M14 Forum

ArmyCPT · November 26th, 2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSalty

In all honesty, there is not much difference between RRA, Bushmaster (the newer ones), Stag, DPMS, etc etc etc. Others will argue, but I have not found the current offering of any of the standard ARs to be any different from another one. All the rifles priced between $900-1100 new are basically the same rifle, just a different stamp on the side.

Colt, Daniel Defense, Noveski, etc use much higher grade parts, and thus the added cost. You get MPI tested BCGs, better springs, better barrels in most cases, usually a better trigger group, higher grade pins, parts are industry standard/true Mil-spec size and grade, etc etc.

Just stay WAY the heck away from Olympic and rifles like that. They have very low QC standards.

Agreed, except for the Colt price point. LE6920's for $995 (when they're in stock) at DSG Arms:

http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/CO6920.aspx

tmcfalls · November 26th, 2012, 10:22 AM

I really like my LMT upper I got from Bravo Company. It matched right up with my CMMG lower and works great. If I bought another AR LMT would be in the running.

I have shot my dad's RRA Varmint Rifle some and really like it as well, it sure seems like a shooter. Haven't shot it at range yet but it would put 3 rounds of cheap ammo in a dime sized hole at 50 yds.

Grumbler · November 26th, 2012, 10:53 AM

Love my Colt SP 6940. Only black gun I will ever need.

3Gunnah · November 26th, 2012, 02:40 PM

I have a great luck with my stag model 1. I have added a few goodies to it. The price of the SOCOM stock hurt a little, but I will never have another m4 style without one.

scouts out · November 26th, 2012, 03:43 PM

I love the Colt that my wife bought me for my B-Day. And yes I do love me some Magpul!!!

That being said, the manufacturers have all pretty much stepped up the game and are producing quality AR platform guns. The shop I work at has literally a wall of AR type guns from a wide variety of companies. I spend many hours fondling many different guns and while there are features from gun to the next that I like, somebody else may feel the complete opposite. it's like telling somebody what underwear to buy.

Just my $0.02.

ArmyCPT · November 27th, 2012, 08:29 AM

My Colt LE6920:

M21guy · November 27th, 2012, 09:03 AM

300yds with the aimpoint/6920 notice the group after I found my holdover point on the 6"shoot-n-c.

Same rifle with an ACOG TA33-8. About everything is easier with this sight.

About the only thing the 6920 lacks is a custom trigger. It truly has a mil spec feel. Still I every once in a while get excited and double tap it. I'd only change the trigger to something more advanced from the basic original operational platform.

I'm a Colt fan. I've had more Colts than any other manufacture. I believe I've shot about every single AR brand out there. I still like the Colt best. Not because it has all the frills and thrills some come with, but because it is reliable always, with even the crappiest ammo. I shoot what I find on the ground. Dented ammo, rusty, green, and even bent if it chambers. It consistently shoots and shoots well with just about anything. Many other AR rifle have issues with something. I get a lot of ammo free simply because of this. You hear about AK rifles being reliable, well this Colt is both accurate and reliable. Practicing with the sheriffs department my mags had got a lot of sand in them, gritty fine sand, and it never missed a beat.
I'm currently in the hiring process for that sheriff's dept and I'm pleased to say they issue their officers Colt rifles.

rscalzo · November 27th, 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

I do not recommend Bushmaster

Bushmaster was never a manufacturer but simply assembled them from subcontracted parts.In fact very few actually manufacturer the major parts. Colt, Stag, Danial Defense and S&W are the ones I know manufacturer. No doubt a few others do. Since Freedom Arms bought DPMS and Bushmaster I'd say they all now use parts manufactured by the Remington plant. Ruger's facilities would easily allow manufacturer on site.

mrroguesr · November 27th, 2012, 03:08 PM

You all are just talking about Colt, Bushmaster, Stag but what about Armalite? They are the original manufacturer of the AR series of rifles! Everything else is just a copy right other then Colt which Armalite sold the rights to the AR15 to! Have a look at the M15A4 carbine rifles. I own an M15A4 SPR and it shoots like a dream! Just another option for ya to look in to.

