Building an AR For Home Defense(tech branch load of questions)

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

What is the preferred length for an AR that is specifically for HD?

I’m just going to organize this in Q&A form like a good old tech branch letter so it will be easy to answer and also statements, which people should feel free to correct and sound off on.

  1. I suspect the best length would most likely be an SBR, but I’m wondering what is the best length/gas system? I don’t want something that is pretty much a PDW weapon or so short that it make getting an AR platform kind of pointless. Also for NFA SBRs who are the go to people for those upper?

  2. In terms of potential hearing safety, does a suppressor make sense? I am not going to try and put on muffs in an sd situation. I could miss my wife calling, my daughter or a noise from an intruder or that could have just been my cat.

I know a can will add length, but I would think preventing hearing damage and I feel being thrown off but a shot fired inside. I always use earpro so I know it would through me off and beyond the hearing just possibly my eyes from the flash. I also want to make it so that god forbid my wife (who doesn’t like guns, more in the don’t waste money than any gun control reason) or one of our parents if they are watching my daughter (I will try me give people basic instructions so it won’t be a total as you go along situation).

If a can is a good idea what’s an economical recommendation for one with noise and flash reduction in a dwelling as the main mission? For cost reasons if I can’t swing a suppressor for awhile is it better to just go with it unsupressed for the time being?

  1. What type of attachments make the most sense for home protection use? The gun is only for range use or home protection. So I don’t need anything (while potentially fun) that is outside that mission. Is iron sights better than optics? If not what are good, but not super high priced optics.

  2. Does it make sense to get a stripped lower and have it made into a pistol so I can use a SBR upper (mostly for function and testing) while waiting for paper work? Obviously I’m not having a non pistol lower (even if its never been married to an upper) sitting around with an NFA upper. Should I just get a regular length and just use that for testing till I get a stamp? Honestly I’d rather not have to buy two uppers.

  3. Is there a way some can explain what makes a good lower and upper (say noveske, bcm, DD) vs a…lesser one like rguns, polymer ones, etc? I can understand a crappy one is out of spec or damaged, but what makes the best ones the best? Is it more the QA than the actual making or materials (ignoring polymer from the equation). Same with other parts such as lpks, uppers, barrels, etc.

  4. I plan to build this over time, what’s the best buy order to go with one assuming an NFA build and another assuming a non NFA build? It seems parts and ar supplies are almost back to normal pricing and stockwise. Mags are definitely, and only ammo and reloading stuff being iffy.

  5. Speaking of mags and ammo, what do people suggestion for something that might have to be fired in a dwelling? Also can people recommend a practice ammo? I can’t afford to just practice only with defensive ammo.

  6. Also I don’t have a big budget to work with, so I can’t go super high end. I want to be able to protect my family, and while I’m not trying to cheap out with the highpoint of ARs to protect my family, I can’t go super high end either.

Some additonal facts; I’m left handed and I should add that I live in PA, so NFA weapons (with the apparently exception of explosive DD ammo) is kosher (Le chaim). Currently live in a second floor apt, my bedroom is the room furthest from the front door, our daughters bedroom is a room ahead (so hunker down is not an option in a suspected home invasion…besides I also have to make sure the cat is safe too). Guns are kept in a locked storage locker in the walk in closet. Ammo and mags on a shelf in the walk in closet. The hallway isn’t narrow, but maneuverability would be hard with a full size rifle if facing against a wall. The area itself is very safe and a suburb of Philadelphia, but still why not protect yourself when you can.

Our Sheriff is NFA friendly, but I’m also a PA (and NY) licensed attorney, so I’ll most likely just do a trust so I don’t have to bother with the additional fingerprints. We also have a very strong castle doctrine law, so barring anything bizarre like dragging a guy back into my house and shooting him (which would be murder vs a sticky fact pattern), I’m not worried about using legally owned NFA weapons or if its taken as evidence/confiscated/PD uses it for some…if my family is safe, that’s all I care about.

I shoot far better with a rifle than I do a handgun, dramatically so. Only handguns I have are 22 or a 38 S&W gun that the RHKP used to own. Only other rifles are 22lr (m&p 15-22, savage bolt) and an IBM M1 Carbine which is the current HD current and while I love and shoot great with it, its not an optimal pic for reliability and age reasons. I don’t want a shotgun. I’d prefer more ammo capacity and less recoil.

Thanks in advance, and apologies if some of the questions have been asked a lot before.

2

If NFA weapons are within you’re grasp than something like a 11.5-12.5 inch barrel with a suppressor attached will still give you a short OAL. Only things besides that for a good defensive carbine would be a RDS(EOTech or Aimpoint) a good white light(Surefire Mini Scout or the like) and a sling. Whatever you chose make sure if its going to be your go to gun you get some training and practice with it. Ideally you wanna shake the gun out to ensure its reliability, if you go with any of the known performers(Colt, BCM, DD,Lmt, Kac or Larue) you can’t really go wrong with that setup.

3

This is a home D gun. Anyone who suggests any different is gay.

End of thread.

4

Markm, are you missing Rob_s or something?

BTW sweet blaster.

5

Colt 6933, Aimpoint T-1, Vickers Sling, Surefire 6PX or X300, possibly a quality can(personal decision), and quality ammo. Call it good. Personally, I don’t want to SBR a lower, would rather buy a SBR. An SBR from BCM, Noveske, Daniel Defense, or KAC would also be fine. When I say SBR, I mean b/w 11.5" and 10.3"

Perfection would be a LWRC SBR, right markm?

