Home of the Minuteman Marksman

The point of this article is to explore the answer to the ominous question: What is the best all around “do all” fighting rifle setup? There have been many conversations, what if scenarios, and, of course, chat room arguments over this topic. Our goal is to shed light on this subject by using actual shooting drills, data, and experience. While I have rifles setup in three categories, these were not the only test subjects. On five separate range trips, over 12 shooters tested different setups against the drills. We looked at the time difference from one setup compared to the next in a single shooter’s hands. We did not want to compare shooter to shooter. But instead, the difference in the weapon system layouts. 

For purposes of this article, the following is how we define a fighting rifle:

1. The weapon system needs to be capable of engaging point targets from 5 feet to 550 yards.

2. Weapons must be reliable and able to adapt to a variety of tasks without being overburdened with unnecessary weight or equipment.

3. We are looking at 5.56 semi auto rifles. The comparisons are mostly between barrel length, optic, triggers, and rifle weight. All rifles have a free float handguard. In the case of the three I used, all had a Geissele handguard. Some setups may have accessories that others do not. For example, we do not have a bipod mounted to the GPR and shorty setup. 

Additionally, we are not comparing cartridges. While we compared 5.56, one can simply chamber their rifle in any wildcat caliber desired. 

The following defines our Rifle categories:

Shorties: this class is for Short Barrel Rifles (SBRs) and pistols with 10.5 to 12.5 inch barrels. This group of rifles/pistols are short, easy to maneuver and tend to be lighter weight. The rifles we tested used a small LPVO 1x6 or a dot and magnifier combo.

General Purpose Rifle (GPR): think of rifles resembling  the M4A1 or the USMC IAR. Any barrel length from 13.7 to 16.5 inches is in this classification. Rifles in this category were set up with a 1x6, 1x8, or 1x10 optic. 

Special Purpose Receiver (SPR): these rifles were on the heavier side of things. Precision is the game setups like this tend to play. Rifle barrels were in the 18 to 20 inch range. Scopes were 2x10, 4x16 and 3x18 in size with an adjustable parallax. 

Each of the three specific systems had the same lower receiver setup which consisted of the B5 sopmod stock (other than my shorty - thanks ATF), BCM grip, and the Geissele combat trigger. All three rifles also have a Geissele free float handguard and are equipped with a Vtac sling. 

The following are the rifles I tested:

Shorty: 12.5 inch Rainier Arms Mountain barrel with 10.5 inch handguard, 1x6 Leopold VX6hd, Trijicon RMR, and an OWL weapon light.

GPR 14.5 inch Proof Research barrel pinned and welded flash hider, 13-inch handguard, Primary Arms 1x8 PLX, Steiner MPS, and a Modlite WML. 

SPR 18 inch Rainier Arms UltraMatch barrel, 15 inch handguard, Leupold 3x18 MK 5, Leopold Delta Point Pro, Tier 1 bipod and a Modlite WML. 

The drills: 

Working with competitive shooters, military, and LEOs we came up with 4 drills that would help us test these rifles in different styles and disciplines of shooting. The goal was to not put too much focus on one aspect of marksmanship. We had to modify some drills from their original format in order to be able to score them the same way.

Drill 1: El Prez modified at 20 yards. We set up 3 targets with 3 yards between them at 20 yards away. Shooters started at low or high ready with 6 rounds in their mag. On the buzzer, 2 rounds were shot center mass at each target. Shooter then reloaded and repeated once. 

This is a well known drill that is easy to set up. It helps test how fast you can run short range transitions and split times. While it's normally run at 7 yards, we did push the distance back in order to help separate the times a bit more. Running the drill at 7 yards showed no difference in setups. 

