Suggestions please. I will soon buy a rife (Vanity)

[PugetSoundSoldier]

My cousin, USMC SSGT Kenneth Williams carries an M4 because it's issued. Once in the field (he's been to Iraq 3 times, Afghanistan twice) he grabs an AK-47 as well, since it always functions and needs a lot less cleaning.

I don't know a single soldier who is pleased with the performance of the M4 in dirty environments. There's a reason gas-piston retrofit kits exist and are making their way into our forces.

FWIW, he also carries seven Magpul PMAGs I gave him for Christmas last year; the stock metal mags aren't as reliable, but at least rules allow him to carry his own personal magazines. The PMAGs have never jammed on him, ever. Not stock issue, though - bent lips, crooked followers, excess drag on the follower resulting in jams.

Unfortunately, the US still operates on a "lowest cost" method, meaning often our boys in the field get something that's 80% of the best because it's 50% of the cost of the best. Look no further than the magazine situation.

By the way, here's a picture of his issued M4 (with one of my PMAGs in it) after 8 hours of tour in Afghanistan in the back of an MWRAP. The barrel has the old standby - the condom - covering it. He also uses two Band-Aids to seal the ejection port against the dust:

And like the rest of the men in his squad, they all complain about the dirt and crap that quickly builds up inside the M4 when it is fired.

[ctdonath2]

You’re still limited to pulling that trigger 8 times. It’s not like you can control the time & placement of each of those 64 pellets individually. I can, with little more than one mag change.

Oh, sure, it all comes down to tradeoffs. After much contemplation, I’ve opted for a shortie AR15: damage per round may be less, but still considerable; range is from arm’s reach to as far as I can see darn near anywhere I’ll be; suppressor is an option; I can reload 30 rounds as fast as you can 1; and the out-of-ammo “brick wall effect” is much less likely (4x the rounds before empty). I’ll grant that per round you get a bigger messier hole.

[mylife]

Its a great platform

[glock rocks]

God bless, and I thank you USMC SSGT Kenneth Williams for your service to our republic.

Do they prefer the AK to their issued M4’s? (Not being smartass, curious)

[Nik Naym]

" What do enlisted *women* do during that chant? "This is my rifle, this is my ?. The one is for fighting, the other is ?"

The other is for funt.

(Oh man, I hope I don't get suspended for that one)

[grey_whiskers]

Obviously.

"Ella".

Cheers!

[mylife]

Mr Kalashnikov says....just buy it

[PugetSoundSoldier]

For accuracy and “quick pointing” nature? No. For always going bang when you pull the trigger? Yes.

Kenneth lives in GA when in the States, and last time I visited him, he and most of his squad were completing their own AR-platform builds. All were using sealed pistons, the differences being barrel lengths, stocks, calibers, etc.

But they all hate the open gas system of the M4, it simply fouls much too quickly; apparently the dust of Afghanistan mixes with the carbon residue to create cement (well, there was much more colorful language used for what it really was, they ARE Marines after all!).

For less hassle/worry, I always recommend a gas-piston system on an AR platform. Just one less thing to worry about when you’re using your firearm.

[Titan Magroyne]

Oh good. Awkward w/o the LRBHO, for sure.

[mylife]

Its a simple device and most have them now.

Pull the bolt and go

[I got the rope]

LOL...I was going to poke fun...but...I just can’t do it. LOL.

Home defense buy a good .20 gauge shotgun. For the rifle go with the AR15 sporter...and practice. I’m a little biased because I’ve trained extensively with it, but it’s simple, light, and has little recoil. You’ll figure it out quick.

Good luck!

[jospehm20]

I have to say that I think that is BS. Stoner designed the AR-10 in 7.62 NATO with a direct gas system and later Armalite scaled down the rifle to 5.56mm to make it the AR-15. The AR-15 is a fine weapons system. One of the reasons the Army dropped the search for a new service rifle is because AMC did a survey and over 90% of the troops really like the M-4/M-16 and gave them high marks. I guess AR-15s are the most popular platform going because they have so many disadvantages. BTW, here is an interesting quote for you. "Because Armalite has sold Stoner's patent for direct gas operation to Colt, the Stoner Weapons System used a piston-operated gas impingement system, though Stoner himself believed direct gas operation was the ideal method for firearms."

[jospehm20]

I forgot to add the link for that quote: http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/eugene-stoner/

[Jack Hammer]

Ruger mini-14

[Jack Hammer]

AK47 - excellent idea.

[Squantos]

Good choice. Also peek at the new SIg-516 version which is suppose to be a Hk 416 Clone.

If your reason is for self defense as you suggested then look at the 6.8 SPC caliber models
.

Good all round magazines are the magpull p version. I use em in competition with no failures thus far.

Get to know FReeper 300WinMag as he can walk ya thru the Mods of this utility rifle that helps you prep it for your personal size an special needs etc.

Think Arthritis. Larger charging handles an selector switch an mag releases used in 3 gun competition makes it comfortable for old hands as well.

The suggestions you get will be many here at FR yet buy what YOU can pick up an use, care for an hit with.

Find a range that will let you try before ya buy an then don’t be afraid to ask the forums for pros an cons on the choices you made an why.

Do this before a gun counter commando salesman pressures you to buy then an there.

My opinion.

[ansel12]

Bushmaster.com has this to say about it.

Question / Issue

I recently purchased a Bushmaster AR15 O.C.R my question is which is the proper ammunition for this weapon? The lower receiver is stamped as follows..CAL 223-5.56 MOD XM15 - E2S. I have Remington UMC 223 rounds I was wondering if I can fire 5.56 rounds in this rifle safely (I have read it can be dangerous if fired in a short leade ) also if 5.56 rounds can be safely chambered and fired what is the distinct difference between both calibers.. any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated as I would prefer an answer from the manufacturer then from an online forum.

Answer / Solution

All Bushmaster barrels are chambered to accept 5.56mm ammunition and always have been.
The NATO Spec 5.56mm chambers have a longer “leade” or throat than the SAAMI Spec .223 caliber chambers which have about half of the leade or throat of the 5.56mm chambering.
While it is safe to fire both 5.56mm and .223 caliber ammunition in our rifles according to SAAMI the 5.56mm ammunition should not be fired in rifles chambered in .223 caliber as they will develop very high pressures.

http://www.bushmaster.com/faqs/afmviewfaq.aspx?faqid=723

[Centurion2000]

Rifle or wife?? Either one is pretty expensive. Good luck.

[PugetSoundSoldier]

From FR itself:

The Army is considering a major redesign of the M4 aimed at making the weapon shoot cleaner and longer — at high rates of fire... Replacing the direct-impingement gas system with a piston gas system.

Anyone who's put a few hundred rounds through an AR-15 in a relatively short time, and done the same with a gas-piston weapon (gas piston AR conversion or AK) will tell you about the massive difference in crud in the chamber. It's not subtle. And it's why the US Army is looking for a replacement with a gas piston.

[Manly Warrior]

Not really enough info to guide you very well...

(and no, I did not read all 150 posts to see if anyone else asked these questions)

Where do you live (rural, suburban, urban etc)?

How much expereince with fireams do you have? (meaning other than childhood or basic sporting experience)

What is your budget?

Are you alone or would you be in a family team of some sort?

I would be glad to listen and advise.