The Gun Every American Should Own

[North River]

We Americans are proud of our heritage as riflemen and individuals. Since 1775, armed citizens of this nation have stood in way of tyranny. I am a believer in the concept of a well-armed citizenry.

In 1775 the Brown Bess musket was cutting edge small weaponry. Although most American Minutemen most likely used fowling pieces or trade guns, the concept remains. What is the modern equivalent? What firearm should every American citizen of sound body and mind own as a most basic piece of freedom? Much like the originals, it would serve multiple roles - defense of home, target practice and amusement, hunting, and protection from tyranny.

I would think the obvious answer is the AR-15 in 5.56 NATO, but in what variation? Would it be a 20" rifle, 16" carbine, 10.5-14.5 SBR? @Formidilosus makes a strong case for the 12.5" mid-gas. With today's ability to keep it in braced pistol form instead of SBR, that would seem like the way to go. A suppressor would keep the muzzle blast from being overly obnoxious.

I have used a 16" 6.5 Grendel as a hunting rifle for some years now. I love the ergonomics and compact size. However, a number of issues while hunting has turned me off the platform and made me return to a bolt. Any firearm not being unreliable makes it unattractive as a defense weapon. I suspect a number of these issues (broken bolt head, failure to go into battery from tight chamber tolerances in dirty field conditions) could be alleviated by sticking with a high quality 5.56 platform. While my personal hunting experiences have been underwhelming with the 223, that was with average 55gr soft point and fmj ammo. It seems the newer heavy match loads are in a different category.

What components would make a good firearm for this concept? Buy a high quality 'pistol'? Build a lower and buy a high quality upper? What optic, LPVO, MPVO, prism, red dot? What suppressor? Would a side-charger be a benefit for hunting in being able to lower the bolt quietly but positively placing it in battery?

Or perhaps there are alternate ideas? Stick to a bolt for ultimate reliability? AK based action?

 

[czgunner]

12.5" 6.8 SPC is fantastic.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

I like your argument for the AR15, and you are probably right. When I saw the title of the thread I immediately thought pump action shotgun. Inside of 100 yards, there is nothing it can't do.

 

[SDHNTR]

Sold every AR I’ve ever owned. I tried. Don’t see the attraction. Doesn’t serve a purpose in my life.

If I could only own one firearm for the rest of my life it would be an older Remington 870. With different barrels it could put all forms of protein on the table, and ward off interlopers.

 

[Choupique]

Every American needs a good shotgun. Everything beyond that is lagniappe

 

[Formidilosus]

I have used a 16" 6.5 Grendel as a hunting rifle for some years now. I love the ergonomics and compact size. However, a number of issues while hunting has turned me off the platform and made me return to a bolt. Any firearm not being unreliable makes it unattractive as a defense weapon. I suspect a number of these issues (broken bolt head, failure to go into battery from tight chamber tolerances in dirty field conditions) could be alleviated by sticking with a high quality 5.56 platform. While my personal hunting experiences have been underwhelming with the 223, that was with average 55gr soft point and fmj ammo. It seems the newer heavy match loads are in a different category.

Those issues are common with Grendel’s.

What components would make a good firearm for this concept? Buy a high quality 'pistol'? Build a lower and buy a high quality upper?

LMT, Geissele, KAC, Hodge 12.5” mid gas. Of course anything 10.5” to 16” in 5.56mm, but correctly of correct mil spec parts at the least.

What optic, LPVO, MPVO, prism, red dot?

NF NX8 1-8x FC-DMx reticle.

What suppressor?

Any good, lower back pressure can.

Would a side-charger be a benefit for hunting in being able to lower the bolt quietly but positively placing it in battery?

No. It just gives an open pathway for debris to be bred the action.

Or perhaps there are alternate ideas? Stick to a bolt for ultimate reliability? AK based action?

No. A correctly assembled and built AR15 is unmatched as a functional tool.

 

[North River]

Interesting the shotgun recommendations. That was a solution for many on our frontier. But the lack of precision takes it off the table for me. Im no long range expert but I like the ability to reach out to 300 yards. My idea for this gun is less of a pepper gun or ‘only one’ type - more of a gun to have for multiple purposes, be proficient with, keep stocked in ammo and can be grabbed anytime you just need a gun. It won’t replace a good shotgun or bolt rifle but rather compliment them.

@Formidilosus is BCM on the list of good reliable AR’s? Unfortunately their 12.5 is carbine gas.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus is BCM on the list of good reliable AR’s? Unfortunately their 12.5 is carbine gas.

They make reliable guns in general, though over-gassed.

For your stated use, a PRI MK12 Mod H (16” barrel) fits very well. They can also do a version in 14.5”.

 

[North River]

They make reliable guns in general, though over-gassed.

For your stated use, a PRI MK12 Mod H (16” barrel) fits very well. They can also do a version in 14.5”.

16” would certainly have been my choice previously, but the addition of a can makes it longer and the advent of good pistol braces has opened up the possibility of shorter barrels for the average guy. 16” bare is short enough for me, but with a can it’s a little long on a pack climbing hand over thru the alders, or riding in a case in the back of the plane for weeks at a time. I’ve been playing with a 9” 300 blackout, and while it’s not the answer, I like the size!

 

[Formidilosus]

16” would certainly have been my choice previously, but the addition of a can makes it longer and the advent of good pistol braces has opened up the possibility of shorter barrels for the average guy. 16” bare is short enough for me, but with a can it’s a little long on a pack climbing hand over thru the alders, or riding in a case in the back of the plane for weeks at a time. I’ve been playing with a 9” 300 blackout, and while it’s not the answer, I like the size!

