To AR or not AR...

[TNPhil]

Honestly, this has taken most of my research time in looking for affordable options for a hunting AND home defense rifle setup. With current politics, budget, primary use, available ammo, and ease of use for a possible old first-time user such as myself, I keep looking at the AR-15, but still not 100% on pulling the trigger, so to speak. Any thoughts on how I should look at it to have better peace of mind than worrying about alphabet agencies showing up at my door?  Just being honest since I am too old to pull punches in what I write. 

[RED333]

My first question for you is, what do you use now for home defense?

Second question is, what do you use to hunt with?

[leroy]

If I wuz gonna split between hunting home defense, I would recommend a Palmetto State Arms 300 BO carbine.  They are cheap.  They work well, and they are a man stopper n light game getter.   

The price would be low, and ya could save some dollars n buy a good trigger to drop into it ( or any other AR ) and maybe it a bunch more usable for both jobs.

The ammo is about as reasonable as 556 if ya shop around.  Also, there are states where ya can't hunt large game with a 22 caliber.

leroy.

 

[Garufa]

I personally don’t think too much of AR’s for hunting or home defense if we’re talking .223/5.56mm, but I don’t hunt and in my abode a rifle is inappropriate.  

If it’s reached obsession point, Just go to Palmetto State Armory’s website and order the cheapest one they have and get it out of your system for $500-$600, maybe less.  They make very serviceable, quality, and accurate weapons.

Don’t fret about politics, society, or alphabets…that’s all overrated.

[Alleycat72]

Ar15s are fantastic.  My HDG is an 11.5" suppressed 5.56 with an Aimpoint. 77gr razor core. I've killed a few deer with this gun.

I would hesitate to grab my 16" or 18" with 62gr tsx for any deer. I've killed a bunch of hogs with the 18". Really all about the ammo. 

Ar15s are really easy for teaching kids how to shoot. The gun can be fitted to their size and grow with them.

I do keep a 14" 870 with 8 pellet Federal flight control around also. 

[monkeylizard]

Situations may vary, but most of the time a rifle is not the best home-defense choice. Over penetration is a real concern with the bullet very capable of passing through multiple walls inside the house and exiting the house. Either can strike an unintended target you couldn't see but are still responsible for. It's also harder to move through a confined space with a rifle. The AR platform makes that somewhat easier with collapsible stocks and usually a significantly shorter overall length compared to a traditional hunting rifle. Home layout, construction, and location are variables unique to each person, so YMMV.

But an AR-15 is a very good rifle for lots of different things and can be kitted out to your personal tastes pretty easily. +1 to Palmetto State.

As for the alphabet folks, there are north of 20 million AR-15s in the USA. They simply can't knock on that many doors. If there ever is a gun grab, it won't come in the form of random door knockers. But if you really don't want a paper trail, buy private sale in Tennessee. A great way to do that is to become a member here on TGO and post a WANT TO BUY ad in the TGO Trading Post describing what you want and your budget.

[deerslayer]

If I wanted an AR to do double duty as a general defense rifle and hunting rifle up to deer, I would look at a 16” gun in 6.5 Grendel.  Ammo isn’t widespread but is available and is in line with the cost of many other AR calibers.  It could be handy enough for defensive work but you could stretch it to 300 yards for hunting.  
 

I’m not sure why alphabet agencies would show up at your door.  

Edited Sunday at 03:57 AM by deerslayer

[Grayfox54]

I don't think there is a good combination home defense and hunting rifle. Generally a rifle suited for home defense is too light in caliber for reliable hunting of deer sized game. While a suitable hunting rifle is way too overpowered for urban defense.  ARs suited for deer sized game will be chambered in other calibers that are both harder to find and more expensive. One of the strongest arguments in favor of the 5.56 is its readily available and reasonably priced ammo.  

Many years ago in the Army the M-16A1 was a POS. I didn't like it and I didn't trust it. I felt that way for about another 50 years. But around 2018 I finally figured that I should get an AR-15 simply because so many people didn't want me to have it and wanted to outlaw them. So I bought a S&W M&P-15 because it was cheap and reliable. 

About a year later, I stumbled into a deal on a Colt A2 model that was just too good to pass up. So, yeah, I have two AR style rifles. But the truth is that I don't shoot them much. If the S ever did HTF, my choice of rifle would not be an AR.  It would be my M1A. 

But yeah, I do recommend the every serious gun owner has at least one AR-15 type rifle. If for no other reason than just to piss off the antis. 

 

[DL126]

I have AR's in 22LR, 6 ARC, 6.5 Grendel, .223, and 7.62x39.

In order of usage time for me (including time spent training) ...

1. 22LR
2. 7.62x39
3. .223
4. 6.5 Grendel
5. 6 ARC

I was shocked at what a 154 gr, soft nose x39 will do to a deer at 100 and under. 

Edited Sunday at 09:27 AM by DL126

[Moped]

If you want a rifle for home defense, go with a PCC in 9mm or .45. Or a lever action in .357 Magnum (.38 spl) or .44 Magnum (.44spl). Both magnum calibers can and are used for hunting.

 

[TNPhil]

On 5/24/2025 at 7:08 PM, RED333 said:

My first question for you is, what do you use now for home defense?

Second question is, what do you use to hunt with?

As of right now, nothing for either. After being forced into early retirement due to disability, I am strongly looking into what is necessary in order to better supply and protect my family.

[TNPhil]

19 hours ago, Moped said:

If you want a rifle for home defense, go with a PCC in 9mm or .45. Or a lever action in .357 Magnum (.38 spl) or .44 Magnum (.44spl). Both magnum calibers can and are used for hunting.

 

I did notice the Rossi and Citadel lever-action models, and I am looking more into them currently. Much appreciated on the advice.

[TNPhil]

On 5/24/2025 at 11:48 PM, Grayfox54 said:

I don't think there is a good combination home defense and hunting rifle. Generally a rifle suited for home defense is too light in caliber for reliable hunting of deer sized game. While a suitable hunting rifle is way too overpowered for urban defense.  ARs suited for deer sized game will be chambered in other calibers that are both harder to find and more expensive. One of the strongest arguments in favor of the 5.56 is its readily available and reasonably priced ammo.  

Many years ago in the Army the M-16A1 was a POS. I didn't like it and I didn't trust it. I felt that way for about another 50 years. But around 2018 I finally figured that I should get an AR-15 simply because so many people didn't want me to have it and wanted to outlaw them. So I bought a S&W M&P-15 because it was cheap and reliable. 

About a year later, I stumbled into a deal on a Colt A2 model that was just too good to pass up. So, yeah, I have two AR style rifles. But the truth is that I don't shoot them much. If the S ever did HTF, my choice of rifle would not be an AR.  It would be my M1A. 

But yeah, I do recommend the every serious gun owner has at least one AR-15 type rifle. If for no other reason than just to piss off the antis. 

 

And being told that I cannot is definitely a reason why I even created this particular post as well. I just want to be certain my choice is a good one once I make the purchases we are looking at.

[TNPhil]

On 5/24/2025 at 8:35 PM, monkeylizard said:

Situations may vary, but most of the time a rifle is not the best home-defense choice. Over penetration is a real concern with the bullet very capable of passing through multiple walls inside the house and exiting the house. Either can strike an unintended target you couldn't see but are still responsible for. It's also harder to move through a confined space with a rifle. The AR platform makes that somewhat easier with collapsible stocks and usually a significantly shorter overall length compared to a traditional hunting rifle. Home layout, construction, and location are variables unique to each person, so YMMV.

But an AR-15 is a very good rifle for lots of different things and can be kitted out to your personal tastes pretty easily. +1 to Palmetto State.

