New member, First 5.56/.223

K

kingsey

Inactive
Hello everybody.

I've been reading a ton on many forums. Seems most people are telling others for the first 5.56 to get a colt 6920. I've been very interested in a sig 516. Seems the piston is much cleaner, and the sig is a well made rifle as well? I'm not big on the idea at all to build my own so that is out. I guess I am looking for a brand name rifle off the shelf.

I've also been looking at the Fn scar and HK mr556. I'm not so much worried about price. As long I am gaining somthing other then a name for my money.

I do not plan on adding a ton on this rifle, just a Eotech and a grip.

What does the scar do that the sig 516 doesnt? What gun would have the best trigger feel?

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your replies. :)
 
Don't discount a decent direct impingement AR. My M&P Sport really doesn't get dirty even after 2-300 rounds at a time, certainly nothing that would cause a jam. They're lighter than the piston rifles, and simpler.

From what I've read, you really can't go wrong with a Colt.
 
The sound you hear is the can of worms being opened. :)

For my money, the "killer ap" of the scar is the fact you can shange the barrel and the innerds to use different calibers. If your are not going to do that, not sure it has much to offer.

As for Sig vs Colt vs Bushmaster vs gas tap vs piston, you are never going to get "one final answer." I have mu opinion, and it is worth not one penny more than anyone else's.

Get what you like. They are all good guns and good systems.

I like the Sig for the simple fact it is a Sig. Lots of folks have something in the AR family, including me. I think it is kind of cool to get a rifle that not everyone else has.

If all else fails, get an FN FAL. :)
 
Take a look at BCM or YHM (Yankee Hill Machine), thats what I have. Was the frist AR platform weapon that I bought and love it. Thats my opion, and advice.
 
There are so many high quality AR rifles. Research the updated "chart". You will find among the top brands for exceeding mil spec quality are Daniel Defense, Bravo Company, Colt, LMT, Noveske...Million choices. I run Eotech XTS 2.0 with mags on my DDs Nice optic as are ACOGs and Aimpoints as well. Try to get to as many shops even if it means driving a ways, many ranges will rent these guns.
 
What exactly is direct impingement?
Click to expand...

In a nutshell... Direct Impingement (or rather direct gas impingement) is where the gas itself drives the bolt back.

A piston driven (SKS, Ruger SR556, etc.) uses a piston. The gas hits the piston, piston slams the bolt back.

Both have their pros and cons as well as devoted followers. :)
 
How will you be using the rifle - range, plinking, defense, etc?

Have you held a DI and a piston rifle? Piston guns are typically front - heavy in comparison.

If I were in the market for a piston AR, I'd be looking at the LMT CQBPS16 ( I have the CQB16) and SIG Sauer 516. For a slightly different approach to the tactical rifle, look at the Robinson Armament XCR.
 
I have a mini 14.....I've put probably 800 rounds through and it wasn't even dirty. I know its gas operated rotating bolt, but does it use a piston or solely gas?
 
Kingsey, hold the choices and shoulder them. Get the one that feels right in your hands and on your shoulder. You will probably be happier if it fits you. As to brands I have no suggestions most will perform to the level you pay for.:) And Welcome to the forum.

Pistol named Bertha, you will likely get more answers if you start your own thread. go to the page that has the list of threads and click the button at the top of the list that says new thread. Also read the owners manual for the mini 14. It will show you how to clean it. After 800 rounds IT IS FILTHY DIRTY! The stuff you don't see on the outside is on the inside. If I recall correctly the mini is a piston system.
 
FWIW I got a BCM upper and lower but separate to avoid taxes. They will send you a cosmetically blemished lower receiver for cheaper than any regular one. I got mine and can't even tell where the problem was supposed to be, I think the paint didn't quite take or something. Check it out at least, could save ya some $ and they are high end rifles anyway so you could resell it later if you wanted.
 
gas operated is just another way of saying direct gas impingement.
it's pretty difficult to go wrong with an off the shelf AR. DPMS, Stag, Rock River Arms, Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt are all good ARs. I think I even listed them in order of price but dont quote me on that. I dont even look at whole rifle price anymore since I just look at lower receivers and get "big boy lego kits" and build my own just the way I like it.
 
