Thread: AR - Varmit vs tactical model

From a practical stance, I think since you have your SHTF gun with your PS90, you may be better off going the varmint route. But, I also think that half the fun of owning an AR is all the toys you can customize it with. I know that's a big appeal to me. So, it's a tough call. Depends how practical you want to be.

I know I'm gonna go with the tac model with the quad rail so I can add all the goodies on.

Originally Posted by Todd

From a practical stance, I think since you have your SHTF gun with your PS90, you may be better off going the varmint route. But, I also think that half the fun of owning an AR is all the toys you can customize it with. I know that's a big appeal to me. So, it's a tough call. Depends how practical you want to be.

I know I'm gonna go with the tac model with the quad rail so I can add all the goodies on.

Id go with the tac......you dont HAVE to add the toys but, with the tac, later on you CAN add the toys

Well, if I get a tac model, I only plan to add an eotech and a flashlight. I doubt I'll add a laser. I might get a bipod at some point. I'm just trying to decide. I don't know.

There is less to buy w/ the varmit model.

I'll probably go back and forth on it up until I buy it.

IMO, go with the std, "tac" model.. allow me to explain.

First off, the extra 4 inches you get on most varmint barrels (20") ends up making for a very long gun.. and the extra 4 really isn't needed unless you're concerned about squeezing every last drop of velocity out of the .223. And the potential accuracy gains over a 16" may not be needed unless you get really hardcore about long-range shooting.

Secondly, I've typically done all my AR shooting under 100 yds, and mostly at CQB distances. No biggie, I'm no superstar. And I had a Leopold 10X M1 scope sitting around, so I had originally planned to build up a long range AR, kinda "varmint" style.. but I hadn't gotten around to it. Long story short, I ended up getting a Ruger 10/22 and putting the scope on that.

So now I got my first chance to really try some longer shooting (100 yds +), and I have to admit, it's a completely different ballgame.. things like muscle tension, breathing, etc. really come into play. Opened up a whole new facet to shooting for me. Fun as hell too. And all for less than 1/2 the price of just an AR upper.

And in retrospect, I'm glad I started my long-range shooting with the .22 - low recoil and cheap ammo - so you can shoot all day for $10 and not get worn out from recoil. My buddy was next to me with his .270, and had to stop after a couple dozen rounds cause his shoulder was acting up. In other words, a cheap, easy way to work on the fundamentals of long range shooting (i.e. myself) without the distraction and cost of a larger caliber.

My point to all this? Get the 'normal' AR, and it will do for long-range, and it will give you the opportunity to find out if you like that kind of shooting or not, without locking yourself into a longer varmint configuration. Besides, you can still add a scope to it later, change barrels, get an additional upper, etc. I think you'd get the most versatility from this - you still have a platform that you could slap a so-so scope on and get a feel for those 200 yd shots, but you can still configure it more 'tactically'.

Yes, that's probably what I will end up doing... Thanks for the perspective.

I want to change my answer to what A.J. said. It sounds better.

Get the one that you want. It will do just about anything you will want it to do.

At 200 yards, my 11.5-inch barrel SBR is as accurate as my 20-inch barrel rifle if I hold up my end. A 16-inch barrel carbine will do just fine at that range.

If you want a different barrel length, a new upper will fill that requirement. If you want to hang 20 lbs of accessories on the front, you can swap the standard handguards for a quad-rail forend in about 30 seconds, unless you have a free-floated barrel.

Those are some sweet lookin' guns there, rfawcs.

Originally Posted by Todd

Those are some sweet lookin' guns there, rfawcs.

Thanks! All 3 built by Fulton Armory; can't say enough good things about 'em.