Just what the title says. What would your perfect “you can have only one” AR be? Be specific. Not just 16" middy or 10.5" SBR. I want to see what every one deems a requirment, ans what is just popular. Say why you would want certain parts. say your use for your AR. Think this could be a good tool for noobs like me to see whats what and where people would spend money. Pics if you’ve built it would be great. I would love to start, but I don’t know jack, just what I’ve read.
I searched this and found nothing. If its out there delete and direct me via PM to it.
Ive owned quite a few AR’s, and my favorite so far has been the KAC SR15.
16" barrel is short enough to do most anything while not rifle length.
Gas system design makes for very smooth operation. Its not jerky like a carbine.
Rail length is long enough to do anything yet short enough you arent adding unnessessary weight and length.
Bolt design is better for longevity and positive extraction.
Ambi-controls give you more options.
Accurate enough for anything I will ever use it for.
I think the 16" mid length is the best “all around” system out there. SBR’s are great for CQB but are harsher on parts, and reduce ballistic effectiveness. Rifle length is great for ballistics but sucks for CQB, getting into and out of vehicles, etc. I like the SR15 enough I am seriously thinking about getting another, and setting it up the same way as the one I have now. Ive also owned a BCM midlength w/ a LaRue 9.0, and a LaRue Stealth 16"/12". The LaRue was very reliable and a good shooter but the barrel is a heavy SOB. I sold the BCM without shooting it after deciding to get the SR15. I added the price up between the KAC, and a similar BCM gun. The price difference was less than $200.
My perfect AR? It’d be the Canned SBR I’m planning right now:
12.5" 6.5G carbine .750 bbl
JP/VTac rifle length HG
lo-pro gas block
LMT SOPMOD stock
Aimpoint M4S
TangoDown vfg
Streamlight TLR-2 or Surefire X400 on remote switch
Yankee hill .308 can
This isn’t just to see whats popular, but what works. It will help people see the options. A lot of the people on here have put more rounds down range than most of us could dream. This is to apply that practical experience to a common good. I don’t care whats popular, but if people say what parts they like and why it gives more info into the equation. I don’t want to buy a AR just to go “well, this was wrong. Lets sell it for a lose and try again.” As new people to the AR world many off us don’t know what we like, so your knowledge gives us a opinion and if you are in depth enough some real world reasons like “run this rail cause it in narrower across the sides and slightly shorter on botton to be more comfy in the hand while still offering a true full length upper that matches the reciever” kind of thing. Chances are if something that we as noobs feel we need and there is one that is very popular we should consider it.
I agree that a 16" mid-length set up like the [b]Recce rifle[/b] would the closest to the “do it all” AR15. It is the sweet spot of size, weight, balance and velocity that would have the largest operating envelope. It can be used as an entry carbine but also make hits to 800M. It can shoot 3-gun matches, take deer, hogs or prairie dogs…
Here is the rifle that I put together to be my “do it all” “Sport Utility Carbine” “Recce Rifle”. It is light weight, well balanced and very accurate, I shoot it nearly as fast at close range as my EOTech equipped SBR.
Daniel Defense complete upper with a 16" mid-length gas stainless LW50 7" twist barrel. LMT 2 stage lower. Optic is a Leupold MK4 1.5-5 SPR obviously the furniture and accessories are dictated by personal taste.
My all around “all use” AR would be the following (most of which I am using for my current build)
Noveske 14.5" middy SS barrel: (with pinned FH) shortest legally attainable barrel length + ss bbl accuracy and Noveske durability
AAC Blackout m4 2000 FH/Mount
PRI rifle length black handguard: light weight
Mega Forged Upper
5: KAC Micro 200-600 m rear BUIS
6: KAC Micro M4 flip up front BUIS: alternate would be Troy flip up front
7: Bravo Company Complete Lower: Got this from Grant good price
8: Magpul CTR stock
9: Magpul ASAP plate
10: Magpul MS2 Sling
11: CQD front attachement point for MS2 (when used as 2 point)
12: Larue FUG (because I had an extra): alternate would be Tango down Stubby Battle Grip with QD
13: Magpul PMAGs: Obviously for reliability
14: Quality 1-4x optic: I am leaning to the Accupoint due to price
15: Larue Tactical LT139 mount
16: Surefire X300 light
That would and IS my all around carbine which can do it all, Close range, Medium Range and its as short as legally possible. I will post pictures as soon as I return to the states and get everything put together.
BCM lower with a Noveske or Daniel Defense QD end plate. BCM M4 stock or LMT/KAC SOPMOD stock.
Geissele SSA trigger.
BCM 16" midlength upper (either chrome lined one) with Gunfighter charging handle and a BCM M16 BCG. 9" Daniel Defense Lite Rail.
I’ve been trying to spec out my next build for a month or two now - this is for a general use carbine that I expect to be my go-to gun. My current thinking:
AGP lower receiver with CTR stock, MOE PG and Enhanced TG
Either a Vltor MUR-1A or BCM A3 upper receiver
16" pencil profile 1:7 midlength with .625" “F” FSB and Phantom FH
9" DD Lite rail with Magpul XTM rail covers
Magpul ASAP and a HG loop for 1/2 HK hook slinging using a Boonie Packer TQA
Troy rear BUIS
EOTech XPS2
Streamlight TLR-1
Sourcing the barrel has been my greatest challenge, followed by the fact AGP isn’t currently accepting custom receiver marking orders. Throwing money at ADCO for a full reprofile is one possible barrel solution.
