A little off subject from the 15-22

[jpoz5856]

So, I've owned my M&P 15-22 for a little over 6 months now and absolutely LOVE it! I've accessorized it with everything imaginable and will be just about complete once I finish my B.A.D. lever (custom made) and decide on a new barrel shroud that I plan on purchasing from Belt_Fed. I think I'm ready to step up and buy the big brother M&P-15 or some other type of AR-15 .223/5.56. I've been doing a ton of research and there are well over 100 different types of the AR-15 from various manufacturers. My question to all of you is pretty simple:

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200?

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle?

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?

4) Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?

I've been looking and contemplating on purchasing the Bushmaster M4A3 or the S&W M&P-15T. I can't seem to make up my mind on which one I want. What I will tell you though, whatever rifle I choose to purchase I plan on accessorizing with only the finest of parts. If that means I have to drop $450 on a LRA bipod than so be it. (I've actually seen it and met the designer/manufacture and believe it or not it's well worth the $)

Overall I'm looking to expand my arsenal and my next purchase is going to be an AR style rifle. After that, who knows maybe a BMG .50 and S&W 500

Any input would be extremely appreciated. I do understand that this forum is for the M&P 15-22 enthusiast (which I am and have made many posts in the past) but I also assume most of you also own a more high powered rifle.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Keyhole22]

Great questions. I'm looking forward to the replies too.

 

[Jewbacca]

For home defense, friends have been recommending a .357 magnum or a .45 revolver with hollow point rounds so it doesn't go through your walls and kill your neighbor on accident. An Ar-15 will likely tear through whatever you want to hit and go through the wall, through the next wall, through the next after that and into something you had no plan on hitting. Also, the beauty of a revolver is that you can let it sit there and wait since there are very few moving parts and very little maintenance involved with keeping it clean and working. I do not own a handgun, but have been doing a ton of research on the subject of Home Defense. Also, you could just spend a few hundred bucks and get a pump action shotgun. That sound will deter anyone from coming close to you, even if it is not loaded. If I am wrong, someone please correct me, but this is to the best of my knowledge right now.

 

[Incredible Me]

Your questions are hard to answer.

1: I have no idea, not in the states, so i dont know the prices.

2: Coolness (joking) but reviews of other users and I need a quad-rail to set it up for dynamic shooting.

3: Several hundred meters, but that differs per AR, what kind of barrel, trigger, freefloat rail etc. But you can get some nice distance with the right AR

4: No, i tend to look at peoples experiences with the rifle. I'm currently very interested in the Schmeisser M5 solid or the HK M223 (I don't own a large caliber yet, mostly due to ammo prices here)

5: As Jewbacca said, the 223 of the AR has a very high penetration, so for home defence it wouldn't be my first choice. A nice shotgun or again as Jewbacca said a .357 or .45 is a nice choice aswell. Compact, easy to store in a small safe in your nightstand, easy to move in smaller spaces.
(and good point about the sound of a pump action shotgun)

 

[true_shooter]

I'll try and help with my .02 cents

1) whats the best for 1200? I'm partial to s&w but it all depends on what you want out of it, do you want a zombie slayer or a dead nuts accurate paper puncher?

2)what do I look for in an ar? I look for "bang for my buck" meaning is the price tag on the ar i want worth it when i can buy a lesser known ar and put the chrome bolt and etc into it for cheaper than buying my first choice.

3)max range with accuracy? well the united states marine corps has there recruits qualify with there m16 (ar15) out to 500 meters open sights, a heavy barrel ar-15 with a good optic should reach out to 1000

4)would i only purchase from a well known company? No, i can build a better ar that meets my wants and needs using lesser known companies parts for a lot less cash.

5)AR-home defense? depends, yes it will drop an invader with a quickness but as other members have said you stand the chance of it traveling through the invader through a wall or three into your kids bedroom. if indeed you end up buying an ar and use it for home defense keep it loaded with hallow points such as a box of hornady's TAP rounds.

