Which AR?

N

Nacho

Inactive
I am lokking at getting an AR for using in IPSC three gun matches, and home defense. I have narrowed my choices to a DPMS carbine with a flat-top and 16" bull barrel(1" thick), or the Bushmaster AK carbine with a standard weight 16" barrel, AK muzzle break, and a removeable carry handle. Was wondering if anyone kneww what kind of accuracy the short bull barrell would be capable of. Any other info on htese two rifles would be appreciated. DVC
 
I shoot a Bushy Shorty Carbine. I would never buy the AK, as you're giving up 1.5" of rifled barrel and you have a permanently-installed brake. Makes future barrel, sight, etc., work, next-to-impossible. If you want a brake, buy the Shorty carbine and add a Smith or Wilson or some other kind of removable brake.

I was easily shooting under 1" with my Shorty today, using bulk IMI 55gr. bullets. I also use the JP trigger/hammer combo and DPMS free-float tube.

[This message has been edited by WalterGAII (edited October 12, 2000).]
 
I don't think you can shoot a 16" barrel in DCM matches. Check the rules though.
 
I believe that you're right about DCM matches. I think that Shorties are fine for three-gun matches, etc., however. I don't compete in any matches, so I'm not that familiar with competition rules.
 
I'd go with the DPMS were I you. You get more for your money. The two uppers you described are not really in the same class, though. If it comes down to which is better, if configurations are the same I'd lean toward Bushmaster myself. The DPMS is the better value and I've been happy with my upper for a while now.
 
When I attended an urban rifle school, one gentleman had a bushy AR with the AK brake. I was standing down the line and felt the gun go off, sounded and felt like a .308. FWIW.
 
I have an ArmaLite M15A4 (flattop) Carbine with an ELCAN. I like the weight/balance with the ELCAN and the accuracy is fine at around 1.5" at 100 yards with good ammo. With a 2.5-8 Leupold at 8X, it would almost do 1.25 MOA.

I would not want the weight of the bull barrel DPMS 16, however Fed is right. The Bushmaster AK muzzlebrake and the ArmaLite RecoilChek are LOUD!! The concussion is fierce for bystanders (not bad to shooter ;)), almost like a slap in the face. The .308 ArmaLite AR10 is way worse.

I saw a Bushmaster this weekend in an M4 configuration with a fixed 'collapsable' stock (I guess looks mean everything to some) and a new style compensator. It had 4 side holes and some top holes so will most likely be LOUD, although the dealer said it was to cut side blast due to customer complaints. I have never seen one at the range and have not read about it.

I would think directing the blast just up like some .45 comps would reduce muzzle jump, but I am not a gaseous materials or flow engineer.

The comment about sight work and brakes is valid, but any post-ban must have the brake permanently attached. For this reason, I like the Armalite front steel Picatinny rail that can take a regular profile AR-type sight or a flip-up like that sold by GGG ( http://www.gggaz.com/page14.html ) They do have an version for ArmaLite M15's.

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[This message has been edited by 700PSS Shooter (edited October 15, 2000).]
 
Nacho - If you plan to use it in an IPSC 3 gun match, unless you have iron sights, you will be competing in the Open division. You will also be scored in Open division for pistol and shotgun as well. Most AR's I have seen in this division have 16 to 20 inch barrels with a compensator and some type of optics like a red dot sight. The really trick AR's have a low power scope and a red dot mounted to one side.

Forget the bull barrel - it's too heavy for run-and-gun. As far as accuracy goes you will rarely shoot beyond 200 yards at an IPSC 3 gun match. Any good quality AR will be accurate enough at this distance provided it is sighted in correctly with the ammo you are using.
 
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