Another AR Suggestion Thread

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mdauben

mdauben

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I'm about ready to "pull the trigger" (if you will excuse the pun) on an AR rifle. Although I am considering "self defence" usage for this rifle in making my decision, in all honesty it will probably never be used anywhere except on the range. I've done a bit of on-line browsing and local window shopping, and am currently considering two possible choices:

I can find both of these locally for a bit over $1400. I've got no problem spending that much, but I would not turn my nose up at the chance to spend a bit less.

My question is are there any other alternatives I should be considering? I know there are a lot of recomendations that come up every time in these threads, so to head some of those off I'll offer a few conditions for anything I will seriously consider.

  1. I'm not intersted in putting together my own AR from separatly purchased parts. I have neither the time, knowledge or desire to do this so please don't bother telling me I should.
  2. I want a gun set up like the two I listed above (quad rails, colapsable stock, folding iron sights). If your alternative does not come with at least those features, please don't bother suggesting it.
  3. I'm not interested in having an exact semiauto dupicate of a specific military issue weapon just for the sake of being a duplicate so please don't consider this issue when making a recomendation.
  4. I'm indifferent to DI versus piston, so please lets not argue which is best. I'm more intersted in other features, reliability and potentially price.
So, if I have not offended or put off everyone reading this thread already, does anyone have an alternate I should look at? :D
 
I have a Rock River WITH a quad rail, folding sights, collapsible stock, etc. but I got mine for $1k OTD. It didn't have a folding rear sight out of the box, but a monkey could order and replace the sight, literally. This monkey chose the Troy Di-Optic.

You can disagree, but I think the two rifles you listed are at their price point simply because they slapped all those things on them. These are all really easy things to put on yourself and you I definitely think you are getting ripped off if you are going to pay for them.

I hear great things about BCM as well if you want to stay in your same price bracket.
 
When you say you don't want to put together a rifle from parts, does that mean you don't want to build a rifle from scratch? Would you be opposed to buying a fully assembled lower and mating it with a fully assembled upper? There's just a couple of pins involved in that process. If you're OK with this little bit of assembly, I'd suggest getting a quality lower and then browse BCM's website to look at their plethora of assembled upper options.
 
When you say you don't want to put together a rifle from parts, does that mean you don't want to build a rifle from scratch? Would you be opposed to buying a fully assembled lower and mating it with a fully assembled upper? There's just a couple of pins involved in that process. If you're OK with this little bit of assembly, I'd suggest getting a quality lower and then browse BCM's website to look at their plethora of assembled upper options
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At least you save the 11% tax. Good point minutemen
 
I have a Rock River WITH a quad rail, folding sights, collapsible stock, etc. but I got mine for $1k OTD. It didn't have a folding rear sight out of the box, but a monkey could order and replace the sight, literally.
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The closest thing I can find on their website to the configuration I want is the around $400 more than either of my original choices with no sights (another $100-200 depending on what I chose). Am I missing something? :confused:

http://www.lmtstore.com/complete-wea...mod-stock.html

Much better weapon for the money IMHO. Just get a copy of a local FFL to send it down to.
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The specific model you linked to is already the same cost as my original options, and lacks several of the features I wanted which by my estimation would add $300+ dollars to the basic cost. The closest thing I see to matching what I want out of the box costs around $400 more than my original choices. Again, am I missing something? :confused:

You can disagree, but I think the two rifles you listed are at their price point simply because they slapped all those things on them. These are all really easy things to put on yourself and you I definitely think you are getting ripped off if you are going to pay for them.
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I admit those features add a lot to the price of the rifles I indicated, but AFAK most of that is the acutal cost of the parts. Those are all high-end parts that would cost several hundred dollars to buy separatly, no matter how easy they are. Any alternate gun without those features would probably need to be at least $400 cheaper to justify chosing it over the Ruger or S&W if cost is the only criteria.

Would you be opposed to buying a fully assembled lower and mating it with a fully assembled upper?
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Maybe I'm doing myself a diservice by ignoring that option, but honestly I just want a gun I can shoot right out of the box. I know that's going to cost a bit more, but I'm willing to pay for the convenience.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
 
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Surprised no one has mentioned the Colt 6940. They can be be had for around $1300, and I think it has all the features he wants.
 
Surprised no one has mentioned the Colt 6940. They can be be had for around $1300, and I think it has all the features he wants.
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That may be worth checking out. A quick trip to Gun Genie shows a retail price close enough not to matter to my original options so I'd have to check with my FLGS to see if I can get it as cheap as you indicated locally. What's the general opinion on quality of Colt vs S&W vs Ruger?
 
