herkyguy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2009
- Messages
- 1,409
I've got a Smith & Wesson M&P MOE. All black plane Jane wearing an Aimpoint PRO and a simple two-point sling. It co-witnesses quite nicely. It's super reliable. I've got plenty of cheap steel-cased ammo and probably 1000 rounds of Wolf Gold, not to mention the various nicer piles of ammo that I've come across over the years. I've never had a problem with the gun.....
But...... I can't seem to rationalize keeping it. I don't hunt with it, I've got a Winchester model 70 in 30-06 that is a tack driver, a rifled slug gun that hits deer like a bulldozer, and a CZ 527 that can shoot sub-MOA groups at 200 yards with boring (ok, not really boring, i smile every time) consistency. I'd opt for the CZ 527 over any hunting scenario where I could use the M&P for predators.
As far as plinking, I have way more fun with my two Winchester lever actions in .357 and .44 Magnum. I also have an AK style rifle with open sights. Frankly, if I'm on my feet and shooting steel out to 100 yards, I'll take the AK any day since I now view the increased precision afforded by my AR as quasi-wasted if I'm shooting from my feet or any unsupported positions. I'm just not going for MOA performance from a standing position or at a range where I'm pivoting for various targets.
On to home defense..... I've got a semi-auto 12 gauge with a nice bright light on the end. I also have a Sig MPX with hand-loaded 147 grain 9mm FP bullets that cook along at just over 1000 fpm. I'll opt for one of those two any day over a 55 grain .223 round at close to 3000 fps. My house is brick, but I'm still a bit worried about the neighbors if I ever resorted to my AR in that kind of scenario. The reduced recoil and the reduced noise alone of the MPX are, to me at least, well worth it. Not too mention a nice collection of handguns should the need arise.
I got into handloading years ago. I just can't bring myself to load specific to the AR. It's 16" barrel isn't going to give me what I could get from a bolt gun. Potentially, I could see myself going for an AR platform with a longer barrel in the future, but I'd just as easily build up one of these up and coming modular bolt guns that seem to be taking off. I have a quasi-custom Remington 700 in .308 and it shoots sub-MOA with handloads, I'd be pretty excited to do something in .223, just not with a plain vanilla AR.
sigh........ I just don't see the purpose of my 16" barreled AR in .223. I have a hard time believing it myself, but it's true.
But...... I can't seem to rationalize keeping it. I don't hunt with it, I've got a Winchester model 70 in 30-06 that is a tack driver, a rifled slug gun that hits deer like a bulldozer, and a CZ 527 that can shoot sub-MOA groups at 200 yards with boring (ok, not really boring, i smile every time) consistency. I'd opt for the CZ 527 over any hunting scenario where I could use the M&P for predators.
As far as plinking, I have way more fun with my two Winchester lever actions in .357 and .44 Magnum. I also have an AK style rifle with open sights. Frankly, if I'm on my feet and shooting steel out to 100 yards, I'll take the AK any day since I now view the increased precision afforded by my AR as quasi-wasted if I'm shooting from my feet or any unsupported positions. I'm just not going for MOA performance from a standing position or at a range where I'm pivoting for various targets.
On to home defense..... I've got a semi-auto 12 gauge with a nice bright light on the end. I also have a Sig MPX with hand-loaded 147 grain 9mm FP bullets that cook along at just over 1000 fpm. I'll opt for one of those two any day over a 55 grain .223 round at close to 3000 fps. My house is brick, but I'm still a bit worried about the neighbors if I ever resorted to my AR in that kind of scenario. The reduced recoil and the reduced noise alone of the MPX are, to me at least, well worth it. Not too mention a nice collection of handguns should the need arise.
I got into handloading years ago. I just can't bring myself to load specific to the AR. It's 16" barrel isn't going to give me what I could get from a bolt gun. Potentially, I could see myself going for an AR platform with a longer barrel in the future, but I'd just as easily build up one of these up and coming modular bolt guns that seem to be taking off. I have a quasi-custom Remington 700 in .308 and it shoots sub-MOA with handloads, I'd be pretty excited to do something in .223, just not with a plain vanilla AR.
sigh........ I just don't see the purpose of my 16" barreled AR in .223. I have a hard time believing it myself, but it's true.