Good luck sir if anymore questions pop up let us know

 

[jpoz5856]

For home defense, friends have been recommending a .357 magnum or a .45 revolver with hollow point rounds so it doesn't go through your walls and kill your neighbor on accident. An Ar-15 will likely tear through whatever you want to hit and go through the wall, through the next wall, through the next after that and into something you had no plan on hitting. Also, the beauty of a revolver is that you can let it sit there and wait since there are very few moving parts and very little maintenance involved with keeping it clean and working. I do not own a handgun, but have been doing a ton of research on the subject of Home Defense. Also, you could just spend a few hundred bucks and get a pump action shotgun. That sound will deter anyone from coming close to you, even if it is not loaded. If I am wrong, someone please correct me, but this is to the best of my knowledge right now.

I appreciate your response. I will say though that for home defense I would more than likely pull our my Sigma. I just wanted to add the home defense in the original thread just to get opinions but thank you for your input.

 

[Incredible Me]

Or get a dedicated midieval upper

 

[jpoz5856]

I'll try and help with my .02 cents

1) whats the best for 1200? I'm partial to s&w but it all depends on what you want out of it, do you want a zombie slayer or a dead nuts accurate paper puncher?

2)what do I look for in an ar? I look for "bang for my buck" meaning is the price tag on the ar i want worth it when i can buy a lesser known ar and put the chrome bolt and etc into it for cheaper than buying my first choice.

3)max range with accuracy? well the united states marine corps has there recruits qualify with there m16 (ar15) out to 500 meters open sights, a heavy barrel ar-15 with a good optic should reach out to 1000

4)would i only purchase from a well known company? No, i can build a better ar that meets my wants and needs using lesser known companies parts for a lot less cash.

5)AR-home defense? depends, yes it will drop an invader with a quickness but as other members have said you stand the chance of it traveling through the invader through a wall or three into your kids bedroom. if indeed you end up buying an ar and use it for home defense keep it loaded with hallow points such as a box of hornady's TAP rounds.

Good luck sir if anymore questions pop up let us know

I too am partial to S&W.

As for a Zombie Slayer, I'm just looking to put together one BAD A** AR. Obviously from what you've said your skill set is such that you can probably just build your own and be fully confident in what your doing and the parts your using. I'll be in that position one day but right now I'm not and I have no problem admitting that. When you say you can build an AR cheaper than buying one from a well known company such as S&W what difference in cost are we talking? If I were to spend $1,200 on a brand new AR could you build one for say $700? If so, do you have any problem giving me a general outline as to what is needed to do so? I think it would be a pretty fun project to undertake.

Thanks for your input I really appreciate it.

 

[Dobie]

Lots of misinformation on this thread. Do your own research and find your own answers to verify but here are some hints.

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200?

Depends on your needs as far as configurations but top tier AR's are avilable at or under that price point from Colt, Daniel Defense, BCM to name a few.

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle?

Quality manufacture with milspec parts in a configuration I want. Lots of companies say there milspec but go with the ones who prove it.

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?
Define precision - this is an assualt rifle not a sniper stick.
most decent will shoot 1-2 MOA but remember the 556 isnt a long range cartridge. If you want to step out long look elsewhere.

4) Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?

Well known and quality are not the same. All the above are middle to low tier AR's. Of the three S&W is the only worth considering.

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?

Yes provided you use correct ammo and train with it. A proper fragmenting round will not over penetrate. Check out some ballistic data for yourself. Handgun rounds will overpentrate more easily due to reduced velocity and heavier bullets.

The best advice I can give you is to research some other forums deicdated to the AR platform and research allot before you buy. M4carbine.net is a great info source.

Sorry if there some typos here, I am pressed for time.

 

[PodPeople]

Unless you are dead set on spending $1,200 you could just buy an S&W M&P Sport for $599. It will take accessories just like any other AR-15. I have one and I love it.

 

[jpoz5856]

Unless you are dead set on spending $1,200 you could just buy an S&W M&P Sport for $599. It will take accessories just like any other AR-15. I have one and I love it.

What caliber is it?

 

[PodPeople]

What caliber is it?

The barrel is marked 5.56 so it will fire both 5.56 and .223 ammo.

 

[Ranger98]

I'd recommend you go with a Piston Driven design.
The saying "One that runs cool and clean,beats one that runs hot and dirty" seems to make since.
Personally, I recently settled on the S&W M&P15-PS with quad rails as my choice for the AR platform

 

[Stang Nut]

Part of the fun!

You are going to have fun finding answers to your questions. I think Dobie has put you on the correct path to success though. Just a few tid bits I will add to some of your questions.

