Depends on what you plan to do in SHTF.

I think people are too much into the tactical fanboy aspect of SHTF. They see too many movies and think that they are going to be "13 Hours: The Secret Tactical Fanboys of Waipahu", and that they will be patrolling the streets with their FAST helmets, taco pouches and multicam AR500 body armor, which means that they need the $10,000 AR-15 or whatever platform to go with all their juicy accessories.

If you look at a legitimate SHTF scenario, most people aren't going anywhere; especially those who have already prepared. Therefore, you don't NEED something that is supposedly meant for military service if you plan on staying in and bunkering down. And I can personally vouch for Speedtek's AR-15 quality for the price, which is why I send anyone interested in purchasing an AR15 to him. Why? Because they will not only get a tightly built and accurate firearm, but can purchase other necessities (i.e. optics, ammunition, training, etc) with all the money they will save; far more important than the price tag and supposed 'better quality' on a more expensive firearm.

Now if you are planning on conducting urban/jungle warfare in Hawaii during a SHTF scenario, I wouldn't even use an AR system. I mean, you could take the ARs from people attempting to fight you, but I would invest my money in something that is proven to work in any environment, and I have been in various types of environments with an AR and can wholeheartedly tell you that I wish I had something else in all of those scenarios.



*disclaimer: my description of tactical fanboys is not indirectly or directly referencing anyone that participates in this forum. If this description does describe you, then my bad.*

Well when shtf who knows. Maybe plan a , and plan b were F****D from the beginning and you going to have to wing it with what very little u can scrounge up with. I dont do any types of training. I just love shooting. Its good fun but expensive. I bought a jp 15. Love the weight and feel. Shoots smooth awesome gun, but can really get dirty. Also have a lwrc ic spr. Heavier and you feel the recoil more, but when you open it up its clean. Wish i could mesh these two guns into one. Have the weight and feel and smoothness of my jp with the easy of cleaning of my lwrc lol.

thanks for the disclaimer, Q, but you know i have a faux PASGT and digicam AR500 body armor, so i knew you weren't tlaking about me
 

By digicam, do you mean ACU, as in the MKV ACU plate carrier that I sold you?

Just picked up a smith and Wesson m&p sport ( btw the new one has dust cover n fwd assist, my old one didn't) and picked it up for under 700. Shoots like a champ cant beat the price. Shit my aimpoint t2 was more expensive than the rifle, but yeah I'd rather get more guns vs one expensive one.  then again I'd drop a dime for a scar 17....

Well when shtf who knows. Maybe plan a , and plan b were F****D from the beginning and you going to have to wing it with what very little u can scrounge up with. I dont do any types of training. I just love shooting. Its good fun but expensive. I bought a jp 15. Love the weight and feel. Shoots smooth awesome gun, but can really get dirty. Also have a lwrc ic spr. Heavier and you feel the recoil more, but when you open it up its clean. Wish i could mesh these two guns into one. Have the weight and feel and smoothness of my jp with the easy of cleaning of my lwrc lol.

If you have basic rifle marksmanship, know how to traverse terrain and use cover and concealment properly, you will be fine.

Watch how mobs and militias in Africa act during uprisings; that is likely how most 'evil' people with guns will be during a worst case scenario, which also makes them easy targets if you have even the most basic of training.