ArmaLite sneaks out an "Economy" model?

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chicharrones

chicharrones

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It looks like ArmaLite has a "new" economy AR line called the Defender. I haven't seen it on their website yet. Perhaps, it is due to SAC owning them, the low priced AR market, or both.

Defender AR10
http://www.fountainfirearms.us/product.alt-defender-76216-1-20rd

Defender M15
http://www.fountainfirearms.us/product.armalite-defender-556-nato16-barrel-1-30-round-optics-ready
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...s_id/93836/ARML+DEF15F+DEFENDER+15+A2+223+BLK

I haven't seen any details of the guns yet, but I'd guess they don't come with the two-stage triggers or some other features the slightly more expensive models have.

I guess SAC and ArmaLite are intending to try and stay in the AR business.
 
I wish the pictures showed the other side to see if it was like the s&w sport with no dust cover or fa.
 
Cheaper Than Dirt has specs, but no RH side picture, and no details on dust cover or forward assist. The left hand side only pictures do raise suspicion. CTD list the specs as:
ArmaLite Defender 15 Semi Auto Rifle DEF15F
5.56mm NATO (accepts .223 Remington)
16" Double Lapped, Chrome Lined, Chrome Moly Vanadium MIL-B-11595-E Barrel
With M203 Step down
1:7" Right hand twist
Threaded 1/2x28
Flash suppressor muzzle device
A2 Fixed front sight tower/gas block
7075-T6 Aluminum Flat Top Upper Receiver
7075-T6 Aluminum Lower Receiver
Single Stage Trigger
Polymer handguards
A2 pistol grip
Collapsible stock
30 round magazine
Anodized upper and lower receiver
Manganese phosphated steel barrel
Overall Length: 32" Collapsed / 35.25" Extended
Overall Weight: 6.35 lbs
Black
Click to expand...
 
While I never considered Armalite to be top notch, I did like their commitment to chrome lined barrels and chambers, and overall quality and selection. But if they are going cheap now , I would just as soon pick a delton with its hpt/mpi marked BCG and 1" accuracy (observed)
 
I purchased ArmaLite's previous econo-model, the LEC15A4CBK, $930 couple of years ago.

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=LEC15A4CBK&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=f7c054fc-87a1-41f1-89bf-df84e8fd90f4

It spec's just like one of those Defenders with the exception of having a 1:9 twist.

It has been a very good AR. Accurate, completely trouble free.

My only complaint being that the phosphate finish is easily scratched. But I do not mind, being that it is a econo-AR and sees a lot of use at the borrow pit.
 
DMZ said:
I purchased ArmaLite's previous econo-model, the LEC15A4CBK, $930 couple of years ago.

It spec's just like one of those Defenders with the exception of having a 1:9 twist.
Click to expand...

Plus yours probably has the "tactical" two-stage trigger vs. the Defender showing specs with a single stage trigger.

My ArmaLite is very similar to yours and has that two stage trigger as well, but it is a mid-length gas gun.
 
I think the increasing popularity of the S&W M&P Sport is forcing other AR makers to consider releasing economy models
 
I'll bet the reason they don't have right-hand pictures yet is probably the same reason they don't have it on their site yet.
I bet they will, but for now they're using receivers that are left over from other runs, have a blemish they could mostly cover up, or out-of-spec finishes.
At least in some other industries, that's kind of par for the course when they first introduce economy models. As long as it still works fine, they tend to use up the 'seconds' bin first.
 
Looks pretty good!

I'm in the market for a 7.62x51mm battle rifle. I'm eyeing the PTR 91 GI but the Armalite Defender AR-10 looks good and is about the same price.
 
beeenbag said:
I wish the pictures showed the other side to see if it was like the s&w sport with no dust cover or fa.
Click to expand...

ugaarguy said:
Cheaper Than Dirt has specs, but no RH side picture, and no details on dust cover or forward assist.
Click to expand...

Deus Machina said:
I'll bet the reason they don't have right-hand pictures yet is probably the same reason they don't have it on their site yet.
Click to expand...

ArmaLite now has a small photo up on their homepage. Zoom in the photo with CTRL+ and you can see what appears to be dustcovers and FAs.

Front%20Page%20ads%5CDefensiveSportingRifle.jpeg


I think if these would have been out last summer, I would have got one instead of what I did get, just to save the $250.00.
 
It looks like the "DSR" line was officially announced yesterday.

http://www.ammoland.com/2014/08/int...efensive-sporting-rifle-series/#axzz3BtZuICZ3



My apologies for the appearance of promoting the brand so much. It is simply a relief on my part to see that the brand I bought into last summer is apparently moving forward under ownership of SAC.

I really thought I might have bought into a dead end brand. That may still hold true, but I hope not.

Now to see if and when they update their website.
 
I thought that ArmaLite AR-10s couldn't take DPMS pattern Pmags, but the magazine in that picture sure does look like a Pmag. Has ArmaLite finally acquiesced to the DPMS magazine pattern?
 
Has ArmaLite finally acquiesced to the DPMS magazine pattern?
Click to expand...
They did a while back on some models. What's funny is that the DPMS / Knight's pattern mag is actually compatible with the original Fairchild ArmaLite AR-10 pattern mag.
 
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