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Posted: 8/25/2016 8:38:39 PM EDT
Wanting some input on options for a .223/5.56 Semi auto that is not an AR. I have more than enough AR's and was wanting something different. Was hoping not to spend more than $1800.
The Candidates so far- X-95/Tavor- I dont own a bullpup and these seem like good guns, but I have no actuall experience with them. ACR- I have heard good and bad, but never fired on for myself CZ/Bren 805- Looks good in the write ups I've seen but I am unsure if these are even avaible. ARX-100 - I like the controls on this one and I have never been unhappy with a Beretta product. Or- suggest your own candidate Poll inbound |
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I went Tavor. The Bren is out there, I've heard mixed reviews but I believe the bad were I heard from someone in Europe type things. I had a Scar16 and liked it alright, but they are expensive.
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Either the Sig MCX or the new Henry .223 level action. Only issue with it is 5 round mag hopefully come out with a bigger mag.
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The Candidates so far- X-95/Tavor- 3 MOA 1700.00 gun? OK. ACR- No supp[ort, no parts? No problem. Bushmaster sucks. Bad. CZ/Bren 805- Excellent trigger out of the box, 1 MOA, higher quality (agruably) than a Scar for half the price. EZ-SBR with pistol ARX-100 - 15 pound trigger. 2-3 MOA gun with reports of up to 5 MOA, and Beretta claiming 5 MOA is acceptable. Poll inbound View Quote |
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if you want something different go with the Tavor.
I dont have one but a friend of mine does and its a nice little tool.. require some time to get used to it but I liked it. if you want an improved ARish all other in your list will work. I would just keep in mind spare parts availability just in case... the Bren seems like a solid rifle... |
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My two favorites are the Tavor and SCAR 16. If your budget is $1800, the SCAR may be out of reach. But the Tavor is an excellent rifle.
I have never fired an X-95 to compare the two, but I fully endorse the Tavor. |
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Tavor SAR (Non-X95) - I love mine
If you want to get something "non-AR" might as well get something different like a bullpup carbine. I had a SCAR-16 and it did absolutely nothing my AR's didn't do, but was much more expensive, had little factory parts support, and didn't have much rail space. Sold it and do not miss it one bit. I think the 805 Bren, ACR, and ARX 100 all fall in this same category. Also consider a AUG. Now that authentic STEYR rifles are available in the US I would probably buy one over a Tavor... They are fantastic rifles |
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Tavor SAR (Non-X95) - I love mine If you want to get something "non-AR" might as well get something different like a bullpup carbine. I had a SCAR-16 and it did absolutely nothing my AR's didn't do, but was much more expensive, had little factory parts support, and didn't have much rail space. Sold it and do not miss it one bit. I think the 805 Bren, ACR, and ARX 100 all fall in this same category. Also consider a AUG. Now that authentic STEYR rifles are available in the US I would probably buy one over a Tavor... They are fantastic rifles View Quote I had considered the extra cost for minimal return compared to the AR, which is one serious plus for the Tavor and it's highly compact package. |
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Wanting some input on options for a .223/5.56 Semi auto that is not an AR. I have more than enough AR's and was wanting something different. Was hoping not to spend more than $1800. The Candidates so far- X-95/Tavor- I dont own a bullpup and these seem like good guns, but I have no actuall experience with them. ACR- I have heard good and bad, but never fired on for myself CZ/Bren 805- Looks good in the write ups I've seen but I am unsure if these are even avaible. ARX-100 - I like the controls on this one and I have never been unhappy with a Beretta product. Or- suggest your own candidate Poll inbound View Quote As you're a present AR owner the two I'd pay closest attention to are the Tavor and ARX. Both have controls that are very friendly to people that are used to the AR control layout. Between the Tavor and ARX it's a tough choice. I appreciate the Tavor's ability to get rifle ballistics out of a SBR sized package that engineered to be simpler than an AK. OTOH, if you're dead set on a conventional layout rifle or might want to occasionally want to convert it to LH, the ARX is the way to go. Between the standard Tavor and the X95 I'd stick with my Tavor. The SBR laws mean IWI can't ship an American X95 that has all of the advantages of the original product, and I personally prefer the mag release on the original Tavor, it's huge and easy to hit yet well shielded enough that I've never hit it by mistake. AJ |
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You might want to look at some pre-ban classics, they just keep going up in price a nice Valmet, HK-93, AUG or Norinco.
