Semi-auto 5.56 rifles

[John_R]

Why are there so few choices in 5.56 semiauto rifles? The AR15 is the gorilla in the room, of course, then there's the Mini 14 and the Kel Tec SU-16, and... what else? Anything? I would think there'd be more to choose from.

I don't mind the AR15, but I prefer the ergonomics of a traditional rifle stock. The Mini 14 is ok, but feels clunky to me, and the magazine insertion and release is balky. ARs spoil me for having the mags just drop free and slide in cleanly. I've never handed the SU-16 but all that plastic kind of turns me off. Reviews say it's a great rifle, though.

 

[<*(((><]

Beretta ARX 100
FN Scar 16
CZ 805 Bren
FN 2000
Keltec RDB
HK MR556A1
Steyr AUG
MSAR STG-556
Norinco 97NSR
Century Arms Golani Sporter Rifle in 556
VZ58
Saiga 556
ARES SCR
Bushmaster ACR (designed by MagPul as the ‘Masada’)

 

[Destructo6]

HK's SL6 and 630. Traditional-ish, but the mag issue might turn you off.

 

[Varminterror]

More choices in semiauto 223/5.56 rifles than in full size half ton pickups, probably by 2-3x. For perspective.

 

[Gridley]

As others note, I don't think the choices are limited. To add to the growing list:

Beretta ARX 100
Tavor SAR and X95

Plus the variety among the "AR-15" family is awe inspiring.

 

[John_R]

Yeah, I forgot about bullpups. There seems to be a huge cost premium for bullpups for not special reason. The HK SL6 looks cool, but pricey and probably hard to find. I should have been clearer, a non-pistol grip option is what I was looking for.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

There are 5.56 AKs out there too, some of which have the "sporter" stocks without pistol grip.

 

[<*(((><]

Yeah, I forgot about bullpups. There seems to be a huge cost premium for bullpups for not special reason. The HK SL6 looks cool, but pricey and probably hard to find. I should have been clearer, a non-pistol grip option is what I was looking for.

Look into the ARES SCR, don't know much about them but they meet the criteria I think you're desiring.

 

[John_R]

Look into the ARES SCR, don't know much about them but they meet the criteria I think you're desiring.

That one is interesting.

 

[d2wing]

The new Browning BAR if it come in semi-auto.

 

[Cokeman]

There are 5.56 AKs out there too, some of which have the "sporter" stocks without pistol grip.
View attachment 836635

I like that

 

[FL-NC]

It's hard to beat the AR15 style in any way: ability to customize, cost, ease of repair, choices in style, etc. When I bought my first mini 14 for less than $300 OTD 30+ years ago, I would have never believed that the AR15 would be cheaper than a mini one day.

 

[MistWolf]

Look into the ARES SCR, don't know much about them but they meet the criteria I think you're desiring.

Another plug for the Fightlite SCR. It uses a Remington 1100 stock, and its proprietary carrier can be used with any AR upper.

 

[John_R]

I like that

Me, too. Where would one find such a thing?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Me, too. Where would one find such a thing?

Armslist and gunbroker would be your best bets. That one's a Norinco, so it snuck in pre Clinton, but Saiga imported a very similiar model up until a couple years ago.

This ones in .223-

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I'm with the OP. There are plenty of semi-auto 223s out there, but 95% of them are some flavor of "assault rifle" and the Mini feels half baked. It's basically a $400 rifle with an $800 price tag.

The SU-16s always looked cool - something like 5 pounds unloaded, folds in half, gives you a chintzy little built-in bipod, etc. Wish I had got one when they were a bit cheaper.

 

[Cokeman]

Armslist and gunbroker would be your best bets. That one's a Norinco, so it snuck in pre Clinton, but Saiga imported a very similiar model up until a couple years ago.

How does the cost compare to the regular ones?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

How does the cost compare to the regular ones?

Ehh, depends on your location. I can only imagine that these command a premium in areas with feature bans, but they are relatively unloved (and cheap) in free states. I saw a nice Saiga Sporter at the LGS recently for $400 and it sat on the shelf for a couple weeks, while the same shop sells comparable standard AKs for $650ish.

The Norincos have nicer fit and finish, but the Saiga is perfectly serviceable and incorporates an actual bolt hold-open device (just forward of the trigger guard).

Norincos of all types are appreciating rapidly amongst AK circles, but the Sporters do seem to be a bit less desirable. I think they are neato, myself.

 

[IndianaBoy]

Why are there so few choices in 5.56 semiauto rifles? The AR15 is the gorilla in the room, of course, then there's the Mini 14 and the Kel Tec SU-16, and... what else? Anything? I would think there'd be more to choose from.

I don't mind the AR15, but I prefer the ergonomics of a traditional rifle stock. The Mini 14 is ok, but feels clunky to me, and the magazine insertion and release is balky. ARs spoil me for having the mags just drop free and slide in cleanly. I've never handed the SU-16 but all that plastic kind of turns me off. Reviews say it's a great rifle, though.

Because the AR is so superlative that the competition has largely given up.

 

[Skylerbone]

Perhaps a “featureless” stock might work for you? https://www.thordsencustoms.com/frs-15-gen-iii-rifle-stock.html

 

[John_R]

Perhaps a “featureless” stock might work for you? https://www.thordsencustoms.com/frs-15-gen-iii-rifle-stock.html

Bleah.

 

[Gtscotty]

Armslist and gunbroker would be your best bets. That one's a Norinco, so it snuck in pre Clinton, but Saiga imported a very similiar model up until a couple years ago.

This ones in .223-
View attachment 836660

I remember when those Saiga sporters were available new at places like Classic Arms for $249, and in converted form for ~$400. I can't for the life of me remember why I didn't buy one or two.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I remember when those Saiga sporters were available new at places like Classic Arms for $249, and in converted form for ~$400. I can't for the life of me remember why I didn't buy one or two.

My Dad actually did buy a small stack of Norinco SKS' back in the early '90s when they were $89 bucks NIB w/accessories, but I couldnt talk him into grabbing a couple of the $189 AKs right next to them......

Sigh.

 

[BigSteve57]

The SIG 516 is 5.56. It's maybe not the wooden stock ergonomics you're looking for. But I love mine.

 

[ATLDave]

And the Sig 55x series (I'm not sure whether they're importing it/making it domestically anymore) is another. Uses AR/Nato magazines, but totally different gun.

If the OP's question is actually why there are so few wooden-stocked semi-auto .223's, I'd say it's because they don't sell very well.