AR-15 Decision

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Red3244

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Hey fellas,

I am looking to purchase an AR-15 for Christmas. I am currently looking at the Stag Arms Model 1 and Olympic Arms GI-16. This will be my first AR and I would like to keep the cost under $1000. From what I heard, the Stag is a great rifle and the Olympic is a piece of crap. Any opinions or suggestions would be great.

Red
 
Why limit yourself to those 2 manufacturers? You can get a used Colt or a new Bushmaster or Rock River for that kind of money.
 
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I would go with a S&W for under 1k but for a few hundred bucks more you could get a BCM or Colt.
 
If staying under $1K is the goal, that isn't going to be hard to accomplish. I'd go with either a Bravo Company or a Spike's Tactical. There's nothing wrong with a Stag, RRA or Bushmaster, but non are in the same league as either a BCM or Spike's.
 
check out smartgunner's daniel defense deal

way, way better than either of the options you listed
 
How about ARmalite brand ? Are they of the same category as RRA, Stag , BM and DPMS?
 
I own both a Stag Arms and a RRA. Both are great shooting rifles. I wouldn't be looking at the Olympic Arms rifles and would much rather have a new weapon under full warranty rather than a used weapon. JMHO
 
I was new to the AR Market summer before last. I am left handed and Stag Makes a left handed model of most of their guns. My Brother has a Armalite and Stag, and both are fine weopons and I have enjoyed shooting both prior to my purchase. I settled on a Stag Model 6L (Super Varminter) with a Stainless Steel bull barrel and Nato Chamber with 1:8 twist which will stabilize up to 77 grain ammo. Some of the older AR-15 are chambered for the .223 Rem, the NATO chamber allows for higher pressure rounds. My most accurate round is Corbon Match 77 grain ammo which will shoot dime size groups at 100 yds with a bench rest and sand bags, unfortunately I can not afford to shoot the stuff. I have reloaded for the last 30 years and my brother bought dies for the .223 rem, which I can use to reload, just haven't gotten around to it, we share reloading equipment in the basement of our Mom's house. I also wanted to shoot the heavier bullets, some people like the 40-55 grain bullets for shooting ground hogs, but I wanted to try something a little bigger than ground hogs, but I haven't got there yet either.
Anyway, good luck
Marcus40
 
I would go with Spikes, BCM or one of the deals at Smart Gunner on the Daniel Defense uppers. Nothing wrong with Stag but for the same price you can get Spikes Tactical! On their website they have a Mid-length M4LE for $809!
 
Ahh the age old question. IMO, most any AR you get is going to be a decent shooter. I have an M&P15 and have had no problems with it, shoots straight, shoots even when I haven't cleaned it - it's been a great rifle. It is a 1:9 twist so I don't put anything larger than 62 gr through it. Whatever you get you'll have a blast with!
 
Listen to the people about the Oly...You don't want it.

For the money I got a used Stag Model 2 and it's a great one, but I regret not going with a spikes and buying the upper and lower separate. Then putting it together myself.

Don't worry about putting them together, it really is as easy as pushing in two pins with your fingers, no tools required.

Lower: $250
http://www.spikestactical.com/z/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=104_114&products_id=86

Upper: $525
http://www.spikestactical.com/z/ind...ducts_id=467:683efed1ab48e5ab00210075ee6d1691

Thats $775 plus $13 for shipping and $30 to $40 for your FFL fee and background check.

That's my next pick.

Edit:
Just a bit of advice to throw in.
If you are going to shoot the heavier bullets, (70+ grain) look for a barrel with a 1/7 twist. 1/9 is fine but stay no higher than 60s grain as a general rule.
Look for one chambered in 5.56, not .223 as the ammo you can shoot is increased.
M4 feed ramps. Not a must but a good to have.
Warranty, some MFG only warranty their weapons for 1 year or have no written warranty at all. Check this out before you buy.

Thats some of the basics, there's a lot of research I can give you/point you to if you want, just PM me.
 
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I just purchased a Rock River. Their 2-stage trigger is amazing and they have an accuracy guarrantee. I am sure there are other good ARs also.
 
welcome to thr

of the 2 companies that you asked about go with stag, if that is all you can find, or all you can afford that is fine, but between the 2 stag is much better than Olympic arms.
 
Nathan: "How about ARmalite brand ? Are they of the same category as RRA, Stag , BM and DPMS?"
Click to expand...

ArmaLite is a cut above CMMG, Stag, RRA, Bushmaster, Oly and DPMS as far as M4 "milspecs" go. They are below Colt, BCM, Daniel Defense, LMT, Sabre Defence and S&W, roughly in the order listed. (This is off the top of my head based on the M4 Comparison Chart.)

Odds are any of them will do well for the average shooter but those who's lives depend on reliability and durability tend to go with the higher rated models. BCM is an especially good choice for the money. Spikes probably is too but is not rated on the chart.
 
Since my first choise for value, price and quality was Armalite, the idea of getting a Spike or BCM is hard not to consider. So here s more readings...

I found this discussion regarding either Spikes vs BCM. Most point to the latter.

It cost a bit more but the quality is there. Now the Mid length LE tactical Spike is hard to beat for $805 . I wonder how good the trigger is on them.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=54922&page=46
 
Now im just wondering how come Spikes prices are somewhat low compared to big names like RRA, BM, Stag and ARmalite ? Is it bec they dont have much advertising and is a small company for now? Was BCM like it before but now have increased ?
 
There are a number of people asking just that about Spikes. How are they providing such a good price point. As far as the specs go they have crossed all the Ts and doted all the Is. However I have yet to see a new Spikes go through really rigorous abuse. Not saying it won't hold up, but till it has I don't trust my life to one.
 
Just giving a plug to the underdog here. If you want to know why Spike's prices are lower, call them and ask. They are a small operation and haven't hit it to the point where their overhead is killing them, yet.
 
My first choice (first AR) after months of research.

BCM. Spikes and DD were in the top three. Dammit, I'm hooked.

BCM has some blem lowers with a couple of stock choices or none. About a $100 savings below their normal price.
 
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