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View Quote Sure, I can keep it in the safe next to my unicorn |
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I miss my FNC,
Mine was a sear gun that someone offered me a stupid amount of money for years ago. I wish FN would import these again, they were a good gun but not at the current prices. With whats available out there now, I would have to go with an AUG. Tavors are nice but the accuracy is Meh for the amount of money. Wpns Man |
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I won't spend the kind of money they normally fetch to buy an FNC. I'd buy a SCAR 16 first.
Here are some other non-AR 5.56 weapons I like: AUG A3 (and A2) I'm currently using an A2 with an A3 stock, because it's lighter and I like the bolt release. Daewoo K2 SIG SG 551 (the real one, but a tried and tested 556/551A1 might be ok. Smartest $ would be a SAN 553 pistol to SBR, still expensive though) Arsenal's AK's (post-feed ramp/chamber fix, which would include any newly-manufactured model) HK53 or HK33K clone (Zenith's MKE > Century) I picked up a G36 on a deal, but their clones (SL8 conversions) are stupid expensive and I haven't personally tested the trunnion heat issue yet, but I believe it exists. HK416 is also made of expensive, but known awesomeness. F2000 is pretty cool. Weird, but cool. No auto bolt hold-open, but it's lighter than the AUG and easier to get front rails/accessories on it. Price is up on the FS2000 due to halted import, which was due to slow sales. I would not buy an ACR, but I might try an R5 RGP. I'd like to try the CZ Bren, Beretta ARX, Tavor X95, and B&T APC556, but as of now I have no personal experience with them. I'm also thinking about trying a Ruger SR-556 Takedown in the LMG role, but idk if spare 5.56 barrels are available yet. |
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I have an ARX 100 and like it a lot, but I will admit that I'm a Beretta fanboy and drink their Koolaid. I wish I had lots more money so I could scoop up as many of these "exotic" rifles while they are still available.
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FN SCAR
I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. |
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. View Quote What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. |
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What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is accuracy. The Scar is more accurate but not by much from my sample size of 1 each. Both plenty accurate for practical work. I sold the Scar and still have and will keep the ARX. Scar cost me $2200 completely stock and I got the ARX for $900 with the SS trigger. IMO the ARX is NOT a $1700 gun and the Scar is NOT a $2k plus gun. If I got the Scar for $1500 or less I'd probably still have it |
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What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. Takes pmags. I also hate the fore end on the arx... I thought the scar was fat until I handled the beretta, poorly done imo. Scar has better irons too, but I know most people don't really use them anymore. |
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Takes pmags. I also hate the fore end on the arx... I thought the scar was fat until I handled the beretta, poorly done imo. Scar has better irons too, but I know most people don't really use them anymore. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. Takes pmags. I also hate the fore end on the arx... I thought the scar was fat until I handled the beretta, poorly done imo. Scar has better irons too, but I know most people don't really use them anymore. The SCAR doesn't work with anything but Gen 3 PMAGS and I've heard that it can be finicky with those as well. The ARX doesn't work with Gen 3 PMAGS but it works perfect with Gen 1 and Gen 2 PMAGS. I don't disagree on the janky BUIS set that the ARX comes with... At least you can change them out. The handguards are different to be sure but it didn't take me long to get past that as being an issue though... It really comes down to the grip that you prefer to use I guess. |
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The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is accuracy. The Scar is more accurate but not by much from my sample size of 1 each. Both plenty accurate for practical work. I sold the Scar and still have and will keep the ARX. Scar cost me $2200 completely stock and I got the ARX for $900 with the SS trigger. IMO the ARX is NOT a $1700 gun and the Scar is NOT a $2k plus gun. If I got the Scar for $1500 or less I'd probably still have it View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. What does the SCAR do that the ARX doesn't do better and then some? I'm not asking this to you specifically, this is directed more at just any SCAR supporter. The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is accuracy. The Scar is more accurate but not by much from my sample size of 1 each. Both plenty accurate for practical work. I sold the Scar and still have and will keep the ARX. Scar cost me $2200 completely stock and I got the ARX for $900 with the SS trigger. IMO the ARX is NOT a $1700 gun and the Scar is NOT a $2k plus gun. If I got the Scar for $1500 or less I'd probably still have it I guess I should have said other than the slight accuracy difference. I can think of 2 things that the SCAR has that the ARX doesn't, a check riser and a suppressor setting but that's all I can think of at the moment. |
