new AR-15

[Admiral Alaska]

So my 18th birthday is fast approching, and I have the day planned out pretty well, Im going to sign up for the Selective Service then buy a big fat cigar, then to the gun store. I was thinking about a mini14 but then did more research on it and desided on and AR-15. The problem I have is that there is so much information out there about them and I don't have time top read it all. I obvisously want it for a shtf senario and figurerd this as my best source to go to find out which one I should get. I have read the AR-15 post in the Firearms section and am thining about getting a full size rifle with crome lining, but apart from that I have no idea, any and all suggestions would be appreciated and thought through.

[Big_Saw]

It's a known fact that I'm a "Mini" man (no snide remarks from the peanut gallery)...but, having been deployed with the AR in the past, I can tell you that I'd stay away from the Colt models (jam-o-matic)...the Bushmaster and Armalites seemed to me to be the least likely to shoot for the "other side" (not at all), with the Bushmaster getting my vote....

...having said all that, I gotta tell ya: ARs are sweet rifles, if you have time to clean constantly and cash to accessorize...IMHO, having used everything from a .22 LR to .177 pellet rifles to the venerable M249 in the field, I'd pick my mini and a good bolt action over all of 'em, all day long....

Happy birthday, and welcome to the real world...many happy returns...

[Centurion]

If you want the best then go with a Colt. Look for a Colt heavy barrel H-Bar. You will be able to add rails and everything else to the platform. Just my opinion. Good Luck and congratulations on your son's birthday. Merry Christmass.

[kenno]

I liked the M-16A1 I was issued in the army, yeh it was wierd hearing that recoil spring go 'swoush' ever time I fired it and I never got used to the hot brass that bounced down my shirt but the new AR's have that brass deflector. The Ar's straight recoil and lack of a heavy operating rod make it inherantly more accurate than other Op Systems. i would suggest a flat-top if you have the money.

[Awesome]

I am by no means a rifle expert... But from what I've seen any mil-spec AR-15is gonna do the job. Go with what you can afford and what you think looks cool.

Sure you can spend more to get x, y, z features but you might not have 3k to drop on an AR (at the age of 18). So go with the budget and get one that "feels" good.

[tony]

I'd stay away from the Colt models (jam-o-matic)...

If you want the best then go with a Colt.

hahahaahahha!

But from what I've seen any mil-spec AR-15is gonna do the job.

Last time I checked AR-15s are civilian spec variants of the M-4 and M-16 mil-spec rifles.

Disclaimer: Sorry guys, I don't mean to be rude. I'm just in a pissy mood.

Admiral Alaska, I was making the same decision you are awhile back. The AR is great but it's an unfamiliar platform for me and is not always as reliable as the mini. The new minis with the heavy, tapered barrel no longer have accuracy issues. So, for me, the only disadvantage was the mag release. I'll take reliability any day.

Tony

[tony]

Check out the Mini-14 "Tactical" if you haven't already. I've heard good things about the Bushmaster ARs. If an AR is what you decide on, get the flat top so you can go straight for an optic. Of course, you won't have sights until you do get something to bolt on top.

Tony

[avking]

Don't forget about the AR-10. Much more versatile gun IMHO, than the mini or the AR-15. The .308 variant will take down just about any North American game and it makes a great assault rifle. It tends to be heavier than the AR-15, but with the right partsm you can keep the weight down. It will cost you more, so that might be an issue. You can source the parts and build an AR-10 yourself for about $1,000 if you look hard and shop smart. I have about $1,600 into my most recent one. CMMG lower, DPMS 24" Upper & Magpul PRS stock.

[cwconnertx]

Don't forget about the AR-10. Much more versatile gun IMHO, than the mini or the AR-15. The .308 variant will take down just about any North American game and it makes a great assault rifle. It tends to be heavier than the AR-15, but with the right partsm you can keep the weight down. It will cost you more, so that might be an issue. You can source the parts and build an AR-10 yourself for about $1,000 if you look hard and shop smart. I have about $1,600 into my most recent one. CMMG lower, DPMS 24" Upper & Magpul PRS stock.

I am a big AR-10 variant proponent. But for versatility, the AR 15 might have an advantage. You can go with a 22 LR conversion, 5.45x39 russion upper, a 5.7x28mm upper, Several short larger bore uppers (6.5 grendel, 6.8 SPC, 30 AR, etc), even crossbow and 50 cal uppers.

I love the 308, but even I am thinking about a 6.8 SPC upper. Ammo cost is what is slowing me down, since I will not buy a gun without an absolute minimum of 500 rounds of ammo, and I prefer 5000 rounds.

All that considered, I might recommend an AR10 variannt for those that can afford the outlay and recoil. i use a remington R25 myself. I know people like their black guns, but i love the camo look of the remington. So far it is rock solid reliable and 1 moa accurate.

[avking]

The AR-10 is available in 12 different calibers now. While the .308 is the most popular, you do have other choices. I really like the 6.5 Creedmor and the 338. The 15 platform offers a lot of great calibers, but the calibers they come in are all a little to light if I could only afford or only have one rifle.

But unless you have a lot of disposable income, you should go with one upper for one lower. Having multiple uppers on a limited budget could spread your limited resources to thin.

If you are buying for a SHTF scenario, having a bunch of different uppers is not going to do much good if you do not live where you intend to shelter. You can not carry 5 uppers with you.

[Lil Bear]

Another thing to consider is parts availability. If you buy a colt- you have to use colt only parts. To where as most if not all of the other brands will interchange with each other giving you broader parts availability. I have the Bushmaster and my family and I have had no problems while shooting.

[neverknow]

Another thing to consider is parts availability. If you buy a colt- you have to use colt only parts. To where as most if not all of the other brands will interchange with each other giving you broader parts availability. I have the Bushmaster and my family and I have had no problems while shooting.

That not true the newer colts will take all regular ar15 parts as of this years model.

[Lil Bear]

Thanks neverknow, that is good information. broadens the parts supply.

[Apocalyptic_Sojourner]

I prefer DPMS, personally. I've got 2 of em (1 in 5.56 and another in .308). Never had a single problem, and they're both sweet shooting rifles. I like the AP4's with the collapsible buttstock and 16" barrel. Throw on a rail system and a foregrip and you're good to go.