20 inch AR -15 Choices

[cslinger]

Ok so I pretty much have my mind set that I want a Bushmaster 20 inch because I feel that that is the most AR for the money but I want to clarify a few other things.

Does Rock River Chrome line the bores and barrels? What do they come with in terms of NIB.

What about Colt and Armalite, same questions as above.

About the current production Colts, do they all have the smaller front take down pin so they are not compatible with standard uppers?

Basically I want a 20 inch, chrome lined, basic AR-15, heavy barrel that will take any upper I want to put on it in the future.

I am pretty set on a Bushmaster but I am always researching.

Chris

 

[cslinger]

One more thing. I like iron sights and I really want to start shooting at 100 yards for accuracy with iron sights. I may however on a whim in the future decide to scope this.

So based on that, I prefer the A2 no removable carry handle due to cost savings and perceived durability. If I were to scope an A2 would I be able to get any kind of accuracy or is having a flattop mandatory. Once again I am not looking for a critter slaying/DCM uber accurate 600 yard monster. If I ever get to that point I will build a dedicated flattop upper for that.

So how durable is the removeable A3 carry handle. Is it worth the extra cost and can an A2 be scoped for light recreational fun type accuracy not competition.

Thanks for letting me dip into the well of knowledge yet again.

Chris

 

[Kharn]

A carry-handle mounted scope will work for plinking, adding a cheek piece would make it easier to keep the same cheekweld when you use it due to its height above the bore.

Kharn

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Check out http://groups.msn.com/TheMarylandAR15ShootersSite/ar15brands.msnw for brand differences.


Go with the flattop. You can add plenty durable iron sights to the flattop (and even have a large selection of sights to choose from - you can now even add M1/M14 sights to an AR); but you can't remove the carry handle without a lot of hassle.

It isn't impossible or even necessarily uncomfortable to mount a scope on the carry handle; but a flattop offers you a lot more flexibility and has no downside.

Instead of an HBAR, you might consider the Government Profile barrel. It is about a pound lighter than the HBAR and you'll have to be a pretty outstanding shooter before you will ever notice the difference in accuracy.

 

[gun-fucious]

most accessory cheek piecs negate access to the iron sights

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Rock River Arms does offer chrome-lined barrels as an extra-cost option.

Colt pins are larger, not smaller, than Mil-spec pins.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get a Bushy V-Max, just so I'd already have a free-float tube attached and a flattop. I've found that I hardly ever revert to iron sights when shooting my Bushmaster Shorty. I do have a scope mounted on the carry handle. I'm sure a ccuracy suffers, due to the scope's being so high above the bore, but I have shot some 1/2" groups @ 100 yds.

If you get a Bushmaster, you'll most likely want an aftermarket trigger. With a Rock River Arms, you might be satisfied with the factory trigger.

 

[ShaiVong]

I'm on my way out the door so i couldnt read the thread to see if somebody answered this or not.

RRA does NOT crome line any barrels but the 16" carbine.

Also, I ordered a 20" A2 upper and lower NM parts kit through sableco THREE MONTHS ago. There appears to be a huge backlog at RRA. I canceled today and ordered from Bushmaster

Cost me an extra $300, but I'm sick to death of waiting. Should be here next week

 

[Texas Gunman]

Congrats ShaiVong, I just got a new bushy A2 shorty almost two weeks ago.
I spent the first seven days out at the ranch shooting, needless to say I wasnt disapointed & didnt mind the extra cost.

These are very well made AR's.

TG

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

i plan on bringing down my ar on the 14th, so you can get some hands on experience then... no iron sights though, well no rear sight anyway, and hopefully no front sight if i can find a gas block before then...

it's pretty much a frank-n-upper, some guy ordered it and didn't buy it so i got a good deal and i bit... it was a n/m upper with the 20" wilson barrel, and then topped with the eop upper, looks strange with that front sight in front of the objective but you'd never know it was there when you look through the scope...

 

[mparris71]

get a Bushmaster A3 20" and don't look back

 

[ShaiVong]

I had already received a RRA stripped lower though, so its going to be a frankengun. I hope the lower and upper finishes dont look too dissimilar

 

[Gary G23]

Bushmaster is the only one that uses 4150 barrel steel and chrome lining. That's the reason I only buy Bushmaster.

 

[lostdog]

RRA

ladies and gentle men...RRA uses WILSON COMBAT H-BAR barrels...my case rest.

 

[vanfunk]

IIRC, I don't believe that RRA uses Wilson Combat barrels. I'm fairly confident that they use barrels manfactured by Wilson Arms (as a few "kit" suppliers do) - not the same company.

I'm not sure if the use of the name "Wilson" is deliberately misleading or just a coincidence.

I'm sure the vast knowledge base here will have the matter clarified in no time, however.

Also, three months for a RRA upper from SableCO? Ouch! I have a 16" upper on order with them, too. I think I'll cancel and try to find something in stock somewhere. I can't stand waiting for new toys:banghead:

vanfunk

 

[tac17]

Rock River Arms doesn't use Wilson Combat barrels. The use barrels made from Wilson Arms, like most other AR manufacturers other than Colt, Bushmaster, and Olympic I believe.

 

[ken B]

3 months for an RRA upper?! WOW!...

I guess I got lucky. My gunsmith ordered the 18" flat top upper with the Wilson heavy barrel, along with a buttstock kit, buttstock weight and scope mount on Friday the 8th, and it came on the BBT on Thursday the 21st. There is a guy in New Hampshire (Pete at Legal Transfers) that everyone at AR15.com says order RRA from him. Very quick and he gets preferance....just FYI that is what I read.

My 'smith ordered direct, so I'm not sure if that makes the difference or not. Also, all his gear (stripped upper, buttstock, etc) came in but they back ordered the NM small parts kit he ordred.

When I ordered my two lowers and standard kits, they came in at about 2 weeks as well.

I like my RRA 18" though. Fit was mallet tight, and everything came finished great. even the buttstock color matches the handguard!

now to compare to my 16" Bushy...I dunno...haven't fired the 18" yet, so hard to say.

just my two cents...

Ken B
North Texas

 

[Edward429451]

get a Bushmaster A3 20" and don't look back

I'll go along with this. Just got back from 2nd time out with my new A3 Bushy and I'm further convinced that I made the right choice. I bought this for the same reasons you stated, 100 yds iron sights,maybe a scope later on hence the A3.

I've had my handle on and off and it is OK. Comes off/on easily, and solid as a rock when mounted.. No disappointments there.

I'm getting 4 to 5" 10 shot groups at 100 with irons with it right now. Its obviously me and not the rifle. Positioning and steadiness. Though 4 to 5 " with irons will do what needs doing and I'm not disappointed at all. There was three young MP's up there, and I let one of them shoot a mag and he went prone and drilled it out, much better than I. So I feel confident the rifle can do it...

My understanding of the chrome lined barrels is that the chrome ones are not quite as accurate as the non chromed barrels, but the chrome ones are easier to care for and wont sneak up on you with rust like the non lined ones will..FWIW.