AR's you've had

Of those that have owned a few over time

Billet or forged?
Barrel length?
16" or nfa?
Light, med, heavy barrel?
Light guns , medium, heavy weight over all?
223, 6.8, 300bo

Whatever else you might add

Never owned one of those evil black gun

You should learn to use your bolt gun first before exploring a less forgiving gun platform

I prefer billet for looks only. Nothing functional to gain.

Barrel length shorter the better. (Even with my bolt guns)

NFA

Medium profile barrels, medium weight guns

All of the above.

Forged
18/7.5/10.5/ NFA-yes
Barrels "heavy" noveske polygonal, all shooters
all pretty heavy.

The 6.8 spc with a 10.5" barrel is my favorite AR platform. It runs great and hits hard out to 200. Anything longer than that and prob be better with a bolt

Really?

Still can't let it go can ya?

Mostly forged with a couple poly lowers.
Barrel lengths from 20" to 8.5"
I've had both bull barrels and thinner profiles, but have migrated to the thinner profiles due to weight.
Calibers I've had are 9mm, .22LR, .223, 300 BO, .308.
A couple lightweight SBR's and a couple heavier rigs with the thermal scopes.
All of mine I run suppressed except the 9mm.

Standard garden variety Colt, paid $350.,1980. I beat the rush to buy them.
At about the same time at a show in Salt Lake I found a Colt with a serial number of less than 1000. I had little cash but my buddy bought it, $400, and still has it.

M

DPMS A3 Classic, 20" barrel. Have no idea of billet, forged, etc. doesn't matter to me.

Stag Model One, 16" barrel. Same as above.

Still have them.

All mine are forged. Wouldn't mind a billet if the price were right but there's no real advantage in billet.
As for the rest of the questions, I think you need to decide the caliber first before you decide the rest. I'd take an 8" 300blk any day. No way would I want an 8" 5.56 nor be near someone else shooting one. And I would take a 20" 6.5 Grendel over a 16" 6.8 for hunting. But I am also figuring long range. For short range, a 6.8 would work fine. So decide on the caliber first and then we can answer the rest of the questions.

I bought a DPMS flat-top around five or six years ago. It was something to learn on. If I remember correctly, it cost around 900 bucks in that era.

After buying the necessary tools and fixtures, I took it apart and reassembled it with a picatinny gas block and tubular Hogue free-float hand-guard. I tried various scopes and sights on it, and did some of the obligatory 'spray and pray' shooting with cheap Russian ammo.

It was valuable as a learning experience - but as a firearm, I did not find it to be all that impressive. The ignorant and backward design that poots combustion trash and gasses directly back into the action was offensive to my sensibilities as one who appreciates good firearms design. - Which the AR platform most decidedly is not.

I kept it around for several months. Then, a ham radio buddy mentioned that he was looking for an AR for his son, so I made him a deal, selling it to him for a couple of hundred bucks less than I paid for it in the first place. The thing had been taking up valuable space in my safe, and I wanted room for something more interesting.

As a computer weenie, I see the AR platform as being much like the Linux OS... Great for those who must endlessly tinker, but not up to being mainstream by any stretch of the imagination. It pretty well defines the niche firearm, often purchased with its looks or popularity in mind, rather than for any utility that it may possess.

An AR-15 CAN be used for many purposes, just as an H&R Handy-Rifle CAN be used for a variety of purposes. - This does not translate though into it being my first choice for very much of anything. If I really wanted a pseudo-assault rifle, I'd buy an SCAR.

I'll probably buy another one some time to play around with, especially since the market is super-saturated now and the 'value' of these firearms is taking a crash dive. When the price gets down to what they are actually worth (maybe $350 or so) then I'll be ready to once more become an AR-15 owner.

I have seen really impressive AR's, on a number of occasions. Fine testaments to the tinkerer's art. My personal favorites are the ones popular for DCM matches in my area. Those guys go for a basic firearm of the best possible quality, as opposed to hanging everything but the kitchen sink on them.

I have 3

16, 14.5, and 10.5", all 5.56/.223W. I've thought about 6.8/6.5 before, but opted to not do so. If I want an autoloader that hits harder, I'll buy an AR-10 in 6.5 Creedmoor.

2 have forged lowers, 1 as billet. there's no practical difference other than the billet weight ever so slightly more and having a nylon tensioning screw. Just get a forged one unless you don't care about costs. If you go poly, I would only recommend TNArmsco.

Fantastic platform. It's lightweight, precise and reliable. If you're using decent mags, you're likely go to thousands of rounds between stoppages, regardless of your treatment of the rifle.

I own/have owned the following and listed what I see to be as the major benefits of each caliber:

- Multiple 5.56 - great for plinking/training/high volume shooting, easy to find ammo
- Multiple 6.8 - awesome for pigs/deer, much lighter than an AR-10
- .300 BLK - nothing more fun and suppressed subsonic .300 BLK
- .308 (AR-10)- longer range shooting and hunting, easy to find ammo

I am a fan of billet receivers because they look so much nicer. I build all my ARs, and I like the more "high end" look of billet.

