What is the best .223 for tactical minded home owners

[rasbo]

I'm looking at durability,ease of maneuverability,easy maintenance, and accuracy..pics if you have the and what they might cost...Im not thinking predator gun,I have that.Im talking a kick ass weapon

[jyerxa]

the mini14 would fall under the ease of maintenance clause.

[CementFinisher]

AR15- 14ch barrel pin and welded flash hider, gets you as short as you can be. Stupid gov stupid WA and the SBR laws. Or go with a AR pistol, if you do, don't go cheap they have reliability problems

[jeepasaurusrex]

M4 SOP MOD. 

[whacker1]

FN FiveSeven
.223 pistol at 2000 + feet per second

[FALFire]

Basically any of the M4 configurations sold at many of the local gun stores. Cabela's will usually have something on sale like the S&W or Bushmaster models. You really don't need a flash hider as some of the Tactical ammo stuff available these days has a flash suppression mixture in the powder to reduce muzzle flash. Just be sure to get a few good magazines like the P-Mags to go along with it.

There are groups going after the SBR laws in hopes to get some changes made in this state but that will happen way down the road. Plus IF Obama gets re-elected you are going to want to have what you want by then and a few thousand rounds of ammo stashed somewhere, things might just get real ugly cause he'll have 4 more years and 6 more Czars willing to take away our guns.

[rasbo]

I was just looking at a S&W M&P15 T3,the police like this one,I would have to have a permanant flash on it,14inches of barrel length,Im a good shot and Im thinking I would be good out to 100 yrds,with a little heavier bullet weight say 76 grains?

[FALFire]

Okay, just to clarify....State laws says that you are required to have 16" minimum barrel length. If you have a 14" barrel or even a 10 inch barrel you still need to have an overall length of 16 inches with or without the brake. That is why the pinned muzzle end device is PINNED on, not easily removed with common tools.

 I would prefer to go to the 16" threaded version so you could swap out the muzzle end device at a later time or remove it completely. The 14.5 inch barreled version is only for the Tacti-COOL crowd and makes zero improvement for maneuverability in or around your home since you are still dealing with 16" overall. I did a lot of training with an 18" barreled AR and there is no difference in handling. You get 16 inches of rifled bore which is velocity, not that you will need that much more for home but why give it up?

And why the need for 70+ grain bullets for 100 yards? The 55 grain soft points will do everything you need to do in and around your home. 62 grain Mil surplus will get the job done with ample room left over. There is no reason for a long range target stye bullet for anything under 300 yards and if you shoot a bad guy at 300 plus yards you will look like the aggressor. Look into ballistics of the 55 grain bullets from actual shootings, you will find it performs admirably.

[rasbo]

Okay, just to clarify....State laws says that you are required to have 16" minimum barrel length. If you have a 14" barrel or even a 10 inch barrel you still need to have an overall length of 16 inches with or without the brake. That is why the pinned muzzle end device is PINNED on, not easily removed with common tools.

 I would prefer to go to the 16" threaded version so you could swap out the muzzle end device at a later time or remove it completely. The 14.5 inch barreled version is only for the Tacti-COOL crowd and makes zero improvement for maneuverability in or around your home since you are still dealing with 16" overall. I did a lot of training with an 18" barreled AR and there is no difference in handling. You get 16 inches of rifled bore which is velocity, not that you will need that much more for home but why give it up?

And why the need for 70+ grain bullets for 100 yards? The 55 grain soft points will do everything you need to do in and around your home. 62 grain Mil surplus will get the job done with ample room left over. There is no reason for a long range target stye bullet for anything under 300 yards and if you shoot a bad guy at 300 plus yards you will look like the aggressor. Look into ballistics of the 55 grain bullets from actually shootings, you find it performs admirably.

all good info,its a hundred yrds across my property,so that would be max,Im gonna agree on the 16inch barrel that makes good sense..Is there a preferred maker out there? I want to make the right descision the first time on a purchase..really appreciate the opinions and info

[FALFire]

Okay, just to clarify....State laws says that you are required to have 16" minimum barrel length. If you have a 14" barrel or even a 10 inch barrel you still need to have an overall length of 16 inches with or without the brake. That is why the pinned muzzle end device is PINNED on, not easily removed with common tools.

 I would prefer to go to the 16" threaded version so you could swap out the muzzle end device at a later time or remove it completely. The 14.5 inch barreled version is only for the Tacti-COOL crowd and makes zero improvement for maneuverability in or around your home since you are still dealing with 16" overall. I did a lot of training with an 18" barreled AR and there is no difference in handling. You get 16 inches of rifled bore which is velocity, not that you will need that much more for home but why give it up?

And why the need for 70+ grain bullets for 100 yards? The 55 grain soft points will do everything you need to do in and around your home. 62 grain Mil surplus will get the job done with ample room left over. There is no reason for a long range target stye bullet for anything under 300 yards and if you shoot a bad guy at 300 plus yards you will look like the aggressor. Look into ballistics of the 55 grain bullets from actually shootings, you find it performs admirably.

all good info,its a hundred yrds across my property,so that would be max,Im gonna agree on the 16inch barrel that makes good sense..Is there a preferred maker out there? I want to make the right descision the first time on a purchase..really appreciate the opinions and info

Rasbo, I build mine and have used parts from all over the board, DPMS, Bushmaster, Oly Arms, etc. etc. I have never found any of them to be really bad, some just so so. Actually I have had very good luck with Model 1 Sales stuff, good parts at a reasonable price and very accurate to boot. They use Shaw barrels....well they used to anyway. You can also go with a Plum Crazy lower to make it as light as possible and any of the M4 uppers available from any source, local or otherwise. You could spend 600 bucks on just a barrel if you want to, but not really needed for home protection. Besides, if you shoot someone with it, the LEO are taking it away from you for a good long time so why tie up a bunch of money into a house gun?
My house gun cost me about 350 bucks to build not including the Eotech sight.  and it kills sheet really good.

[Heredoggydoggy]

For abslute reliability, Rock River is the best.  The DEA did a torture test of all manufacturers for a purchase of new ARs, and the rifle submitted by Rock River was the last one standing.  The FBI heard about the test and put in an order also.

I have 5 ARs, of different makes, and they all work well.  But then, the only life on the line is that of the critter I'm shooting at.

[rasbo]

Im good in the house with other weapons I own bad juju for anyone..I want a zombie killing machine,lol 

[Johnb317]

Actually, if this is for 'home protection',  and we aren't talking apocalypse... a 223 is the last thing I'd use.
Short barreled 12 or 20 gauge would be more effective in 15 yard or less situations.   
Less likely to send a round through your wall and into the neighboring house, and frankly the muzzle of a shotgun is
considerably more intimidating.   If  you use a pump anyone within ear shot of you racking in a round will most likely leave very quickly.
Also, (and hopefully this never happens) if you should find yourself in court a jury most likely
would look more favorably on a shotgun. 

No where as sexy as a techy looking .223 though.

Just my 

[CementFinisher]

Have you ever shot a AR with no flash hider at night. big difference! for around the house id be looking at as compact as possible. I like the smith & Wesson M&P's allot. Shot a number of them and they were awesome. Again brands are not a big deal, every manufacturer makes good and bad products and everone one of them can have failures. Don't get hung up on mil spec, its doest mean its better, unless you plan to add aftermarket thing to your rifle. I happen to be one of those that don't like Rock Rivers, those that i have owned or shot have left a lack luster imprecision on me.

[CementFinisher]

Actually, if this is for 'home protection',  and we aren't talking apocalypse... a 223 is the last thing I'd use.
Short barreled 12 or 20 gauge would be more effective in 15 yard or less situations.   
Less likely to send a round through your wall and into the neighboring house, and frankly the muzzle of a shotgun is
considerably more intimidating.   If  you use a pump anyone within ear shot of you racking in a round will most likely leave very quickly.
Also, (and hopefully this never happens) if you should find yourself in court a jury most likely
would look more favorably on a shotgun. 

No where as sexy as a techy looking .223 though.

Just my 

I agree with this, a rifle is not the best for home protection because of the ability of stray rounds to penetrate walls and connect with non intended people