Non AR 5.56: what are your favorites? - Page 2

ttarp · February 14, 2018, 06:55 AM

Well its certainly a dated design, and even though the AR is older and didn't start out as modular, vast amounts of money have been poured into further developing the AR into what it is today. Meanwhile the AUG has pretty much just plodded along, with no great aspirations, or significant changes, and low expectations of sales. Still a great rifle, regardless of who does or doesn't use it, with some good features ahead of its time when it came out.

PlatinumCore16 · February 14, 2018, 07:51 AM

The HK33/93 series roller lock would be my vote. I already have a C308, so I may be biased. Mini-14 would be another one, but not as accurate out-of-the-box on the whole. I'll own a mini someday, but my next long rifle is an HK93 pattern. Either get a Century and overhaul it, or save up for a Zenith or Vector. Wish PTR would make a 5.56.

Now if money was no object? A SCAR16, but if you're gonna go with a SCAR, why not go full power with a SCAR17?? My .02

Fishbed77 · February 14, 2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

The Australians don't think the AUG is where its at. They used them for several years, then dropped them, replacing them with an AR pattern gun.

No. While some AR-pattern rifles are used on a limited basis, the Austrailan military is replacing their version of the AUG general service with the Lithgow F90, a new bullpup rifle developed from the AUG.

weblance · February 14, 2018, 04:09 PM

My Kel-Tec SU-16c has been excellent. I have over 1,000 rounds through it now, and it has been 100% reliable. Its gas operated, light weight, and accurate. It also uses AR magazines

SPEMack618 · February 15, 2018, 11:31 AM

FN-FNC Carbine or a Daewoo K2

dmoserwy · February 15, 2018, 11:35 AM

I have had my Mini 14 since 1979. Never felt the desire fo an AR.

lordvader · February 15, 2018, 05:02 PM

Mini 14, although not the most accurate. And I actually do own one. Plus several AR's

rickyrick · February 15, 2018, 06:23 PM

From 1987-2014 I never wanted any other semi auto than a Mini14.
2012 I started toying with the idea of an AR.
I moved to a new state, I no longer had a personal range to use. I discovered that collecting AR parts was a good hobby to do that was still gun related in my spare time.
ARs are great, a person could put them together on the kitchen table, to be anything you want; but the Mini14 is still my favorite semi.

DMK · February 15, 2018, 07:42 PM

Not a popular (or readily available) choice, but I really love my 5.56 Saiga AK.

It's rock solid reliable, it will eat any ammo and in fact was built for cheap steel case. With good quality Federal XM193 surplus it will do 2 MOA all day long. I love the AK siderail. I wish I could find another one.

DMK · February 15, 2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

As you can see, I've tweaked it a bit to resemble my NM M1A.

That's cool COSteve. I really like that.

armoredman · February 16, 2018, 04:26 AM

I lucked into the greatest deal of my life and am very happy with my CZ BREN 805. It eats everything, shoots straight, and has had no issues. The 1-7 barrel has been accurate with everything from 45 grain HP to 75 grain Hornaday TAP SBR hammers, and has even digested 55 and 62 grain CAST loads without argument. The thing holding it back is my cheap red dot and my own bad shooting skills.

The ONLY thing against it is the weight - us fat old out of shape non-operators might have some difficulty humping it out in to the boonies...or we might make it there, but never back.

But it is still an absolutely outstanding fun rifle.

Don't have an AR, have never owned one, but the prices nowadays REALLY have me intrigued. I fired ten rounds through one last year with a binary trigger that the owner failed to tell me about, didn't enjoy that experience, only time before that was an M16A1 in 1984. Hated that SPROINNGGGGG in my ear every time I fired it.

kraigwy · February 16, 2018, 10:54 AM

No Brainer

stonewall50 · March 9, 2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMK

Not a popular (or readily available) choice, but I really love my 5.56 Saiga AK.

It's rock solid reliable, it will eat any ammo and in fact was built for cheap steel case. With good quality Federal XM193 surplus it will do 2 MOA all day long. I love the AK siderail. I wish I could find another one.

I like the way it looks. I’ve never really shot an AK type design though. Stock is a little odd to me.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

stonewall50 · March 9, 2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbed77

No. While some AR-pattern rifles are used on a limited basis, the Austrailan military is replacing their version of the AUG general service with the Lithgow F90, a new bullpup rifle developed from the AUG.

It is a cool design. I know that people say bullpup triggers have issues. Personally? The size for barrel length is what I like about them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

COSteve · March 9, 2018, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraigwy

No Brainer

Clearly you've got a 'no-brainer' going as the OP posted "Non AR 5.56" and last time I looked neither of my M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, M1A, etc., were chambered in 5.56mm.

flashhole · March 11, 2018, 08:45 AM

Another vote for the Mini 14. Mine is a synthetic and stainless version.

Big Shrek · March 11, 2018, 11:46 AM

IWI TAVOR kinda makes all the others obsolete

Now available in Arctic White...

Coloradohtr · March 11, 2018, 12:09 PM

My favorite non-AR-15 in 5.56 is the Ruger American Ranch rifle. Sure it's only a bolt gun but the new models can take standard AR-15 magazines and comes with a 10rd PMag. It's free floating, has a short 16" medium heavy threaded barrel so it's ready for a supressor or a muzzle break of your choosing. It also comes with a 1913 rail so you can mount a scope and has a decent trigger. Not a bad set up for around $400.00 without the scope and extras of course.

xandi · March 11, 2018, 01:04 PM

What no love for the 249 here?

dgludwig · March 11, 2018, 01:53 PM

I have a Mini-14 and an AR-15. I like them both but if I could keep only one, it would be the Mini-14.

Fishbed77 · March 12, 2018, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Not a popular (or readily available) choice, but I really love my 5.56 Saiga AK.

I really wish I had been able to pick up one of these rifles when they were cheap and readily available. I have a 7.62x39mm Saiga and (once properly converted), it's a superb rifle.

.

rickyrick · March 12, 2018, 12:03 PM

Would have liked to own a saiga as well, but already owning ARs and a Mini14, I didn’t get in a hurry for one

Dragline45 · March 12, 2018, 02:17 PM

I picked up a Mini 14 Tactical this year and absolutely love it. The new Minis are good to go and I haven't experienced any of the accuracy problems of the Minis of he past. While it wont be replacing my BCM AR's, I may actually enjoy shooting the mini more.

DMK · March 13, 2018, 06:34 AM

Quote:

I really wish I had been able to pick up one of these rifles when they were cheap and readily available. I have a 7.62x39mm Saiga and (once properly converted), it's a superb rifle.

I wish I would have bought two of them when they were available. I got one each in 223, 7.62x39 and .308. If I were to do it over again, I'd have gotten two in 223 and skipped the 7.62x39 since I also have a SAR1.

At the time, I wasn't sure the 223 rifle would work out in regards to parts availability and reliability. On the forums at the time there was a lot of hate on the non-Russian caliber AKs. After converting it to use Bulgarian 5.56 mags, it turned out there were no issues.

Oh well, at least these things are robust and dead nuts reliable.

COSteve · March 13, 2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragline45

I picked up a Mini 14 Tactical this year and absolutely love it. The new Minis are good to go and I haven't experienced any of the accuracy problems of the Minis of he past. While it wont be replacing my BCM AR's, I may actually enjoy shooting the mini more.

I agree that they are more enjoyable to shoot than the ARs as they are more compact and the controls are more user friendly.

Last Sunday, I took out my 2 favorite semi-autos out and I guess it's pretty clear why I tweaked my Mini the way I did.

February 15, 2018, 11:31 AM	#30
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	FN-FNC Carbine or a Daewoo K2 __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

February 15, 2018, 11:35 AM	#31
dmoserwy Member Join Date: March 15, 2016 Posts: 24	I have had my Mini 14 since 1979. Never felt the desire fo an AR. __________________ If you do what you have always done you will get what you have always got. Is that what you want?

February 15, 2018, 07:42 PM	#34
DMK Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2001 Location: Over the hills and far, far away Posts: 3,206	Not a popular (or readily available) choice, but I really love my 5.56 Saiga AK. It's rock solid reliable, it will eat any ammo and in fact was built for cheap steel case. With good quality Federal XM193 surplus it will do 2 MOA all day long. I love the AK siderail. I wish I could find another one. __________________ - Homeland Security begins at home: Support your Second Amendment - www.gunowners.org - www.saf.org - act.nraila.org - www.grnc.org

February 16, 2018, 10:54 AM	#37
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	No Brainer __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

March 11, 2018, 08:45 AM	#41
flashhole Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2005 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 2,000	Another vote for the Mini 14. Mine is a synthetic and stainless version. __________________ ,,, stupidity comes to some people very easily. 8/22/2017 my wife in a discussion about Liberals. Are you ready for civil war?