Drill 2: The PRS Skills Barricade (modified). This drill was run on a 350 yard target instead of a 400 yard target. The target used was a 1/2 IPSC target 9" x 12". On the buzzer, the shooter ran 25 yards to the barricade and shot from 4 different positions. Shooters engaged targets until two impacts were successful from each position. In the PRS barricade drill, shooters use two kneeling positions and two standing positions. All rifles were tested with a barricade bag for the drill.

Drill 3: Target Race. Targets were set up at 300, 350, 400, 450, 500 and lastly 200. This drill helps highlight field of view in the optics and how easily the setup can engage targets at several different distances using holds. 

Shooters started standing with their rifle slung and a full mag. On the buzzer, shooters dropped to prone and shot targets 300 to 500.They then transitioned back down to a 6 inch 200 yard target. Shooters were required to achieve 1 hit on the target in order to transition to the next target. The SPR was run with a bipod. A pack was used to support the front of GPR and Shorty rifles. To account for an anticipated possible skew, this drill was run both with and without a bipod mounted on the shorty and GPR to see if it changed the times. The outcome was the same. 

Drill 4: Unsupported Rush. Shooters started at 25 yards from the firing point, rifle slung, with a full mag. On the buzzer, shooters ran to their position and engaged a 200 yard 14 inch target until 3 hits were achieved. They then transitioned to a kneeling or sitting position and engaged the same target for 3 more hits. Last, they moved to a prone unsupported position and shot until they gained 3 more hits. This drill largely highlights the advantages of a lighter weight setup and unsupported shooting. 

These setups have been used beyond the scope of these drills. They have been personally utilized in multiple styles of matches. Further, they have been taken out to a 1000 yard range where I tested each of these rifles past their recorded max effective range. The shorty made it out to 850 yards and the GPR maxed out at 890 yards. The SPR went first round hit at 1000 and followed up with 4 more hits. This shows each of these systems can push past their max effective range. This task is especially easy at a range with a back stop and someone helping you spot. It's important to note that it is easy to hit a target in a range setting with a good spotter. It's much different than a field setting trying to self-spot.

Long range and shooting matches have not been the only focus on these setups. There have been several runs in the shoot house, vehicle tactics drills, and many rucks run with each system. It goes without saying the shorties were very nice working in tight spaces. Though the SPR was not impossible, it was fatiguing and challenging.

For comparison purposes, I took a look back at range sessions I have had with shooters wielding similar setups to the ones run above. Many shooters of all different levels of skill who have tested setups of their own with me. These systems were sorted and put into each of the three aforementioned categories. Interestingly, in every case the findings were almost identical. Regardless of shooter experience or skill level strong trends begin to emerge, as certain rifles universally excelled in some disciplines while in other area they underperformed. However, were narrower with the higher level of shooter skill. Once all times were totaled, it almost always yielded the same result differences for every category. 

The data 

Much to my surprise, there was very little difference in time between the setups on the El Prez. There was a small difference in times on the Drill 3 target race. Surprisingly, I ran the shorty fastest in this drill. I believe it had to do with the wider field of view of the 1x6 combined with a nice BDC and clean glass. The PRS skills barricade was a big divider. In this particular drill, the SPR came in way ahead. That being said, the SPR is best suited for that style of shooting. 

We originally ran the unsupported drill with three 50-yard sprints between positions. These sprints were ultimately eliminated because we wanted to compare setups and not shooter fitness. The Shorty came in ahead in this drill with enough time to make up the difference from the PRS drill. Short set ups with red dots and magnifiers did not fare as well on the hill race or the prs barricade, mostly due to optical issues. They fell behind enough for me to recommend a 1x6 over that optic mounting system. The end results of all drills were measured by time. After running every drill multiple times and in different order, the short setup won! I will note it won only by four seconds. The GPR came in 2nd and the SPR placed last. The results were only 5 seconds in total difference from short to long. The reality is always practice. If you want to shoot well then you need to practice. To answer the question on whether you should go with a 11.5, 12.5, 13.7, 14.5-, 16-, 18- or 20 inch setup with a 1x6, 1x8, 1x10, 2x10, 4x16 or 3x18, building a 16 inch with a 1x8 or 2x10 maybe the best all around in my opinion. Even though the shorty won in time, there are a few things it struggled with. First, a 450 yard head shot was difficult for this system. Second, shooting a UKD range with multiple targets at unknown ranges is easier if you have a higher muzzle velocity.

