Very very new to the AR

223 and 556 are essentially the same "caliber." 223 is the civilian version, which has a somewhat lighter charge than the military 556. Many or most civilian ARs will handle both. Some civilian 223 rifles are not designed to handle 556. It is nice to have a rifle that will handle 556 as this is often available as cheap surplus ammo.

Lots of other good info on this forum but beware of the strong opinions.

 

What type of shooting are you planning on doing with it? About how much are you willing to spend? Also, do you plan on shooting it with iron sights, or optics? If so what type of optics are you considering? Battle sights like Aimpoints or ACOGS, or a conventional scope? If you can answer any or all of these questions your choice can be more easily guided in the proper direction.

 

5.56 will always take .223, but don't try it the other way around.

 

An AR chambered in 5.56 can handle .223. An AR in .223 can NOT handle 5.56. Remember that it is because like he said the 5.56 is more of a military round and a .223 chambered riffle can not handle the higher presser the 5.56 produces.

 

yes it will and there are some good reasons to go with a 5.56 chamber over a .223.

a primer on the AR-15 for you http://www.firearmstalk.com/entries/A-First-Time-Buyers-Guide-to-the-AR15.html

Its not everything but it will get you started

 

Yes. The only difference between the 2 is the freebore is greater in the 5.56 MM chamber. Freebore is the amount of the rifling that is cut away to allow the bullet a "running start" at the rifling. It allows greater velocity without as much chamber pressure as a non freebored chamber. You can shoot either or in either chamber.

 

Make sure you go through the stickies here in the AR sub-forum.

 

$650 will get you a S&W Sport. Not the greatest but def the best in the $600 range as complete ARs go.

 

Yes, the kind of dough you are talking about will buy one of the Smith & Wesson AR rifles, and these are very good rifles from an iconic American manufacturer.

 

In that case look into Palmetto State.

 

Here ya go if you have $750 - $800 to spend you will get it to your door for what your looking to spend, this one has a rear sight and is ready to rock when you get it ,. I bought 2 of the PSA's when PSA was still selling them direct to the public , no problems what so ever , very accurate , very well made , no FTF or FTE since new , well I take that back I had a bad mag that wouldnt feed but it wasnt a gun problem . I have roughly 2500 rds thru one of them and about 1500 thru the other ,

http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Palmetto_State_Armory_AR15_ORC_16_Chrome_Lined_5_p/gun-psam4-cl.htm

For $749 shipped to your FFL you get the Palmetto State Armory 16" carbine with rear magpul sight and one 30 rd mag . All you need is ammo and your ready to go . Remember anything over $90 at Joebobs gets free shipping

 

Bcm has very nice midlength lightweight uppers for 419$ if your not in some commie state or wisconsin no tax. That leaves you nearly 400 for a complete lower. Bcm complete lowers are around 350$ no tax as above. Then a nice rear sight and your golden.

Add in bolt carrier group and charging handle your at 800ish for a top of the line rifle. Bcm makes great bolt groups as well and vltor/bcm gunfigter charging handle.

If you gotta save a little to get that extra 50$ for the gunfighter i would but a standard handle works.

Nothing wrong with gas system in a ar15 midlength has a nicer recoil that carbine but not as good as rifle length.

 

Hey jon, is. $419 complete with the bcg? Thought you had to buy that seperate....and the Ch....

 

AgentTikki... Lead him the url of your AR sticky.