Both piston and DI are gas opperated . DI is fine ,you don't need a piston. You will not be shooting FA or be in a firefight in a sand storm . Check out The Spike's Tactical ST-15 LE Carbine that AIM has for $769.00 and save your money for ammo . A good M4 is hard to beat. :D
 
Last edited:
Trigger feel? Some mfr's can upgrade the trigger from the factory - I believe RRA has their own upgraded trigger option and LMT can be factory equipped with a Geissele. The Larue OBR (DI) is Geissele - equipped. Make some phone calls - one can learn much about a rifle manufacturer by speaking with the engineers. I have had very nice conversations with engineers at LMT, Larue, and Noveske - they will do their best to spec a rifle that fits your specific needs and wants... plus, they will point out things that you haven't thought about, with regards to the application of your ultimate rifle.

There are some modular afermarket triggers that are a piece of cake to install, such as Timney and Wilson.
 
Sig vs Colt vs Bushmaster...They are all good guns and good systems
Click to expand...

it's pretty difficult to go wrong with an off the shelf AR. DPMS, Stag, Rock River Arms, Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt are all good ARs
Click to expand...

With all due respect, they are not all "good" and you absolutely can go wrong with an off the shelf AR.

There are objectively superior rifles. Sure, for less money you might get a rifle that runs the first 500 or even 5,000 rounds just fine. That "just as good as" rifle might run fine for a long, long time. But it probably won't. Because it is not "just as good as" the rifle made with objectively superior parts under objectively superior quality control. That said, for a difference in price that in my opinion is absolutely worth the difference, I would suggest a Colt, a Daniel Defense, or a Bravo Company.
 
What about the guns I listed?

The Sig seems like it gives me a lot of what the HK does for 1500 vs 2500, it even looks similar.
 
I read an article they were torture testing a BCM 14" (I think, maybe a 16") and it has gone 40K rounds with only ONE cleaning around the 26K mark they said. Lol.

You can count on a rifle that has had the bolt and barrels particle inspected and put together correctly and that itself is worth the little extra $ like redstategunnut has said.
 
With all due respect, they are not all "good" and you absolutely can go wrong with an off the shelf AR.

There are objectively superior rifles. Sure, for less money you might get a rifle that runs the first 500 or even 5,000 rounds just fine. That "just as good as" rifle might run fine for a long, long time. But it probably won't. Because it is not "just as good as" the rifle made with objectively superior parts under objectively superior quality control. That said, for a difference in price that in my opinion is absolutely worth the difference, I would suggest a Colt, a Daniel Defense, or a Bravo Company.
Click to expand...

yes there are objectively superior rifles to DPMS, RRA and STAG. there are also objectively worse rifles out there for the same price range. I just listed companies that have strong reputations and good customer service in case someone gets a lemon, even colt has been known to turn out a bad gun every once in a while. the factof the matter is that many shooters will probably never shoot a full 5000 rounds and even if they did, its still cheaper to buy a DPMS for $1200 and replace a recoil spring and a couple extractors over the course of 10,000 rounds than to pay $2000 for a colt. I'm merely stating other options besides colt.
in my opinion buy a colt is like buying abercrombie and fitch when all you need as a nice pair of dickies.
I'm not casting stones and I wasn't looking for a debate when I posted, I'm just saying that in this day and age a more economic route may be more agreeable.
ford wasn't the number one car company during the depression because they were the best, they were the number one company because people could afford to drive them.
 
OP:
If you're decided on a piston gun, look at the Barrett REC7. I think it compares favorably to the other piston guns you mentioned. I don't have any piston guns, so I can't address the sig or hk from personal experience. I've run DI guns really hard and never really thought there was a problem that needed solving with the piston, but it's your gun and your coin.

Others:
I'm not sure where in the world a DPMS goes for $1200 and a Colt for $2,000, but I feel badly for you. Here's my bottom line: if this is a rifle that will be used only for fun, sure, you can tolerate an entry level rifle. If this is a rifle that would be used in a life and death scenario, I recommend that you allocate your risk differently. We aren't shopping for pants.

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.969993,-86.887285
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top