
Originally Posted by
gfanikf
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.
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