Best SHTF AR15/M4 Platform for Durability/Reliability and what spare parts?

[Washington]

Hello gentlemen. I'm new to the forum so I'll quickly introduce myself. I am a history professor and long time gun enthusiast. I'm proud to bear the "Washington" name as my handle on this website, I will use it in good health rest assured. I have spent a lot of time reading on your forums and have not found the answers to my questions so I figured I would ask directly.

Anyway, onto business. I have quite a collection of AR-15/M4 rifles that I have amassed over the years. I have taken about a dozen tactical operator classes from a local training agency. I've become fairly confident in my ability to shoot a plethora of rifles under most conditions (other than of course being shot at lol).

It is my nature to always be prepared, and in the event of a SHTF scenario such as: financial meltdown resulting in mass riots/looting, foreign military invasion, or even armed domestic insurrection I need to know some things.

Here are my questions numbered for ease of viewing:


1. What AR15/M4 platform/brand/model would be the most durable, reliable, and trustworthy in times of absolute life and death. I have quite a large budget, so money is no option. Considerations here include ability to sustain heavy amounts of ammunition being thrown downrange without MINIMIZED chance of major mechanical malfunction or damage, as well as being practical for part interchangeability in case of the need to scavenge (HK416 is out of the question for this reason).

2. What part(s) would you recommend to have on hand besides the usual cleaning tools, extra magazines/ammo, mag lula, and various optics? I currently have 2 Bushnell trophy red dots, and a cheapo holographic that I don't much care for. Any other suggestions for extra equipment to have? (Different optics, bolts, firing pins, etc)

3. Should I decide to keep a 7.62x39 on hand for ammo scavenging purposes, what would be the MOST reliable and user-friendly rifle of this type? I am new to the AK platform, so I will need good suggestions here. Furthermore, what parts/accessories for this would be advantageous?


Lastly, I was considering buying a Stag Arms ST2T Plus Package and mounting an EOTECH 512 on top to co-witness the midwest rear flip sight w/ standard front post. Is this a good rifle for the purposes I illustrated above? Furthermore will the EOTECH 512 cowitness the stock sights properly?


Sorry for this excessively long post, but I figured this is the best place to come for advice. I appreciate it guys, I really do.

Take care!

-JW

[Meplat]

[BountyXP]

I guess my first question would be...if you have "quite a collection" of "AR-15/M4 rifles"...what about your current collection leads you to believe one of them cannot serve as the platform for this build? Since you dedicated a lot of space to reliability issues have your current rifles proven to be unreliable or malfunction prone in some way that is directly attributable to the characteristics of the rifle and not maintenance, magazines, user error, or some other factor?

Telling us what you have and why none of it will work in your opinion would give us a better understanding of what to suggest for your needs. The answer may be sitting in your gun safe already...

[Washington]

I guess my first question would be...if you have "quite a collection" of "AR-15/M4 rifles"...what about your current collection leads you to believe one of them cannot serve as the platform for this build? Since you dedicated a lot of space to reliability issues have your current rifles proven to be unreliable or malfunction prone in some way that is directly attributable to the characteristics of the rifle and not maintenance, magazines, user error, or some other factor?

Telling us what you have and why none of it will work in your opinion would give us a better understanding of what to suggest for your needs. The answer may be sitting in your gun safe already...

Thanks for the reply.

I have the following:

Bushmaster Carbon 15 (Surprisingly very good)
Olympic Arms GI-16 (low end plinker)
Sig 556 SWAT (Very disappointed in this one)
Colt Match/Target AR-15
Rock River Arms Tactical Entry
Armalite LEC15 Flat Top


From what I understand, some of the higher end AR's, such as the Stag I mentioned (being on the lower end), some LWRC rifles, spike's tactical, etc. are the best of the best when it comes to overall quality and durability. As far as my guns go, I have not had more than a few failure to feeds or failure to extracts overall. I use Lancer L5 translucent mags for the most part (the updated ones with the black followers).

Any further insight would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Norinco]

I'm not trying to be a jerk but this is getting out of hand.

If you read the stickys at the top of the forum you might just find the information your looking for.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7355

[crazymoose]

There is quite a bit of high-quality hardware on the market. As has been said, Colt, LMT, Bravo Company, Noveske, Knights Armament Co., and Daniel Defense are generally recognized as occupying the highest tier.

For maximum durability, I suggest a hammer-forged and chrome-lined barrel. Unless you want to assemble your own rifle (not at all difficult after purchasing about $150 worth of tools), this leaves Bravo Co. and Daniel Defense as the best-priced and most readily available options. Another consideration for reliability and durability is a mid length or rifle length gas system. Since you want a hammer-forged barrel to maximize barrel life, this eliminates the rifle length system (as far as I know, there aren't any manufacturers offering a hammer-forged 20" barrel; if someone makes such a barrel, I'd like to know about it).

