Just for kicks. If you could only have ONE AR. And it’s is used to protect yourself/family/friends from any kind of threat, from indoors too outside at long distance (500m). What would your ideal setup be?
My ideal setup is below which I also happen to own. I believe this setup to be quite versatile for almost any situation.
BCM 16" midlength upper with 13" KMR
Raptor ambi charging handle
Troy back up irons
Aimpoint and 3x magnifier
BCM VFG
MAGPUL STR stock
BCM Gunfighter grip
BAD-ass ambi controls
BCM Gunfighter Comp
Vickers 2 point sling
Knights SBR with URX 3.1 SOPMOD stock
T-2 in Knights mount
Raptor Ch Handle
BAD-CASS ST
BFG Vickers Sling
TangoDown BG16
SureFire M300c in GearSector Mod 3 mount
SureFire SOCOM brake for 556-RC
TA31 RCO-M4 ACOG with Bobro mount in nearby pocket
This is my go-to rifle, and I wouldn’t have it any other way…
20" 1/7 or maybe 1/8 barrel. Probably Lilja
Free float rail. Maybe a 12" Larue rail since the rifle length RIS is not available (or rather I can’t find one).
A1 buttstock
Giles sling.
US Optics 2.5 - 10, ACOG, aimpoint, and KAC rear sight (not all at once just available)
Bipod.
Bunches of 20 rounders and 69 or 77 gr ammo.
I could go the rest of my life on that set up alone.
There is differences depending on maximum distances and scenarios. When the distance grows, so do many things. For a HD scenario, I wouldn’t want more than than a 9" AAC blackout with black tip 110gr ammo with a short suppressor for my structurally brick home. Anothers choice could be could be an MK18 inspired build with Barnes barrier 50gr or 77gr BTHP. When distance matters barrel length grows, red dots lose out to magnification, caliber can switch to 762, everything can get heavier, etc. I can clear a room with a much easier and faster with a 9", red dot, low illumination light, and short can than an 16" SR-25 EMC with a 1-8x variable, with more light, and the can is bigger. Hitting at 600, I would reverse the roles any day of the week, finding the balance is the issue.
I don’t do meters, so I’ll just stick with my unexotic EAG carbine.
EAG carbine, magpul MOE SL stock, A5 kit, Aimpoint PRO in a LT150, KAC 300M buis (zerod at 200yds), Surefire P2X Fury in a Gear Sector mount, Gen M2 Pmag with IMI 77gr Razor Core.
BCM BFH 16" mid-length upper w/MI 9" free-float and A2 FSB
BCM complete lower
BCM stock, grip, trigger guard, and foregrip
Aimpoint H1 in LaRue LT660
Surefire G2XT in HSP Thorntail
DD Rear Sight
Magpul MS1
Only changes planned are a Surefire Mini Scout instead of the G2X, and an EFAB instead of the BCM comp. Wouldn’t mind moving to a nicer handguard, but it’s a low priority right now.
Well, since I’m stuck with an AR, I’d go with a Daniel Defense M4V5. Throw a WMLX on the side with a 45* off set mount, BCM Gunfighter fore and pistol grips, and MagPul ACS stock. For optic, I’ll take a good variable, and since I don’t actually have to pay for it, I’ll say a Trijicon VCOG, or at least a 1-4x TR-24. Lancer AWM for mags, all loaded up with Federal MSR Fusion or Mk 262 Mod 1.
EDIT: Forgot to add the Troy Tritium HK-style BUIS, V-Tac MultiCam sling, and finish it off with a rattle can paint job.
Mostly lurk here and don’t post much, but it would be what I have just built. Don’t hate on the lower, it was a gift from my BIL and it is actually a quality piece that is completely in spec.
Spikes lower with BCM parts kit, ALG trigger, and Magpul furniture
Rainier upper receiver with Ultramatch 14.5" barrel, Rainier 11" free float
Eotech sight and magnifier in Larue mount
I’d change the optic for a better 1-6 scope but this setup is small enough to move around but can reach out and touch someone/something if asked.
SR-15 Mod2, Magpul K2 grip, Magpul STR stock
Leupold Mk6 1-6 with CMR-W ret in Nightforce rings
KAC offset irons
Surefire mini scout in KAC mount
BFG VCAS sling
A basic A-2 or A-4 rifle. Its what I’ve had that I liked the most.
I dont figure to use an AR IN my house, which is a one room cabin, and most of what I’d expect to be a problem here would be 4 legged and furry, from skunk to grizzly. I dont kick in doors for a living or recreationally, dont carry an AR around in the vehicle except to go shoot it at rocks and steel plates. The rifle is really nice for shooting out to 800 or so yards. Not so muzzle blasty, no movable stock. When I used to hunt small game and varmints, It wasnt hard to hit running rabbits with them. Prairie dogs at 300 yards were pretty consistent at about 6-7 for 10 with glass, even a carry handle mounted scope. Makes me happy.
Any particular reason why you would make your hypothetical one and only AR a DPMS with no means of attaching your PEQ-15??
If I only had 1 to use, and with no budgetary or legal constraints, imagination full steam ahead, mine would be:
KAC SR-15 E3 14.5" Carbine
Aimpoint T-2, ADM SOCOM mount
Magpul MBUS Pro Offset sights
Griffin FlashComp
Griffin Recce 5
Geissele SD-E Trigger
Magpul STR
Magpul MS3 sling
BCM Gunfighter Grip
Rainier Raptor CH
and
Whatever vaporware Surefire IR and Visible Illuminator/Laser has up its sleeve (something like the XVL2)
Extras include:
Unlimited Ammo
Futuristic Star Trek cloaking technology
That Shoulder Thing That Goes Up
“Heat-Seeking Bullets”
and last but not least
“Bullets that can shoot down airplanes and blow up railroads”