M21guy · November 27th, 2012, 11:59 PM

Armalite is more a 308 rifle builder. As they should be. The AR was originally a 308 rifle, but it went 223 way back when. They had input with Knights on the SR25 rifles. Which in turn made way for the M110 rifle. Can't in good conscious rule out Armalite, but they lost a lot of ground with Colt running the show.

Speaking of 308 AR rifles. Look over a Colt 901 rifle once. It's a nice rifle. With the ability to put on any upper to a base 308 lower and shoot it. It is a sweetheart. Just 2k for it locally. I wasn't ever going to do it, but I might have my first 308 AR eventually.

Old Sarge · November 28th, 2012, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrroguesr

You all are just talking about Colt, Bushmaster, Stag but what about Armalite? They are the original manufacturer of the AR series of rifles! Everything else is just a copy right other then Colt which Armalite sold the rights to the AR15 to! Have a look at the M15A4 carbine rifles. I own an M15A4 SPR and it shoots like a dream! Just another option for ya to look in to.

It's my understanding that this Armalite company is not the original Armalite, but rather they bought the naming rights and are now making these rifles under that brand name. I have heard that they do make a very fine product, but have no first hand experience with them. I would not hesitate to check them out too. Just so much to choose from in the AR world !!!!

AKA Hugh Uno · November 28th, 2012, 03:47 AM

when people start arguing over "quality" issues in AR's, it can get pretty silly (i.e. "staking a gas key" etc.) and NOT really important (or easy enough to fix yourself!). ANY of the "name" companies are fine.

Unfortunately, what this "expert" advice doesn't usually address is stuff that IS important. First, ALL of these rifles will come with a GI type trigger which rates as close to AWFUL. So, upgrade that immediately (the 125 dollar Rock River "match" trigger is fine for the money and a huge improvement). Also, if you have a non-free-float hanguard and then hang a bunch of crap on it, don't be surprised at 4MOA groups.

Heck, I am more than happy with my Rock River "SHTF" rifle (below) with NO flash-hider (uhh.. not shooting much at night and tired of the "floom" "floom" pressure/noise from M4s), a TUBE handguard, match trigger, decent tactical sling, and a few cans of Krylon paint from Walmart. With good ammo, I am (very) close to MOA groups and sure as heck will outshoot most all of the non-match ARs that people bring to the range.

BTW, on purpose, when I first got this rifle I shot this rifle at least 2K rounds and only cleaned the barrel (and not always) and occasionally wiped off and then put a few drops of break free on the bolt carrier, etc. Nothing else. I never had a FTF, hang up, etc. Zip. 100% reliable, no problems, no FTFs.

ArmyCPT · November 28th, 2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Sarge

It's my understanding that this Armalite company is not the original Armalite, but rather they bought the naming rights and are now making these rifles under that brand name. I have heard that they do make a very fine product, but have no first hand experience with them. I would not hesitate to check them out too. Just so much to choose from in the AR world !!!!

You are 100% correct. From Wikipedia:

"After passing through a series of owners, the ArmaLite brand name and rampant lion logo was sold in 1996 to Mark Westrom, a former U.S. Army Ordnance officer and inventor of a 7.62 NATO sniper rifle based on the design concepts of Eugene Stoner. The company resumed business as ArmaLite Inc. Today, ArmaLite Inc. produces a number of AR-15 and AR-10 based rifles, as well as .50 BMG rifles (the AR-50) and a modified AR-180 named the AR-180B. Armalite has also announced that they are introducing a handgun line including the AR-24 and AR-26."

Veritas · November 28th, 2012, 10:09 AM

Daniel Defense is very hard to beat without spending twice as much.

On the budget end I love my Double Star AR, most underrated AR I can think of, not a top of the line but has always run flawlessly for me.