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Help! AR .223 Ignorant!

OLDCOP
I'm finally getting around to buying a Black Gun in .223 but don't know one from another. I've fired Colts but am looking for one much less expensive but "as good." I no longer hunt, don't compete and am too old to go to war. I have a Ruger Ranch Rifle, but somehow the AR and clones seem "better." Your advice is appreciated. I am not adversed to buying used. Thank you!
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • ern98
    What make the ARs better then most is the flexability of the platform. Pop two pins and you can swap out uppers in seconds. Also the vast amount of aftermarket, easy to install extras available. It looks me that you would be mostly using it for target shooting. If that is the case then I suggest that you look for a target/varmint style AR. That would be with a flat top instead of a carry handle type so that scope mounting is lower and more secure. I would also want in such a rig a somewhat longer and heavier barrel then is common in the milspec configuration as well as a better then milspec trigger. Years back I would have started with recomending Bushmaster but these days everyone is making this style so hopefully someone up to date on the current offerings will weigh in. Have fun with it....
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  • tsr1965
    OLDCOP,

    Since you have internet access, you can ask great questions, such as the above. You can also access sites like:

    http://www.dpmsinc.com/

    http://www.rockriverarms.com/

    http://www.stagarms.com/

    http://www.olyarms.com/

    These are but a few that are out there. If you want some more, send me an e-mail, and I will look you up some. The top two are my favorates for the non custom built ones, that are very affordable

    After you find one you that you like, look for it on the auction side of this site, www.gunbroker.com, as I doubt you will find a better deal anywhere. You will have to get it shipped to your local FFL holder.

    Best

    EDIT 1

    There are ones to stay away from, and they are made by CAI(Century Arms International), Vulcan, Hesse, and Blackthorne. Their quality, reliability, and over all owning experience sucks.
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  • armilite
    Make sure you get one chambered in 5.56 not .223. The 5.56 will shoot both the 5.56 and the .223, not the other way around.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by OLDCOP
    I'm finally getting around to buying a Black Gun in .223 but don't know one from another. I've fired Colts but am looking for one much less expensive but "as good." I no longer hunt, don't compete and am too old to go to war. I have a Ruger Ranch Rifle, but somehow the AR and clones seem "better." Your advice is appreciated. I am not adversed to buying used. Thank you!

    I wouldn't worry so much about which BRAND of gun. There are any number of makers putting out good products, with several of the best listed above.

    You should spend your time thinking about what CONFIGURATION of gun you like.

    If you're not going to be shooting at living things, then almost by definition you're going to be shooting at paper.

    That being the case, I think your goal should be to maximize accuracy over other considerations.

    So forget telescoping stocks and other combat-type doodads.

    So I'd suggest picking up something in "match" type configuration, with a nice barrel and flat top to easily mount a good scope. If the gun doesn't have a good trigger in there already, add one in yourself.

    Edit:
    On gas vs piston: IMO, no brainer: Since you're not taking the gun into combat get the gas gun. It will shoot "softer", potentially being more accurate, plus the standard gas system is quite a bit cheaper.

    Paying a good bit more money for a piston *may* have an advantage if you anticipate taking the gun into a dirty/desert combat situation where regular maintenance may be problematic. You're already indicated that this doesn't apply.
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  • cpermd
    Colt

    CDNN has em priced right.

    CP
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  • md1634
    I agree with beantown, I use mine strictly for target shooting. Poping full soda cans at 200-300 yards off the bench is quite a hoot.
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  • gary wray
    quote:Originally posted by cpermd
    Colt

    CDNN has em priced right.

    CP


    Ditto for the Colt. I love my H-BAR Match Target. More expensive, yes, but you get what you pay for IMHO. And now is a good time to buy as with a sharp eye you can pick up a "gently used" one for a reasonable price. Good luck![^]
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  • 62fuelie
    I have two, one is a DPMS with a 20" heavy barrel that I use for prairie dogging. It has an excellent trigger and a Nikon 3-9X scope. the other is built on a Fulton lower with a 6.8SPC upper. It is primarily a defense weapon and has a M-6 light/laser and a 1.5-4X leupold scope. Both are great fun to shoot.
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  • Oso2142
    This little chart's good to look at: http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html

    Also, here are a bunch of pages, of individual's builds. And, individual builds. {Elsewhere}

    Getting approval over at {Elsewhere} takes a couple of days... Well, at least it did in my case. So, if you want to ask the guys over there, about their stuff, you best join ASAP.

    Also, you can go over to Del-Ton's site, and build yourself a rifle.

    If you're going to do an M4-type rifle, you might want to consider a mid-length gas system.

    Also, for a couple bucks extra, you can get a full-auto BCG.

    As far as piston vs DI, I'm thinking that DI's fine. I thought about doing the piston thing but, ultimately, with carrier tilt being an issue, I've decided to ditch the idea of a piston setup.
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