Here we go.

Misleading title should read "MODERN SPORTING RIFLE/SCARYBANGBANGTERRORISTGUN"

Anyways, this gun is purely for fun because I have the "I want one" itch. I already have a 30.06 bolt action or two that can kill anything in North America I want kilt so the only hunting this one will do is hog murderdeathkill at 150/200 yards for fun.

Basically, while available, I'm going to blow less than a grand on something that is only one media ****storm shooting away from being near impossible to purchase.

I'm not brand loyal, I have no interest in 3-gun since I already have too many lures I can't find time to use and I want one to shoot at the ranch because they're fun as hell and look tacticool, no other practical reason.

I'll pick up some blemished PSA lowers for safe storage hoarding, but otherwise have no interest in snapping together an upper/lower. I want to walk into Academy with a bunch of gift cards and walk out with a rifle (and probably another pistol because pewpewpew).

What's your vote?

Current leader is the DPMS A-15 Lite 16, but that changes each time I reload the page with the S&W M&P Sport.

Link for available options: PEWPEWPEWPEW

Bushmaster 5.56

I'm gonna piggieback on this one since I am in a similar situation (i.e., I want one but don't know much about them yet)

If I want to add a green light to the Bushmaster for hog hunting after dark, what do I need to add for mounting. Can I add a picatinny rail to this to mount the light? Sorry for my ignorance on this, I've been reading the big AR thread on here, but it's a lot to soak in.

DANIEL DEFENSE!

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DANIEL DEFENSE!

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OP: "I want an AR from this list at Academy..."

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Brought to you by this list of ARs at Academy

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Well I'll be damned.

Apologies high velocity, I'd agree with the DD as well then.

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Bushmaster 5.56

I'm gonna piggieback on this one since I am in a similar situation (i.e., I want one but don't know much about them yet)

If I want to add a green light to the Bushmaster for hog hunting after dark, what do I need to add for mounting. Can I add a picatinny rail to this to mount the light? Sorry for my ignorance on this, I've been reading the big AR thread on here, but it's a lot to soak in.

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adding a quad rail to the front where the hand guards are is a pretty simple procedure as well, which you can do with just basic hand tools.

Whatever you get, i don't recommend the sport, just because i like the optics ready mounts, unless you plan to stick with iron sights forever.

DPMS, S&W and Colt all have both versions

Personally, i would recommend building one yourself (at least the lower). You will save money, deck it out how you want, and learn how it actually works (great for cleaning/troubleshooting)

Gun shows are generally best to find empty lower receivers (around $40-50), pick a lower parts kit off Palmetto State and find an upper from Runner Runner guns and you can stay in the $500-600 range

i honestly had no idea academy sold DD lol... i just like to scream DD at people who are looking to buy an AR. That will always be my gun of choice

To be fair I didn't before looking at the list either.... I'm in Academy fairly often. College Station during the school year, RR and Cedar Park during the breaks and I've never seen a Daniel Defense on the shelf

If with tax it has to be less than a grand, I'd go Bushmaster, S&W ORC, or Wyndham. Technically there is a colt for $999.99 which would be my main recommendation.

well yall recommending the DD also missed the "under a grand" part which may or may not be important for the OP to stick to.

Windham

I'd get the Colt:
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/colt-le6920-mps-carbine-233-remington556-nato-semiautomatic-rifle?repChildCatid=3337004

a lot of colts running around for under a grand if you want to pick one up through an individual..

Even worse, the 16" AR isn't really great at anything. You lose the velocity and rifle length gas system of longer barrels but because of the NFA you also are hamstrung into a 16" barrel instead of a 10.5"-14".

It would be like if you only could get a jeep in 2WD, less creature comforts than a different SUV but also not having the full capabilities that you gave the creature comforts up for.

since it is the same price, I like the features on the Sig M400. It has a QD mount for a sling on both sides, and adjusments that take out the "slop" between the upper and lower (like an accuwedge, but spring loaded, and part of the lower.) Mine has held up just fine.