In the end if you have heavier vegetation all year long with short fields of fire, look at the shorty style weapon. If you are in an area with longer areas of engagement and would have to rarely work around confined spaces, the SPR will do nicely. Finally, the GPR fits somewhere in between. The nice thing about the GPR is it is at home with any optic set up from a red dot to a MPVO. Remember you need to set up your equipment to solve the problems you are facing. Don't make up non existing problems to give you a reason to set up multiple rifles. It is the shooter who practices the most who will perform the best.

The results of this test lead me to make what I'm calling the minuteman carbine. I have also nicknamed it the 2nd place rifle. I have based this setup on the concept of building a rifle that is not burdened with one specific task. I started this build with a 16 inch medium contour barrel, a 12 inch free float rail, a KE arms lower, and a Geissele 2 stage trigger. I then mounted two different optic setups. A primary arms 1x8 PLX compact was mounted with an offset dot. I also affixed a Trijicon credo 2x10 with a top mounted dot. I did not use the 1x10. In most cases, the 1x10 sacrifices a lot to have that wide range. In my opinion, there is currently only 1 usable 1x10 found in the vortex razor gen 3. Thanks to the micro dot supplementing one power, I really feel that if you need a 10 power optic get a 2x10. Utilizing a 5 time zoom ratio, will give you a much better image then a 1x10 utilizing a 10x zoom ratio. 

My findings for the minuteman carbine

Unfortunately, I've had too many failures at this time to recommend the KE arms lower. However, I replaced it with a BCM and did not experience a single feeding issue after the swap. I've shot this rifle in three matches (3 first place wins) and during two classes. It's been run on many range trips, run it through the shoot house, and rucked several miles with me. I truly believe a heavy fluted (Faxon 1.7LBS) or medium contour (Criterion 2.05 LBS) barrel is the way. This length gives great muzzle velocity while keeping the weight down. 

The final weapon setup I went with was a BCM lower, 16 inch barrel, 12 inch rail, a two-point VTAC sling, Modlite OKW light, Primary Arms PLX C 1-8 with a top mounted RMR and Magpul offset iron sights. This total set up comes in at just 10 pounds with a full mag. The rifle produced several sub 1.5 MOA, 10 shot groups at 100 yards. I would consider this great accuracy - especially considering it was with M855 ammunition. I beat my previous total combined times using the 2nd place rifle, but keeping with its nickname, it was still slightly slower than the short setup.

Although there is truly no such thing as a do all rifle, I think there is a good reason the USMC went to a 16.5 inch barrel with a 1x8 and the Army with a 14.5 inch with 1x6. 

Consider shooting a competition with this 2nd place rifle. A competition that has a wide variety of match stages. Long range, mid range, CQB, and a plethora of required shooting positions. The high score of any given stage is likely going to be a rifle specifically set up for that style of shooting. While this rifle may not win the top score at any given stage, it will perform very well overall. I think both the Army and USMC have recognized this and it helps affirm the decision I made setting up this rifle. We don’t necessarily need to go out and sell what we have. Instead, we need to develop the skills to do the jobs our tools may not excel at. In doing so, we make ourselves “do all shooters.” Go out and train short range with your SPR and shoot a PRS match with your 14.5. You likely won’t win. But, the skill developed will make you a great marksman. Competition shooters should never underestimate the lessons learned from hunting. Build 350 legend or 450 bushmaster hunting rifles similar to your AR setup, and put your skill to test in the woods. Get you and your setup out in as many different situations as you can. Practice more and mold yourself into the “do all shooter.”