IMO a lot of supposed inadequacies in a rifle setup can be attributed to the user's lack of training and not the platform. Not at all saying you haven't had training (I have no idea) but I've found that setups I dismissed ended up working once I had time behind the gun in a class.

It may be impossible to predict and then assemble a setup that both feels good the instant you pick it up for the first time and after 500+ rounds in a class.

Just my two cents...

I have quite a few ARs, but this one seems about right.

Finding what you want to do with the rifle is the key.  I thought I wanted a zombie apocalypse shtf build it to mil spec  rifle but once I has it I felt to generic to an extent and I was searching for more out of it and I found shooting at range was more enjoyable.  The Recce concept really fascinated me as I could make it my shtf zday rifle that could handle close range but I could set it on a bench and shoot for groups.   The Reece to me is the true do it all rifle.


I do have a second ar that is my go to HD rifle its light weight with a micro red dot and light.   And it fills that role well but it's not my favorite

My goal was to build a 300 blackout suppressed SBR that was as light as possible, accurate and would reliably shoot 225 - 247 gr cast bullets.

It's primary mission is Texas hog and whitetail hunting.

I could not be happier with the results.

I hear ya....

That is super great.

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice.  Is that a 100 yard group or 50?  Those piggies and bambi better watch out!

I need to know.....



1:  barrel length?

2: Rail model and length?

3: light mount?



 

Walther PPQ

My current favorite is:

Spikes reciever set
14.5" Larue Stealth barrel
12" SLR Ion mid
ALG ACT
Surefire SOCOM can

I'm still playing with different optics so I haven't really pinned that down yet.  Can't tell you why, but this gun just feels right.

Also just finished a 300 Blackout that is threatening to become my new favorite

Spikes reciever set (gray, awesome)
Noveske SS 16" pistol gas 300BLK
Bootleg 15" keymod handguard
Larue MBT 2S
WMD BCG
Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x
Surefire SOCOM can

Just stuck a BCM VFG on it last night just to try, I run Magpul mlok AFG's on most of my other rifles.  Really liked the feel of the BCM.  The rifle balances out really well, may being taking over the title of favorite...

That's the way I'm leaning.  Flip some levers and I can be set up for that kind of a thing.  My only thing is I'm not into buying match ammo at this point.  Too expensive.  I just buy M193 or cheap stuff to go bang.

Let her shoot it underneath a roof.  Or an indoor range.  Maybe she'll changer her mind.    I don't know how you guys with SBR's shoot without suppressors .  Blood comin out your ears or something.  Probably not so bad out in the open, but if not.......  YIKES.  

That is a really cool set up though and I can see why that is the one for you.

AR number 1 M4 Gov't profile 16" barrel about 8.5 lb, this is my go to HD and SHTF favorite.
Major components:
KAC M4 RAS rail system
B5 Systems 23 P grip
B5 Systems BRAVO SOPMOD stock
KAC 300m rear BUIS
Aimpoint M2 on LaRue cantilever QD mount
Surefire M951 weaponlight




AR number 2 recon type medium profile, midlength gas system, 16" heavy about 9.5 lb.
Major components:
LaRue 9.0 inch free floating rail system
LaRue FUG QD VFG
Magpul MIAD grip
Vltor EMOD stock (now I'm sometimes using my other lighter weight Vltor IMOD stock)
Troy rear BUIS (older better design with anti-cant mounting feature)
GG&G-Bobro old Gen 1 aluminum bipod


My Nikon 3-9X40 hunting optic is usually on my number 2 AR.




AR number 3 is a combination of a Colt Expanse M4 lower half with my number 1 upper half, it's my plinking and shooting range toy gun which I use the factory medium contour 16 inch barrel - upper half.

The lower half of this carbine is my backup spare lower.
Major components:
Magpul MOE-K2 grip
Magpul STR stock
Colt H heavy buffer




AR number 4 is a HBAR heavy profile 1/9 twist barrel which I use mainly bench and precision shooting.

Major components:
KAC M4 RAS rails
Magpul MIAD grip
Vltor IMOD stock
Troy rear BUIS (older better design)
(Shown borrowing my Aimpoint and Surefire light, I usually use my old but good Kahles 3-12X50 riflescope.)




AR number 5 of 5 last is my A2 clone with USGI M-16A2 Colt upper half on Colt 6601 Match Target HBAR lower half. It is just my A2 clone rifle which I practice using my iron sights.

Our AR almost the same except my carbines have a lighter profile barrels, my go to HD is my AR number 1 it's not very light or very heavy just in the middle.

