Newbie to the AR World

[White Water]

Greetings from Louisiana. 

I cut my teeth shooting feathers, then got into deer hunting. But for the last 15 years have dedicated myself to walking behind bird dogs. So much so that I sold all my deer gear and don't even own a rifle bigger than a .22. Times are a changin though. I want a rifle for pigs, deer and self defense. I know there is no one perfect rifle that does it all, but I think an AR comes pretty close. I believe .308 would be best for hunting, .223 may be best for self defense. I am torn between power, weight and cost. Also, the only thing I do left handed is shoot a long gun. I was leaning towards the S & W M&P 10 for its ambi controls. Why say y'all??

 

[planeflyer21]

Welcome from Arizona!

Looks like we have a pretty good Louisiana contingent building here.

[jtallen83]

Welcome from Iowa, via Pensacola!

Lots of options for ambi controls, you can add features to about any AR. 

Edited December 13, 2016 by jtallen83

[Armed Eye Doc]

Welcome from Texas.

[shepp]

Welcome from southern Wisconsin 

[MikedaddyH]

Welcome from AZ !

[mrmackc]

Welcome from Texas

Being an old brown shoe Marine we have been thru several battle rifle transactions from Springfield 1903, Garand M1 30 cal M14 .308, Colt M16 .223.

I can understand anyone questioning whether to go .223 or.308 also which platform AR, Garand, or perhaps a commercial semi-auto or bolt or even a pump or lever action sporting rifle.

However, since you landed here I suppose you are leaning heavily towards AR platform. I think for your wants and needs I would say go with either  Armalite or another popular  .308 pattern. Many will say an AR 15 .223 will do the job at lower cost and lighter weight, but it don't work for me, and I do also have one.

[survivalshop]

    Think 6.8 spc or 300 Black Out also , good hunting loads , less weight , because you can use the AR 15 platform & much less cost then a 308AR , since its your first AR ,it will not be your last .

  & welcome from Florida .

[White Water]

Wanted to stick with either .223 or .308 because ammo is much more readily available. Most reviews and info I found on S & W was positive, yet some have steered me away. Why isn't there a big following? Am I missing something due to my Ignorance of ARs? What makes one brand better than another ? MRMACKC, you said basically anything other than S & W.

   Also, are you telling me that I can make any AR ambi?

Edited December 14, 2016 by White Water

[mrmackc]

Yes on the Ambi up to a point, other major change like the ejection port and the forward assist is costly.

Why not S&W ARs,  I don't see very many of them around. also availability, price, and usually lack of superior performance. There are a lot of DPMS brand and pattern .308s of several versions and usually you can find one new in the box for $700 - $900 buy it today, mount some glass or iron sights, and shoot it today .....or if you want to build your own custom piece, buy a pile of custom parts build it and shoot it after a while.  Remember, the .308 version is non Mil Spec and often one vendors private brand parts may not fit another makers parts.

[Rsquared]

1 hour ago, mrmackc said:

Remember, the .308 version is non Mil Spec and often one vendors private brand parts may not fit another makers parts.

^^^^ THAT! Right there is one of the most valuable pieces of intel that someone can use.

[survivalshop]

  DPMS G2 , 308AR  , lighter then the DPMS LR versions & has got pretty good reviews here .

Edited December 15, 2016 by survivalshop