Help me pick my next AR

bolbmw

bolbmw

Regular
Rating - 100%
49   0   0
Location
Victoria, BC
Hey guys - looking or some opinions on my next AR. I am looking for an all around range toy and something that could be suitable for Service Rifle shoots in the BCRA (should I choose to go that route for fun.)

I've had a couple of AR's - a 10.5" NEA with a cheap red dot. I found this rifle really fun on the range for shooting steel out to 200 and I only sold it so that I could buy a 16" DD V7 with a 1-4x Vortex PST. My purchase on the V7 was misguided. I wanted a "precision" AR as my only complaint with the 10.5" was a lack of accuracy. I didn't do my research so I was completely unaware of the SPR concept. I ended up selling the V7 despite putting a lot of money into it (Geissele trigger, etc) because it was a poor attempt to be something I actually didn't need, I have a long range precision bolt gun already. My AR should be a CQB to mid range rifle.

Now I'm looking to get an AR again for range fun, potentially service rifle and lets be honest a SHTF bug out gun. My research is pointing me towards a 14.5" DD M4A1 with their brown Mil Spec+ cerakote. I really like the brown cerakote and have been looking at the 16" V11 as well. The V11 is tempting with the 16" barrel, given that the 14.5" has a pinned flash hider which brings its length up to 16" as well. I'm not as huge of a fan of the looks of the V11 - the keymod rail is nice but something about the appearance just feels 'off' to me with the rail ended so far close to the flash hider. It's also tempting to just take one of the DD V5 deals that Wolverine has right now and save a few extra bucks, but that brown cerakote is damn nice. Ultimately I want a high end AR that I don't have to mess around with, I'm not really into customizing it and would like it to come out of the factory perfect. The KAC's seem to be just out of the price range, then there is LMT and PWS which is definitely at the edge of what I'm willing to pay. Seems like we're really spoiled for choice around that $2K price range.

As far as optics are concerned I am debating between an ACOG (probably a TA11F) or one of the Elcan Specter DR's. A Vortex Razor 1-6 or a NF 1-4 compact would be tempting as well, but I think I'd like to try something different with the ACOG or Specter DR.
 
What am I missing?
The V7 and V11 both have 16" CHF barrels?
The only noticeable differences are the handguards as far as I can tell.

You mention both BCRA service rifle and CQB.
These are 2 different disciplines with service rifle reaching out to 500Y/M while CQB is usually within 50Y/M

I would use a 14.5" for CQB and a 20" for service rifle for better velocity

I don't know what disappointed you with your V7 but a barrel and handguard change should have been enough to solve your problems.
As a worse case you could have just replaced the upper.
Another thing to consider is the rules for service rifle. There may be a minimum trigger pull weight that may apply.
 
Next week at the AGM I am going to try to get the BCRA to create an actual Service Rifle class. Bolt action is dead, so lets retire it.
5.5lb minimum trigger pull.
20" max barrel length (waved if you are running the likes of an old No4 or Mauser because lets be honest you are at a disadvantage).
Iron sights and or 4x max optic.
Common military caliber (.223, .308, 7.62x39 and such would be GTG, but .260 and 6.5 Grendal would be in open class)
No brakes.
It is a pretty big box to fit your rifle into and pretty much anything that resembles an issued rifle will fit.
 
I have a DDM4V4 14.5" with a TA02 LED ACOG and it is a sweet combo. For a very fun range toy try the DD MK18 10.3. specter DR is much better suited for a Tavor
 
Gunnerlove said:
It is a pretty big box to fit your rifle into and pretty much anything that resembles an issued rifle will fit.
Click to expand...

Given this it seems tempting to pick up something like a SA20 or a DD MK12 to get some extra barrel length although I worry about the added weight, especially if I put something like a Specter DR or 1-6 Razor HD on top.

If using an optic with over 4x magnification, would it be within the rules as long as the magnification used did not exceed 4x? I think I heard something about setting the mag ring and taping it in place.

Leviathan024 said:
specter DR is much better suited for a Tavor
Click to expand...

It seems to be specifically designed for a 14.5" M4
 
What's your budget?
DD make nice rifles but if you can afford it there are better rifles out there.
I would go with whatever you like best with a 14.5 to 18 inch barrel. Remember that you can change everything that doesn't suit you perfectly.
Have a look at Stag rifles, they are really nice for the price but I would go with (in no particular order) PWS, Spikes, BCM, LMT, KAC, Noveske, etc if the funds are available.
Or take your time and build one which will turn out exactly the way you want it to. You won't save any money on a build but it really helps you with troubleshooting and repairing the rifle if you ever have problems.

I have no issues with my Specter DR on my 12 inch PWS AR other than it has a fairly short eye relief but in a way that's good because it makes you run your LOP shorter keeping the weight in tight so it's easier to handle.

It all comes down to what you want, we can't really answer that one for you. Personally I would just say choose your barrel length, pick your favorite forend as long as you can that still leaves a little barrel hanging out the end with a keymod or M-Lok instead of a quadrail. I don't like quadrails because they just add unnecessary weight to the front of the gun when as a civilian and even when competing there really isn't very much we need to hang off the front of a rifle besides a front grip and maybe some BUIS.
 
A
Gunnerlove said:
Next week at the AGM I am going to try to get the BCRA to create an actual Service Rifle class. Bolt action is dead, so lets retire it.
5.5lb minimum trigger pull.
20" max barrel length (waved if you are running the likes of an old No4 or Mauser because lets be honest you are at a disadvantage).
Iron sights and or 4x max optic.
Common military caliber (.223, .308, 7.62x39 and such would be GTG, but .260 and 6.5 Grendal would be in open class)
No brakes.
It is a pretty big box to fit your rifle into and pretty much anything that resembles an issued rifle will fit.
Click to expand...
If you want to create a true service rifle class you should allow a barrel lengths up to 22" so that M1A"s and M305's which are reproductions of true service rifles can be used.
 
bolbmw said:
If using an optic with over 4x magnification, would it be within the rules as long as the magnification used did not exceed 4x? I think I heard something about setting the mag ring and taping it in place.
Click to expand...

I have discussed this with a number of shooters, easily 2/3rds are in the "it is a 4 power max scope or it isn't" group.
 
I know in Quebec they are re-writing the rules for the "black gun" events.
Take a look at the rules of the rifle class of the following sanctioned events for a general idea.
FNH 3Gun, 3 Gun Nation, USPSA 3 Gun.
They touch on many of the points you made such as scope magnification, use of different rifles for different courses of fire, etc.
Just remember that if it isn't specified in the rules it will have to be allowed.
Some issues that have come up locally are things such as knee pads, gloves, bi-pods, barricade devices etc.
 
Last edited:
An Update -

I ended up picking a KAC SR-15 and I have a Vortex Razor Gen II 1-6 on its way. Seemed to be the best all around compromise of what I want to do with the rifle and if I end up participating in a specific discipline, I can get a discipline specific upper for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom