Are there any bad ARs out there?

You're right... it's a BIG list. I think your paranoia might be getting the better of you, but I might be in the minority to make that call.

Practically every maker will have a few black eyes... especially on the interweb.

Go out and look around at what's for sale in your area... including the big box stores. You can come home with some pretty nice quality, entry level ARs for $750 give or take... made by well known (and a few less known, but still nice quality, if you don't know ARs) brands.
For your first AR, avoid used guns, guns built by "some dude" at the local gun show and even ARs tossed together from the cheapest parts money can buy, built by your local gun shop.

If you're still not sure after looking around, come back with the brands and models of rifles that you think might be what you're looking for... then "the great hive mind" will have an easier time of sorting through the possibles.

C

If its in spec, its in spec.
DPMS's lpk has had some issues with spec...ness.

Lowers are lowers are lowers. They are all alum forged.
Barrels and bolts are where you dont want to skimp for reliability.

2 stage triggers are nice.

Of course there's good and bad. Me personally...I'd never buy or recommend anything from Hesse/Vulcan/Blackthorne.

Many companies don't make their own AR15 parts. Make sure parts are mil spec and from a reliable vendor and you should not have any issues.

So, here are my thoughts on the subject

Back 7 or 8 years ago, before I spent a lot of time on forums like this, I decided I wanted an AR. At a local gun show I saw Bushmasters going for $900 and Olympics going for $650. A week later I bought a 16 heavy barreled OLY for $600 new from the same dealer. It is incredibly accurate, sub 1/2 MOA with good ammo, and has served me well. I bought a second OLY a couple years later and, have pretty much the same experience with that one. The only negative for either one is that their chambers are quite tight which accounts for terrific accuracy but also causes jambs after about 350 rounds. These guns need to be kept clean. I have since bought a Bushmaster and a S&W M&P 15 with short light barrels. These guns are not as accurate but will feed pretty much anything.
If I had read all of the bad stuff written about OLY's I probably would never have bought one. That would have been a shame since they have given me countless hours of fun. So, if you are looking for a plinker, there are a lot of good guns out there that will serve you well including the DPMS frowally world for under $600. If you are looking for a battle rifle or a competition rifle that you are going to put several hundred rounds though at a time, you should look at the higher end guns.

I will not buy Olympic, Hesse, Vulcan or blackthorn. The last 3 are the same company. Olympic is not as bad as the last 3, but i have seen to many issues.

I read people saying DPMS isn't anygood, but i have never seen one not work as designed. I don't have a complete DPMS, but i buy a lot of DPMS parts. Their parts all worked as designed. I have a DPMS MK12 barrel. It shoots MOA. The DPMS i have shot, all worked. A lot of people lately have been liking the .308 they sell. If you don't want a DPMS remember that DPMS, Remington, AAC and Bushmaster are owned by the same company now. I wouldn't worry about it.

There are a lot of new manufacturers. I would stick with a name you recognize.

I also have an Olympic. Had an issue with a crack in the upper. I bought it used. Called them, and shipped the entire gun to them. They replaced the upper no question, and upgraded it since they didn't have the lower end uppper in stock. All for free. Great CS, I would definitely buy again.

If you ask a forum what to avoid you'll never find a brand without detractors. There are however a healthy number of good choices, some for specific activities like varmint hunting, competition and law enforcement. Always helpful to know what your intent is and what expectations you have in terms of reliability, accuracy, weight, etc.

If you're simply buying one to set aside JIC and on the "cheap" there's a lot of buzz over the new Windhams. I had the opportunity to inspect one a few weeks back and it left a positive impression.

Windham is

Bushmaster before they got bought out. Thery are made in the same place by a lot of the same people that made them before Cirburus bought the company along with Remington, Marlin, etc.

Saw a guy at the range last year trying to pry the bolt open on his AR with a tire iron. Don't know what brand it was. Like every thing else, there are some bad apples out there.

Customer service...

Bad customer service usually results from an item being pooh and then not supported.

Good customer service is often from a particular item being pooh and being supported.

Having been through the California ugliness I can say there are scenarios where "good" CS won't do you a doggone bit of good after the hammer falls.

Look to the established manufacturers regardless of cost that make the most people happy the first time around 'cause they may not be available to you in the worst of scenarios.

aderden said:

With the recent disappointment on Tuesday and talk of the UN arms treaty possibly headed to Congress, I'm planning on buying my first AR. Are there any...disreputable manufacturers out there? Or are they all quality, there sure are alot of them.

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Tons.

Search. Read. Search. Read.

You'll see.

tyeo098 said:

If its in spec, its in spec.

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What is that spec?

Could you provide it, please?

I'd like to see if my rifle passes.

First off, you are just a little paranoid. Don't buy the rifle because you fear the UN treaty. It has nothing to do with the US domstic firearms.

Second, purchase an AR because they are a damn fine rifle.

I have built mine. I have used parts from various manufacturers including Rock River, Colt, Armalite, Danial Defense, Stag and other parts. If you want a tactical carbine, I personally would look at Stag if I wasn't going to build one, and wanted one closer to cheap due to the quality of the parts. You seem to get a great rifle for the cash. You have to get past the Wookie on the side of the receiver, however. That said, if you have a little more to spend, pick up a Danial Defense or a BCM. Great rifles. Have you considered building one? They are a snap.

Run don't walk away from: Blackthorn, Hesse, Vulcan arms and Century A2s

Stay away from: Olympic, anything with plastic or cast receivers

I don't recommend: budget DPMS (just a preference)

I do recommend for complete guns: Armalite, Bushmaster (either pre or post Remington), Colt, RRA, Sig, Stag and Windham; there are others but I haven't messed with them.

There are some snobs who THINK there are.

Most ARs will work for MOST shooters in MOST applications MOST of the time. Don't get too wound over brands and 'the chart'.

I would consider: Colt, Bravo Company Manufacturing, Noveske, Daniel Defense, LMT, LaRue, Spikes, Smith and Wesson, Windham, Palmetto State Armory, and some others.

Figure out what the specs mean. Figure out what you want in, and out of, the rifle.

Example: If you don't know what twist rate you want for the barrel, you aren't ready to select a rifle yet. If you don't know what HPT or MPI testing is, and whether or not you want to pay for it, likewise not ready to make a purchase.

While a lot of guys rag on Bushy's I've owned several, and sold plenty (I use to be in Police Supply). Had very few returns, and m personal guns have never had a failure shooting mostly 5.56. The only one I'd stay away from personally is the Carbon 15 (no experience with Olympic). But the carbon/poly receiver on the Carbon 15's has flex issues and the screw in the scope mounts also strip on them.

One word: Colt 6920. OK that's two words to describe a no worries purchase. It's the standard. I didn't buy one, but I should have.

OK that's two words

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It is two words, "OVER PRICED", but not a bad gun.

Jim

jim243 said:

It is two words, "OVER PRICED", but not a bad gun.

Jim

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There is nothing whatsoever over priced about paying ~$1,000 for a Colt 6920. That's beyond silly to even consider saying.

(you could get them online for that, from reputable businesses, a couple weeks ago...I haven't looked since the election)

That's beyond silly to even consider saying.

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You are entitled to your opinion, I am entitled to mine. And your statement is beyond good manors.

Jim

Get the Rock River , usually less than a $ 1000 . Their two stage trigger is pretty nice.