Rifle or Carbine version of the AR15?

Question

Looking to buy an AR-15 or M4. Pretty much decided I am going to go with the A3 or A4 receiver depending on which company makes it, as i intend to put a scope on it. Does that make sense? I like the looks of the M4 better with the telescoping stock, but I have read that it does not shoot nearly as well or feel as nice as the rifle versoin (longer barrel, solid stock) which is obvious, but I was wondering how much of a difference it really makes. What do you suggest? Still can't decide which company to go with, any companies that that are known for horror stories? Im looking to spend less than 1100

Answer 1

Okay. I used to be one of the biggest nay-sayers when it came to the M16 family of weapons. And I really disliked the idea of having an M4, right up until mine was issued to me before deploying to Iraq. It was brand new out of the box when I got it. I used to criticize the collapsable stock. The shorter barrel. Etc.

And now, I'd say, go with the M4. I can understand disliking the stock on it, so instead, mount an AR-15 stock on the M4 reciever. The recievers are exactly the same (at least in A4 trim) it's just the length of the barrel, grips, and type of stock. The M4 is way better balanced. It's very accurate (mine was a tack-driver) and while yes, you do lose some velocity over distance, the M16 is only accurate 200 meters further out than the M4. Would that matter? Possibly, but not to me simply because at the distance the M16 can shoot out to, I'm doubtfull if a .223 will have enough terminal velocity to get the job done reliabily. As far as how the M4 "feels" I'd say it feels alright. My only complaint with it was that it had a tendancy to "slide" around against my body armor because of the ceramic trauma plate. No give for it to sink against my shoulder. As for inexpensive version, check out Olympic Firearms. I believe you can get some bargain prices starting at around 700 dollars. Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

As in some of the other answers, it depends on what range you will be shooting at, and also what kind of accuracy you expect. I have shot a high-end custom AR with a 16" barrel, that had a NightForce scope mounted on it, and was consistently hitting pop cans at 250 yards. This variant was made by the owner of JTacSupply in Oklahoma. The link is www.jtacsupply.com. If you are dead-set on a carbine length rifle, then i would limit by shooting to less than 200 yards to get any reasonable accuracy. DPMS makes a 24" bull barrel flattop called the Panther Bull 24 Special. It is guaranteed to shoot minute-of-angle and I have used one at ranges exceeding 250 yards with great accuracy. They also make a flattop bull barrel in a 16" carbine called the LowPro. My advice to you is, make yourself happy, it is your gun after all. The big factor is choosing a company that has good barrels and tight tolerances. Here is my list in order of preference, best first: Bushmaster, DPMS, RockRiver Arms, Olympic Arms, Colt. This is excluding all high end models and customs. Others to look into if price is no option is Les Baer and Wilson Combat. Wilson makes an awesome !6" carbine, the Urban Tactical. It is a real shooter, with a hefty price tag. Buy a gun that satisfies you and look into aftermarket mods, such as new stocks and forearms. Hope I could help.

Answer 3

The rifle, no longer the carbine, has greater beneficial velocity and greater clever long-variety accuracy via longer 20" bbl. The terminal injury led to via the two rifle's .223 bullet is style of a similar. The carbine is far less complicated to hold and weighs rather much less, yet those greater beneficial 4 inches of bbl. on the rifle enable for greater beneficial accuracy - and AR-15's are VERY precise rifles! That being stated, vehicle-15's and M-4's Do look VERY COOL with their stepped barrels and collapsable shares. it rather is finally your call. Are you making plans on capturing at stages greater beneficial than a pair of hundred yards? Get the rifle. much less? get the carbine. aims? Get the rifle. Backpacking? Get the carbine. See? by the style, AR-15's are no longer easily attack rifles. via suited definition an attack rifle is capible of finished computerized hearth - An AR-15 isn't. The attack rifle tag replaced into placed on those weapons via THE MEDIA, who anticipate that via fact an AR-15 appears like an M-sixteen, that it is the same ingredient.....And it rather is not any longer. the clarification I point out this, is that it rather is as much as the proprietors of such weapons to clean up this customary public false impression. in case you're gonna purchase one, then you certainly would desire to have the skill to describe the version.

Answer 4

Yes M4s are less accurate than the full M16 style rifles because of their compact size and shorter barrel. However if you put a scope on it(which is good for varmit hunting or general target shooting) the accuracy of each rifle will be very similar at reasonable distances. Bushmaster is one of the top quality AR-15 produces, there are higher quality companies but their AR's go for a "little" more than $1000. Bushmaster's civilian M-4 is called the XM-15 and costs around $900-1000.

Answer 5

The rifle is the better choice. It will be more accurate at longer ranges. A carbine is made for close work (not a whole lotta need for a scope).

The rifle with a scope is the better choice.

Answer 6

this is driving me crazy everyone recommending Bushmasters...yes they are a good price...yes they are well built...NO they are not to military specs and now all magazines and accessories on the market will fit them!!!

if your going for accuracy and range then you have no business looking at an anykind of AR-15 or m16 type weapon... in this case you need a 7.62x51(304) weapon...the HK 91(G3) is a very good weapon but i would recomend an M14/M1A type weapon...for the simple reason there are more of them in the country, not as hard on brass as the HKs, more people shoot them, they are more readily accepted in competitions, easier to mount a scope on and just darn fun to shoot.

if you are looking for something you could clear rooms with, conduct assault type missions then, again don't bother with the AR15/M16 family of weapons...go with some kind of AK 47...i recomend the SAM family of firearms made by Aresnal...if your going to get an AK then get one with a milled reciever, preferably bulgarian design/manufactur...the AK 47 family fires a 7.62x39 cartridge that is much more suited to assaults...the range isn't that of the m16 types, but if your going for range you have no business with either....don't believe that crap that m16s are getting good reviews in the mideast...if so then why has the army depleted their stockpile of M14 rifles?

BUT if you insist on this then get the full sixe with a detachable carry handle:

Do not get bushmaster,vector arms, some kind of frakenstein parts kit rifle

DO get a Colt, Smith and Wesson, Olympic arms, Fulton Armory or Stag Arms...Stag Arms is a new one, but they are the company that SMith and Wesson contracted to build their M&P line of tactical carbines.

also go to gunbroker.com

Answer 7

depends on the range you need to shoot carbines are very accurate but don't have quite as much range but if you will be getting it in and out of a vehicle then the shorter barrel will be more manageable

Answer 8

Carbine is less accurate at long ranges, and overall. A rifle is optimal for ranged competition.

Answer 9

I would recomend either the Heckler & Koch G3A3 (7.62, .308), or the H & K G36 (5.56, .223). but if you must get the AR-15 get the rifle.

Answer 10

Just my opinion but have you checked out JLD's PTR's. Sarco.com has had a sale on them for awhile and they are 308's.