AR Recommendation?

I've seen colts the last few weeks for under a grand.

For your preferences, would an XM-177 type clone work?

That is an A1 upper with a 12.5” barrel with pinned non-NFA moderator flash hider. Most versions had A2 carbine handguards, pencil barrel, and normal FSB. XM177 specific carbine stock.

Del-ton has a sale. Both that I had were in spec accurate and reliable.

I don't know about close in spec to a Colt but if I wanted a high quality AR out of the box with no concern about price I'd probably get a Daniel Defense. The one that looks like the one you want in terms of the barrel length/profile and the pinned flash hider is the DDM4 V7 SLW. MSRP is about $1900 but I have no idea what the street prices are right now.

https://danieldefense.com/ddm4-v7slw.html

You can pretty much order what you want from RRA... it's what I did for my lightweight middy carbine.

It's also likely, depending on where you live, to find a shop that will build one for you by telling them what you want.

SOLGW 13.7” barrel with pin and welded NOX FOR 14.5”.

They are local for me, but are growing very fast because of their reputation for “hard use blasters”. Worth checking them out.

for complete rigs, I'd check out Aero.

If cost is not a concern...
Noveske, BCM, etc

taliv said:

I will say that the pistol craze has pretty much eliminated the config you’re asking for. I imagine it will be hard to find a factory option for permanently attached muzzle device to bring the length to 16”

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PSA has one available right now. I can't speak to the quality of it as I've never bought from PSA.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...ht-m-lok-moe-ept-rifle-w-mbus-sight-set2.html

I have built more than one with a PSA upper and parts kits never a problem. RRA is good to go as well imo.

Colts are back on the market. Otherwise for what you’re looking for, which it sounds like is basically an off the shelf M4 with as close to Colt TDP as possible, FN. Anything else is going to be not what you’ve described. It might be even better features and quality, but it isn’t be what you’ve asked for.

taliv said:

And I wouldn’t call any of the value brands “high quality” though they’re certainly dramatically improved in many ways.

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I've often scratched my head over this... given what the OP wants, I don't see why a generic M4-gery AR won't fill the bill.

I bought a DPMS Oracle flattop... that's their entry-level cheapo AR, at the time they were sub-$400 rifles. No, the build quality was not that of my Colt H-Bar, or even my RRA, but a 1000 round torture test over a weekend proved to me that it worked, and worked pretty well. It didn't check all the ARFcom boxes... it didn't have a staked carrier key, and I'm sure there were other shortcomings. The weakest link I saw was the barrel... which deflected when I was slung up. That may have been a matter of a poor quality barrel, although it was accurate enough, or poor assembly (what I suspect.) When I was done with it, I gave it to my brother for his birthday, where it now sits... as his home defense rifle.

Money being no object, I don't see where throwing money at a rifle that will largely set unused is necessary. I consider my carry handguns as 'disposable' given their role, and I would consider a home defense AR the same... I see no reason to spend $1500 or more on a name. That is not to say you shouldn't put the firearm through it's paces, to prove it works well... I suspect we all do that, and if there is a shortcoming that shows itself then, it can be addressed.

As far as the OP's requirements, I also question the need for a 13" pinned barrel... when 16" barrel with an A2 device adds very little to the rifle, and particularly with a collapsible stock. The Flattop part is a no-brainer, and most come this way these days, anyway.

If it were me? I would get a Colt 6920 and be done with it. Less then a grand and the only thing your giving up would be the 14.5" barrel for a 16" one.

I don't understand the allure of the 14.5 barrels? USGI spec but your adding a out of spec flash hidder to make it legal. With the 16" your getting a longer barrel but using the correct USGI FH.

Anyhow good luck on your search
WB

When I answered this question for myself I got a DDM4V7LW as @IdaD has suggested above:

I have it set up scout style and I have an extra 6.5G LW upper set up the same way. Weight on each is exactly 8 lbs all up but unloaded.




https://www.gunbroker.com/item/901933348

I have to agree about barrel length. There really is no need to go with a 14.5" barrel and pinned muzzle device since you have to be at 16" OAL anyway.

As far as what brand to get, they all work as intended if they are assembled correctly. Yes you will get a better finish and better QC (most of the time) from the more expensive brands. But the lower priced brands work just as well.

I know everyone is different. To me an AR is a tool and will get treated as such. I won't intentionally abuse it but also won't worry if it gets signs and dents either. Being a vet, the only time we worried about looks was during inspections.

IdaD said:

I don't know about close in spec to a Colt but if I wanted a high quality AR out of the box with no concern about price I'd probably get a Daniel Defense. The one that looks like the one you want in terms of the barrel length/profile and the pinned flash hider is the DDM4 V7 SLW. MSRP is about $1900 but I have no idea what the street prices are right now.

https://danieldefense.com/ddm4-v7slw.html

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I agree with the Daniel Defense recommendation. I don't think I would hold Colt up as a standard all others should be measured by.

Here you go. The LaRue Tactical 14.5” 5.56 PredatOBR

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-14-5-inch-predatobr-5-56/

Personally, with a purchased AR of higher quality. I would be looking at the list below in no particular order:

1. JP Enterprises
2. LaRue
3. Daniel Defense
4. Lewis Machine & Tool

I would take a hard look at:
https://lmtdefense.com/product/defender-l-5-56/

I wanted one for similar reasons to you- not an AR guy but something reliable and with some firepower
Like others have suggested I just bought a colt 6920, put a red dot, sling, and extra mag holder on the buttstock and called it good.
That being said fir HD I now use an AR pistol inn300 blk with a 10.5 inch barrel

Like others have said, the Gucci brands (in a good way) are the way to go. Hard to get right now, though.

Mid level: Spikes, Aero

High end: LMT, Daniel Defense, BCM, Noveske, LaRue, POF, Wilson

Ballistic Advantage (part of Aero) have their own line now too

Colt LE6920 probably fits the bill--mil spec size, fir, and appearance.

Now, that being said, for a coupe hundred more, look at the the CDR version WWSD from Brownells (this as the full-on WWSD is on hold waiting for spendy single-source parts to ship; the CDR is 4 ounces heavier at 5.5#).

https://www.primaryarms.com/spikes-tactical-5.56-nato-mid-length-ar-rifle-pinned-barrel-14.5in

14.5 pinned, midgas might be a little smoother shooting. Plus I think spikes sources FN for their barrels?