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Too bad the "tacticool" guys drove the 20" AR's into oblivion. The rifle (and user) can benefit from the better ballistics and reduced muzzle blast. I'm old, and my first experiences were with a 20" HBar, and a 24" competition Colt.

Not too many of us are in "need" of the 16" CQB M4's...
Just my $0.02

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Uh, what?

They didn't. You can still find and buy 20" guns. Eyeguy is building me on right now.

Ballistics wise, the military has driven some good innovation for short barreled ARs, and there is a lot of great ammo out there for any barrel length AR you want to shoot. Not to mention that you really aren't losing much more than 100 fps dropping from a 20" to a 16" gun even with normal ammo. If you could take 4" off a bolt action rifle for carrying around/hunting with and only lose 100 fps in velocity, would you consider making that trade?



Reduced muzzle blast? On a 5.56? Alright.....

I personally like all the variants, and you can still find and build whichever (or all) type that suits your fancy, without whining about other people "ruining" anything for you.

Not my picture and not my guns, but I've shot something similar to all of the guns below and like them all for different reasons.

No opinions thus far on the S&W: http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/smith--wesson-mp15-optics-ready-semiautomatic-556-mm-rifle?repChildCatid=324848

The Colt is popular among work colleagues, including a former marine whom I hold in high regard, but at $300 less the Windham is still on the inside track: http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/windham-weaponry-carbon-fiber-src-223-rem556mm-nato-semiautomatic-rifle?repChildCatid=951206

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Too bad the "tacticool" guys drove the 20" AR's into oblivion. The rifle (and user) can benefit from the better ballistics and reduced muzzle blast. I'm old, and my first experiences were with a 20" HBar, and a 24" competition Colt.

Not too many of us are in "need" of the 16" CQB M4's...
Just my $0.02

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Uh, what?

They didn't. You can still find and buy 20" guns. Eyeguy is building me on right now.

Ballistics wise, the military has driven some good innovation for short barreled ARs, and there is a lot of great ammo out there for any barrel length AR you want to shoot. Not to mention that you really aren't losing much more than 100 fps dropping from a 20" to a 16" gun even with normal ammo. If you could take 4" off a bolt action rifle for carrying around/hunting with and only lose 100 fps in velocity, would you consider making that trade?



Reduced muzzle blast? On a 5.56? Alright.....

I personally like all the variants, and you can still find and build whichever (or all) type that suits your fancy, without whining about other people "ruining" anything for you.

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And other charts readily show almost 200fps velocity loss going from 20 to 16", as do several reloading recipes.
And of course a 20" AR can be found or built, but it's easily seen the 16" barrel units flat dominate the retail market.
I own and shoot 16, 20, and 24" barrel 5.56 AR's, plus the 6.8SPC...all enjoyable, but real world/empirical data doesn't suggest, it proves better performance and reduced muzzle blast from the longer barrels. If one needs, or just likes, a 16" barrel, they certainly can do the job.

Colt for sure if you can get one for that price.

Also like Bushmaster.

If you don't need the "truck gun" compact size/weight of a carbine I think there's a lot of value in 18"-20" for hunting. Next build for me will be an A2 fixed 18-20 barrel for something different

Regardless I don't think you can go wrong with any of the ARs on that list - it really comes down to budget.

I shoot my AAC more than my others (Windham, DD, PSA, and grab bag) but AAC doesn't get the love a Colt does nor would I expect it to. In the end they all perform well and it comes down to what you are doing with it. I love the utility of an SBR so I carry it the most and but it functions just like the others.

Hard to beat the value of the Windham.

Have the DPMS that you are oogling. Works great. Barrel is too lite. Evidenced by the design and name. Easily fixable. And it was a good starting point for what i am turning it into

I dont think it really mattera what u buy. They are a grown mans leggo set.

Check back tomorrow... well, later today!

I need to get down to your shop, eyeguy. Need a xds 9mm and a p938.