My first AR...Advise

C

Clane

Inactive
Hello all, I am currently researching AR's and I have narrowed it down to 3 different ones. these 3 are the only ones I am interested in! I would appreciate any advise you can provide on any of these 3 rifles. I will admit I have done extensive research on the Noveske and H&K, I just saw the Barrett today and have found very little helpful info on it, so I mainly listed it because of Barrett's reputation.

1. H&K MR556A1
2. Noveske 16" Light Recce, LO-PRO
3. Barrett REC7
 
The REC 7 is an upgrade to the Barrett M468. The M468 went on the market in early 2004 in 6.8 SPC only. The REC 7 was introduced in 2007. The Rec 7 is a piston gun with a Barrett designed piston system, bolt, and bolt carrier. Barrett makes the lower and upper. The remainder of the parts are from high quality manufacturers such as Magpul and Daniel Defense. The rifle comes with the Daniel Defense rail system with a flat top and no sights of any kind. It is available in both 6.8 SPC and .223/5.56 calibers.

Ronnie Barrett hinted at the SHOT Show that there would be some upgrades to the rifle later this year. It can be purchased for around $1800 - $1900.
 
Call up the three companies and ask to speak with one of their engineers, about your intended purpose for the rifle. Seriously.

When I was "AR shopping" I had some great conversations with engineers at LaRue, Noveske, and Lewis Machine Tool... Go to the website for each mfr you are considering and talk to them.
 
Chadio, Thats a Great idea!

9mm, I am thinking the same! My H&K's include P2000SK 9mm, USP 40mm, USP compact 40mm, USP Tactical 45mm, and H&K/Fabarms FP6 shotgun..so an H&K MR556A1 would fit in the family quite nicely. The only thing about the H&K is the NON chrome-lined Barrel, It seems alot of people don't like that. as far as the Noveske it is a DI system and I would prefer a Piston operated system. The Barrett, well so far I don't know enough about the REC7 specifically, I am just going on Barrett's reputation.
 
Clane said:
Thanks RT, is there any specific reason why you prefer DI over Piston?
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Less weight, parts aren't as expensive, just as reliable, no need to buy the market coolaide IMO. On a regular basis DI is considered more accurate but high level piston guns are equally as accurate, unless your talking bolt gun accuracy in the 3/8ths MOA range. Which in that case i just listen to George Gardner who chose his GAP-10 to be built on DI system rather than piston for accuracy reasons.
 
Thanks RT, I am leaning heavily toward the Noveske, But the Barrett keeps popping into mind. I have all but ruled out the H&K because of the NON chrome-lined Barrel. after all the research I have done, I have been unable to find anything negative about either the Noveske or the Barrett.
 
I would prefer a Piston operated system. The Barrett, well so far I don't know enough about the REC7 specifically, I am just going on Barrett's reputation.
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Watch this video and Ronnie Barrett explains a lot about the REC 7. The REC 7 starts at 15:56 into the interview - but, I'd suggest watching from the beginning as it's really interesting listening to Ronnie Barrett explain the rifles Barrett Firearms makes.

It's also pretty funny watching him with the new, round muzzle brake on the Barrett .416. The diameter is about the size of his hand, and the supressor that goes on it looks like it was made from exhaust system tubing because it's so large - especially with the insulating "sock" on it. Makes you want to own one just because it's so ridiculously large.
 
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Interesting! We are throwing around high end AR names, accuracy, best this or that, but then think part interchangeability with other DI guns.

When these posts come up, I wonder if the buyer wouldn't have a $600 -$1000 AR M4 type or lightweight carbine with an Aimpoint or EO Tech and 1000 rounds of ammo.

Why do you want/need a chrome lined barrel? They are generally less accurate.
 
When these posts come up, I wonder if the buyer wouldn't have a $600 -$1000 AR M4 type or lightweight carbine with an Aimpoint or EO Tech and 1000 rounds of ammo.
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This ^

Particularly if this is your 1st and only AR.

As to the HK barrel. I would be less worried about it being non-chrome lined and more concerned about the diameter. It is a full length heavy barrel. Not like your standard "M4 profile" that is thin under the handguards. It will be ALOT more front heavy than a "standard" M4orgery.

I have no experience with the Barrett but it does have a proprietary piston just like the HK. As long as you are prepared to buy spares and figure out how to fix it if something happens in the future and the company you choose decides to no longer support the product.

Pick your poison and enjoy.
 
Interesting! We are throwing around high end AR names, accuracy, best this or that, but then think part interchangeability with other DI guns.
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An AR piston upper (with standard AR pin holes) should fit on any lower, and a piston lower (with standard AR pin holes) should accept a DI upper so I don't see the problem with interchangeability. If you mean individual parts on a piston upper with a DI - yes, that may be true depending upon the upper manufacturer and the exact part.

I haven't read anyone posting anything about accuracy (other than La Rue as "bolt gun accurate"...must have lousy bolt guns...) or best this or that in this thread - and the one person who was touting the DI design as a claim that the system provides better accuracy. You could probably find someone to interview with the opposite opinion too - so, then who's "right"?
 
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I have no experience with the Barrett but it does have a proprietary piston just like the HK. As long as you are prepared to buy spares and figure out how to fix it if something happens in the future and the company you choose decides to no longer support the product.
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I guess every product Barrett makes falls into that category. So far, in the 30 year history of the company, I'm not aware of the them refusing to support one of their rifles. The parts on the upper that are proprietary: piston system, and bolt + carrier. If they refused to support that, then you could always put a new upper on the lower.

Using support as the major criteria, then everyone should just buy a Colt AR and not consider any other as they have the longest track record of mass manufacturing and support of the AR platform.
 
I guess every product Barrett makes falls into that category. So far, in the 30 year history of the company, I'm not aware of the them refusing to support one of their rifles. The parts on the upper that are proprietary: piston system, and bolt + carrier. If they refused to support that, then you could always put a new upper on the lower.
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You are 100% correct.

It is however, something that a person has to think about. Particularly if their only option is to convert it to a DI configuration. (Why not just begin at the end?:D)
 
I said in extreme cases DI is more accurate than a piston driven weapon. We're talking about differences that most can't shoot. But of all the POF, LWRC REPRs, and so on that get posted on the hide i haven't seen one shoot as well as a GAP-10. Those are all 3000+ weapons. Granted they all shoot Sub-MOA, some people have literally gotten bolt rifle accuracy out of the GAP-10. And then there is this video of george saying that DI can be made more accurate than Piston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePxKz7Z9UhM&t=28s

You wont be making a bad choice by going any of the brands your picking but when push comes to shove and you need parts, is where having a piston gun would suck. Because you will be subject to that manufacturer and the parts are just more expensive because they're not standardized.
 
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