16” is a bit long for a general use rifle for sure.


There are super short 5.56’s (7”) that work very well, btw.

 

[North River]

16” is a bit long for a general use rifle for sure.


There are super short 5.56’s (7”) that work very well, btw.

What do you grab when you’re not sure what you’ll need the gun for in the next couple weeks?

 

[will_brap]

My answer is a suppressed 12.5" AR15 in 556 with a NX8 1-8 FC DMx reticle and all the other goodies every modern musket should have. Mine has carbine gas and it a bit snappy. I use that rifle for plinking, hunting coyotes, shooting local competitions and my 13 year old took a muley with it this year as well. I took it bear hunting but I did not shoot a bear this year. I think the optic leaves a little to be desired in terms of clarity and I wish it had .1 mil clicks. It saves a lot of weight, has a good reticle for my use, stays zeroed and provides a 1x without having to change head position to use a RMR.

I think the 6 ARC was originally designed to work on a shorter barrel, something in the range of 14 inches. From what I hear advancements in bolt materials for the 6 ARC have really lengthened bolt life and reliable magazines exist. The 6 ARC isn't as popular and a cheap as 223/556 but it sure does provide some compelling benefits for hunting/shooting further (when compared to 223). Maybe that is an option.

 

[Formidilosus]

What do you grab when you’re not sure what you’ll need the gun for in the next couple weeks?

In the western US where I spend a lot of time, a MK12 Mod 0. In other places a sub 8” 5.56 version with red dot.

But if I had to choose one length for everything, but did not know what I was going to need, it would be the 12.5” setup I first wrote.

 

[North River]

My answer is a suppressed 12.5" AR15 in 556 with a NX8 1-8 FC DMx reticle and all the other goodies every modern musket should have. Mine has carbine gas and it a bit snappy. I use that rifle for plinking, hunting coyotes, shooting local competitions and my 13 year old took a muley with it this year as well. I took it bear hunting but I did not shoot a bear this year. I think the optic leaves a little to be desired in terms of clarity and I wish it had .1 mil clicks. It saves a lot of weight, has a good reticle for my use, stays zeroed and provides a 1x without having to change head position to use a RMR.

I think the 6 ARC was originally designed to work on a shorter barrel, something in the range of 14 inches. From what I hear advancements in bolt materials for the 6 ARC have really lengthened bolt life and reliable magazines exist. The 6 ARC isn't as popular and a cheap as 223/556 but it sure does provide some compelling benefits for hunting/shooting further (when compared to 223). Maybe that is an option.

Your set up sounds exactly what I had in mind. What make is the rifle? Or did you build it?

6 and 22 ARC are both appealing in theory, but so was the Grendel. I’ve come to feel the AR was built around the 223 and it’s probably at its best in that. If the 556 chambering will suffice, I’d sacrifice some power and range for reliability.

 

[Turkeytider]

Every American needs a good shotgun. Everything beyond that is lagniappe

Wholeheartedly agree. The do-it-all, down and dirty survival gun if the balloon goes up!

 

[ARK_Ginger]

In the western US where I spend a lot of time, a MK12 Mod 0. In other places a sub 8” 5.56 version with red dot.

But if I had to choose one length for everything, but did not know what I was going to need, it would be the 12.5” setup I first wrote.

You have any details of your sub 8" setup or recommendations?

 

[Dave0317]

I agree the AR is the ideal tool for the role. And easy enough to learn that anyone that has the desire to own and be competent with one, can put a little effort in and become quite proficient.

The shotgun points made above are in my opinion not ideal. It actually takes more self discipline to train enough to run a shotgun at a level of competence that it competes with the average street thugs carrying ARs and pistols.
For those that won’t carry a weapon outside their home, a shotgun does have a place there.

For the OPs intent, a quality AR, like Form mentioned. I’d also add BCM and SOLGW as brands I’ve had good experiences with. Depending on suppressed or not would determine barrel length. Either 11.5 or 12.5 with a short suppressor, or 14.5-16 unsuppressed.
Red dot if you foresee mostly indoor use. For outdoors stuff, I really like an LPVO these days. Not just for the shooting aspect, but for that last bit of detail/target ID.

I’m old school, but I like a back up set of irons when practical. Co witnessed when using a dot. Off at a 45 when using a scope, though with a good tough scope, it’s likely unnecessary. Even with red dots these days, they are much more trustworthy than they used to be.

For suppressor- they aren’t the quietest, but I’ve been most happy with flow through type suppressors on ARs. Run cleaner and less finicky than trying to tune out the overpressure with a traditional can.

 

[flathead#2]

870

 

[texag10]

Your set up sounds exactly what I had in mind. What make is the rifle? Or did you build it?

6 and 22 ARC are both appealing in theory, but so was the Grendel. I’ve come to feel the AR was built around the 223 and it’s probably at its best in that. If the 556 chambering will suffice, I’d sacrifice some power and range for reliability.

I built mine. It now has a suppressor. SOLGW barrel, Triarc handguard, BCM BCG, Superlative Arms adjustable gas block. Foregrip is gone.

Lower is pretty basic with a Geissele SD-C trigger and MAgpul BAD lever.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I built mine. It now has a suppressor. SOLGW barrel, Triarc handguard, BCM BCG, Superlative Arms adjustable gas block. Foregrip is gone.

Lower is pretty basic with a Geissele SD-C trigger and MAgpul BAD lever.

I'm the furthest thing from an "AR" guy... But I want this gun! Handy little killing machine right there!