Barrel length will depend on caliber. .300 blk I would recommend the SBR route, 5.56/6.8 you can either go SBR or 16". I would not go longer than 16" personally. I typically like mid weight barrels for an all-around gun.

As far as over-all weight of the gun, light is nice but I focus more on the feel and functionality than I do on weight.

So all of your AR bashing comes from experience with a bottom of the barrel AR platform.

I've had several over time.

Started out a long time ago with a Bushmaster M4E2 A2 with fixed carry handle. Put everything you could think of cheap Chinese parts on it. Weighed a freaking ton
Got an M4 clone with 4 position stock on it in a trade 16" plastic hand guards detachable carry handle with A2 sights.
Spikes M4LE 16" 12" MI quad rail aimpoint ML3.
Mega Side charging 6.8SPC
PSA M4 16" 12" Keymod Rail Aimpoint T1
Stripped the PSA from above and built it with a 10.5" Rainier barrel and 9" Keymod rail with Aimpoint T1
POF 16" 308 with SWFA 10X
CMMG MK3 CBR with SWFA 12X, now sits with the SWFA 1-4x

Probably a few more I'm missing at the moment.

So which was your favorite Kroyal ?

I have owned 7 or 8 of them in the last 6 years. All were sub MOA shooters. I only have 2 left, a DPMS Oracle in .223 and PSA in a 7mm08, both are sub MOA shooters with factory ammo. I think that is all about I will ever need so I guess they are my favorite now, :), in a AR platform.

Hands down gotta say my 10.5" SBR I built. So small and light its my go to hunting rifle. I'm am of the camp "buy once cry once" now. Protip Buy quality stuff to begin with it will actually save you money in the long run. Ask me how I know LOL. Been toying around with the idea of a super short 8" 300BLK with a 30cal Ti Suppressor with the SWFA 1-4x on it for my new hunting rig.

I bought my first AR back in the early 1980's,a plain jane Colt. While fun to shoot,I really disliked that rifle because I could never get used to the sights on the carry handle. I sold it a couple years later,and didn't buy another one until the 1990's when Rock River Arms came out with their Varminter series.
I still have that RRA 20" varminter,and have built probably a dozen rifles since.
The funnest rifle that I ever built was a 458 SOCOM,but with it's limited range,and high cost to load for,I decided to sell the upper and all my reloading supplies for it.

Currently,I have 4 AR's,two in 223 Wylde,a 6.5x6.8 wildcat,and a DPMS LR series in 260 Remington. I also have a Kel-Tec PLR-16 pistol in 223,but it is the loudest firearm that you will ever fire.

All sold to fund a bolt gun...

Bought a Rock River Predator Pursuit when you could find one. GREAT RIFLE!!!

Fell out of love with AR's, sold it to my Buddy who buys all my safe clean-outs.

Got mad at people telling me I shouldn't have one so I bought this Seekins Build. Shot it one time, love it, absolutely love it, sadly never shoot it. has a nice place in the back of my safe.

Rock River Before

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After
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SEEKINS

Lol nope I have a bolt gun, but I'm going back to gas guns. Going to buy me some better glass than the 12x and throw it on the CMMG for longer range stuff and throw the 1-4x on my new sbr build

I've had or have 5.56, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 spc, 300 blk, 7.62x39 and 308. Barrel lengths vary from 10.5" to 20". Heavy barrels to standard although my preference is mid to heavy. I prefer billet over forged. I have SBR platforms as well. I don't have the x39 AR any longer but that will be my next project in a side charger. It's surprisingly fun to shoot and the ammo is cheap. I shoot both suppressed and unsuppressed.

I have several for different applications. Unless you are going to carry the rifle a long ways, I see no reason for a pencil weight barrel and prefer a mid weight...flutted if concerned about weight.

Forged for everything, maybe billet for dedicated long range precision application but not sure that even really matters.

20" heavy or medium for pure long range/target

18" medium for a compromise of handy/long range

14.5" pinned or 16" medium for a handy/portable rifle

I don't have a suppressor yet, but I would think 16" or less just to keep somewhat handy.

223 Wylde for higher volume shooting and a single rifle scenario but would definitely go 6.8 for hunting. I don't have a 300bo and doubt I ever will, just don't see enough advantages over 6.8.

I will start out by saying that I do not see my firearms as status symbols as some guys may. I have had several different AR's and continue to build them for whatever purpose I might decide I need one for. I am in law enforcement and the AR is is simply something that extends my accurate range when the need arises and a pistol would not be as effective (long hallways in buildings are a good example). For my personal preference, I have a 5.56 shorty 11.5" with an aim point PRO and a secondary 5.56 rifle with a 16" barrel with a Meprolite Tru Dot. Both are very effective for their intended uses and easily capable of accurate shots to 200 yards with the 16" rifle maintaining its accuracy a little further, though most likely shots taken would be within 75 yards for less. I use magpul furniture because it makes it easy to attach a flashlight or picatinny rail if I choose to. Don't add too much stuff or it will get heavy, especially if you have to carry it or maintain it for an extended amount of time.

