Ok I have an HBAR which I love but it is heavy. I have a Bushmaster Bullpup, but it too is heavy. What I am looking for is a "shorty", light barrel AR16 style carbine, which is light to carry. I would appreciate any suggestions and places where to buy at a reasonable price. Bushmaster seems to have something that will fit the bill, but is rather expensive.
Thanks, peter.

Peter,

Do a search on the internet for “AR-15’s†and you will find more places selling them than you can shake a stick at. None of them are what I would call “cheap†but the prices do vary a bit depending on the configuration and the manufacturer.

Peter
Look for an AR 15 with the standard "skinny" 16" barrel.
I have been using a Colt for several years with excellent results. I just do not see the need on having a heavy bbl on a 16 inch retractable stock AR 15.
If I need a short heavy rifle I will use a M1A bush rifle or an H&K 91 in 308.
With my skinny bbled AR my wife has killed several turkeys, and I have taken Javillina to 300 yards with the original 4x Colt scope. ,We have had this rifle for 25+ years.

The rifle you have now handles and feels like a bridge timber. Get a 16" M4-profile barrel from any of several manufacturers. M4 barrels are turned light under the handguards. If you have $550 to spend get a Bushmaster Ultralight upper. Getting weight off the barrel makes the whole rifle feel MUCH lighter.

Have you considered one of these?



Bushmaster Carbon15

I would go to someone like Rock River Arms or Bushmaster and look at what they have for complete upper assemblies. You can change the upper in about 2 minutes with just a screwdriver. Then you have two different rifles for about half the cost of a new gun.

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I had done a sdearch on AR15 and got back thousand of hits! I was looking to filter some of the information. The Bushmaster Carbon is way too expensive. I like the idea of a whole 'other upper with a lighter barrel and will check that out.I have heard of Rock River, but have no first hand experience.
Thanks again.
Peter

I don't have any experience with the short barrels but Rock River is about the best AR you can get for Service Rifle. I'd go with a second upper for yours. Best of both worlds and less paper work.

Peter,

Do what I did: get an Armalite AR-180B.

The list on it is $750 (I got mine at GunBroker.com for $599).

Then, get the side folding stock for it at ACE industries. ($159)

There are pictures of the configuration on the AR15.com website....go to the AR-15 forums, and scroll down the topics to AR-10 and AR-180 headings, click on "show us your pics of your AR-180", and there are multiple images of the short stocked AR180.
The lower reciever is polymer, and the weapon is very durable.
Midwest Industries just made a new handguard for it with tactical rails built in ($184).

All in all it is much cheaper (new) than an AR-15.
I prefer the side folding stock over the collapsable one, but ACE also makes a collapsable one for the AR-180 too.

Garrett

quote:

Originally posted by N. Garrett:
Peter,

Do what I did: get an Armalite AR-180B.

Only one issue with that. the only requirement given was weight. One of the biggest reasons the US went to the M-16 was the Ammo weighed less than half of the 7.62 NATO round (175 gn to 395 gn). That's a pound for every 40 rounds, Not insignificant when you consider moving millions of rounds in, around, and to the field of battle.

I'm pretty sure the AR180 uses 5.56 (.223) ammo, the AR10 uses 7.62 (308).

The AR-180 is .223

It takes AR-15/M-16 magazines.

Garrett

quote:

Originally posted by browningguy:
I'm pretty sure the AR180 uses 5.56 (.223) ammo, the AR10 uses 7.62 (308).

According to Armalite you are correct

I'm a I was thiking AR-10

Peter,
I have some updated info for you. I have now had experience with about 100 Rock River AR 15 rifles. These rifles were shot about 700 rounds each. Based on that I can recomend one of them. I would still want the 16" skinny bbl like comes on the original Colt.

Thanks NE 450 #2. I assume these were Rock River complete rifles rather than just the upper or lower plus other parts?
Peter.

Peter, Try going to http://www.jtdistributing.com. I have bought 3 uppers from them, and they shoot great. I have a flattop 16" m4 with a yankee hill float tube. It is very light weight, and around $450.

Peter
Yes they were complete rifles, but baised on their performance I would not hesitate to order a complete upper from them.

Peter,

I'd say N. Garret is on the right track. I too would recommend the AR 180B with that side folder stock. I've gotten rid of all my AR's (about five in all) and the last rifle went last year. I've been considering the AR 180B as it uses "Mattel" magazines, however didn't like the fixed stock.

N. Garret mentioned the ACE stock and after looking at it, I'm sold. The AR 180B will be my next purchase. Light, reliable, accurate enough, and a better design than the M16/AR16.

Now, before all these "experts" get all excited, I'd ask them to remember which of these two rifles Stoner designed first? The M16/AR15 series. So, doesn't it make a little sense that the second design would be an improvement?

I make my living repairing military small arms. I've used the M16 since 1970 where my first issued weapon was an M16E1 made by GM Hydramatic Corporation. I've made 650 meter shots with an M16A1. I've fired hundreds of thousands of rounds through one of these weapons.

Regardless of the performance at Camp Perry (where the rifles cannot really be considered service issue), the rifle does have certain issues. Carbon getting into the internals is one of them. The AR 180B addresses this issue with a proven, durable, clean system.

My two cents,

Eric