Which AR to buy?

[RealleyCool]

I have decided to purchase an AR (5.56 Nato) and wanted to ask for advice on make/model. I am pretty fond of the DPMS MK12 and the Benelli MR1 but am in no way dead set on either model. I am also a left handed shooter so please let the opinions flow...I also want to stay at or under the $1500 range.

[VBshooter]

Stag Arms makes a very good AR ,I have one and use a lot of their parts in my builds ,They also make left handed models.... That being said I am left handed too but have found using a right handed model OK after installing a small rubber enhancer in the bolt to aid the ejections or you can purchase stronger springs ,,,,,,,Go by so fast I don;t see them.. Bushmaster, Fulton Armory, and of course Colt all make good guns... Just a matter of who you want to deal with... Colt,Fulton, Bushmaster are a little pricier while Stag is about midde ground on price....DPMS may be good ..I have always heard two opinions ,,folks either love them or hate em..Same goes for Olympic Arms... Hope I helpd a little bit here , Some of the other guys will probably add to the info when they see this.

[RealleyCool]

Thanks, I checked out the Stag Arms model 2TL. It looks good on paper. I have a friend with a DPMS MK12 and I really like it but it is at the upper end of my price range. The stag is a little less expensive and has the features I am looking for. I appreciate the info.

[allingeneral]

Hello Mr. Cool. I lost ya at Chili's the other night...I had to go - I had been sitting there too long lol

This is the one you're looking at?

[allingeneral]

btw - don't forget that even after you drop the coin for the gun, you still have to get some optics for it

[RealleyCool]

Hey, yes that is the one Im considering. I did check out the Stag Arms lefty options and I dont think that's a bad route either. Im not making the purchase for two or three months but I wanted to start the research now. BTW, I dig the site...

[grumpyMSG]

It wasn't too long ago someone else was asking the same question:
http://vagunforum.net/want-buy/long-tim ... t8621.html
I am also left handed, but I would recommend against the Stag left handed models for two reasons, some of the parts are left handed model specific and if you pick up another AR some controls are in the wrong place. The same goes if someone who owns a regular AR picks up yours. The reality is all AR made with the flat-top uppers and M16A2 style uppers and even some of the newest M16A1 type uppers have a built in brass deflector. Just look for a bump right behind the ejection port in front of the forward assist.

As for which rifle to purchase, that depends on the intended use. If it's primary purpose is home defense, compactness is a virtue. if it is for Varmints a longer barrel, a free floating handguard, a good optic and good trigger would be helpful. As for the Benelli, it may use the same magazine, but that is about the only part that is AR. You should be able to pick up a good quality rifle for $900-1200 and then save the rest for changes that suit your needs/wants.

[RealleyCool]

Thanks Grumpy, I do understand that the MR1 isnt an AR platform but it is a 5.56 and has ambi safety, mag release and bolt so I threw it on the list, and like you said it uses AR mags. Appreciate your input, I didnt think about interchangeability issues with lefty specific models. The main purpose of this rifle is to punch holes in paper and of course to be ready for the zombie apocalypse. it will never be for hunting, primarily recreation/home defense.

[VBshooter]

I'll add another .02 here,,,I have a Stag Leftie, and a couple of FN based righties. Only issue I found I disliked between the two is the selector on the right handed models is a bit of a PITA to use left handed ,, Easy enough to fix I put left handed selectors on all of them, Ambi types work well too but rub my thumb using the left hand grip and it's distracting to me ,,,,, The mag release is another possible issue ,I would like the Leftie release that is out there but at $100 they can keep it and I'll adjust to the other,,Pretty much any way you go the parts are out there to swap it around to personal preferences very easily.

[RealleyCool]

I'll add another question. What about gas operated vs piston? Most of my friends that have ARs have gas operated weapons so I dont have any feedback on the piston type from a users POV.

[VBshooter]

I don't have a piston version myself but they appear to be fine , JUst adds a little to the costs...The biggest thing I hear of them is they keep the action cleaner due to not blowing gases back into the receiver. If you clean them after each use I personally don;t see any big advantage to a piston operated one.,.. Someone who owns one can add their comments and we all may benefit from their knowlwdge..

[allingeneral]

BTW, I dig the site...

Sweet!

[crowell33]

Just my 2 cents, but I'm a big fan of the MR1. I've shot one before and immediately fell in love with it. Although it's not a traditional AR, I think it's fantastic. And you definitely won't see at every range you go to.

[RealleyCool]

I just read an article on a torture test of a Sig516. It's pretty crazy what they did to that rifle and it's even more amazing how it responded. Not sure if anyone else has read it, I saw it in the semiannual AR-15 book that G&A puts out. I think I just added another gun to the list of possibles.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[grumpyMSG]

One quick word of advice concerning articles written in Guns and Ammo or any other magazine for that matter. Gun companies will not provide firearms for review if the articles are too scathing. In the publication you are refering to, did they give a bad review to any firearms? I do not want to discourage you from the Sig, I just want you to make a good honest evaluation of it. Personally I have a few Sig pistols, one German manufactured and on U.S. manufactured and I have no real complaints about them.

[RealleyCool]

Good point. It's not so much their opinion that interested me though. They put 7 mags through it as fast as they could then dunked it in a barrel of cold water then more mags, then buried it in sand, then more mags, then mud/mags, then pond water/mags then took it to a 100 yard range and still shot 2.25 inch groups and all that was after 30,000 rounds had been through that barrel.

Maybe I'm a sucker for propaganda but it has picture showing all of it...lol

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[allingeneral]

Well - it's hard to dispute pictures!



I have always liked the looks of Sig Sauer ergonomics, though I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet.

[grumpyMSG]

Well - it's hard to dispute pictures!



I have always liked the looks of Sig Sauer ergonomics, though I haven't had a chance to shoot one yet.

Isn't that a picture of a Ruger? That looks like one of their flash supressors.

[meak99]

That is the Ruger 556....

SIG 516:

[surefire]

I have a Stag 2T and a Colt AR15. Love them both, but the Stag seems to be easier to accessorize for some reason. My Stag feels lighter than the Colt with the same gear on them, and overall it was easier on my wallet. If you can drop the cash, I'd recommend a Noveske. I hope to get one myself soon. Good luck!