I spent a recent morning ranting about how everyone has jumped on the AR bandwagon, after seeing ARs with lasers in every color of the rainbow at the range. Being at the range, it seemed like each person holding an Evil Black Rifle wanted to be louder and faster than the man next to him. We couldn't even have targets out because of wind conditions, so each person was shooting at/into nothing but a dirt backstop.[!]

I went in the bathroom that morning, and came out finding myself on my way to pick up a lower. Don't ask.

My learning curve shot straight up as I realized what I had gotten myself into. This wasn't just a Lego set with instructions included, but it was for damn sure I wasn't quitting, I had to see what the hype was about.

The more I learned of variants, ballistics, theory, and history of the AR, it reminded me of a time I was at a gun show----

A grey-bearded Vietnam veteran turned armchair commando put a 30-06 bolt action, woodstock Springfield in my hands and asked if I was horny yet.

I didn't know how to say yes

But that's besides the point. I've spent the past week picking the brains of armorers and scouring the web on a versatile, relevant AR platform. I thought it was hard deciding how I would customize my 10/22, but building an AR? It doesn't even compare.

I feel as though not only are AR pistols for simple-minded people, but a waste of a lower. I get that a lot of what goes into building an AR is personal preference, but only a fool prefers a Fiat over GMC.

The only thing holding me back right now is not being able to decide on a barrel length. An armorer told me that a 16" fluted barrel is the way to go, with a muzzle.
I liked the one he handed me, but will 16" make a huge difference in range/accuracy? My original plan was to go 18" bull with a fore grip that has the bipod that pops out, with an acog scope. Now I'm thinking of a 16" fluted with an angled grip and holographic/red dot. In a combat/SHTF scenario, I'd like to be able to rapidly acquire targets, and save anything past 500 yards for a bolt action rifle. I don't want this AR to have such a heavy barrel with a scope that requires you to be steady and seated at a table. I'd like to be able to walk around wilderness comfortably with it slung around my back, not too long or bulky to maneuver, but won't leave me outgunned. Call me a prepper, I just don't want to shell out thousands on a platform I will end up not liking.

An armorer did say not to make an AR that does everything, because it will become boring to shoot. I'm not too sure of the difference between .223 and 5.56, my thinking was that a .223 cartridge is like a 4 cylinder Sonoma while the 5.56 is an 8 Cylinder Sierra. I was told .223 was more of a long range cartridge, with 5.56 being an 80 down the barrel in one sitting cartridge.

Tell me why your AR is better than everyone else's, and what platform you'd reccomend to me.