When I first built my AR number 2 as a recon carbine I thought it would be my go to weapon, it is very accurate but even with the medium contour middy barrel, still kind of heavy to move around, so it is my backup for precision shooting.

My AR number 3 is just my new range toy I got last month, it serves as a spare backup lower half for my M4 main carbine.

Number 4 is HBAR heavy contour barrel mostly I use for bench shooting with my higher power scope, I'm going to have it re-profile later to a medium profile 0.750" under the handguards to make it a little lighter but not lose too much accuracy.

I'm not in the military but I learned a lot when I was in the 1992 Los Angeles, CA riots when I was living there that time, at that time I had 3 AR, one lightweight carbine, a Gov't profile 20" A2 rifle and a HBAR heavy profile rifle, and when the riots broke out I only had my lightweight carbine with me and ten fully loaded 30 round magazines (two pistols and an auto shotgun).

I'm glad I was stuck with my lightweight carbine because I carried it with me for a straight 3 days, it was very handy when I carried it everywhere I go around inside and outside my house.

That time during the riots I also have other weapons like several AK-47 type 7.62X39 rifles, Springfield M1A and FN FAL L1A1 .308, Steyr AUG A1 bullpup type carbine, IMI Galil 5.56 16" carbine, and IMI Uzi carbine in 9mm and .45 ACP conversion model version, but I used them a week before the riots and left them at my father's house about 70 miles away from my house.

After the riots I got most of my other rifles and lots of ammo and mags at my house.

When I'm upgrading or updating my accessories I try to pick the lighter or lightest weights even if it is not too popular, so my go to gun will get even lighter as it is now, my long term continuous improvement plan..

You could either remove and sell your old heavy profile barrel and buy a lighter barrel or have it re-profiled, just loose some weight and it should be a great improvement in handling feel.

Sorry, double tap.

10.5"
Geissele MK4 9.5"
Arisaka inline mlok

On a limited budget.

Colt 6720, mbus rear sight, PA micro, Vickers padded 2 point sling.  In my opinion that set up will take care of everything I'd need it to.   Where I live I can't see ever needing to take a shot at greater than 50-100 yds.

Or even less expensive would be a pencil barrel PSA melonite mid length upper on the lower of your choosing.

While all these clone builds look cool, they are expensive and wouldn't do much better for my needs.

That was 100. But full disclosure, that group was not with cast boolits. That group was fired using Fat_McNasty's custom 219 gr jacketed hollow points (as far as I know he is no longer making them). The deer was also taken with the Fat_Mcnasty. I realized the post may have implied that the cast bullets were responsible for the group. They shoot good but not that good.

Cast boolit group:

Of all my AR's I find these two to be my ideal set-up.  Both are basically identical.  The black one has a 14.5 PSA Premium mid-length barrel and the FDE has a 14.5 Daniel Defense CHF M4 profile carbine barrel.  Both have 12" Centurion Arms C4 rails, KAC buis, and Aimpoint PRO's.  

When I have the CAR stock on my middy, and just the irons (LMT front and CCH Rear) it only weights 6 lbs 14 ounces without a mag.  That's pretty light.  If I got one of them DD rear sights, I could shave about 3 ounces right there.  But yeah, lightening the barrel would be a good thing.  I go back and forth on if I like the CAR stock.   I think I like a stock that slopes a little better, with a bigger toe.  But the CAR is not bad.  I have a MOE - SL on there right now and it's very comfy.  But heavy.  And I'm not completely sure I like it when shooting.  It sort of beats up my face because of the wider bulges on the side.    I think in the end a regular ole M4 telestock is probably my favorite.

When I was a young man and hunted deer a lot, most of my guns were pretty heavy.  And I did a lot of walking.  But you're right, it gets old.  Sometimes I carried a .30-30 lever gun and that was a lot better then the sporterized mauser with a scope.  If I would've kept going I probably would've gotten something lighter than the Marlin eventually.  

It appears you like that config quite a bit.    And it seems very capable.  Do you notice the difference in the lighter profiled barrel when shooting?

Sounds stupid, but this cheap frankenbuild is the one I always seem to grab when I go out shooting with buddies.
Surplus Arms and Ammo Lower
PSA upper
Magpul furniture as seen in pic.
I cut down the FSB for the cheap Nikon fixed power scope.

It is accurate and easy enough to handle to shoot all day.
Buddies love this one too, I don't know what it is it just feels right.

