best caliber- it all depends on what you are shooting, how far, and how quiet you would like to be. Look at GB for prices so you know what they are asking and price at which it sells!! PM me if I can help. Be Safe,

Velle · #15 08-10-2020, 03:16 AM

Check your local gun shops. Mine has plenty of AR's but the cheapest I found was 700.00 for a Windham with no sights. I paid 800.00 for a S&W a few weeks ago but it came with some extras.

rincar · #16 08-10-2020, 08:51 PM

Try JSE in Cape Girardeau Mo. They have what you need

diyj98 · #17 08-10-2020, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plunky McPlunker

Thanks, folks. Okay... So maybe the AK might be a better option. I've had really good luck with all my S&W's. My local Walmart did have 6.5 Creedmore, 243, 306, 3030, and also 308. I saw several boxes of 7.62x51mm? I've seen 7.62x39, not 51 rifles before. Maybe just wait this out and shoot my Enfield till this is over, which I hope at some point is.

7.62x51mm is the military 308 Winchester with minor differences just as 5.56 is to 223 Remington.

My local Walmarts won't sell 5.56, but do sell 223. I was told the difference is "assault ammo" vs. "sporting ammo" by one of the clerks. I'm surprised your Walmart would carry 7.62x51 seeing as it was designed for evil assault rifles.

lwinson · #18 08-11-2020, 12:17 PM

Saw S&W Sport II onlne for about $699

CAJUNLAWYER · #19 08-11-2020, 12:39 PM

If you need one NOW, I can sell you mine for $1,000.00. I'll just use my mini 14 until the AR's get cheap again and replace it.
I would not panic buy right now. I got a good feeling about November

rwsmith · #20 08-11-2020, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plunky McPlunker

Thanks, folks. Okay... So maybe the AK might be a better option. I've had really good luck with all my S&W's. My local Walmart did have 6.5 Creedmore, 243, 306, 3030, and also 308. I saw several boxes of 7.62x51mm? I've seen 7.62x39, not 51 rifles before. Maybe just wait this out and shoot my Enfield till this is over, which I hope at some point is.

...my SKS threw my good 7.62 x 39mm brass all over the range. No problem, I can shoot cheap Tula Ammo. The shortage has put a damper on that, too. So I'm thinking about reloading and making a brass deflector to save my brass.

Rule3 · #21 08-11-2020, 12:47 PM

I will beat the above offer!

I will sell you an AR , a AK and the ammo for both NOW for a slight Pandemic markup!

S/H FFL fee extra

Now is not the time to buy anything

smoothshooter · #22 08-11-2020, 12:48 PM

Save getting an AR for some time down the road, if they and the ammo are ever available at reasonable prices again.
I recommend something in a 9mm carbine configuration like the Ruger takedown semi-auto that takes Glock magazines. Does not attract the attention that an AR or an AK variant does, and the muzzle blast will not be so disorienting when firing inside a car or a room in a building. Also, 9mm ball penetrates barriers like auto glass and car bodies better with the bullets remaining relatively intact after pass-through.
Sure, the 9mm has a more curved trajectory than 5.56 and 762.39, but it does pretty good out to 200 yards, and in a social unrest situation, you are not going to be engaging targets much beyond 50 to 75 yards anyway. ( Assuming that is the purpose you have in mind )

Actually, a lot can be done with a .30-30 or a .22 LR. The ammo is easier to come by too.

dave1918a2 · #23 08-11-2020, 01:39 PM

Tons of AR's available in CO.

BillBond · #24 08-11-2020, 02:18 PM

If you purchase an AR15 get one in 5.56 and if you purchase an AK get one in 7.62x39.

I have owned both over the years and sold my last AK over 20 years ago.

docjonson · #25 08-11-2020, 04:29 PM

I've built ARs in several calibers, 5.56, 7.62x39, .300BO, 9mm and .308. The pistol configurations are great, you can get uppers in all these cals. but you need bolts for each and can use same lower for every thing except the .308 which is of course a different animal using larger lower and upper. I don't find the 300 and 5.56 real "pleasant" to shoot out of a short barrel, but the 9mm. is a joy. The AR is so versatile I wouldn't consider anything else at this time if I was buying.

ISCS Yoda · #26 08-12-2020, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave1918a2

Tons of AR's available in CO.

Fascinating!!!!

Even here in the Lone Star State my dealers tell me they can't get ARs.

EuroOptic.............

Rifles, Scopes, Laser Rangefinders, and So Much More - EuroOptic.com

(c) EuroOptic 2020

has Armalite AR-15s in stock, and I think maybe some DPMS models, but these Armalites are a little bit tricked out and cost around $1500.

reccpd101 · #27 08-12-2020, 06:11 PM

I own 2 AR pistols(one each 5.56 & 9mm) and an AR carbine in 223/5.56. My favorite AR is the 9mm. I rarely fire the other 2. It also shares magazines with my Glock and ammo with my 9mm revolvers, 59 & 439 S&Ws, 1911 9mms and Browning Hi-Power. Of the centerfire calibers, 9mm is the most reseasonable priced and available in a wide variey of loads.

If you want to reach out and touch some one, get a bolt action or M1A, HK/PTR, or FAL .308. I have owned AR-10s they are not rugged enough for sustained use.

Oldsalt66 · #28 08-12-2020, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diyj98

7.62x51mm is the military 308 Winchester with minor differences just as 5.56 is to 223 Remington.

My local Walmarts won't sell 5.56, but do sell 223. I was told the difference is "assault ammo" vs. "sporting ammo" by one of the clerks. I'm surprised your Walmart would carry 7.62x51 seeing as it was designed for evil assault rifles.

One of the minor differences is that as is opposite the case with 5.56 x45 and .223., the civilian .308 Winchester loading operates at higher chamber pressure than the military 7.62x51 NATO round so unless you’re a purist type of collector, be sure the rifle you buy is rated for .308.

S&W Fan · #29 08-13-2020, 04:03 PM

In total agreement with waiting until the panic buyers are done and manufacturers restock. If you’re going 5.56 don’t go below 10.3” for best reliability and performance. 300 Black Out is much better in shorter barrels and suppressed.

JJEH · #30 08-14-2020, 10:33 AM

Can't go wrong with a "standard" 5.56 or .308Win.

If you look into exotics you'll pay more for gun and ammo.

So it's really up to your wants/needs and budget.

Buick · #31 08-14-2020, 11:33 AM

I would buy a lower receiver and a bolt now and just build it out as less expensive parts become available.