In anticipation of the Governor signing the SBR Bill soon in Michigan I have started to do some research and make plans for my first SBR purchase.
I do not want to “manufacture” my own SBR so I am limiting myself to factory rifles. I plan to buy one SBR rifle in either 5.56 or 300 B.O. and then buy an upper later on for the other caliber.
Here is what I am thinking. Clyde Armory has a Colt LE6933 11.5" 5.56 for sale @ $1,299. I could get that then later on get a 300 B.O. upper from a quality company.
So here is my question. Is the Colt 6933 the best bang for the buck high quality factory SBR out there these days? Is there something else that I should be looking at?
Depends on who you ask, and what you want out of the rifle. If you ever plan on adding a rail system, a factory DD Mk18 might be a better way to go. BCM’s 11.5" SBR would run about 150$ cheaper than that and provide you with (arguably) the same product, but you may not be able to find them in stock.
I would (I did) buy a complete BCM/Colt/LMT lower, do the Form 1 on it and then buy an upper of your choosing.
Because I like to tinker with different calibers. 300 BO in an SBR would be much like one of my long range single shot pistols chambered in 7mm-08 Ackley Improved, more tightly focused than a general purpose hunting pistol but still very fun and pretty darned good for certain applications. I do reload so factory ammo is not a concern.
IF I was going factory I would go DD MK18 maybe a Noveske.
Right now your limiting factor will be what’s in stock.
I would go 5.56 first, unless you reload and already have a suppressor. 300 BO doesn’t make much sense unless you can roll your own and want to shoot subsonics.
I personally went lower first (KAC SR15) and got the tax stamp ball rolling and that gives you time to get the upper you REALLY want. I also love 300 BO in a suppressed SBR. I can shoot subs in my back yard and not piss off the neighbors and take that same 9" upper and hunt 300 pound hogs. Try all of that in a 5.56 SBR of that size. But I reload and really have no use for 5.56 other then cheap AR training class fodder. YMMV.
Thst being saidn the MK18 is the gold standard of factory SBR uppers. Soo much info on this website regarding them I would also recommend the BCM 12.5 “Kino” build of you don’t plan on ever using a suppressor… The kino gives you increased maneuverability, longer sight radius, and less bark then an unsuppressed 10.5.
Edit. If you do want to get into 300 BO but not jump all in with a 1,000 upper… But a handi rifle. Great for teaching family members how to shoot, lots of fun, and you can use it hunting if you live in an anti-AR state (Thanks PA).
Skip the 300blk. Triple the cost to shoot.
If it were me, I’d get a LMT MRP 16" complete rifle now (any lower), the a $350 10.5" MRP barrel when you get your stamp. Start shorting now. Why wait to have fun?
By the time you add sales tax and then 200.00 that 6933 is going to be more than 1299.00. You can easily get a completed lower (like a BCM for example) and then do the paperwork and add a solid BCM upper for considerably less. You will also have the added benefit of configuring it exactly as you want it, rather than having to swap stuff around.
As far as buying a SBR from a online vendor…how does that work? Does that add a bunch of time for the transfer to your class 3 FFL?
BTW, 6933’s can be found online for closer to $1K
I’m in the process of figuring out my first SBR as well, but I also intend to run a suppressor as well. I really thought I was going to get a 6933 but after reading the two threads on this site about the “ultimate” SBR I’m considering buying a 6920 and cutting the barrel to keep the small gas port and then add the other recommended goodies.