Ar-15?

[jasefm]

I'm thinking about getting a "home defense rifle". My work includes having a side arm on me and I already have several shotguns / hand guns / bolt guns.
I have never owned a semi auto rifle. I was thinking of getting in to a .223 ar-15 because I live on over 10 acres and I do need to watch my ass because although I'm in the private sector I tend to piss off bad guys. I already have a sub 1/4 bolt gun so I'm thinking more along the lines of a tactical carbine.
I love to tinker and want something new to play with.
Any suggestions?

[ihate]

You can't go wrong with the AR-15 as it is truly a weapon platform and can accept a wide variety of very cool accessories. I have a Bushmaster with ACOG scope, hydraulic recoil buffer, IR scope, match trigger....you name it I have it. It shoots flawlessly with decent ammo and tight groups at 100-200 yards is consistently achievable. As for the .223 round, it seems to be the caliber of choice for all high tech military infantry rifles into the forseable future such as the XM8. You can't go wrong with the AR.

[fmb]

The AR is a great platform, there really isn't a comparison for the rifle. However, I was somewhat baffled by your request for information on a "home defense rifle". Overpenetration (walls, exterior of the house w/continuation downrange) is something to think about here. Do you have others in the house? The rifle round could place them in jeopardy. Also, the rifle offers a single round which, in general, requires somewhat accurate placement within close quarters.

You said you own shotguns. For home defense, the shotgun really has no equal. If you don't own a pump shotgun, I recommend purchasing one. A gun manufactured by Maverick is really a Mossberg; locally, I can purchase the weapon for $130 with a 5 round magazine and a 28 inch barrel. Cheap! Replace (or cut off the barrel to) the 18 inch minimum with any barrel for the Mossberg Model 500 or 590. Add a magazinde extension for any of the above models. Now, you have an easily manuvered, extended capacity 12 gauge home defense weapon.

Personally, I load mine with 8 rounds: first 2 with low brass (cop) #4 buck, next 3 with standard slug rounds, and a finish with low brass #4 buck. Why this pattern? The initial low brass rounds provide lots of pellets (28) through a cylinder choke; this offers good coverage. Second, if I didn't get the bastard(s) with the first rounds, he has left the area or sought cover. The slugs will penetrate any readily available cover in my home (couch, wall, cabinets,); the final #4 buck rounds are for additional movement through the house, and, beause of the low brass powder charge, are a clear indication I am nearing the end of ammo in my magazine.

The rifle is for folks on your land; the shotgun is for asshholes in your home. If you have the cash dollars, still purchase the rifle. You'll enjoy it and the surplus ammo is cheap!!!!!

[JacksonAces]

I have to say, for home defense I agree with fmb; a shotty is the way to go, though if you have the cash for a AR, I'd go with a benelli. A semi auto shotgun is a d@mn scary gun when in the hands of a trained user, and if you are looking for home defense, it really can't be beat.

Now, if you want a rifle, the AR is a great platform. Powerful, accurate as all hell, and very surprisingly little recoil for all the noise the thing makes. I've never gotten to use a carbine version of an AR (all mine are sporting rifles), but I'm sure they will perform just as well.

Now, personally, my home defense weapons are a bit, shall we say, personalized. In my desk by my bed, I have a first-production run Colt 1911 that my grandfather was issued during the second world war. Really pretty gun, .45 caliber, and even though it is nearly 100 years old, still shoots like a dream. In the gun safe proper I have my Rosse stagecoach double barrel shotgun, my colt single action army replicas, and my Marlin .357 levergun. Those are just for fun though, since I shoot in the SASS (Single Action Shooting Society, www.SASSnet.com). The 1911 is my gun of choice though, since anything I can't do with 8 .45 hollow points, I probably shouldn't be doing in the first place.

~jack

[jasefm]

Thanks for all the input.

My 870 has a surefire forearm, ar-15 type stock, Wilson combat internals, extended magazine, and night sights. My 1911 is a night hawk custom, my sig has 3 17 round mags, and my 30-06 is fiberglass beded 6-24 scope and shoots 1/4-1/2 moa.
I'm not above getting an upper and lower and building an ar-15 if it would save me $$$ and give me something to play with.

[Lazer]

I agree with fmb. Home defense is a shotguns role. Not a rifle. the sound of a pump action is enough to scare intruders away.
As for Ar-15's, I own a Bushmaster XM-15 (AR-15) Carbine. Collapsible stock. Ak style muzzle brake. It's a very nice "Sporting" Gun.. I keep it around for the zombie plauge when it happens.

[jasefm]

One must be prepaired for the zombie plauge. Thanks for all the input again. Inside the house I'd go for the shotgun of course, but l've got 200 yards to cover all around me. Will an 18in ar-15 cover 200 yards or is it best for 50-100 yards? Have any of you built up your own?

[ihate]

The AR is very accurate at 300yds and will penetrate 1/2" steel at 100 yds easily.

[rxdi]

I would suggest a shotgun for home defense, the mossberg 590 is a great price, and a great firearm. It is used by more than 75% of the police agencies in the USA and all of the military. .223 is fine if you live alone, and on a good bit of land(like you said you did) but if you have family I would shy against a .223 because your just about guaranteed it's going to penetrate the walls into another room, and you can't predict how a home invasion will go so you just dont know for sure where they will be..

but obviously get yourself a good AR-15 anyhow :).. any questions feel free to PM me, i've been a firearms instructor for over 15years

[jasefm]

Has anyone built their own ar-15?

[donutpuncher]

met a guy at the gun range the other day who built his ar for $600 even; said his optics cost more than the gun; and the damned thing shot like butter compared to my ak. but, nothing quite beats the sound of an ak and the gratification of trigger slap. i paid $500 for my yugoslav ak built on a vulcan receiver and have not found a tighter fitting or more accurate ak to date.

[yellowfish]

so if you have over 200 yards to cover and you only see them on the way out you would need to shoot them in the back
what are the legal implications here?

[jasefm]

I live in Louisiana! We let the gators clean it up...

[yellowfish]

you would have enjoyed the old south afica by the sounds of things
haha!