If You Could Only Have One AR?

[wrs840]

Please pardon my ignorance, as I only own one AR, and am I am poorly schooled in the differences.

Seeing so many "Colt LE1620" responses... I have to ask... is it somehow better than a Colt LE1640?

Thanks.

 

[taliv]

i could be wrong, but i think the 6940 is a 6920 with a quad rail from the factory. so if you like that rail, i suppose it's better. if you like something else, cheaper to go with the 6920 and replace the plastic handguards with the forearm of your choice.

 

[george d dennis]

thats what i like, a 1970s ar15, brings back memories

 

[Auto426]

i could be wrong, but i think the 6940 is a 6920 with a quad rail from the factory. so if you like that rail, i suppose it's better. if you like something else, cheaper to go with the 6920 and replace the plastic handguards with the forearm of your choice.

The 6940 uses a monolithic upper. The quad rail is actually a part of the upper itself with the bottom rail section being removable for access to the barrel nut. Other than that and the folding front sight, the two rifles are pretty much the same.

Personally, I prefer the monolithic setup when it comes to rails and I bought a 6940. The 6940 is more expensive, but by the time you add a decent quality quad rail to the 6920 your looking at pretty much the same price. Even then, the 6940 gives you a more rigid mounting surface and an uninterrupted full length top rail.

 

[MistWolf]

...and everyone needs a quad rail so they can mount.. uhmm, so a... What do you need the extra weight and expense of a quad mount for again?

 

[taliv]

What do you need the extra weight and expense of a quad mount for again?

if you ever used your rifle in the dark, you wouldn't have to ask

 

[MistWolf]

I said "quad mount", not a short section of rail. A quad isn't needed to mount a weapon light or anything else useful
View attachment 633131
View attachment 633132

 

[meanmrmustard]

The 6940 uses a monolithic upper. The quad rail is actually a part of the upper itself with the bottom rail section being removable for access to the barrel nut. Other than that and the folding front sight, the two rifles are pretty much the same.

Personally, I prefer the monolithic setup when it comes to rails and I bought a 6940. The 6940 is more expensive, but by the time you add a decent quality quad rail to the 6920 your looking at pretty much the same price. Even then, the 6940 gives you a more rigid mounting surface and an uninterrupted full length top rail.

As far as I'm concerned, and I use that term possessively, they're both too much cost wise vs what's offered.

 

[friscolatchi]

How about LMT, specifically the Defender 2000?

 

[C-grunt]

LMT makes a good rifle but they run the same price as a Colt usually and they do in fact cut some corners.

I personally prefer a quad rail. My work gun has a MOE and it works well but i prefer the rail for the ease of moving things around. My rifles only have a light and grip on the front.

 

[ugaarguy]

MistWolf, I see from the pics that you switched from a UBR to CTS stock. For my own education I'd love to read your thoughts on the two stocks. Thank you in advance.

 

[MistWolf]

I have two different rifles and sometimes I switch uppers & lowers around.
View attachment 633348

The cheekweld of the CTR isn't as good as it is on the UBR but is still comfortable. Part of my cheek rests on the receiver extension but isn't noticeable unless I'm shooting on a cold day! The CTR is lighter and more affordable than the UBR. It has a locking lever to take the slack out but it's real advantage over the MOE stock is that it comes with QD cups already installed. I find that very often I forget to lock the lever after adjusting the stock and it makes no difference in shooting
View attachment 633349

The UBR has a very comfortable cheekweld and is nearly indestructible. The price for that comfort and durability is that it's noticeably heavier and costs more.
View attachment 633350

I like both stocks. I don't like the cheekweld of the CTR when it's on the precision rifle and I don't like the weight of the UBR when it's on the carbine but can shoot the rifles configured either way. I do notice the difference in weight but hardly notice the change in balance at all. Both are very good stocks and well made

 

[Brian Williams]

For me it would be what I call a tuber

I kind of like this but would like a 16" Mid Length with a longer tube fore end and no front sight. I also like a slick side upper and lower.

but this is what I have right now.

 

[taliv]

nice rifles, mistwolf, but that type and placement of light wouldn't work for me. soon, i will post a pic of my new build which has a quad rail for a reason. combination of no FSB, 10" barrel and the NV gear i'm putting on it mean an actual quad rail is the way to go for me.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I too have a light mounted at 12 but I run it on a slick tube and LW 14.5" DD barrel to save weight. Even with a can, it feels about the same as a 6940. Without a can, it feels like a toy because the balance is so lively.

 

[JustinJ]

LMT makes a good rifle but they run the same price as a Colt usually and they do in fact cut some corners.

Which corners do they cut and how do you know this? Many of their models have quite a few features that are not mil-spec but i wouldn't call them corner cuts. Generally speaking i've observed that LMT tends to cost a bit more than comparable Colts.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I've used an AR in the dark. I had PVS-7 goggles, and a Trijicon Reflex sight. Did not need a quad rail, and the targets never saw it coming.

 

[taliv]

people in Vietnam used their ARs in the dark too without quad-rails. that doesn't mean there isn't much better equipment available today.

 

[MistWolf]

You folks do realize that a quad rail has rails on all four sides- that is top, bottom, left and right. Sights & lights can be mounted using just a top rail or simply adding short sections of rail where needed. There are also other mounting options besides rails

 

[boricua9mm]

I never cared for bolted on rail sections attached to polymer handguards. In my experience they're one good whack away from cracking the handguard and making things much more complicated. When they're mounted, they never feel as solid when compared to a metal, railed forend.

I like a 12" quad rail so I can mount a flip up front sight that isn't subject to the heat of a gas block. I use the 6:00 rail for a hand stop or a stubby VFG, which helps me for indexing and when shooting off a barricade. I use the 9:00 rail for an offset light mount to put the light at 11:00. In my experience they have proven to be a much more solid mounting platform, one where I'm not so worried about breakages.

With lightweight rails and modular tubes, the weight difference isn't that big, but I won't argue that they aren't cheap.

 

[justice06rr]

There are a few I would choose from that are very close. BCM, Daniel Defense, Noveske, and Colt depending on the budget.

 

[bushmaster1313]

New Jersey does not allow "assault weapons"

No big deal unless you do something stupid like get a folding stock, an upper with a flash suppressor, a gun marked "AR-15" or a bayonet lug.

This Bushmaster XM15-E2S is Jersey legal:

 

[bryank30]

20" national match ocmp service rifle...

 

[Pete D.]

Dark

Quote:
if you ever used your rifle in the dark, you wouldn't have to ask

Aside from combat and law enforcement, how often do you use a rifle in the dark? What do you do with it? Not what you can do with it (although I am curious) but what you do actually do with it.
Just asking.
Pete

 

[ugaarguy]

No big deal unless you do something stupid like get a folding stock, an upper with a flash suppressor, a gun marked "AR-15" or a bayonet lug.

You can't get a folding stock on an AR-15 without extensively modifying the upper. I'd like to know why you think telescopic stocks and flash suppressors are so stupid though.

Aside from combat and law enforcement, how often do you use a rifle in the dark? What do you do with it? Not what you can do with it (although I am curious) but what you do actually do with it.

You practice in low light / dark for the what can you do with it. HD in low light / dark immediately springs to mind. My nightstand pistol, and my AR both have lights mounted for this reason. Lots of folks night hunt varmints and predators too. Back when I worked for an FFL I sold quite a few AR type rifles with RDS and white light to farmers / ranchers. Their intended use was primarily countering coyotes going after various livestock.