Depends on your budget... norinco is a great buy at 700, I am a fan of the LaRue OBR Predatar in 7.62.

GM1

I should come here more often...

The idea of of who makes a good AR is pretty subjective. As you have read in my previous posts, I prefer Primary Weapon Systems. I also have been really digging my DD Mk 18 Mod1 recently. In all honesty, I am not picky about the ARs I use. However, the option-ability of ARs is absolutely insane. You have to stop and think about the task you plan on setting your AR up for.

So run that through your brain and get back to me. Then we'll talk.

🙂

-S.

Well I was just speaking hypothetically. The fact that the ar platform is restricted by name bothers me too much for me to purchase one in the near future. Perhaps after I have my thee weapon systems in place and have the extra cash. I just didn't see any topics on them in the forums so I figured I would see what others are doing with them.

If I was to have one, it would be a sub 300 yard rifle. Realistically Probobly closet to 200 yards. I would be interested in building one myself with the intention (and difficult task) of keeping it under $1000. I realize that this really limits my use of an optic, but as I said it would be a sub 300 yard firearm. Also, I figure that if it is going to be restricted anyways, might as well go with a shorter barrel setup, but not so short as to minimize accuracy. It would be chambered in 5.56.

Well I was just speaking hypothetically.

heh. 😉

The fact that the ar platform is restricted by name bothers me too much for me to purchase one in the near future. Perhaps after I have my thee weapon systems in place and have the extra cash. I just didn't see any topics on them in the forums so I figured I would see what others are doing with them.

It's always a good start to get the ball rolling. I and a few others have had some experience using AR type platforms in the various military and civilian incarnations. I have had experience with a large variety of rifles and have formed the opinion that ARs are a smart way to go. I have used Diemaco C7s and C8SFSWs, HK416s, Mk18 Mod0s and Mod 1s, M4s, M16s & PWS Mk112 Mod0s to name the ones I've run in various aspects of service.

If I was to have one, it would be a sub 300 yard rifle. Realistically Probobly closet to 200 yards. I would be interested in building one myself with the intention (and difficult task) of keeping it under $1000. I realize that this really limits my use of an optic, but as I said it would be a sub 300 yard firearm. Also, I figure that if it is going to be restricted anyways, might as well go with a shorter barrel setup, but not so short as to minimize accuracy. It would be chambered in 5.56.

Here's the kicker, the shorties tend to be more expensive to buy manufactured and to build! There is a lot more work and engineering put into building a reliable short barrelled rifle than there is into the bog standard 18-20"bbl AR. Having said that... I consider the 10.3"bbl Mk18 to be a 300m rifle. With an issued 12.5"bbl Mk112 I have reached out to 500m and make solid hits minute of torso using a red dot sight without magnification when under fire. In the most recent CFSAC (Canadian Forces Small Arms Competition) the competitors were pulling off eight inch groups at 500m using a C7 with C79 sight. I would quote MoD stats, but they use SA80s.

Now, for less than $1000.00 you won't be able to build a rifle you'll want to use. Norinco makes decent ARs for Between $750.00-900.00.They are a good foot in the door for those who are looking to enter the AR game. North East Arms also makes ARs in Canada for around $1200.00, but in my opinion they have a few kinks to work out before their rifles are hot to trot out of the box. Personally, I went with what I knew. I have used Mk112s and Mk18s on the sharp end and know they deliver. There are a large number of others, but they are the exclusive province of Military/LE Agencies.

Good names to look at without out getting all disco...

Colt Mfg.
Stag Arms.
Primary Weapon Systems. 😀
Daniel Defence. 😀
Lewis Machine & Tool.
Bravo Company Manufacturing.
Rock River Arms.

If you want disco kit, look at...

Knights Armament Company.
Noveske.
HK.
LWRCi.

Now, I mucked about with a lot of these rifles and to be honest there are tons more that can be had that are pretty damn decent.

I have run my rifles hard. HARD (+50C, -40C, dust, dirt, sand, mud, snow, ice, being beat to shit, slammed into the ground, kicked downrange, fed muzzle first into an X-ray, etc...).

The PWS and DD stuff gets the nod from me.

The HK416 didn't do as well as the PWS in my experience, not by a long shot. I used an issue rifle in some pretty dodgy places and we surprised more than a few Muj with these things.

The DD Mk18 Mod1 is a cool little rifle, compact, lightweight and very handy in any situation where you're target shooting within 300m. 😉 No to mention, very popular with US and UK SF in various incarnations.

-S.

thanks for the detailed response as always Maple Leaf.

I too have stayed away from the AR platforms because of the restricted stigma and what seems like an enormous jump in cost between the 7.62x39 CZ families vs the 5.56

This will keep me thinking about future 'projects' however.

What about bushmaster are they good

What about bushmaster are they good

Bushmaster tends to be one of those "you get what you pay for" kind of rifles. For the most part they are a decent range rifle and are fun to shoot. However when you introduce one to the wild (AKA in the field) they tend to have more problems than the previously mentioned, relevant, brands without a bit of work. After its all said and done you'd find that you had saved money getting the other stuff in the first place. I'm not saying that all Bushmasters are crap, just that they tend to break a nail more often than the others do...

-S.

Daniel Defense, I purchased one after seeing the Larry Vickars episode where he beat the hell out if it in every way imaginable and it kept on shooting.

Daniel Defense, I purchased one after seeing the Larry Vickars episode where he beat the hell out if it in every way imaginable and it kept on shooting.

Yeah, Larry's a solid Troop. He's a real card to boot. I bought the DD Mk18 Mod1 on his recommendation that it was a solid civvie version of the CQBRs.

How many rounds down the pipe so far?

-S.