Greetings and suggestions
Hello everyone. Been surfing around here a while and finally decided to join up. Your site is full of great info.
So I'm getting ready to purchase my first AR and I'm looking for perhaps some suggestions or advice. A little background. I've shot ar's with friends a few times but not loads of experience. Will be looking into a carbine class shortly down the road. Looking for a range/SHTF gun. Probably will shoot around 1000-1500 rounds a year. While I want to be proficient with the irons will more than likely run optics in short order (I've tried the eotech, still waiting to try the aimpoint). Like everyone, looking for a deal, but I don't mind paying a few extra bucks if the quality difference is justified. I tend to research things to death before I actually buy. And I not that it really matters but if tells you anything about what I might like in a rifle, I'm a sig man when it comes to pistols (but can't really afford a sig556:)).
Basically so far I've narrowed it down to 2: A 6920 or a M&P15T. Both have their upsides based on what I've read here and gathered talking to a few folks. The colt seems to have one of the best reputations for quality, the m16 bcg and the nicer barrel.
The M&P has the pro of price (from what I've seein about $200 cheaper), already has a fairly nice railed handguard (can add on for the colt later if I choose but further adds to the cost), and already has rear buis (something else to buy for the colt when the handle gets ditched for optics).
I guess I'm kinda leaning toward the Colt but at the same time the S&W seems to have alot of good features (right extractor spring, park under gas block, etc.) Not to mention the price difference plus things like the rear buis and railed front end for the Colt could practically pay for a case of ammo or optics for the m&p.
So as you can see I'm torn (and I guess a touch long winded:)). Any thoughts or comments you guys have would be appreciated and again hello to everyone.
EDIT: And naturally now something else is catching my eye. Priced in the same kinda range, the DD M4 is looking pretty sweet as well.