Opinions on AR options. I need them!

[BaconButty]

Following on from this topic regarding LanTac no longer selling CMMGs I now find myself having to research other options on what to buy. I'm hoping to pick the brains of you lot to see what would work.

First things first: I am very likely fill my .223/5.56 slot with an upper rather than a complete rifle so any AR I get has to be able to do that.

CMMG: As far as I can tell CMMGs were not full proof out of the box but with some small work (which LanTac did prior to sale) they are a fine piece of machinery. Both things I've read on here and on Arfcom say these things are beauties. They have all the features I like (I will never use a forward assist, but if the button is on there I want it to work) proper mag release, bolt hold open (aware this is a cause for some problems) and I'm able to tinker with it in any way I like. So is it worth the risk of buying one of these from someone else and then having to pay to get it sorted if it's a dodgy deal? Suffolk rifle sell them under the condition that if its broken, it's not their issue.

Spikes Tactical: from NWcustoms, I've not looked into them too much, but I hear they're ok? Anyone able to offer an opinion here?

SGC/V22: These are available second hand, leaving me extra cash towards my Remington 700 purchase. However they're not 'fully functioning ARs in .22' as the CMMG is I believe.

Bradley Arms: Again no experience here, can someone offer their opinions?

S&W M&P 15-22: I just don't want one. I am fully aware that they are fantastically reliable and accurate, however to me they feel too much like an airsoft toy. They cant take another upper and they can't be tinkered with to quite the same degree.

Any options I've missed?

Thank you.

[Ginger]

Hi Mr Butty,

check out this thread and I think its on page four is my sum up. I have a spikes two spikes and they are fine and dandy, I prefer them to the plastic M&P15

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... 94#p148394

Check out this Spikes on Gunstar

http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Rifle/Spikes-t ... 46628.aspx

or the same gun / RFD here

http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sal ... 4105218001

I have no axe to grind with the spikes, I know some people prefer CMMG but its the age old story about everything.

[John MH]

Suffolk rifle sell them under the condition that if its broken, it's not their issue.

What does that say about them then?

CMMGs available here apparently:http://emrr.org.uk/cmmg/ Not sure about their returns policy.

Any of the CMMG, Spikes or V22 lowers should be able to accommodate a standard upper so there are plenty of choices. You'd be luck to get a Bradley Arms .22 but you could always get a Bradley .223 and then find a .22LR upper for it as there are also lots of options there; Nordic, Spikes, CMMG etc.

[DanTheMan]

The V22 only differs from the genuine AR15 in that it does not have a T handle or port cover, the lower is perfect for mounting a .223 upper, and there is one for sale in the classifieds section on here !

[ovenpaa]

I have a SGC .223 Wylde chamber and .22 upper that is my own rifle and it shoots very nicely when it sees the light of day, sadly that is not very often.

[Zilberbak]

The Lantac Raven that l have as met most of my expectations even after some initial issues that was sorted out by Paul in reasonably quick time. I cannot comment on the other "premium" AR makes as l have only picked them rather than have had any opportunity to shoot them.

If you have the budget l would not hesitate to recommend the Lantac.

The only slight problem is the break in the top two piece Picatinny rail that prevents a magnifier to sit behind my Burris AR332.

Best of luck in finding the right one!

[BaconButty]

Thanks for all the replies so far. The Spikes is looking very appealing at the moment

[paxtond]

Cmmg is massive in the USA, there are plenty of people who sell them over here.

I wouldn't read to much in to the whole " needs fettling " comments

[sconie]

Whilst looking into CMMG AR's I came across several YouTube videos where owners very quickly switch the .223 bolt for a .22 bolt carrier, this did not look like an expensive mod, however the only CMMG AR's I see in the UK are .22, can anyone explain the procedure and likely cost to purchase an AR on both .223 and .22 here in the UK.

I have been considering two separate rifles such as a Ruger 10-20 and a stand alone AR, but if it was not too cost inhibitive I may go down the combined role.

Cheers

[John MH]

The bolt carrier swap you write of is probably a .22LR Conversion kit: http://www.cmmginc.com/product_p/22ba6e1.htm

These are a cheap way of being able to use .22LR ammo in a .223 Chambered Upper. They are not particularly accurate and the twist rate of a typical .223 barrel is too fast for the .22LR (1 in 7 to 9 as opposed to 1 in 16). Depends on what you want and what accuracy is acceptable, if using a conversion kit in a .223 upper its important to make sure the barrel is given a really good clean before using it for centre fire ammunition.

The other way to go is get a dedicated .22LR upper: http://www.cmmginc.com/product_p/22b6a17.htm

This a a slightly more expensive way of doing it put should be more accurate and possibly more reliable.

How you start is up to you, if on a budget get a straight pull .223 and a conversion kit. Alternatively get a .22LR AR, not the S&W MP15-22, and the get an straight pull upper to go with it at a later date.