Originally Posted by
Greg Bell
You might look at the Bren 2 in .556. You can either buy a 16 inch rifle or buy a 14 inch Pistol and buy the 922R kit and pin on a Surefire Warcomp or something similar. It's definitely a cool weapon and arguably the most up to date design available (it has many of the features pioneered by the XM8/SCAR/ACR/ MCX (barf), etc. It is essentially a SCAR 16 with a nonreciprocating charging handle (a huge deal to many). I put one together from a 14 inch pistol and it is loads of fun. Allegedly there will be caliber conversion kits in the future.
You also have the Tavor X95 which is a fabulously underrated imported military weapon in almost every aspect other than the fun switch. It is basically the size of a colt Commando (although heavier for sure) but it packs a 16 inch plus chrome lined hammer forged barrel. IWI also puts spare parts kits up for sale regularly on their web page. Some folks report poor accuracy. I haven't noticed, but I basically shoot 10 inch steel plates at 50/100/180 yards so it seems awesome to me. There are already some pretty cool caliber conversion kits.
There is always the Classic AUG. The newer variants are quite nice. Although I am concerned that the most recent imports are not chrome lined (the same issue I have with the 556.
Unless something has changed, I would skip the HK 556. Although I love HK and I love the 416, the non-chrome lined non-mil spec barrel is a deal-breaker for me. YMMV.
The SCAR-16 is an amazing, absurdly durable, proven weapons system that is brought it in damn near military configuration (barring fun switch) but the $3300 price tag on these things is insane.
The Beretta ARX is an AMAZING value if you can find one. It is again, a very up to date design from a world-class manufacturer with a 500 year history. I picked mine up for $1100 but you have to look around.
I personally can't get past SIGs constant beta testing of weapons on the public. For the money they charge, they should have their homework done. I may be wrong, but I think they have already orphaned first gen MCX folks. I would skip that drama.
I have never owned or even played with an XCR so I will skip that.