AR for Christmas

[klcmschlesinger]

I am looking at getting my first AR for Chirstmas this year. Santa will bring it. I have been researching quite a bit but I wanted to throw a poll of three choices our there and see what everyone thinks. The prices I am listing are not exact but they are ball park for what I am finding. FYI - I want a flat top for optics mounting.
All have 16 inch barrels.

 

[longdayjake]

I owned a DPMS and I own a double star. Quality is not even close. The double star is very nice.

 

[wally]

I voted for the Doublestar as it seems the best value of the three at the listed prices, Is the Bushmaster 16" or 20" barrel? Only you can decide what you like best.

--wally.

 

[kanook]

You get what you pay for.

Used 30rd mags are $6.99 at the gunshow in SWFL

How much do you plan on optics and how long till you get'em. The lesser the price the rifle the more for optics or vice versa.

I have Stag Arms and Millet scopes. I'm very happy

 

[wally]

The Millet DMS 1x4 scope is really nice on an AR flat top. Its a true 1X, so at 1X and the illuminated "donut" on its almost as fast as a red dot and you can keep both eyes open, but you can zoom out to 4X for longer, more precise shots. The reticle has some nice range estimation features too, once you get used to it. Good buy for about $200. It'd be about perfect if it was smaller and more forgiving of eye relief. The spare battery (included) storage under the adjustment cap is a nice touch

--wally.

 

[Mr. T]

I can't speak for the Double Star, but I just was at a local sporting goods store and had a chance to pick up the DPMS carbine and it was considerably heavier than my Bushmaster.

 

[c919]

In that price range you can get a S&W M&P15. I just put in an order for one today. After much research, I found this was the best bet for what I was wanting.

I'm lovin' this price drop. Glad I waited out the storm.

 

[KingTiger]

What c919 said.

My buddy just picked up a S&W M&P15OR last weekend. It was a no-brainer compared to the Bushmaster IMO.

 

[jem375]

The Sportical is my next AR, good price and good reviews...

 

[Frankl03]

+1 On the S&W M&P 15. There is one on gunbroker right now with a buy it now of $749. Great price and they have a rebate until Dec 31st in which you get 5 free pmags (window type).

Here is a link: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=146303685

M&P is a great AR. The one above is a flat top with no buis but still an amazing deal.

 

[halfded]

Why don't you build one? Santa's gonna have a sack full of parts for me this year!

 

[wally]

They guy asks for advice about three he is considering, why all the "you should get something else instead" comments?

I'm very happy with my S&W M&P15 and the S&W 5.45x39 upper I have for it, but its not what the poll was asking about. There was no "other" option offered. S&W also has a free magazines or $50 rebate offer going through the end of the year.

I'm equally happy with the AR I built from Doublestar parts, he could save about $100 putting it together himself, mostly because parts don't have the ~$100 excise tax that is on a complete gun.

--wally.

 

[KAK]

Of those the bushmaster... But I would have santa bring you all the parts to build your own. Its not that hard and you can have a better gun for that money. Use some RRA parts!!! They are great and their customer service rocks.

I love DPMS but the sportical

 

[TXHORNS]

Any will probably do the job for 99% of all buyers.

That said I cannot get over the goofy looks of the sportical. They use a lower grade aluminum than many other makers too and I have not been impressed with the dpms guns I have handled.

I would be happier with Doublestar or Bushmaster of those listed.

 

[MrFox]

Go with the S&W. But thats not an option on your poll so uhh...

The bushy.

 

[Gtscotty]

I know its not in your poll, but I'd have to cast another vote for the S&W M&P-15 optics ready carbine. After a decent amount of research, I decided that I couldn't beat the S&W from CDNN for $800.... In that price range you might also want to check out the cmmg's from CDNN. Just my $.02

 

[knights_armorer]

of the 3 listed the bushmaster would be the best rifle by a fair margin.

as others have mentioned the mp15 is also decent, and if they would foot the bill for slightly better blanks i would rate them above all 3.

i like the bushmaster because the things you can do to it in 5 minutes (castle nut and gas key staking) which costs nothing, will put you very close to what many consider to be the elite class of ar15. then throw in an extractor spring and insert for 4 bucks and you have a carbine that will run like a hotrod.

they definitly start with the best blanks out of the 3 in question.

 

[DeepSouth]

Colt

 

[Quoheleth]

I really like my Doublestar. I paid just a shade more for that post-election last fall, so IMHO that's a steal.

edit: Come to think of it, that included two extra mags and some extra junk from Centerfire ("take it all or get back in line, son"), so it's probably about the same price.

Q

 

[rickb2202]

i LOVE my double star a2 carbine. 16 in barrel,topped off with an eotech. totally trouble free after 2 years of hand loads.i would highly recomend them.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Thanks

Thanks to everyone that gave some input. The Bushy wind the poll so far. Many good things about the Doublestar. Between this poll and the one on TFL, a Smith would win, if it was a choice.
Thanks again.