Armalite VS. Bushmaster

It's a Ford vs. Chevy kinda thing. You'll find no consenus despite hours of dialogue and a lot of knowledge (on some peoples' parts, at least, teh intarweb is rife with a lot of speculation presented as experience). This alone should tell you that the differences between the major makers is not that huge for your average user.

For the average shooter's use, any major maker is going to be fine.

Mike

I own both and prefer my Armalites over my Bushmaster. I have M15A4's, a (C) and a (T), my Bushmaster is a heavy barreled Dissappator.

Over all, the Armalites are the better rifle in all respects, but especially accuracy wise.

Sportsmans Warehouse sells them for around $900 when they have them in stock, was gonna get one myself but ended up with a Sig556 instead.

My Armalite AR15A4? was around $700, but that was several years ago. It is the flat top with 20" barrel.

Shop around a little before buying the $900 version. Make sure you are getting $900 worth of rifle.

My bushmaster dissapator has never had a problem, and shoots very nice to boot. Haven't had a chance at an armalite yet.

The Armalite for ~$900 seems like a better deal than the Busmaster at ~$830.... It just looks like a better put together rifle.

Chrome lining does nothing for accuracy. In fact, the most accurate barrels for the AR15 are not chrome lined. For 99.9% of uses and shooters, though, the difference is so small it does not matter.

Mike

Between the two and presuming both rifles to be of equal spec, I would always choose Armalite.

Chromelining is for durability and corrosion resistance, not for accuracy. Bushmaster barrels are fully chromelined, but I've never heard about "double" chromelined Armalite barrel. Where did you hear that?

For the average shooter's use, any major maker is going to be fine.

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Chrome lining does nothing for accuracy. In fact, the most accurate barrels for the AR15 are not chrome lined. For 99.9% of uses and shooters, though, the difference is so small it does not matter.

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Those are two of the most sensible things I've seen written here re: AR-style rifles.

Like I asked in another thread: What's wrong with an Olympic Plinker Plus for $600 that includes a sling, 30 round mag with MagPul follower, a hard case and a lifetime warranty? It's cheaper than a new Mini-14 even! And you can buy lots of ammo with the left-over money.

It sounds like you have your work cut out for you. So many options. Build yourself or buy complete. Bushmaster, Armalite, CMMG bargin bin, Stag, Rock River, etc, etc. Listen to what Coronach said. What model do you like best? If you not taking it out to the field looking for bad guys or zombies, then all will work. I think they all look just about the same with some minor changes. If you build your own you get that personnal satisfaction and can usually build a better rifle mixing the best parts together. I have an armalite and like it (chrome line makes cleaning easier, but has nothing to do with accuracy). Check out ar15barrels.com and read what he says about chrome lined barrels. What are you wanting to do with this rifle?

As said above any of the major manufacturers would be ok to buy. I have handled a few Armalite rifles but never put a round through one. They look to be fine rifles.
Don't put too much stock in what gun store owners say. They tend to push what they prefer and really badmouth what they don't. I can tell you I own 2 Bushmaters and would put them up there with any AR maker in quality and accuracy. I also own AR's made by Colt and Alexander Arms, they too are of very good quality and function flawlessly.

Shop around a little before buying the $900 version. Make sure you are getting $900 worth of rifle.

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$900 is as good as you'll get. MSRP for the M15 (A4 or A2, carbine or 20") is $1,100.

Hows Rock River arms compare to Armalite?

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RRA's have a better trigger on the standard models. IMO, Armalite's over-all quality is a little better. I know some guys have had trouble putting parts on RRA's, as they are rumored to not be mil-spec.

I prefer Armalite to all others for a couple reasons, not the least of which is top-notch CS. I've never had a repair issue, but when I've called with questions or to order mags and accessories, the matter was handled pleasantly and expediently by the same person from start to finish. When you call Armalite, you get people who know what they're talking about.

when we talk great AR barrels everybody knows olympic has the finest barrel out there,but nobody wants to admit it because they want to back what ever brand AR they own!plain and simple

I have to say armalite mainly because I own one. They are an awesome company to deal with, they have been in the AR business a long time and have quite a few tech articles on their website indicating that they really know what they are doing.
Not saying that bushmaster doesnt do the same, but I am saying that because I have never had a single issue with my armalite ar15 11.5" there is no reason for me to buy another brand.

Next build will be all armalite parts except for the lower reciever.

I have a M-15A2 and I love it. My buddy has a bushmaster and I love it. Another friend has a Stag, and I love it.I really couldn't say that one is any better than another, but they do each have their own personalities.Buy whatever one is going to make you happy, and shoot the heck out of it!

$900 is as good as you'll get. MSRP for the M15 (A4 or A2, carbine or 20") is $1,100.

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So I shouldn't have passed up the NIB Armalite M15A4 with olive drab furniture for $850 at the gun show this past weekend?

So I shouldn't have passed up the NIB Armalite M15A4 with olive drab furniture for $850 at the gun show this past weekend?

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Thats what I paid for mine new about 5 or 6 years ago.

I have a Bushmaster 20" HBAR M16 Type, A3 rifle and a Bushmaster 14.4" M4 type, A2 carbine. Both are excellent rifles, function, fit and finish wise.

The AR rifle is basically a standard platform. Quality comes from material of construction, fit and finish. All the major manufacturers are pretty even.