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Thread: Building an AR For Home Defense(tech branch load of questions)

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    Question Building an AR For Home Defense(tech branch load of questions)

    What is the preferred length for an AR that is specifically for HD?

    I'm just going to organize this in Q&A form like a good old tech branch letter so it will be easy to answer and also statements, which people should feel free to correct and sound off on.

    1. I suspect the best length would most likely be an SBR, but I'm wondering what is the best length/gas system? I don't want something that is pretty much a PDW weapon or so short that it make getting an AR platform kind of pointless. Also for NFA SBRs who are the go to people for those upper?

    2. In terms of potential hearing safety, does a suppressor make sense? I am not going to try and put on muffs in an sd situation. I could miss my wife calling, my daughter or a noise from an intruder or that could have just been my cat.

    I know a can will add length, but I would think preventing hearing damage and I feel being thrown off but a shot fired inside. I always use earpro so I know it would through me off and beyond the hearing just possibly my eyes from the flash. I also want to make it so that god forbid my wife (who doesn't like guns, more in the don't waste money than any gun control reason) or one of our parents if they are watching my daughter (I will try me give people basic instructions so it won't be a total as you go along situation).

    If a can is a good idea what's an economical recommendation for one with noise and flash reduction in a dwelling as the main mission? For cost reasons if I can't swing a suppressor for awhile is it better to just go with it unsupressed for the time being?

    3. What type of attachments make the most sense for home protection use? The gun is only for range use or home protection. So I don't need anything (while potentially fun) that is outside that mission. Is iron sights better than optics? If not what are good, but not super high priced optics.

    4. Does it make sense to get a stripped lower and have it made into a pistol so I can use a SBR upper (mostly for function and testing) while waiting for paper work? Obviously I'm not having a non pistol lower (even if its never been married to an upper) sitting around with an NFA upper. Should I just get a regular length and just use that for testing till I get a stamp? Honestly I'd rather not have to buy two uppers.

    5. Is there a way some can explain what makes a good lower and upper (say noveske, bcm, DD) vs a...lesser one like rguns, polymer ones, etc? I can understand a crappy one is out of spec or damaged, but what makes the best ones the best? Is it more the QA than the actual making or materials (ignoring polymer from the equation). Same with other parts such as lpks, uppers, barrels, etc.

    6. I plan to build this over time, what's the best buy order to go with one assuming an NFA build and another assuming a non NFA build? It seems parts and ar supplies are almost back to normal pricing and stockwise. Mags are definitely, and only ammo and reloading stuff being iffy.

    7. Speaking of mags and ammo, what do people suggestion for something that might have to be fired in a dwelling? Also can people recommend a practice ammo? I can't afford to just practice only with defensive ammo.

    8. Also I don't have a big budget to work with, so I can't go super high end. I want to be able to protect my family, and while I'm not trying to cheap out with the highpoint of ARs to protect my family, I can't go super high end either.


    Some additonal facts; I'm left handed and I should add that I live in PA, so NFA weapons (with the apparently exception of explosive DD ammo) is kosher (Le chaim). Currently live in a second floor apt, my bedroom is the room furthest from the front door, our daughters bedroom is a room ahead (so hunker down is not an option in a suspected home invasion...besides I also have to make sure the cat is safe too). Guns are kept in a locked storage locker in the walk in closet. Ammo and mags on a shelf in the walk in closet. The hallway isn't narrow, but maneuverability would be hard with a full size rifle if facing against a wall. The area itself is very safe and a suburb of Philadelphia, but still why not protect yourself when you can.

    Our Sheriff is NFA friendly, but I'm also a PA (and NY) licensed attorney, so I'll most likely just do a trust so I don't have to bother with the additional fingerprints. We also have a very strong castle doctrine law, so barring anything bizarre like dragging a guy back into my house and shooting him (which would be murder vs a sticky fact pattern), I'm not worried about using legally owned NFA weapons or if its taken as evidence/confiscated/PD uses it for some...if my family is safe, that's all I care about.