Don't you just like it when someone does a post like this, go down to the local gun shop and look at some AR's.. our cup of tea probably is not going to be your cup...
 
I found that SW model on numerous sites for under a grand. Why not order online and have a local FFL receive? Ordering out of state will save you the cost of tax which should pretty much offset shipping and transfer fees.

Working on ARs is fun and teaches one a bit about the guns plus can provide with some great deals. I have a Colt 6720 on order right now from a local for under a grand. After i put a Troy TRX extreme rail and flip up sights i'll be only at about $1200.
 
Don't you just like it when someone does a post like this, go down to the local gun shop and look at some AR's.. our cup of tea probably is not going to be your cup...
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As you'd see if you read my OP, I thought I was fairly clear that I was not asking for opinion of what kind of rifle (i.e. "cup of tea")I should buy. I have already spec'd my "cup of tea" pretty exactly, I was just asking if I missed any other manufactures who made that particular "cup of tea". :rolleyes:

I found that SW model on numerous sites for under a grand.
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Gun Genie and my FLGS both show the S&W for around $1450. I'd love to know where you are seeing it for less than $1K. :confused:
 
Take a look at Spike's Tactical and Bravo Company. Good bang for the buck products.

I've shot a couple of the Rugers and was less than impressed. They were really front heavy and didn't shoot very smoothly.

The only comment that I can make about the Smith is that I would much prefer a setup with a mid length gas system on it.
 
Take a look at Spike's Tactical and Bravo Company. Good bang for the buck products.
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Spike seems to be backordered on all their complete guns. Bravo Company has one that comes close, but they do not seem to list prices so I'm not sure how it compares. :confused:

Colt 6920
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Pretty much lacks every feature I spec'd in my first post. Would end up costing more to upgrade than either of my original options. :rolleyes:
 
hey get the Ruger....get the S&W....its your money.......if i wanted these features at this price i'd be looking at COLT and BCM
 
hey get the Ruger....get the S&W....its your money.......if i wanted these features at this price i'd be looking at COLT and BCM
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Colt was already suggested and its one I'll be looking at. As I already said above, BCM has one that looks good, but they don't seem to post prices on their website, so I've really got no way to compare.

That said, I was kind of hoping for a little more than "I would buy Brand X!" Why would you buy Colt or BCM? Are they more accurate? More reliable? Higher quality? Pretty black? What? :confused:

I would guess I'm unlikely to find most of these smaller brands stocked in my FLGS, so I have no way to examine or try Spike, BCM, etc. before buying, so detailed personal opinions are important if I am going to consider one.

Thanks again to everyone who has replied so far. :D
 
my personal issue with the ruger is the fact that the parts in it are not standard the bolt carrier group and gas system ...witch meens if something breaks only place u can get the part is Ruger. COLT and BCM are better quality than S&W plan and simple.does that meen a S&W is junk?no it does not there good rifles.....but COLT,BCM go the extra mile. i know the Ruger is a fine rifle can't argue that and u prob could shoot it your whole life with no issues...but with that said,anything man made is subject 2 failure
 
the best advise i can give is shop around don't get in a hurry research....and research some more. i'm sure there is a dealer with in driving distance thats stocks Colt AR's and you can go 2 a gunshow and see with your own eyes about every AR known 2 man kind
 
I want a gun set up like the two I listed above (quad rails, colapsable stock, folding iron sights). If your alternative does not come with at least those features, please don't bother suggesting it.
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mdauben, I think you're going about your specs the wrong way. You've listed aesthetic features, with nothing related to performance of the gun. You've essentially said, "I want a sporty car. It must be a red convertible." That sporty car could be a pretty tourer like a Chrysler 200, or a Toyota Solara. It could be an all out, near track ready Corvette or Porsche. Or, it could straddle the two in the form of a BMW 3 series. Hopefully that analogy makes sense.

I think this piece by THR Moderator Bartholomew Roberts is a good start - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=243382 - decide, very specifically, what you want the rifle to do. Then work on the aesthetics.
 
I'm indifferent to DI versus piston, so please lets not argue which is best. I'm more intersted in other features, reliability and potentially price.
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I'm not trying to make an argument for the simple sake of it, just pointing out what you mentioned. DI v. piston can be considered part of your reliability and/or ease of maintenance in terms of keeping the rifle reliable..
 
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