I believe I am as close as I've ever been with where I am now. Being as this was my most recent build I took a lot into consideration that I've figured out with previous setups. I was a lot more weight conscious but kept durability the highest priority as it will be my go-to if ever needed.

10.5" Rainier Arms 300 blackout barrel with pinned & set screw gas block
Rainier Arms Upper receiver
Rainier Arms BCG
Noveske NSR  9 Rail with lightweight 7075 barrel nut
Noveske Keymod Rail Covers
Magpul Pro BUIS
AXST Raptor CH
MFT Minimalist Stock (just got this, weight savings plus locks up VERY tight, loving it!!)
PSA Lower w/ LPK
ALG ACT Trigger
PWS keymod sling swivel(for bipod)
Aimpoint Comp M2 w/ Larue lt129 Mount
Ariska Keymod 1" adapter
Elzetta 2-Cell Flashlight
Silencerco Flash Hider
Silencerco Omega w/ASR
Magpul pistol grip

It's under 6lbs with just BUIS and under 8lbs with light/aimpoint/suppressor.

Very accurate, stupid quiet , light weight and maneuverable. 45acp to 7.62x39 performance. Ridiculous versatility having an AR15 in 300 blackout. For a carbine, I don't think there's a better choice.

To be "perfect" it would need a Surefire 600v (want IR capability in the future and unfortunately Elzetta doesn't offer it), magpul qd sling mount up front (ordered but not here yet) and .5" off the barrel so the suppressor would sit closer to the rail (just for aesthetics not needed but it's only money right?)

Very cool.  I like the idea of 300 BO.  Especially if you plan to go deer hunting.  5.56 is still cheaper to shoot but whatever.  What's not more expensive in rifles?  A .22.............

You're just going to have to find your niche. The pic threads are the best thing to look for ideas and to ask pertinent questions about.

My two favorite AR15's have gone through a lot of transactions of parts and now I'm finally done with one of them, the SBR is finally where I want it to be. The mid length is almost there too. A Magpul rear BUIS, ADM Recon rings, a Vortex Strike Eagle, and maybe a light and it will be finally complete too.

Here's an evolution of pics before the final products:















And now finally to this:

It's really not that expensive in comparison. Ozark Ordnance makes some real quality ammo. Just ordered 1000 rounds for 430 shipped (110gr @ 2250fps). I have used at least 1500+ rounds from them without a single hiccup and the stuff is ridiculously accurate. Of course match grade ammo is expensive but that's with all calibers.

Thanks for laying that all out.  Did you end up not liking the Mini RDS?

You need a CWAR.  

16" Rainier Arms barrel
Geissele 13" MK4 rail
Trijicon TA33 ACOG
LWRC Compact stock
Geissele SSA-E trigger

OK, so, yes I like the TA33, but I'm not quite sure what a CWAR is.  I'm through the first page is GD and I was laughing.  A TA33, MK4 and the pursuit of lightness?  My barrel would need a trim and my wallet would need to be fatter.  I think I might like that LWRC stock though.

Oh, I saw his specs on page six.  I'm way off.  And I don't have the money for all of that.   Looks like a good way to go though.

I actually liked it a lot but it's better used for a pistol, serious potential to reach out with it.

The solution is to have many AR's all built for slightly different roles. Each will be perfect for something.

Hopefully my current build will just right. I have built just under 20 ARs and are mostly all different.

I'll be honest, I never jive with that train of thought.  It might be because I don't have to shoot at people for a living.  But the problem with that, that I see is: the one that you really need at the time some kind of threat presents itself, is the one not in your hands.  That's my hunting experience.  If I only had that other gun.   It's just Murphy.  So I would rather have one that I feel is capable for as many situations as possible.  I think for the most part, unless you're shooting  at real small targets past 200 yards, any serviceable AR that you practice with will fill those roles.  It's just that some configs and gear might help do you best and jive with you best.  And getting to know what that is, takes some time and experience.  And like others have said, shooting it and training with whatever overcomes any issues with gear.  But it's cool to be like, aaaaaah, this just works well for me.

I've *one* build that makes me smile every time I shoot it. Green Mountain 18" rifle-length gas, fluted stainless, BCM KMR 13, Geissele SSA, Leupold Mark 4 3.5~10x40, yadda yadda. Sub-MOA on a day when I've brought my A-game. Sublime.