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200? There are many to choose from, it comes down to what you intend to do with the rifle. What ever you choose, I would recommend buying an AR in 5.56 chambering. That way you can use all the available ammo that is out there (barrel twist rate not withstanding).

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle? I look for milspec components. During my active duty days I use to beat the **** out of my service rifle. In the hands of a grunt, I put my rifle through its paces and she never failed me. So I look for an AR that contains the most milspec components as possible.

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?
You can probably pick up some purpose built ARs that could shoot with precision, but I have always considered the AR as a battle rifle. 300m or less. For anything further than that, there are much better choices of rifles out there that will do a better job than an AR.

4) Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?
Since I no longer get free parts from the Government, I tend to make weapon purchases from manufacturers based on warranty and customer support. Nothing beats life time warranty and great customer service...nothing.

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?
Depends on what type of dwelling you live in. If you are in an apartment or duplex, or a home bathed in stucco and your neighbors houses are only 10-20 feet apart from you on your left and right, a hand gun or shotgun may serve you better. An AR could be used, but more thought and care must be exercised to ensure safe firing zones to ensure you avoid any residual collateral damage. If your dwelling is rapped in brick and you nearest neighbor is 100m away, have at it. Just make sure if you have loved ones in the dwelling, you have identified safe range fans throughout the house to avoid any harm to them.

With that said, pull out a sheet of paper and write down all the things "you" would like in an AR and what you plan to do with it. Once you establish a baseline of your wants and needs, researching for that perfect (to you) AR will become much easier.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[thacheese]

frangible ammo could help with the whole accidentally shooting your neighbors aspect.

 

[guy22]

So, I've owned my M&P 15-22 for a little over 6 months now and absolutely LOVE it! I've accessorized it with everything imaginable and will be just about complete once I finish my B.A.D. lever (custom made) and decide on a new barrel shroud that I plan on purchasing from Belt_Fed. I think I'm ready to step up and buy the big brother M&P-15 or some other type of AR-15 .223/5.56. I've been doing a ton of research and there are well over 100 different types of the AR-15 from various manufacturers. My question to all of you is pretty simple:

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200?

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle?

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?

4) Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?

I've been looking and contemplating on purchasing the Bushmaster M4A3 or the S&W M&P-15T. I can't seem to make up my mind on which one I want. What I will tell you though, whatever rifle I choose to purchase I plan on accessorizing with only the finest of parts. If that means I have to drop $450 on a LRA bipod than so be it. (I've actually seen it and met the designer/manufacture and believe it or not it's well worth the $)

Overall I'm looking to expand my arsenal and my next purchase is going to be an AR style rifle. After that, who knows maybe a BMG .50 and S&W 500

Any input would be extremely appreciated. I do understand that this forum is for the M&P 15-22 enthusiast (which I am and have made many posts in the past) but I also assume most of you also own a more high powered rifle.

Thanks again guys.

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200?

Colt M4 Carbine 6920 AR15 16"

ITEM: #COLT-LE6920BF
This specially designed law enforcement weapon system features many of the combat proven advantages of the military M4. With the 4-position buttstock fully retracted, the Law Enforcement Carbine is less than 30 in (76.2 cm) in length and weighs only 5.65 lb (2.56 kg) - ideal for tactical deployment and traditional patrol.
Colt''s M4 Carbine is available with a step-cut barrel that allows it to accept a grenade launcher for non-lethal options. Furthermore, the handguard has dual insulated aluminum shielding for more effective heat protection.
- Unique direct gas operating system eliminates the conventional operating rod and results in fewer and lighter components
- Accommodates the full range of 5.56mm ammunition, including the NATO M855/SS109 and U.S. M193, utilizing a rifling twist of 1 turn in 7" (178mm)
- Straight-line construction disperses recoil straight back to the shoulder, increasing handling capabilities, especially during repeated fire
- 4-position sliding buttstock allows the weapon to adapt to users of different sizes and physical characteristics as well as various firing positions and clothing variations
- Cartridge case deflector allows easy operation in both right and left handed shooting positions for increased tactical applications
- Muzzle compensator further reduces muzzle climb and helps eliminate flash and dust signatures
- Ejection port cover protects the chamber from dust and mud
- Field strips easily without special tools for simple field user maintenance
- Flat top receiver allows for removable carrying handle and easy mounting of accessories
- M203 40mm Grenade Launcher (optional, subject to NFA restrictions) mounts directly to the Carbine without modification
- Cleaning kit, sling, and 1 magazine are standard.
- Target style rear sight features dual apertures (0-200m, 300-600m) and adjusts for both windage and elevation
- High strength materials add durability to the forearm, buttstock and pistol grip for greater comfort and effectiveness.
With the 4-position buttstock fully retracted, the Law Enforcement Carbine is less than 30 in in length and weighs only 5.65 lb - ideal for tactical use.

