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I shoot an almost-stock Bushmaster CMP model in the Highpower match. Note that I am partial to iron sights and using the sling for support, so please take what I say with a grain of salt - it may not be appropriate for your preferences.


I'd go with a flat top with a removable carry handle for irons, and a scope mount/optics of your choice.

When the so-called "assault weapons" ban expired, I bought a CAR kit from http://www.jtdistributing.com/ - their web site is under constuction but you can download their catalog. I have nothing but good to say about them. The shorty kit was about $450 and I had a lower - you can get a lower from an number of sources (aim surplus is one) for about $100. Assembling the kit is very easy (and there are pictures and so forth on AR-15.com to help). The upper comes assembled, all you have to do is put the trigger parts, mag release, stock, etc. on the lower.

I added a Jewell trigger (so it would feel like my match service rifle) and a free-float handguard. The free-float handguard is good - keeps point of impact constant no matter what sling pressure. The black aluminum tube one is fine, you don't need a "service rifle legal" one that looks like a service rifle.

The 16" chrome-moly Shaw barrel that came with the kit is amazingly accurate. I would not go with anything fancier unless you want to shoot 80 grain bullets (for 600 yards) - in which case you would not want a shorty.

If I had it to do over, I'd try to get the long free-float tube, and the front sight mounted forward (the so-called "Dissipator" configuration - see the bushmaster website to see what it looks like) - so the bayonet would fit, the sight radius would be longer, and the front sling swivel (you have to add this to the free-float tube) would be at the right distance. I would go with the fancier (4 or 6 position) stock - I got the 3 position and the middle position is right for my wife, but there is no place for the sling on this stock.


EDIT: wrong - the bayonet would *not* fit! The rest is true... pictures in the catalog.


I call this my "Kitten Gun" because it was a kit, and because it is compact and fun and cute, like a little furry kitten - but it has claws too, and holds amazingly small groups at 100 yards if I do my part. I really like it (even with the things I said I'd do differently), and I think you and your wife will be quite pleased with a shorty AR.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Andrew