If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright,
think A-B-C:
A=Armalite
B=Bushmaster
C=Colt

Notice I used 'AR' because a true AR(mil-spec) is not available to the public.

Just to muddy up the water a little

, check into a Mini-14. Ruger has improved them immensely over the last couple of years. Probably as good a SHTF rifle as they come.

Plus you are not going to raise the eyebrows of law enforment agencys as with an AK or 'AR'.

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Posted by olgoi khorkhoi

priapism survivor

Member since May 2011

14897 posts

Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:25 pm to Reubaltaich

quote:
If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright, think A-B-C: A=Armalite B=Bushmaster C=Colt

Hadn't heard that before. That's cute.

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Posted by flyAU

Scottsdale

Member since Dec 2010

24855 posts

Posted on 11/22/12 at 9:35 pm to Reubaltaich

I actually did look at the mini-14. Seems like a really solid rifle. Been looking at this one in particular LINK

I get conflicting information in regards to the other AR makers. On one hand I have people say that the bushmaster etc mass produce and their quality is not top notch and that the "boutique" makers are superior in quality. On the other hand I hear that the mass production ones are the way to go. So confused.

I really am looking for a quality rifle that I can have fun with and that would be good for those SHTF possibilities.

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Posted by bapple

Capital City

Member since Oct 2010

11913 posts

Posted on 11/22/12 at 10:13 pm to Reubaltaich

quote:
If you are going to buy an 'AR' outright,
think A-B-C:
A=Armalite
B=Bushmaster
C=Colt

You could also add

D=DPMS (Remington makes most of their parts, though)

quote:
Notice I used 'AR' because a true AR(mil-spec) is not available to the public.

If you're talking about a select-fire M4/M16, then yes for the most part. But if you get a Mil-spec AR15, the parts will be interchangeable, minus a full-auto or burst-fire sear.

"AR" actually stands for Armalite, which was the first company to team up with Eugene Stoner and design the rifle.

Also, the original was the AR10, chambered in .308 Winchester or 7.62 Nato or 7.62x51. It was rechambered in .223 Remington so that troops could carry more ammo into Vietnam. A loadout of 300 rounds of .308 is MUCH heavier than 300 rounds of .223.