Essentially, what you're looking for is a 16" barreled rifle with a mid gas system, easily available from Bravo Co. and Daniel Defense. For spare parts, I'd keep an extra complete bolt, fire control assembly springs, an action spring, and batteries for your chosen optic (if it uses them).

For optics, I would suggest an Aimpoint for non-magnified use, either the small T1 model or the larger M4, which uses "AA" batteries. If you want some magnification, a Trijicon ACOG is extremely durable and does not require batteries. A quality optic should be used in conjunction with a quality mount, and one should expect to pay over a hundred dollars for a good mount (LaRue, American Defense, among others) that will be durable and which will retain its zero even after abuse and repeated mounting and dismounting. Also, if using a non-magnified optic, decide if you want your iron sights arranged in an "absolute" co-witness with the optic's dot (tip of front sight sits precisely in the middle of the optic's field of view), or the "lower third" co-witness, where the sights occupy the lower third of the field of view. This will dictate the height of the mount to be used. Personally, I prefer the "lower third" option, as it allows a more uncluttered aiming field as long as the optic is functional. Also, do you want a fixed rear sight, which will always be in view, or a folding sight, which will be out of the way, but requires you to flip it into place before use, should the optic fail?

Stock, grip, and handguard/rail selection is more a matter of preference and is not material to the mechanical function of the rifle, although a good stock or grip can store batteries, cleaning and lubrication supplies, small spare parts, etc.

My expertise is very limited compared to that of some of this site's experts, but the above considerations are what I follow when building rifles for the purpose you've stated.

[Magic_Salad0892]

If money is no worry:

KAC SR-15 E3 IWS, USGI magazines (NHMTG Mag body, Magpul L Plate, and YELLOW Follower, with SAW Red magazine spring), Federal 62 gr. TBBC 5.56mm, or Mk. 262 5.56mm ammo.

For optic. Nightforce NXS 1-4, in KAC 30mm QD mount.

Sling: Gear Sector 2 point, with Mount-N-Slot

Light: SureFire Scout + KAC Light mount (or gear sector mount)+ Surefire Tape Switch

Tango Down Pistol Grip

KAC Hand Stop

Best general purpose rifle out of the box. With minimal modification. Any more modification makes it more of a niche rifle than what you're looking for.

Approx service life: 30k rounds. For the barrel. Bolt life is unknown, but I've heard of like 3 E3 bolts with 80k + rounds on them.

[Magic_Salad0892]

(as far as I know, there aren't any manufacturers offering a hammer-forged 20" barrel; if someone makes such a barrel, I'd like to know about it).

Noveske? BCM, and DD?... Don't they?...

[2theXtreme]

Very well put moose! Not much you can add to that. I wish I had that post when I bought my first M4.

Like others have said it is obvious which brands occupy the top tier. So no need to go there. Also, search search and search some more. I am positive all the information you seek lies somewhere. If not on this site the definitely in the infinite cloud that is google. I have answered several of my own questions by searching. You've already gotten great advice! Go use it! And be safe while you do!

[jp0319]

Bushmaster Carbon 15 (Surprisingly very good)
Olympic Arms GI-16 (low end plinker)
Sig 556 SWAT (Very disappointed in this one)
Colt Match/Target AR-15
Rock River Arms Tactical Entry
Armalite LEC15 Flat Top

Preface: All my statements are personal opinion and in no way EXPERT advice!

Of those you listed I would only consider one worth while (My opinion) and that is the colt.

For a SHTF carbine I would stick to...
Colt
Daniel Defense
Bravo Company
Noveske

There may be other acceptible makes but I stick to these. I prefer the 14.5" midlength configuration with a fixed front sight and robust rear BUIS (Like Larue), this offers portability and pretty good ballistics. For optics I would stick to either an Aimpoint RDS or Trijicon ACOG if you want some magnification. Both are used every day in the military and are proven to work. The Aimpoint has by far the best battery life of any RDS optic period (around a year left constant on and years on standby). Reality is that with the available optics you dont NEED BUIS but if its a SHTF carbine that would be something to consider. Invest in a Dozen or more Pmags and lots of quality ammo.

My personal SHTF carbine is a 14.5" Daniel Defense upper, with a 9" DD Lite rail, fixed front sight, BCM Gunfighter CH, and pinned FH. On a DD Lower with an ASAP plate, BAD lever, JP Tactical Trigger, Ambi selector switch, and Magpul furnature. My optic is an Aimpoint M3 in a Bobro mount. The entire gun is KG Guncoated in Flat Dark Earth.

Good Luck,

JP