I'm the same way OP. I'm always back and forth on AR's. From simple to really tricked out and expensive. I just can't get it down what I actually want and how much money I want tied up into what is basically a range toy for me. I like shooting handguns since they are my primary defensive arms, and long range bolt guns just because it's a lot of fun.
I always end up just going back to a standard, KISS rifle or carbine with carry handle sights.
Being that I've done this back and forth several times now, I'm wondering if I'm just expecting something from the platform that isn't going to happen, or if I'm just old school and prefer the Garand/M1A/Mini 14 style of gun.

This one is just about right, I kinda want to swap the NF 1-4 for an MRO, but it just feels so good as it sits now.



13.7" Weapon Outfitters barrel
BE Meyers 249f pin/weld
ALG 10" EMR
Geissele SSA
LWRC compact receiver extension and buffer, not using the compact stock because it gave a horrible cheek weld for a magnified optic

This.

I only have 4 and they are all just right.

I like that a LOT.  How much does that weigh in at?  I keep putting my 2-7 on and off of my recce.  It's in a larue mount and it adds 17 ounces.  I would be more happy if it didn't add so much weight.  Or if my barrel was not an HBAR.  When I first got that scope and mount, I didn't have the funds to buy a super expensive 1-4, but it's what I wanted.  Back then (like 10 years ago.  Actually more like 13) there weren't really any choices for lower budget 1-4's, unless it was specifically for a shotgun.  

But your's,  NOT CWAR?????  Or is it now?  I'm only on page 42 of the thread and don't have the latest and greatest.  I've had fun looking through it though Rajun Cajun.  

If I had the extra funds, I'd seriously think about the Mk4 rail.  And I've always wanted an ACOG.  I just don't like the idea of batteries.  What happens when you get into a few years.  How do you know it's not going to fail, right at the precise time you don't want it to.  I mean if it had a readout that said how much battery life was left on it, that'd be one thing.  But after about a year I'd always be like, should I change it out now?????   I almost bought a PA advance micro over Christmas, but then I bought a G26.  Not a CWOCK obviously.  Although I do want a G17 too.  Anyways...  I'm kind of glad I didn't buy the Advanced Micro.  Although I'm sure I would like shooting with it on, I don't think I can live with an optic with a battery for something that I want to work when I need it to work.

If my eyes were good enough, I'd have no problems sticking with that M4gery and irons.  I really like it.  But it slows me down.  I have to work too hard.  The blurryness!!!!!!!!  At 100 yards my eyes start to water.  I got around it last time by using a 6 oclock hold.  That helped, but it's still rough.  

Doesn't Trijicon make a 1-4x tritium-powered variable optic?

For a fee............  Of some magnitude.  I paid 179.99 for that 2x7.  The trijicon's were out of my range.  As well as the Short Dot...   I think it was called.  Who makes that one again?  Ugh I forget.  There weren't that many and they were all expensive.   There's still not that many lower dollar ones, but there are a few that would've worked.  I think Leupy makes a 2.5 fixed lightweight now.  I kind of dig that one.  But no target turrets or BDC I don't think.

Yep. The Accupoint. An optic I was on the fence about until I bought your PRO

You should provide him with a sponsor build list so he can get started.

LOL. You'll like it. I'm limited to square range bench shooting so it was frustrating running a "high speed" optic.

I have to say my Mk12 Holland is my best all around go to rifle. I've hunted deer, coyotes, pigs, and ground hogs with it and then take it to the range and hit steel out to 600 with ease.  It's a tad on the heavy side for most "go to" rifles, but I don't have much trouble with it.

Stud.  What optic do you gots?  Can we get pics?  I like the Holland build.  But yeah, too heavy for me.

Thanks, I love this rifle. Its a super smooth shooter.

It weighs 9lbs loaded according to the POS luggage scale I have, with the scope/mount weighing 1.5lbs. I should probably grab a lighter mount since the first time I've used the QD on the mount was to weigh the scope just now. I just cant bring myself to drop $350 on a Geissele mount.... yet. If it wasn't for the deal I found in the EE, I probably wouldn't have a NF.

I have no idea if mine is CWAR, I havent checked that thread since I went with a 1-4 instead of a TA33.

A MK4 rail would be the tits, but the ALG rails are awesome and cheap. I cant really see myself buying anything besides ALG in the future. Unless you have one of the unicorn rails in my sig line, in which case would you like my right of left kidney as payment

On the battery powered optics point. You can still use the optic if its off, just shoot like you would if there was a dot there. Its especially easy if you have a FSP like you do on most of the rifles I see you post. Plus with the 5+year battery life on Aimpoints, MRO, and PA micro dot I wouldn't worry about dead batteries too much. There's a reason red dots are so popular with military and LE.