In regard to what I like, I like simplicity. Medium weight barrels, backup open sights that co-witness with my aim point or meprolite. I like oversized charging handles for leverage if I'm wearing gloves, collapsible stocks to accommodate a vest. A good sling that is comfortable but not overly cumbersome. I see guys get these triple point slings and it takes them 5 minutes to orient before slinging their rifle. I use quality parts first and foremost when I build, but I don't see billet as something thats needed. I have built 20" heavy rifles for varmints, but that was the goal at the outset. Let the mission dictate what your rifle will be when its finished. Not sure if I answered your question, but thats my take on AR-15's. I have had and still have a 6.8spc and think its a wonderful piece of equipment, especially when hog hunting and i have a 300 BO because I wanted one to shoot suppressed. Situation dictates which gets utilized.

Dont get me wrong, I love my bolt rifles very much and they have their place, but I will always maintain an AR also.

I have 3 ARs.

1st- 14.5 in WOA in 223/556, forged lower and upper, 12 in Quadrail handguard, CMC trigger, and Vortex strike eagle on top. This is prob my best shooting AR and one of my favorites for night hunting for pigs, coons, and yotes.

2nd- 10.5 YHM 6.8SPC barrel, light weight keymod handguard, forged upper and lower, CMC trigger, Holosun red dot sight on top. I built this as a truck type gun, something small, light and compact I could easily tote around anywhere while out hunting.

3rd- 16 inch ARP scout profile barrel in 6.8SPC, 15 in mlok handguard, forged upper and lower, CMC flat trigger, SWFA 1-4 on top. I built this primarily for pig hunting out in west Texas where most my shots are a minimum of 200 yds so I wanted a little more velocity on a heavier bullet. I have shot steel easily at 500 yds with this rifle and it has become my go to AR. Im actually considering selling my 223 but can't bring myself to do it yet bc its fun and fairly inexpensive to shoot.

All in all they all have their purpose and if I were to build another it would be an AR10 in 308 just bc I don't have an AR10 yet.

All mine are forged as well.

I've owned 7.5" 556,
many 556 16" variants, my favorite of the 16"ers was a DPMS Sweet 16 (still regret parting with it),
6.8 16"
18" 6.5 Grendel
16" 308
18" 308
18" 308

I currently own,
2 complete lowers with complete upper waiting on barrels, bcg's and gas blocks in whatever caliber I end up deciding to be built,
8.5" 300 black out SBR
10.3" 556 SBR,
16" AR57,
16" Colt 556,
18" 6.5 Gren,
18" 6.5 Gren,
18" 308,

I like billet for looks but have owned both.
I have owned 16", 18" and 20" I saw no accuracy benefit with the longer barrels so mostly stick to 16" now
medium is my favorite overall, good balance
.223 and .300blk
I like 13-15" rails on my ARs, preferably a 15"er.
I don't own any NFA guns, mostly due to laziness and money.

I've owned a few from heavy to light. My go-to rifle is a semi-lightweight in .300blk. It has a machined lower and forged upper. If memory serves, the total package with a full 30rnd mag, suppressor, scope/mount and sling weighs around 8lbs. It's a sub-minute performer and the rifle was practically free. What's not to love?


My hands down favorite AR is my Lone Star Armory in .556. It is a medium weight machined receivers gun that gets beat on a lot. I've been shooting matches and hunting with it for several years now and have fired 4,000ish rounds through it. It hasn't ever let me down.


.

top of the list is my 9" AAC .300BLK, KAC URX3 rail, AAC 300TM can shooting 125gr Nosler BTs, kiled more with this gun than any other in the safe
Factory AAC upper
Noveske Chainsaw lower

ya'll quit showing your status symbols

Here is my 10.5", feels like a toy without the suppressor.

Are we doing show and tell?

This is one of my favorites. Lapped 8.2" Noveske 300 blackout, Geissle trigger, AAC SDN6 suppressor, Pride Fowler scope, some other stuff.

They're like Lay's potato chips. Hard to have just one.
I find them all appealing regardless of size shape or caliber.

I've had too many .pretty sure u know my take on the situation

Here are mine, no safe queens in this collection they all get used but the 16 in 6.8 in the middle has become my go to rifle.

Left to right 14.5 in 223 with pinned and weld muzzle device, 16 inch 6.8SPC, 10.5 inch 6.8

DPMS M4 type carbine - Sold
Rock River Varmint 18" stainless bull barrel 18" - Sold (accurate as hell but very heavy to carry around)
Rock River M4 type carbine - Sold
Spikes Tactical mid length 16" - Still own, I carry this rifle daily
Rock River with 20" Shaw barrel - Still own, set up for varmint/target gun

I can honestly say none of the AR's I have owned have given me a bit of trouble, I just like buying/selling/trading guns. All of mine have been forged and .223/5.56.