6

It’s an EXACT replica of what I carried in NAM! :cool:

Right down to the gunfighter grip and pmag.

7

Only thing I’d add to this is a suppressor, because even if I had time to grab my earpro, don’t really think my fam would.

8

To mirror what kest_01 stated, stay with known quality brands like Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense, Colt, etc. Barrel no shorter than 10.3". A suppressor will definitely help save hearing indoors. Add a good light, quick optic like an Aimpoint, and a quality sling.

9

I’ll take my chances with something that hits a little harder against someone who could have been balls deep in smack and amphetamines all day. 6.8SPC LWRC… and it isn’t loud at all… i promise :blink: hah. It is actually incredibly loud but a badass weapon nonetheless.

10

I would say that a can is not something to get hung up on, while they have their obvious benefits I wouldn’t say they are a must. As Dave Grossman details in “On Combat” a very common reported phenomenon is auditory exclusion. Basically what this means is that in a fear induced high stress situation, such as a home invasion, the odds of you actually hearing your shots are very slim. Although not necessarily fear induced the same phenomenon happens regularly with hunters, has happened to me every time. If you have a family however you may still opt for the can, personal choice for you.

An SBR would be a good choice for maneuverability but you’re gonna be waiting a while. I have a BCM 14.5 that maneuvers just fine in my house. You gotta remember you’re aiming down the hall not shooting from one wall across to the next, does 4" of barrel really make or break your performance?

I would say if you have the means to get an SBR and a can and are willing to wait up to 9 months then do it. Otherwise a 14.5" with a solid light and RDS will prob suit you just fine. Irons are fine as well, but IMO a RDS is easier for my eye to pick up in low light situations even with my light. For your other questions just spend an afternoon reading various posts across the forum and you’ll find your answers, good luck.

11

8. Also I don’t have a big budget to work with, so I can’t go super high end. I want to be able to protect my family, and while I’m not trying to cheap out with the highpoint of ARs to protect my family, I can’t go super high end either.

The above which is attributed to you, is going to solve part of your problem. Your best option is to contact Grant at GandRTactical and get one of his Colt 6920’s or BCM carbines. Add a light and a sling and then use that until you can modify your existing weapon.

You don’t need a rail and the NFA option isn’t practical at this point. Parts are still expensive and you still need to wait 6-8 months for BATFE approval.

12

https://danieldefense.com/daniel-defense-m4-carbine-isr-300-blackout-integrally-suppressed-rifle-1.html

13

Very true… sorry. Anyways my honest suggestion would to not worry about going the SBR route unless you really just want an SBR. The inside of a house isn’t somewhat confining but it is nothing so significant that a 16" or 14.5" can’t handle it easily. I don’t know what your budget is, but LMT, BCM, and Colt are very dependable, high quality, and not overly expensive ARs and would be my personal top picks. If these are priced a little high for you, you can maybe look into PSA since they seem to be fairly cheap but still pretty decent. I would add a KAC RAS M4 (used for like $90-100), an Aimpoint PRO, and a good light (preferably one with the momentary on option since a light kinda gives away your position in a dark house) and that would be it. Obviously optics and rails can be different depending on your preference but this is simply what i would do.

Of course a can would be nice but if you have to deal with an intruder, i don’t think the noise will bother you all that much. And a suppressor would add a significant amount of extra cost to the build. Can + SBR = automatic $400 that you are simply handing over to the gov. I had a few friends who refused to wear ear pro over in Iraq/Afghanistan and they seem to be getting along alright at the moment.

14

Alright that post and the previous “anything else is gay” comment are 2 of the most entertaining comments I’ve read in quite a while.

Visions of mark in my head at low ready in da jungle with Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black In the background. :slight_smile:

-Jax

15

Mix in a little Jimmy Hendrix Along the Watchtower. :cool:

16

Hey, nothin’ but a thang brotha.

17

And a little ccr “run through the jungle” it is nam…

18

Seriously though OP NFA not considered my HD rifle is a 14.5" middy DD FSB pencil barrel with a BCM Comp Mod 1, & a MOE handguard.

Vltor MUR1A, BCM BCG, Aimloint T1, Surefire M600C (w/clicky tail cap) on a MOE Scout mount which is absolutely fantastic for switch manipulation.

Lower has a Vltor A5 w/a Redi-Mag attached. Very light considering I have an extra mag on board of which I consider a great plus. Normally what you grab in the middle of the night is all that you’ll have with you.

-Jax

ETA: Anything else would be considered uncivilized… or gay. :wink:

19

Honestly, this is pretty much what I was thinking, as well. Even the configuration is dead-on, with the exception of the stock.

If not going the NFA route, a quality 16" carbine or middy from Colt/BCM/DD/LMT, with an Aimpoint PRO and Magpul MOE handguard with a Streamlight TLR-1 attached to it, would be the way to go. Your choice of sling, but the choices from Vickers or VTAC will both do well.

20

Hey,
Go to Wally World and get a Colt 6920. It’s a lot easier buying a good rifle already put together. I used to think putting rifles together was cool. I just think it’s a big hassle now. The Colt is the best bang for the buck IMHO…