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. View Quote I disagree, I had a SCAR and sold it... It comes with many more negatives traits than positive There is a reason SOCOM dropped it and went back to the MK18... THE GOOD + Easy to strip and clean + Light Recoil + Looks "Operator" + Will amuse and impress your friends THE BAD - Thin barrel that's barely suitable for a suppressor mount - Replacement barrels are scarce and ridiculously expensive - Lower must be modified to accept standard AR grips (easy fix, but purposely done by FNH) - Factory trigger sucks balls - Good triggers are stupid expensive (I paid ~$300 for a Geissele) - Very limited rail space - Sling attachment points suck... - Reciprocating charging handle (not a big deal, but for a $2k+ rifle...) - Pmag's must be modified to not cause problems with bolt catch wear (google is your friend) - Factory FSP is attached to gas block And that's my honest opinion on my SCAR... Save your $$$ |
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I disagree, I had a SCAR and sold it... It comes with many more negatives traits than positive There is a reason SOCOM dropped it and went back to the MK18... THE GOOD + Easy to strip and clean + Light Recoil + Looks "Operator" + Will amuse and impress your friends THE BAD - Thin barrel that's barely suitable for a suppressor mount - Replacement barrels are scarce and ridiculously expensive - Lower must be modified to accept standard AR grips (easy fix, but purposely done by FNH) - Factory trigger sucks balls - Good triggers are stupid expensive (I paid ~$300 for a Geissele) - Very limited rail space - Sling attachment points suck... - Reciprocating charging handle (not a big deal, but for a $2k+ rifle...) - Pmag's must be modified to not cause problems with bolt catch wear (google is your friend) - Factory FSP is attached to gas block And that's my honest opinion on my SCAR... Save your $$$ View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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FN SCAR I'd rather save up a little longer and not be prohibited by cost. Besides, if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly. I disagree, I had a SCAR and sold it... It comes with many more negatives traits than positive There is a reason SOCOM dropped it and went back to the MK18... THE GOOD + Easy to strip and clean + Light Recoil + Looks "Operator" + Will amuse and impress your friends THE BAD - Thin barrel that's barely suitable for a suppressor mount - Replacement barrels are scarce and ridiculously expensive - Lower must be modified to accept standard AR grips (easy fix, but purposely done by FNH) - Factory trigger sucks balls - Good triggers are stupid expensive (I paid ~$300 for a Geissele) - Very limited rail space - Sling attachment points suck... - Reciprocating charging handle (not a big deal, but for a $2k+ rifle...) - Pmag's must be modified to not cause problems with bolt catch wear (google is your friend) - Factory FSP is attached to gas block And that's my honest opinion on my SCAR... Save your $$$ I don't disagree with your list but I actually prefer the front sight to be attached to the gas block, it's one of the reasons that I like the Colt 6940 so much. What is the negative aspect here? |
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I don't disagree with your list but I actually prefer the front sight to be attached to the gas block, it's one of the reasons that I like the Colt 6940 so much. What is the negative aspect here? View Quote I prefer a full 1913 rail that allows the attachment of any BUIS without modification. YMMV |
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That M90NP is pretty good looking! I keep going back and forth on one myself but keep passing since I don't have any other Yugo stuff.
I love the non-AR semi auto world. I've built some awesome and boring ARs over the years, so switching over to "different" is fun. From your list, I'd make it a coin flip between the Beretta ARX100 and the Bushmaster ACR. Overall, the ARX has some pretty well-thought-out ergos, reliable design, and some cachet as an example of the current Italian service rifle. The ACR is perhaps the ultimate evolution of the AR-18 design, also taking the edge in accuracy and trigger over the ARX. I have and enjoy both. You're more likely to see factory support for the ARX though Beretta is glacially slow in doing so. Bushmington has essentially given up the ACR though they do continue to manufacture them. There is a decent cottage industry that has sprung up around it though, if you do get a wild hair to change the barrel or something. I have a Tavor SAR as well, and it gets points for being the IDF's service rifle, though it does feel heavy. I do not like the X95 but I did swap in an X95 trigger pack to lighten the factory trigger a bit. Not sure if it is a huge improvement though, as it goes from being heavy and somewhat crisp to lighter but longer and spongy. It is slightly more common though if you wanted to be unique. The Bren 805 is an interesting rifle, though it feels very awkward and heavy when handling. The trigger is probably the best of the lot though. The price is a bit of a buzzkill as it is the most expensive of those you've listed. The lack of a BHO release is a little annoying but that is fairly common in European designs. At least it does have a BHO feature but you have to run the charging handle. Supposed to be pretty accurate and reliable as well. Until the price comes down about $400, I'm not interested myself. The 806 is seeing production and fixes many of the flaws/oversights of the 805. Anyway, all are pretty solid choices that will provide a ton of enjoyment over the years! [Edited for correction to Bren 805] |
