How do you defend yourself?
How do you hold out until help arrives?
Obviously, the AR-pattern rifle is just about the best choice for this role.
A rifle is often the best defensive weapon choice in a rural setting. Knowing how to equip it to fight effectively in that environment is important.
But, which one to choose?
Our pick is theSAINT Edge 5.56mm from Springfield Armory.
Set up with a good balance of very high-quality parts, the rifle is a great performer and shooter.
True Shot generously provided the author with the ammo used in this piece.
It also is a solid foundation for all the gear we are going to recommend.
Reaching Out
Your rifle needs optics, a weapon-mounted light and a better-than-average trigger.
You also need a way to easily carry the rifle.
The foundation firearm is a critical component of a defensive rifle set-up. The author selected the Springfield Armory SAINT Edge rifle.
When I think of optics choices, you have only two options for the rural home defense setting.
These are a red dot with magnifier or a low power variable optic (LPVO).
We chose anAimpoint Duty RDS red dotwith their 3X-C magnifier and flip mount.
A red dot sight, like this Aimpoint Duty RDS, works great with a 3x magnifier like this Aimpoint 3X-C. When it is not needed, the magnifier flips to the right.
Why a red dot and magnifier?
Chances are when you engage a threat, its going to be close range.
With an LPVO, they arent quite as user friendly and take a more skilled shooter to use proficiently.
The Aimpoint Duty RDS proved to be a fast, accurate aiming device on the SAINT Edge rifle. With the 3x magnifier, it gives you the ability to reach out to farther distances.
However, you’re able to get a lot of performance out of them.
But, we feel quite well-served with the Aimpoint and magnifier.
Shooting Shadows
The next vital piece on your rifle is aweapon-mounted light.
A white light should be considered a mandatory accessory on all defensive rifles. In a rural setting, you might need one with a tighter beam for more distant illumination.
You cannot positively identify your threat if you cannot see it.
Nor can you hit what you cant see.
Lumens and candela go a long way in how far the throw of your light beam is.
A lot of factors impact accuracy. The author recommends a trigger pull weight of 4 to 6 lbs., and found the Springfield SAINT Edge’s to be ideal.
We chose the Cloud Defensive Rein Micro for our rifle.
This light produces over 55,000 candelas and 1,300 lumens.
What does this mean in a rural home defense rifle set-up?
Like lights, slings should be a standard part of any rifle’s set-up. For his defensive rifle, the author used a Grovetec 2 Point Sentinel QD sling.
Precision shots are hard even without stress.
What if you find yourself facing a four-legged threat?
What if its wolves attacking your cattle in the pasture 200 yards from your house?
All of the above are realistic scenarios.
Would you want your accuracy hindered by a heavy trigger pull?
We do not recommend something too light, but rather the 4- to 6-lb.
range with a crisp break like the trigger in the Springfield Armory SAINT Edge is perfect.
This set-up of ours has a Grovetec 2 Point Sentinel QD sling.
No flopping around with this one like a traditional single-point style.
Conclusion
The beauty of the AR platform is customization.
you might outfit the rifle to fill your needs in your environment.
Just remember the things which are a must, and start there.
Dont overlook things and be sure to buy the best you might afford.
We think that will be easy question to answer.
