Well, 5.56 ammo shortages pose a problem, my Standard Products is an answer
The stupid $1 a round prices for 5.56 have led me back to my Sandard Products M-1 for a patrol carbine!
I had switched to my recent M4gery build with red dot scope for a patrol carbine for my high country security contractor duties. I have a fixed amount of good 5.56 ammo (about 860 rounds of M193 LC), but I am hesitant to shoot much in practice because of my limited supply, and my refusal to pay $1 a round. I am set up to load 5.56 with brass, primers, dies, and powder, but NO 55 grain FMJ BT projectiles to found ANYWHERE! When my shift was almost all dark hours during the winter, it wasn't too much of an issue, as I had little opportunity to practice
With the long daylight now, though, I have half a shift in the woods when I could be sharpening (or even maintaining) my rifle skills. Also, with more daylight, the red dot is not as necessary.
The answer is to revert back to the old Standard Products again. I have about 1500 rounds of factory, and components to load another 1500 rounds. With that ammo stash, I can afford to regularly practice with the SP M1 as much as I care too.
Last month I switched to a Rock Island 1911A1 .45 ACP to replace my S&W as a duty sidearm. They should get along well together! It's funny, because my dad on Iwo Jima carried a 1911A1 along with his Inland M1 Carbine, too. Seventy years later, his son repeats his history! They kept him alive, they should do the same for me!