As for the alphabet folks, there are north of 20 million AR-15s in the USA. They simply can't knock on that many doors. If there ever is a gun grab, it won't come in the form of random door knockers. But if you really don't want a paper trail, buy private sale in Tennessee. A great way to do that is to become a member here on TGO and post a WANT TO BUY ad in the TGO Trading Post describing what you want and your budget.

This was some great information! And I am definitely interested in looking into becoming a benefactor, so I can have the option of purchasing from this forum after I have had the chance to further discuss any details directly with the seller. What exactly do I need to do in order to have this option in the future?

[monkeylizard]

@TNPhil you can become a TGO site Benefactor from this page: https://www.tngunowners.com/forums/subscriptions/
 

[TN_Raven]

@TNPhil Here are the general guidelines for the Trading Post

https://www.tngunowners.com/forums/articles.html/community-info/about-the-trading-post-r2/

And this sub-forum has some more info:

https://www.tngunowners.com/forums/forum/43-trading-post-notices-and-faqs/

 

[TNPhil]

As it stands right now, I will most likely purchase an AR-15 (probably from this site) just to have one and do some training with. I will still be getting a hunting rifle, 9mm pistol, and 10/22. I appreciate all the advice and information!

[1gewehr]

The biggest advantage of the AR15 from my perspective is it's versatility.  Caliber changes are as often simple as getting a new upper receiver.  Add optics, lights, suppressor, or other accessories easily.

As far as caliber goes, I'm not the biggest fan of the 5.56mm.  But, there have been some really great developments in that caliber over the past 40 years.  There are loads specifically developed to NOT penetrate walls.  Other loads will reliably kill any game up to Deer.  You name the application, and someone has ammo for it.

One of the biggest advantages of the AR15 is how easily you can use it for inexpensive .22lr practice. CMMG makes an inexpensive, reliable kit for under $200 for use with any 5.56mm upper.  The mags are a pain to load without the loading tool.  But, extra mags are not terribly expensive.  I carry five to the range.  When they are empty, I change uppers to shoot a couple of magazines of 5.56mm.

For hog, deer, or longer range shooting, I have a 6.5 Grendel upper.  Ammo can be pricey and hard to find.  But with online shopping, there are a lot of options.

Another huge advantage of having an AR15 is that you do not have to practice with multiple platforms.  No matter how you change it, the selector/safety will be the same, the grip will be the same, your cheek weld will be the same, magazine changes will be the same.  For rifle that will be used for both hunting and home defense, that is a HUGE advantage.

[Pain103]

Sounds like a 12 gauge is your answer. 

[TNPhil]

1 minute ago, Pain103 said:

Sounds like a 12 gauge is your answer. 

Unfortunately, not with my disabled shoulders

[Pain103]

6 minutes ago, TNPhil said:

Unfortunately, not with my disabled shoulders

That stinks. Good options mentioned already, but if you do buy an AR, you probably won't stop at 1. Good thing is you can have multiple calibers and setups. 

[TNPhil]

28 minutes ago, Pain103 said:

That stinks. Good options mentioned already, but if you do buy an AR, you probably won't stop at 1. Good thing is you can have multiple calibers and setups. 

Very true. A lot of great info has been shared from this site. Much appreciated!

[Thearmededucator]

I think ARs are a great HD choice. Good capacity, accuracy, plentiful and affordable accessories and ammo. The light round and high velocity actually make them among the least likely to over penetrate barriers (they have a tendency to fragment). 

I choose the standard 5.56 ball round for consistency’s sake. The round I train with will have the exact performance as the one I’d use in real life. Plus its lower cost is a nice bonus, as is the previously mentioned .22 conversions.

I recommend putting a white light, a sling, and a red dot on a Smith & Wesson M&P and calling it good

I’m not a hunter, but I have friends who use 5.56 ARs to take deer, and they are commonly used for coyotes and boar as well. 
 

Unless there’s other things afoot, you have no reason to be concerned about the alphabet boys for having an AR.