Alternatives to the AR-15

[Unlicensed Dremel]

Ess Kay Ess is your answer. Or even a Marlin 336 used in .30-30.

But TRY to get an AR15 type - it's a buyer's market right now.

[Tucker 1371]

Here's a test to see how any substitute rifle will compare. Place the rifle on the table, action open (if it will,) with ten magazines (or rounds) spaced about three feet apart down it's length. Use more tables as needed. Start at the signal, load and shoot each round for time at a bullseye as you move from one end to the other laterally.

Which is faster and more accurate? I will put the AR up against them all. It helps you to shoot it more quickly and more accurately. The others simply won't. Side by side with the AR shooter he will leave you behind and out hit you. And when you swap, you will do it to him.

I've been suggesting this match for years now, and nobody reports back with their findings. Likely they already can see how it will turn out, and some fanboys don't want to admit it.

I LIKE this idea!!! Will run my AK74 and my AR against each other soon!

As for the OP, I was like you and ARs just didn't "do it" for me, partly because the Marine Corps had made it very boring. My M1A will forever have my heart as my favorite rifle and sits right beside my AK and AR as a SHTF choice. But for speed and accuracy I can't think of anything that can match an AR, and speed and accuracy is what competition is all about... That and having fun. So if an AR just isn't fun to you I would take a look back at the 5.45 AK option and see if it is allowed (with the right ammo, most places bimetal jacketed ammo is a no go).

I have a '74 clone and I love it. It recoils just a hair less than an AR, by my perception, and is actually surprisingly accurate. Speed reloads (dropping the mag) can be lightening fast with practice. For a tac reload (retain the mag) you need big hands. '74 mags are thicker than AR mags and my hands are too small to hold two mags at once. I have to put the spent mag away before grabbing and rocking in a fresh one.