PTR or AR?

[6LITEREATER]

I'm a TOTAL noob when it comes to these guns (these TYPES of guns even) but was considering adding something to the collection.

I like to go shooting (have a .45 Glock, 12 Gauge Moss, .45 Derringer and a .22 Rifle) at the range mainly but occasionally we take the guns with us to the dessert or even to PA when we visit the in-laws.

I wanted to build/own a rifle like this:

1) To round out the collection

2) To have a little fun shooting with

3) Because I'm starting to be a bit of a gun nut and figured should have one for one of those. "What if..." SHTF war in the streets scenarios, lol.

Anyways, I'll probably spend $1500-$2000 to start with and build on it from there (furniture) later.

Anyone know the pros/cons of a PTR over just a Cali legal AR?

Thanks!

[Crusader]

Pros of a PTR - more powerful, less expensive, cooler, cheap mags
Cons of a PTR - heavy recoil (compared to AR), expensive ammo, big, no detachable mags in standard configuration.

Pros of an AR - light, handy, easy to clean/repair, huge aftermarket, very shootable to nearly everyone, light recoil, piss on the government
Cons of an AR - less effective rifle round (ideal Carbine round), EXPENSIVE all around, no detachable mags in standard configuration.


I've gone the AR route. My only regret is that ammo became too expensive to shoot. 308 is the same now though, so I would recommend getting the PTR. The money you'll save from the rifle could get you started on a nice stockpile of ammo. But both rifles are extremely awesome and a lot of fun to shoot.

[Flux Capacitor]

Pros of a PTR - more powerful, less expensive, cooler, cheap mags
Cons of a PTR - heavy recoil (compared to AR), expensive ammo, big, no detachable mags in standard configuration.

Pros of an AR - light, handy, easy to clean/repair, huge aftermarket, very shootable to nearly everyone, light recoil, piss on the government
Cons of an AR - less effective rifle round (ideal Carbine round), EXPENSIVE all around, no detachable mags in standard configuration.


I've gone the AR route. My only regret is that ammo became too expensive to shoot. 308 is the same now though, so I would recommend getting the PTR. The money you'll save from the rifle could get you started on a nice stockpile of ammo. But both rifles are extremely awesome and a lot of fun to shoot.

AR10 is 308. Not less powerful. AR has a better balance IMO.

[Barney Gumble]

I have both and I would get an AR first (in 5.56 of course, not .308). Why? You will shoot it way more than the PTR. .308 ammo is more expensive and harder to find so you will start to worry about the cost. And with .308 recoil you will get tired of shooting it a lot sooner. I could easily put 500 rounds downrange with my AR and still not be bothered by the recoil afterwards. The recoil on .308 starts to annoy me after about 50 rounds.

ETA: Get both...just get the AR first.

[swerv512]

which ar are you talking about comparing to the PTR, the AR-10 or the AR-15 Big Difference...
Anyways get the PTR, and the AR-10. Forge about joining your local mall ninja club with an AR-15...

[The Bacon Eater]

Hey mark, how have you been? If you want to shoot my ar just let me know. I should be headed to angeles range on wed.
I would pick up an ar.

[tiger222]

Get both!
But if one for now, then get the AR.
All mods are basically DIY and you can interchange uppers in seconds.
With a PTR you can change trigger packs, stocks and optics, but the barrel is fixed.

[6LITEREATER]

^^Thanks for all the input everyone! I'm a total noob so I don't even know the difference in the AR15 and AR10 at this point. Hence starting this thread, narrow down to one style rifle, then go learn about the rifle and hopefully be ready to make my purchase in June (next big show)...

Quintin (LB), sounds awesome. I have to work Wed. but let me know the next time...

[The Bacon Eater]

^^Quintin (LB), sounds awesome. I have to work Wed. but let me know the next time...

Cool. It wont be for a couple weeks. I will let you know. Thanks

[6LITEREATER]

^^You can shoot my derringer... bet you can't hit anything under 5 yards with the POS, lol!

[Jpach]

go .308 AR. Please go Armalite style so you dont make the DPMS style rifles become unobtanium like Armalite and Noveske. That way I can get mine

[6LITEREATER]

^^All Greek to me... lol.

[Manong0369]

This was at another thread about AR-10s. Hopefully, this will help.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=62&t=378850

[6LITEREATER]

^^Very good thread, thanks!

[huckberry668]

AR-15 = .223 Remington, M-16 style standard frame size.
AR-10 = 308 Winchester, M-16 style but shoots larger bullet & larger frame size.

PTR = 308 Winchester, HK-91 style.

ARs and PTRs are completed different type of guns.

1. If you're rounding out your collection (which is a fallacy, as a gun nut you'll soon find out you can never round out your collection) you'll need both.

2. Both are fun to shoot. they behave differently.

3. they both will do fine. In fact, a AR10 based rifle is to replace the Army's bolt action sniper rifle.

If you're to pick only one, I believe AR family has advantages with more accuracy, reloading (PTRs beat brass badly), customization and maintenance potentials than PTRs.