Favorite AR-15 Alternatives?

[KeeperoftheH]

I recently bought a mini 30 and now selling one of the Aks. Now wishing I had another 14 so I had a pair. The cost on both 14 and 30 has jumped tremendously.

I have owned a few SKSs, and shot several AKs, and I prefer my Mini Thirty over all of them; it's what made me realize how bad I wanted a Mini 14, now I just gotta track the right one down!

 

[Carmel Corn]

If you can find one, a Saiga 223/556. Not as accurate, but reliable and can eat steel case with ease. A complicating issue is the finding the factory magazines.

 

[breakingcontact]

I have owned a few SKSs, and shot several AKs, and I prefer my Mini Thirty over all of them; it's what made me realize how bad I wanted a Mini 14, now I just gotta track the right one down!

how has your firing pin held up? what kind of ammo do you usually shoot?

 

[spencer rifle]

Most anything bullpup.
X95, RDB, RFB. Used to have an AUG.
Great weight distribution, small package with full-length barrel, mag exchange close to the body.
Modern triggers are very good, most are ambi as built (RDB, RFB) or ejection can be changed (X95).
Main issue - chamber inspection.

 

[DadSmith]

I have owned a few SKSs, and shot several AKs, and I prefer my Mini Thirty over all of them; it's what made me realize how bad I wanted a Mini 14, now I just gotta track the right one down!

My 7.62x39mm AR is a good shooter. I need to dig it out and shoot it more now that I have over 1k brass to reload for it now.

 

[KeeperoftheH]

how has your firing pin held up? what kind of ammo do you usually shoot?

So far, so good. All I can find these days is TulAmmo, and so far, no malfunctions or misfires.

 

[Robert Richardson]

Short barrel FAL

 

[DadSmith]

So far, so good. All I can find these days is TulAmmo, and so far, no malfunctions or misfires.

If you find Golden Tiger grab it. It's the best ammo I've found from Russia for the 7.62x39mm.

 

[pmbiker]

I converted a few Saigas back in the early 2000's. Most were the .308 flavor but I did a .223 and I really liked it.

Another option that I haven't seen mentioned is the AR-18/180b. A friend had one years ago. I shot it some and liked it alright. Felt cheap but did it's job. I read they were being produced again by a company in Canada, never heard if they're available or reasonably priced.

 

[Squid556]

So, I was actually trying to avoid the "better" debate. There's no question that the AR does some things better than other 5.56/.223 platforms. But, as several other people have mentioned, that doesn't make it the best platform for their wants or needs. And, I'd be willing to bet that so many departments switching to ARs has MUCH more to do with how much cheaper ARs are to buy, service, and supply mags for, than anything to do with a Mini being unreliable. Just my guess, though.

For those that mentioned the ARX, the "tactical tuna" has fascinated me since I figured out what it is, but I'm admittedly a sucker for gimmicks; it's why George Kellgren keeps getting my money, and why a SU16 is on my short list of guns to own.

Yeah it was bound to happen. The “favorite” key word quickly gets overlooked and turned into a big D**k contest lol.

It’s all in what you want the tool to do. I sure wouldn’t use a mini as a go to war weapon, but its still my favorite alternative. It’s okay to buy and enjoy something for “second cool” reasons.

 

[KeeperoftheH]

If you find Golden Tiger grab it. It's the best ammo I've found from Russia for the 7.62x39mm.

I have a buddy who just bought a case of Golden Tiger off someone he knew for an absolutely stupid low price, I've been trying to convince him to sell me some with no luck so far.

 

[two70]

Hey all, have a general question for you fine folks: what is your favorite AR alternative? I have no hate for ARs, they are great weapons and I've owned a couple over the years, but they've never been my favorite way to throw .223/5.56 lead downrange; for me, that will always be a Ruger Mini 14 (I'm on the hunt for one now). I know in a lot of ways it's objectively not as good as an AR, but man, do I love the way they look and hold. So, I'm curious, what are your favorites, and why do you prefer them over an AR?

If you like old school 5.56 chuckers as your preference for the Mini 14 suggests, then I'd recommend trying a Marcolmar CETME L. They are built in Indiana, one of the more reasonably priced semi auto 5.56s, and use AR mags.

 

[Cavman]

I dig the sig 556 swat. Wish I never wouldnhave gotten rid of it

 

[KeeperoftheH]

If you like old school 5.56 chuckers as your preference for the Mini 14 suggests, then I'd recommend trying a Marcolmar CETME L. They are built in Indiana, one of the more reasonably priced semi auto 5.56s, and use AR mags.

You know, I just recently found out about the CETME L, and I'm definitely looking more closely at it.

I dig the sig 556 swat. Wish I never wouldnhave gotten rid of it

I've wanted one of those since I first saw them years ago, it's definitely a bucket list gun.

 

[Cavman]

You know, I just recently found out about the CETME L, and I'm definitely looking more closely at it.

I've wanted one of those since I first saw them years ago, it's definitely a bucket list gun.

It was awesome. But wanted to get into the long range game so I traded it. And then never got opportunity to really do long range.. ohhh hindsight

 

[KeeperoftheH]

It was awesome. But wanted to get into the long range game so I traded it. And then never got opportunity to really do long range.. ohhh hindsight

I feel the same way about my Bulgarian Makarov. Got it for $120 years ago, loved it, but sold it in pursuit of something else, and have regretted it ever since.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Many alternatives, but why?

However, I'll play, will give you (my) 6:

1. LMT piston.
2. LWRCI piston
3. SIG 516
4. Carcal 816
5. AUG
6. MCX/Virtus

 

[KeeperoftheH]

Many alternatives, but why?

That argument always sounds like "there are many alternatives to beans, but they're a perfect protein with fiber, and you can cook them 1000 different ways, so why would you ever eat something else?" I dunno man, I guess not everyone likes or wants beans all the time?

 

[DadSmith]

If you like old school 5.56 chuckers as your preference for the Mini 14 suggests, then I'd recommend trying a Marcolmar CETME L. They are built in Indiana, one of the more reasonably priced semi auto 5.56s, and use AR mags.

Thanks Two70 for sharing. Definitely on my favorite tab now. I never heard of them until now.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

That argument always sounds like "there are many alternatives to beans, but they're a perfect protein with fiber, and you can cook them 1000 different ways, so why would you ever eat something else?" I dunno man, I guess not everyone likes or wants beans all the time?

I understand. Everyone wants to stand out at the range and be the Special Guy. Everyone wants the 7 inch Mosin Nagant rifle and the ball of fire of unburnt powder. "Everyone was looking at me." I get it.

I mean, as many Special Snowflake guns as I have had in and out of my hands, I say more power to them. Afterall, America=choices.