If you want a so called "good" AR for ~ $1200.00( this is what I would buy).

I'm thinking I can build a good one for ~$800.00. I have a Colt AR and like it a lot. It has a 20 inch heavy barrel, and a perminate carry handle.

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle?

Flat top, quad rail, good barrel, 5.56mm markings, and all in black.

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?

Too hard to answer. I saw a friend the other day shoot a beach ball floating down the river at about 900 yards(range finder used). It took 15 rounds, and he walked them up!

With precision accuracy?

Swag: 100 yards!

(4)Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?

No

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?

No

JMHO

 

[maverick88]

I`d use a 12ga pump shot gun for home defense.

 

[mg1996]

I personally own a Colt H-bar Elite Nato 5.56 with a 1/9 twist and 24'' barrel. Very happy with performance, 500 yards no problem, 1000 yards I have hit a target but I think it was more luck than anything. All sorts of choices out there but my Colt has never failed me and would highly recommend looking into one

 

[CrazyFingers]

1) What is the best AR type .223/5.56 on the market for around $1,200?

The term "best" when applied to AR-15s usually means "which ones conform closest to the Technical Data Package (TDP) established by Colt for military M4/M16 weapons". To understand this, read:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...dUVoakZ3UHJnVEE&single=true&gid=5&output=html
and then check here:
NEW Comparison Chart of Commercial M4 Pattern Carbines - M4Carbine.net Forums

2) What do you personally look for in buying an AR type rifle?

A rifle that conforms to the TDP. These are the minimum acceptable specifications for a fighting rifle. Why accept less? I personally own a Bravo Company 16" mid-length rifle which I purchased after considerable research and thought. I paid the same or less than a "comparable" Bushmaster or DPMS, and I have a superior rifle.

3) What is the maximum distance an AR will fire with precision accuracy?

That depends a lot on the specific configuration. 20" barrel? 14.5"? NFA 10"? Generally speaking, you should be able to reliably hit a man-sized target out to 400 yards with a quality rifle with some kind of support after some training.

4) Would you only purchase an AR from a well known manufacturer such as Smith & Wesson, Bushmaster or DPMS?

I would not purchase a Bushmaster or a DPMS. "Well-known" does not necessarily equate to "quality". They do not conform to the TDP in some significant ways and are overpriced. S&W is not a bad rifle, but there are others that are in a similar price range or slightly more that do meet all TDP specifications (Colt, Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, Noveske, LMT)

5) Does an AR, due to the caliber size, serve as a good home defense weapon?

I have read several reports that 5.56/.223 actually has a lower tendency to over-penetrate residential walls compared to many pistol rounds. This obviously has a lot to do with the specific round. Muzzle blast and potential hearing damage are things to be concerned with when firing an AR-15 inside without hearing protection, so do some research.

I've been looking and contemplating on purchasing the Bushmaster M4A3 or the S&W M&P-15T. I can't seem to make up my mind on which one I want. What I will tell you though, whatever rifle I choose to purchase I plan on accessorizing with only the finest of parts.

If you are truly interested in a top-quality AR-15, I strongly recommend you look at Colt, Daniel Defense, or Bravo Company. Colt is generally considered the "Gold Standard", since they created the TDP and are still the primary supplier of military M4s. Their 2011-2012 product line is very price competitive with the other manufacturers, and they typically hold their resale value well.
Please, please do some serious research on AR-15 manufacturers and their products before spending $1,200 on something you might regret buying in a few years.

 

[RonJon]

I`d use a 12ga pump shot gun for home defense.

I sincerely hope that the BG will be nice enough to allow you the time to don your hearing protection b4 you fire that - Eeks! Just think of the sound percussion in closed quarters that a 12ga shotgun would put out!