Hey guys, I'm in the market for my first gun (definitely no, uh, relation to current events or anything). I've fired other people's guns a decent amount, including growing up, but am definitely a total newbie. I've been looking at AR-15s at a local gun shop, they carry a few Rock River Rage ones (a carbine, another model), and a Ruger I think AR-556. Are these guns OK? Any general advice? I just want something for self-defense and general shooting fun. (I was thinking I'd get a handgun after I get more experience with a rifle). Also I now live in a rural state with few gun rules.
I have a friend with a bunch of guns I can ask advice from, but he lives a few states away, and I don't want to bug him repeatedly with multiple newb questions. He explained the 556/223 concept a bit, though I still don't 100% get it.
Like, I think they're mostly .22 calibers. Is that an OK caliber? Would it really stop someone? They also had one .308, but my friend said that's probably a bit too much. (I've fired his AR and also his AK-47 before).
Would love any general advice! If you think those guns suck, I could travel further to another gun store