    I shoot far better with a rifle than I do a handgun, dramatically so. Only handguns I have are 22 or a 38 S&W gun that the RHKP used to own. Only other rifles are 22lr (m&p 15-22, savage bolt) and an IBM M1 Carbine which is the current HD current and while I love and shoot great with it, its not an optimal pic for reliability and age reasons. I don't want a shotgun. I'd prefer more ammo capacity and less recoil.

    Thanks in advance, and apologies if some of the questions have been asked a lot before.

  2. #2
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    If NFA weapons are within you're grasp than something like a 11.5-12.5 inch barrel with a suppressor attached will still give you a short OAL. Only things besides that for a good defensive carbine would be a RDS(EOTech or Aimpoint) a good white light(Surefire Mini Scout or the like) and a sling. Whatever you chose make sure if its going to be your go to gun you get some training and practice with it. Ideally you wanna shake the gun out to ensure its reliability, if you go with any of the known performers(Colt, BCM, DD,Lmt, Kac or Larue) you can't really go wrong with that setup.
    The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...and a lot of bitching.

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    This is a home D gun. Anyone who suggests any different is gay.

    End of thread.

    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    Quote Originally Posted by markm View Post
    Anyone who suggests any different is gay.

    End of thread.
    Markm, are you missing Rob_s or something?

    BTW sweet blaster.
    I paint spaceship parts.

    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    Stippled Glocks are like used underwear; previous owner makes all the difference in value.

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    Colt 6933, Aimpoint T-1, Vickers Sling, Surefire 6PX or X300, possibly a quality can(personal decision), and quality ammo. Call it good. Personally, I don't want to SBR a lower, would rather buy a SBR. An SBR from BCM, Noveske, Daniel Defense, or KAC would also be fine. When I say SBR, I mean b/w 11.5" and 10.3"

    Perfection would be a LWRC SBR, right markm?

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    Quote Originally Posted by VIP3R 237 View Post
    BTW sweet blaster.
    It's an EXACT replica of what I carried in NAM!

    Right down to the gunfighter grip and pmag.
    "You people have too much time on your hands." - scottryan

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    Quote Originally Posted by markm View Post
    This is a home D gun. Anyone who suggests any different is gay.

    End of thread.

    Only thing I'd add to this is a suppressor, because even if I had time to grab my earpro, don't really think my fam would.
    The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step...and a lot of bitching.

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    To mirror what kest_01 stated, stay with known quality brands like Noveske, BCM, Daniel Defense, Colt, etc. Barrel no shorter than 10.3". A suppressor will definitely help save hearing indoors. Add a good light, quick optic like an Aimpoint, and a quality sling.
    "To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms..."
    - Richard Henry Lee, 1788

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by markm View Post
    This is a home D gun. Anyone who suggests any different is gay.

    End of thread.

    I'll take my chances with something that hits a little harder against someone who could have been balls deep in smack and amphetamines all day. 6.8SPC LWRC.... and it isn't loud at all.... i promise hah. It is actually incredibly loud but a badass weapon nonetheless.


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    I would say that a can is not something to get hung up on, while they have their obvious benefits I wouldn't say they are a must. As Dave Grossman details in "On Combat" a very common reported phenomenon is auditory exclusion. Basically what this means is that in a fear induced high stress situation, such as a home invasion, the odds of you actually hearing your shots are very slim. Although not necessarily fear induced the same phenomenon happens regularly with hunters, has happened to me every time. If you have a family however you may still opt for the can, personal choice for you.

    An SBR would be a good choice for maneuverability but you're gonna be waiting a while. I have a BCM 14.5 that maneuvers just fine in my house. You gotta remember you're aiming down the hall not shooting from one wall across to the next, does 4" of barrel really make or break your performance?

    I would say if you have the means to get an SBR and a can and are willing to wait up to 9 months then do it. Otherwise a 14.5" with a solid light and RDS will prob suit you just fine. Irons are fine as well, but IMO a RDS is easier for my eye to pick up in low light situations even with my light. For your other questions just spend an afternoon reading various posts across the forum and you'll find your answers, good luck.
    USMC 2011-Present

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