Best non-AR 5.56 Rifle?

[jcollins1007]

Just an opinion post here. What is your guys' vote for the best rifle chambered in 5.56 NATO that's not the AR-15 platform, and why?

 

[jcollins1007]

oops

I mis-titled the post... should be best 5.56 rifle. I put that there to rule out the varmint bolties and such and keep it in the "sporting/utility" rifle category.

 

[Jeff F]

Not the best but damn good and not an AR, or an AK, Ruger Mini 14.

 

[sv51macross]

I'd say a SLR-106 or (tuned)WASR-3. Both with proper mags are great 5.56 guns with chrome-lined barrels, and one can get magwell adapters to feed from AR-15 mags. Plus, the
SLR-106 has a folding stock, and are cheaper than AKS clones or AR-15s.

 

[LoonWulf]

mini 2ndeded.....

spent the whole day today smacking the hell out of 6" gong at 200yds. 68grn hrndys over 748 = win lol

 

[napjerk]

IMI Galil

 

[Afy]

Stgw 90

 

[Jon_L]

Stgw 90

And where can one find those?

Those Saigas are all right, so I hear. Or any AK, really. Also, SIG-556

 

[boricua9mm]

SCAR16 or Steyr AUG A3. In this caliber I've tried an AK, the SIG556 and the MSAR, but all were lacking in some regard.

 

[Jeremy2171]

Yugo M90 or M95 AK....

 

[G27RR]

Of the ones I have much direct experience with, I'd say my Sig 556. Reliable, accurate, solid construction, good sights, top rail for optics, folding stock, selectable gas port, ambi-safety, decent trigger, and takes widely available AR mags (even though it's not an AR-based rifle).

 

[451 Detonics]

Benelli MR-1 or the AR-180 would be my choices.

 

[Byron]

I prefer the Mini-14.It is accurate,tough,reliable. The AR's can drop a magazine too easily while the Mini-14 has the magazine locked into place. Byron

 

[aka108]

Sport Utility- Not Varmit How about a Howa 1500 bolt action. It's utility and sport and pretty accurate.

 

[Snowbandit]

Remington made a politically correct model 7600 pump rifle in .223 for a while. It took regular AR magazines. I don't see them listed on their website anymore so they probably dropped them. It would be hard to find but, if I ever run across one for a fair price I would like to have it.

 

[skoro]

I really like my Mini-14. So reliable it becomes boring. Looks good with its wood stock and blued metal. Shoots as accurately as I'd ever need. Some slag on the Mini's accuracy, but the newer models are pretty decent.

 

[AlexanderA]

Daewoo K2. Main problem is that most of them that were imported into the U.S. have 1-in-12 barrels, which kind of limits them to the original 55 gr. bullet loading. If you can get one with the 1-in-7 barrel, go for it.

This was a piston gun way ahead of its time, combining features of the M16, the AK47, and the FAL. Unlike the Armalite AR-180, this one uses standard M16 magazines.

 

[ny32182]

In terms of something that was actually widely used by at least some "western" militaries I would think the Galil is probably it, but if you consider everything available today and consider total capabilities, I would bet one of the next generation platforms such as the SCAR would be the "best".

 

[jcollins1007]

the sig 556 is pretty slick. has anyone tried or heard anything about the acr?

 

[atblis]

Another vote for Daewoo

One of the best folding stocks
Has optics rail mounting directly on top of the upper receiver similar to the AR
All the ergos of the AR platform.
Piston if that does anything for you.

The SCAR is certainly a contender.

The Galil seems appealing in concept, but once in hand at the range it's rather meh. I don't even consider them to be an improvement over the AK as they're often described.

 

[jcollins1007]

the scar is nice i guess, but it seems a little overpriced for what you are actually getting.

 

[nwilliams]

My vote goes to the SCAR.

 

[Dr.Rob]

HK 93

Don't expect to find one cheap. Only 18,000 or so were imported, the magazines are rare and they beat up brass.

Still its a scaled down HK 91/G3 rifle and that roller locking mechanism is slick.

For the average Joe not shooting 3 gun matches a Mini 14 is just fine.

 

[InkEd]

Sig 556

 

[Panzercat]

/steps in with a keltec su-16c.
Under five pounds, supremely compact, reliable. Takes most AR attachments with the reliability of an AK gas system. Proven torture testing, great keltec customer service.