Top 3 AR15 variations

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K_Dubbya

K_Dubbya

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Greetings,

I have a spare stripped lower that I want to build my 3rd AR15 with. I currently have a 16" with an ACOG and 10.5" with and eotech/magnifier combo. Instead of building another 10.5" what are some other variations I should consider and why?

I have a Remington 700 in .308 with a 20" HB for hunting and longer range shooting.

Im torn between going under 10.5" due to ballistic capability and having possible issues with cycling. Or going over 16" with a scope and building a second longer range/hunting rifle in .223.

Im not opposed to having another 10.5" AR pistol but what are your thoughts given the information provided for the third build?

Thoughts? TIA.
 
A ten inch pistol. But in Blackout.
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Or maybe another sixteen.
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But in 450 Bushmaster.

I really like the long range idea too...
Valkyrie.
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Hmm... Still kinda hard ta choose...:)
 
I really like my 20" 1in7 556 AR, I mounted a 4x12 scope and I shoot it fairly well, it likes 62gr IMI and 62gr that I reload. I have shot it out to 200yrds.
I have been looking at the 6.5 grendel and the 458 socom for my next builds, 24" grendel and 16"socom.
I think whatever you choose, next you will be asking about the top 4 variations as you get ready to build another
 
If it was me: having longer/precision covered by the bolt gun, I'd build a .300 BO pistol. They are much more pleasant to shoot than .223 pistols, and you can run reduced cast bullets for plinking fun.

In fact, it was me, and I did. I would have gone for a 9mm pistol, but the components are still 2x the cost of a .300 BO setup.
 
C-grunt said:
I'd build an iron sight rifle with a carry handle. I love my M16A4 build.
Click to expand...

I think there’s a generation or two of us who really enjoy A2 types, and I think that favor just won’t survive the next generation or two.

One of my favorite AR’s I own is an Hbar M4gery with an A2 handle, a Bushmaster factory rifle, upgraded with a Bushmaster National Match 2 stage trigger. It’s a few barrels into its life, and I have kept all of them the same Bushmaster factory barrel to stay true to form. No single aspect about it is really my “favorite,” but it’s been one of my favorite rifles I have owned.

Also helps, that come what may, if a round can be made to fire, that Bushy will make it bark.
 
I have added one more to my inventory, since this was taken, a PSA-15 18" .223 Wylde 1 in7" Twist, rifle length gas system, with a Burris 4.5-14X MTAC scope. I suggest you consider building a rifle length system with a 18" to 24" heavy barrel to see just how accurate the platform can be. IMG_20170704_175248098.jpg
 
Varminterror said:
I think there’s a generation or two of us who really enjoy A2 types, and I think that favor just won’t survive the next generation or two.

One of my favorite AR’s I own is an Hbar M4gery with an A2 handle, a Bushmaster factory rifle, upgraded with a Bushmaster National Match 2 stage trigger. It’s a few barrels into its life, and I have kept all of them the same Bushmaster factory barrel to stay true to form. No single aspect about it is really my “favorite,” but it’s been one of my favorite rifles I have owned.

Also helps, that come what may, if a round can be made to fire, that Bushy will make it bark.
Click to expand...

My first AR was that style. But I've drifted away from them being appealing. I think like all fashions they'll come and go as long as we're able to assemble ARs.
 
I’m also in the precision group while saving a bit on .308 ammo. If not that, a retro build. I find .300BO intriguing but with casual shooters in my household I won’t risk having both it and 5.56 under the same roof.

You could always try a stubby barrel/suppressor combo or a long flash can if suppressing is not an option. I would however place this option in a very distant 3rd as you already own a pistol.
 
If I could have only 3 they would be a classic A2, a heavy barrel precision for accurate long distance shooting, and an 8.5" long 300 BLK (requires an SBR tax stamp).
 
Varminterror said:
If I were only going to have 3 AR’s, I’m quite certain I’d have at least 3 uppers for each lower...
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I absolutely agree. I have 2 lowers right now and each has a dedicated upper. I will likely not build more lowers, but instead spend the money on better trigger and additional uppers. Once you figure out what you like you will likely repeat that build over and over anyway if you try to do multiple lowers, so I just figured it out and built mine and will keep building uppers to do the other stuff I want the rifle to do. I still want a .20 practical in a 18 or 20” heavy target barrel. I have no use for it, but I could build the upper with glass to suit me for about $600. If I had to repeat the lower itself to do it then it would be more in the $900-1000 range. I had a 3rd AR but I had my fun with a pistol and could t find a really good use for it.
 
This post has been bugging me for a few days, as I really just can’t think of what I would pick if I could only have 3. Equally, I can’t really decide what I would recommend to a random stranger if THEY were to only own 3...

Why?

Because I personally have more than 3 diverse applications for AR’s.

Because I do not know what 3 particular applications the random stranger might have for AR’s.

It’s easy to say someone needs an AR9 pistol/SBR for short range blasting and defense, a 5.56 18-20” rifle for hunting varmints and coyotes, and a 24” 6.5 Grendel for long range shooting... but if someone doesn’t have access to a long-range range, they have no use for a 6.5 Grendel. If they don’t hunt, they might not need a hunting 5.56. Maybe they don’t need enjoy turning money into noise, and don’t have use for an AR9 pistol... Maybe they have no use for any AR at all?

For me, I have a lot more than 3 diverse applications for which I use AR-15’s, so considering only 3 AR’s isn’t just about giving up rifles/pistols/SBR’s, it’s about giving up hobbies, pastimes, and passions in my life which require AR’s.
 
If I had to pick three lowers it would be:
1. Glock patterned lower with a 8” barreled 9mm pistol
2. AR15 lower with a 5.56, 7.62x39, and 6.8 SPC II uppers
3. AR10 (small frame lower) in 7mm-08 and .243 upper

If I was just building out 3 AR15 lowers with no additional uppers it would be (which I think is the question at hand):
1. 18”, 1:8 twist mid length gas 5.56
2. 14.7” pinned ASR Mount 1:9 twist carbine length gas, 7.62x39
3. 20” 1:11.25 twist, intermediate length gas 6.8 SPC II
 
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