Which AR?
 

I'm looking at getting an AR for combo home defense and maybe some hunting. Which one do you recommend?

RE: Which AR?
 

First, you'll need to confirm whether the 5.56mm (.223) is a legal big game round in your state.

Second, there are quite a number of AR variations. Typically, a shorter barrel is "handier" in a home defense scenario, but the caliber itself may not be the best choice if you live in close proximity to others (i.e. apartment, housing development, etc.)

Sighting systems might also be an issue, as the laser or electronic sight you may choose for a defensive weapon may not be legal for hunting.

Have fun shopping - there are plenty of rifles and styles (as well as accessories) to choose from.

RE: Which AR?
 

You can really get any of the AR's as most are just assemblies of parts made by someone else.

For home defense i would look at one of the short barrelled configurations with a flat top for mounting an Eotech or similar sight but also comes with fixed sights.
For hunting you can simply purchase an upper in something like a 6.8SPC, 450 Bushmaster, 50 Beauwolf (sp), 458 SOCOM, etc...


Or you could go the AR10 rout which is based on the 308 Winchester therefore it is a larger and heavier rifle but will excel in the hunting arena. There are still very good home defense models to choose from with fixed sights and short 16" barrelsand there are a number of frangable 308 rounds that can be used in home defense. Purchase an upper assembly with a longer and heavier barrel in everything from .243 to .300RSAUM and .338 Federal and hunt everything from deer to moose.

RE: Which AR?
 

Can't go wrong with the S&W LE. Got the best pieces ever in it. Coming from a current soldier, I would recommend it to anyone its the closest thing to my issued m4 I could find. Barrel length don't really matter for home defense. People here the charging handle get pulled and get scared.

My true advice is get a flat top with popup flick iron sights. I never use my iron sights I got a red dot and love mine. Its for quick draws and shoot on the fly, great for cqc. One the battery dies in it you can flip the sights up look right down the aimpoint and still keep shooting. If you want the scope for hunting I would look into getting a Acog. They are very expensive around 1400$ but they are GI proof and don't have to worry about it breaking etc... Same with the m68 aimpoint if you have any questions let me know I'll help any way I can.

RE: Which AR?
 

I'm pretty fond of my Colt H-Bar, and the second one too......

RE: Which AR?
 

I have a A3 bushy shorty. Not sure your going to get a good combo.

RE: Which AR?
 

I figure AR's and the likegot a rightfulplace/reason/function....and I Hunt with bolt guns.

You agree?

RE: Which AR?
 

+1 for Colt's!!!I have 2 and have not been disappointed yet.

RE: Which AR?
 

If someone finds it useful to pack around a 22" or even 20" RR varmit rifle with a full stockfor home protection, I guess it would work. I myself don't see it useful, at least in my home, maybe if I lived in a wide open barn. Thats the reason I like a collapse stock with 16" barrel. So yes,I do agree.

RE: Which AR?
 

I wouldn't suggest a rifle for a home defense gun.Because if you miss and sometime you will get a pass through,what happens if that bullet goes through a wall and hit someone in the other room(wife or kids)?It could even go into the next house.But if you live in the middle of nowhere and by yourself,i'd say go for it,but why not a shotgun loaded with a double aught buck?Stops anyone at close range alot quicker than a rifle will anyday.

RE: Which AR?
 

There are many choices of ammo available that is specifically designed to not penetrate walls. They act much like varmint bullets and decentigrate on impact with hard surfaces like walls and suchbut will give adequate penetration and explosive effects in human flesh.

Double "0" buck shot will penetrate walls and kill who ever happens to be standing onthe other side.

RE: Which AR?
 

and a normal rifle round will go through several houses . there are many lethal and non lethal home defense rounds available for many different firearms today. at this point its all about whats comfortable for the user.

RE: Which AR?
 

Does any one read the entire post any more? Like the very first sentence in that post you quoted?

Unless something new has come out I have never seen any frangable "00" buck shot.I would imagine that the buckshot would fragment before it ever left the barrel.

I would never use a "regular" rifle round for home defense nor didI suggest such a thing. I simply stated ther there isa good number of frangable ammunition available that isspecifically designed for home defense that would not penetrate walls and that "00" buck shot would definetly penetrate walls and kill people on the other side.

I don't know whereI ever mentioned using a "regular" rifle bullet and why people feel the need to put words in mymouth. :eek:

RE: Which AR?
 

I second that from Big Bulls. I'm the farthest thing from a ballisitics expert, but I have seen a lot of reports that back up what BB says. Some day I want to have a pimped up AR as my main property defender. The other benefits of the AR is the higher capacity and less recoil when trying to stop the BG who was dumb enough to invade your property. Best luck and God bless.

RE: Which AR?
 

Well, besides all the bullcrap of going thru walls and all this, I don't see the AR as just an inside the house defense. More of a WTSHTF type of defense if you know what I mean. Like the folks down in Orleans after katrina. I bet those who stayed and protected thier propertyunderstands.

RE: Which AR?
 

The wife and I just got back from shooting 200 rds. through my S&W AR15. I bought it in Feb. and with today's outing it has 1200 rds. through it with ZERO problems. I would recommend this rifle to anyone looking for a quality AR. I second the red dot/eotech for a sight. I will be ordering a Vortex red dot shortly. After shooting my friends rifle with an Aimpoint I was sold on the idea. Plenty accurate for coyotes to 300 yds. and quick enough for home defense.If you stick with the popular makers, S&W, Bushmaster, Colt, Stag, etc. you should be just fine.

RE: Which AR?
 

I have a Mossberg 500 12 ga and Taurus Tracker .357mag 4" that are both great for "in home" protection. I choose not to load buckshot for in home protection. I'm thinking more like property protection I guess. For example: if the s*&t hits the fan I have something with a little range if necessary