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That M90NP is pretty good looking! I keep going back and forth on one myself but keep passing since I don't have any other Yugo stuff. I love the non-AR semi auto world. I've built some awesome and boring ARs over the years, so switching over to "different" is fun. From your list, I'd make it a coin flip between the Beretta ARX100 and the Bushmaster ACR. Overall, the ARX has some pretty well-thought-out ergos, reliable design, and some cachet as an example of the current Italian service rifle. The ACR is perhaps the ultimate evolution of the AR-18 design, also taking the edge in accuracy and trigger over the ARX. I have and enjoy both. You're more likely to see factory support for the ARX though Beretta is glacially slow in doing so. Bushmington has essentially given up the ACR though they do continue to manufacture them. There is a decent cottage industry that has sprung up around it though, if you do get a wild hair to change the barrel or something. I have a Tavor SAR as well, and it gets points for being the IDF's service rifle, though it does feel heavy. I do not like the X95 but I did swap in an X95 trigger pack to lighten the factory trigger a bit. Not sure if it is a huge improvement though, as it goes from being heavy and somewhat crisp to lighter but longer and spongy. It is slightly more common though if you wanted to be unique. The Bren 805 is an interesting rifle, though it feels very awkward and heavy when handling. The trigger is probably the best of the lot though. The price is a bit of a buzzkill as it is the most expensive of those you've listed. The lack of a BHO is a little annoying but that is fairly common in European designs. Supposed to be pretty accurate and reliable as well. Until the price comes down about $400, I'm not interested myself. The 806 is seeing production and fixes many of the flaws/oversights of the 805. Anyway, all are pretty solid choices that will provide a ton of enjoyment over the years! View Quote The Bren DOES have a last round bolt hold open, and manual bolt hold open feature. It does not have an AR-style bolt release though, but you simply pull and release the charging handle once it locked back either on an empty mag or after engaging the bolt hold open button. I still find it quick and easy to manipulate, and I don't see it as a drawback whatsoever. |
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I had the same dilemma last year after picking up a 3rd AR for precision shooting. I went and grabbed an AK and later an FAL among others. I would suggest one of those two or an M1. I recently picked up a Bren pistol which I plan to SBR.
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The Bren DOES have a last round bolt hold open, and manual bolt hold open feature. It does not have an AR-style bolt release though, but you simply pull and release the charging handle once it locked back either on an empty mag or after engaging the bolt hold open button. I still find it quick and easy to manipulate, and I don't see it as a drawback whatsoever. View Quote Mea culpa. Corrected it above. I had the FS2000 in my brain for some reason, which does suffer from no BHO at all. The 805 does have a BHO, just need to use the CH to use it. Thanks! |
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That M90NP is pretty good looking! I keep going back and forth on one myself but keep passing since I don't have any other Yugo stuff. I love the non-AR semi auto world. I've built some awesome and boring ARs over the years, so switching over to "different" is fun. From your list, I'd make it a coin flip between the Beretta ARX100 and the Bushmaster ACR. Overall, the ARX has some pretty well-thought-out ergos, reliable design, and some cachet as an example of the current Italian service rifle. The ACR is perhaps the ultimate evolution of the AR-18 design, also taking the edge in accuracy and trigger over the ARX. I have and enjoy both. You're more likely to see factory support for the ARX though Beretta is glacially slow in doing so. Bushmington has essentially given up the ACR though they do continue to manufacture them. There is a decent cottage industry that has sprung up around it though, if you do get a wild hair to change the barrel or something. I have a Tavor SAR as well, and it gets points for being the IDF's service rifle, though it does feel heavy. I do not like the X95 but I did swap in an X95 trigger pack to lighten the factory trigger a bit. Not sure if it is a huge improvement though, as it goes from being heavy and somewhat crisp to lighter but longer and spongy. It is slightly more common though if you wanted to be unique. The Bren 805 is an interesting rifle, though it feels very awkward and heavy when handling. The trigger is probably the best of the lot though. The price is a bit of a buzzkill as it is the most expensive of those you've listed. The lack of a BHO release is a little annoying but that is fairly common in European designs. At least it does have a BHO feature but you have to run the charging handle. Supposed to be pretty accurate and reliable as well. Until the price comes down about $400, I'm not interested myself. The 806 is seeing production and fixes many of the flaws/oversights of the 805. Anyway, all are pretty solid choices that will provide a ton of enjoyment over the years! [Edited for correction to Bren 805] View Quote If the 806 makes it into commercial production I will buy one immediately. |
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