After extensive deliberation for ultimate home/farm gun for defense and plinking, a friend bought a Rock River Arms AR-15 in .223 cal (5.56 mm). He teamed it up with a Springfield XD .45 ACP (13-round magazine instead of usual 6) for 21st century firepower.
I gotta admire his choices. They're not for me, since I'm a traditionalist still content with an Auto-Ordnance replica M-1 .30 cal Carbine and a Ruger Security-Six .357.
But they're awfully potent selections, in my opinion. I fired a rental RRA AR-15 tonight at the indoor range. It was the Entry with a Panorama sight that had choice of four reticles (dot, dot in circle, plus, plus in circle).
The LAR-15 felt very comfortable and intuitive. The adjustable stock is a nice touch for custom length of pull. I can see why the military chose that type weapon.
I hadn't fired such a weapon since an early M-16 in the Air Force. I didn't like that one. Sight seemed two stories high, stock was way too short, each shot brought a twanging sound in the stock like a Marx metal toy gun.
But the RRA LAR-15 feels like a nice piece of machinery. However, the .223 bullet looks too tiny until you consider the huge amount of powder in the shell.
The M-16 and derivatives vs. AK-47 and derivatives debate seems destined to go on forever. I would think a .308 would be a better round military and civilian than the .223, and that debate also goes on forever.
Range didn't have a Springfield XD .45 ACP, so I tried a 9mm. I respect the design but it didn't feel as good as a 1911 to me.
So here are two long gun / handgun duos:
Rock River Arms LAR-15 .223 and Springfield XD .45 ACP
Auto-Ordnance M-1 .30 cal Carbine and Ruger Security-Six .357
Realizing that "a handgun is what you use to fight your way to your rifle," what different duos most ring your chimes?