I have been lurking for a few weeks now trying to learn about my newly acquired weapon. My AR is a Home Defense and Pleasure gun for the range. Here are the specs of my AR:
From what I have read and seen, the S&W AR has a 1:9 barrel twist. This means that I am limited to <60gr ammo. My questions are:
-Is 55gr HP ammo ok for HD?
-I am concerned about shooting through walls in a HD situation, so will a 55gr bullet penetrate less than a 75gr bullet?
Some things I am considering for the future are:
-EO tech red dot sight (after I learn how to shoot irons)
-some kind of fore grip (want to try both AFG and VFG)
-Surefire flash light
-Vltor Stock
-possibly a more stable tactical hand guard
some 1-9 twist rate guns will run 70+ grain ammo with no problems and if you are worried about overpenetration with rounds i would highly running hordny tap 75gr or 60gr ammo in your gun once it hits most things it stops ive seen tests on it ive talked to officers that have had to use it in the line of duty out of there m4’s and it has always stoped after it has hit its target i have it in my go to rifle as i type this post please give it a look
Not sure if this is stuff you are planning on buying, or already purchased…
What are you mounting your front sight on? You have a railed gas block? I don’t think the Troys work on those. You can’t mount a sight on your MOE hand guards.
If you get a high quality railed hand guard, you can mount a sight on it.
If I were you, I would just spend the money on the Troy folding rear sight and use a fixed front sight if it’s a money issue (my preference being the Daniel Defense or pinned front sight base).
I’d recommend checking out the Spikes tactical buffer. It reduces recoil, from what I’ve read in reviews. I haven’t had a chance to shoot mine yet.
I have Brown Bear 62 HP in my HD gun. I can’t give any professional advice, but I use it for the HP and it isn’t as hot, so I have less chance of shooting through a wall into my neighbor’s apt.
H2 buffer: This gets talked about all the time. Try the H1 first.
MIAD grip: Looks good and comfy. Be sure you don’t like the A2 grip first. If you do sorta like it, try the MOE grip and look at the comments made on the thread I started when I complained about the MOE grip
(https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=48972).
MOE Handguards: Great addition to any rifle/carbine, but they are not a substitute for a rail system. Take a look at the comments about sling mounts: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=36421
Troy folding: I like a fixed front sight for most applications; you know it will be there if you need it.
Magpul Rear: I am trying one out right now; jury is still out.
BCM charging handle: Which one? You are getting an acceptable handle with the gun, so try that one first.
Viking sling: Some like 'em, but not my first choice. First for a two-point sling would be the Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS), and NOT the Victory versions. It doesn’t leave you with a long strap hanging when you cinch up the sling and it has better quality webbing (you would swear it was canvas, but it’s not).
Magpul ASAP: Take a look at the thread rob_s started on the conversion of VCAS slings to and from two and one point configurations. Whether you get a Viking or a Vickers, it’s worth reading. https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33734
If you are worried about wall penetration maybe you should rethink a rifle for a HD weapon. Seriously, for a HD situation I am grabbing a semi auto handgun first, second would be a shotgun, and third is my rifle. I have all three loaded and ready to roll by my bed. The rifle is more for putside intruders and the 4 legged type. In a CQB situation I don’t want a longgun, I prefer a handgun, but this has a lot to do with how I was trained and how I practice. If I must have a longgun it is a shotty with 18" barrel and pistol grip. I 223 is going to penetrate multiple walls, unless you hit a stud, the weight of the bullet has little to do with it. I think you may want to rethink your weapon of choice if you have others living in the house or next door.
The front sight is on a pinned/fixed tactical gas block with a rail on the top that holds the hand guard in, so it is not going anywhere. I leave the sights up all the time except for when the gun is in transit.
I have an H2 buffer to reduce recoil but i have not shot the gun yet, going this weekend so i will know then how i feel about the H2 buffer and whether i want to go heavier or lighter.
This is stuff that came with the gun.
H2 buffer: This gets talked about all the time. Try the H1 first.
MIAD grip: Looks good and comfy. Be sure you don’t like the A2 grip first. If you do sorta like it, try the MOE grip and look at the comments made on the thread I started when I complained about the MOE grip
(https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=48972).
MOE Handguards: Great addition to any rifle/carbine, but they are not a substitute for a rail system. Take a look at the comments about sling mounts: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=36421
Troy folding: I like a fixed front sight for most applications; you know it will be there if you need it.
Magpul Rear: I am trying one out right now; jury is still out.
BCM charging handle: Which one? You are getting an acceptable handle with the gun, so try that one first.
Viking sling: Some like 'em, but not my first choice. First for a two-point sling would be the Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS), and NOT the Victory versions. It doesn’t leave you with a long strap hanging when you cinch up the sling and it has better quality webbing (you would swear it was canvas, but it’s not).
Magpul ASAP: Take a look at the thread rob_s started on the conversion of VCAS slings to and from two and one point configurations. Whether you get a Viking or a Vickers, it’s worth reading. https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=33734
Hope this helps.
I like the grip, and i plan on getting a tactical hand-guard at some point down the road, i just need money. The charging handle is the mid length I think, good size for me to grab it and cock the gun. The sights stay up all the time, I just like the ability to fold them for transportation.
I picked the AR as a HD/pleasure gun because the .223 breaks up quickly and has a good amount of stopping power compared to a handgun. I just want to use the least penetrative .223 round that will work for my gun so I have piece of mind knowing the chances of a bullet ending up in the neighbors house is much smaller.
I don’t like shotguns because they are hard for me to wield in the house and it takes longer to chamber a round if you miss. Plus shooting 00-buck is almost as penetrative as shooting .223, if not more.
You have a nice weapon.
I’ve got a 15T and love it.
Seems to me all you’re lacking is a RDS and maybe a light.
On HD. I use a shotgun thats by the bed and 9mm in the bedstand and hope I never have to use them.
I would think a rifle round, 55gr or 75gr would over-pentetrate.