February 14, 2018, 06:55 AM	#26
ttarp Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2013 Posts: 888	Well its certainly a dated design, and even though the AR is older and didn't start out as modular, vast amounts of money have been poured into further developing the AR into what it is today. Meanwhile the AUG has pretty much just plodded along, with no great aspirations, or significant changes, and low expectations of sales. Still a great rifle, regardless of who does or doesn't use it, with some good features ahead of its time when it came out.

February 14, 2018, 07:51 AM	#27
PlatinumCore16 Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 424	The HK33/93 series roller lock would be my vote. I already have a C308, so I may be biased. Mini-14 would be another one, but not as accurate out-of-the-box on the whole. I'll own a mini someday, but my next long rifle is an HK93 pattern. Either get a Century and overhaul it, or save up for a Zenith or Vector. Wish PTR would make a 5.56. Now if money was no object? A SCAR16, but if you're gonna go with a SCAR, why not go full power with a SCAR17?? My .02

February 14, 2018, 04:09 PM	#29
weblance Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2012 Posts: 1,229	My Kel-Tec SU-16c has been excellent. I have over 1,000 rounds through it now, and it has been 100% reliable. Its gas operated, light weight, and accurate. It also uses AR magazines

February 15, 2018, 05:02 PM	#32
lordvader Member Join Date: September 30, 2015 Posts: 86	Mini 14, although not the most accurate. And I actually do own one. Plus several AR's

February 15, 2018, 06:23 PM	#33
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	From 1987-2014 I never wanted any other semi auto than a Mini14. 2012 I started toying with the idea of an AR. I moved to a new state, I no longer had a personal range to use. I discovered that collecting AR parts was a good hobby to do that was still gun related in my spare time. ARs are great, a person could put them together on the kitchen table, to be anything you want; but the Mini14 is still my favorite semi.

February 16, 2018, 04:26 AM	#36
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	I lucked into the greatest deal of my life and am very happy with my CZ BREN 805. It eats everything, shoots straight, and has had no issues. The 1-7 barrel has been accurate with everything from 45 grain HP to 75 grain Hornaday TAP SBR hammers, and has even digested 55 and 62 grain CAST loads without argument. The thing holding it back is my cheap red dot and my own bad shooting skills. The ONLY thing against it is the weight - us fat old out of shape non-operators might have some difficulty humping it out in to the boonies...or we might make it there, but never back. But it is still an absolutely outstanding fun rifle. Don't have an AR, have never owned one, but the prices nowadays REALLY have me intrigued. I fired ten rounds through one last year with a binary trigger that the owner failed to tell me about, didn't enjoy that experience, only time before that was an M16A1 in 1984. Hated that SPROINNGGGGG in my ear every time I fired it.

March 11, 2018, 11:46 AM	#42
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	IWI TAVOR kinda makes all the others obsolete Now available in Arctic White... __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

March 11, 2018, 12:09 PM	#43
Coloradohtr Member Join Date: February 29, 2016 Posts: 49	My favorite non-AR-15 in 5.56 is the Ruger American Ranch rifle. Sure it's only a bolt gun but the new models can take standard AR-15 magazines and comes with a 10rd PMag. It's free floating, has a short 16" medium heavy threaded barrel so it's ready for a supressor or a muzzle break of your choosing. It also comes with a 1913 rail so you can mount a scope and has a decent trigger. Not a bad set up for around $400.00 without the scope and extras of course.

March 11, 2018, 01:04 PM	#44
xandi Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2015 Location: ga Posts: 321	What no love for the 249 here?

March 11, 2018, 01:53 PM	#45
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	I have a Mini-14 and an AR-15. I like them both but if I could keep only one, it would be the Mini-14. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

March 12, 2018, 12:03 PM	#47
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,237	Would have liked to own a saiga as well, but already owning ARs and a Mini14, I didn’t get in a hurry for one

March 12, 2018, 02:17 PM	#48
Dragline45 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 3,513	I picked up a Mini 14 Tactical this year and absolutely love it. The new Minis are good to go and I haven't experienced any of the accuracy problems of the Minis of he past. While it wont be replacing my BCM AR's, I may actually enjoy shooting the mini more.