Armalite AR15 or Colt AR15

[vanfunk]

Yes, the above description references Bushmaster explicitly. Much of the above applies to Armalite, and their offerings are even further away from the TDP (4140 barrel steel, front sight base attached with bolts instead of taper pins, etc.). Again, an Armalite "M4" may prove to be a great option for the range, but it's not a good choice for "serious social purposes" as they say.

vanfunk

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

That'd be great, if we weren't talking about Armalite here.

Armalite does not magnaflux any of their barrels and does not magnaflux or proof test their bolts (or mark them as such). The Armalite will not have the correct "F" height front sight base, ususally requiring that the front sight post be raised above the ears of the sight tower for a proper zero. Armalite does not Magnaflux and shot peen their bolts and carriers, or use the correct extractor insert. Armalite does not use the "H" buffer as Colt does, and the Aramlite receiver extension is extruded and oversized compared to the Colt (which is forged and sized correctly). Armalite does not use double heat-shielded handguards as the Colt does.

Thanks for stopping by.

I certainly hope you meant that sincerely seeing as how vanfunk has contributed a lot more knowledge to this thread than you have. This being the internet, some might be tempted to read that sarcastically and that kind of comment would have no place in a forum that is mostly a technical discussion about rifles.

In fact, I would say a new user who has no history of contribution to THR making snide comments about somebody else's attempt to explain something without adding any additional knowledge is one of the surest possible ways to get shown the door in short order.

 

[das028]

Vanfunk,
There is nothing wrong with using 4140 steel in a barrel, unless your goinjg full auto.

 

[vanfunk]

Hi Das028,
I don't mean to imply that there is anything wrong with 4140 barrel steel - there isn't. The point is made for the purpose of making the point itself, that the use of 4140 steel is a deviation from the TDP. While the difference may be slight, it is still there, and there's certainly no way to contend that 4140 is "better" than 4150. So why do Armalite, RRA, DPMS et al use it? Likely because it's less expensive. I have no quarrel with that. The problem I have with Bushmaster, RRA and Armalite is that they collectively make claims regarding their respective products use in the military, their testing/QC procedures, etc., which are untrue and seem deliberately calculated to deceive the public. I do not mean to imply that the above brands are junk - they are generally high quality sporting arms and many provide yeoman service. But the fact is that the technical specifications (and assembly and testing procedures) really do mean a great deal in an absolute sense, but may not be apparent in an arena of casual use. The fact that somebody's RRA carbine will hold 1 MOA while another's Colt 6920 won't is meaningless if the non-staked castle nut on the out-of-spec RRA receiver extension comes loose in a fight. IMO you're much more likely to get a Colt that works as intended, for a long period of time and over the broadest array of circumstances, than you are with any other off-the-shelf AR. It's really not about spending the most money - you can spend alot more than you would on a Colt and not get better performance, but I am rather certain that you can't spend less and get something "just as good".

HTH,
vanfunk

 

[JShirley]

a 1/9" twist barrel, not as versatile as the 1/7" twist on the Colt

I think it might be more accurate to say that a 1/7 twist is preferred if very heavy/long bullets are planned (which does seem to be the trend for cutting-edge military use). 1/9 appears to be more versatile, if by versatile you mean shooting the widest range of bullet weights well, as I understand it.

John

 

[bosshoff]

Armalite

I HAVE an Armalite M15-A2 which I had them build with one of their NM two-stage triggers. I love mine. They are a great company, which makes great products, with a LIFETIME warranty. I would recommend them to anyone.

http://www.armalite.com/sales/catalog/rifles/m15a2.htm

 

[jbharned]

My .02 cents-

Colt would be my LAST choice in a factory built rifle. Bushmaster OR Armalite are tops with a slight edge to Bushwacker. Reason being are what are you looking for? If your going to shoot service rifle matches (I do) most guys end up building a rifle based on either the armalite (eagle arms) or bushmaster receiver,add a Krieger barrel,jewell trigger,float tube and you get the idea. If you want a standard service rifle configuration I would buy a stock bushmaster with a 1 in 9 twist chrome lined barrel. Nothing against the armalite but I have seen more bushmaster rifles shoot better. The armalite stainless steel barrels were made by Wilson at one time. Good barrel but for blasting it will not out live any chrome lined barrel. The reasons I dislike colt are mixed. They range from years back when they put steel blocks in the lower receiver, used oversize receiver pins for fire control group,front pivot was not a standard push pin,barrels were too fast twist rate,etc. Also they were over priced at what you could get an armalite or bushmaster for.
If your talking military contract parts then remember your parts were made by the lowest bidder. A lot of quality parts are made for the ar15 rifles now.
Pick up a good lower receiver and build your own.

 

[Monkeybear]

Building my first AR

This may seem off topic but since we have alot of expierenced minds watching I was wondering if anyone has anything to say on the quality of a LMT AR 15. How well will a LMT measure up to Colt, or a Stag/CMT?

 

[Pat_Rogers]

Actually low bidder is not always used, but rather Best Value.
Military rifle parts are built to a standard, which is why Colt and FN receive parts that meet a standard.
Conversely, the lower tier makers receive parts that don't meet a standard.
They are the parts you need to worry about.

FWIW, I am a High Master Service Rifle as well as Distinguished Rifleman.
You comments about service rifle are interesting. Service rifle is to gunfighting as rap is to music.
Apples and oranges.
In service rifle you have something that looks externally like a service rifle, but has almost every component changed. In that case, about anything will do, as you are retaining only the lower and upper receiver, and the gun is not shot a lot (comparatively speaking). I shot a lot of matches and practice, and put an average of 5k a year downrange in service rifles. I shot that much last month from my M4.
Understand that you don't like Colt because of receiver block, offsize pins and such.
Me too!
I used one of those receivers for my Service Rifle, for a number of reasons. However, barrel twist too fast confuses me. Most service rifle shooters re barrel anyway, so why is it an issue?
If i misread, and you are talking about other than service rifle, the 1/7 shoots 55 gr out to 400m fine, but individual barrels and ammo lots may work better/ worse. For real use, 1/7 has the edge in ammo selection.

MonkeyBeart- LMT had some QC issues a while back, but are now on track.
I have several and work like charms. I have an MRP that has 15k through it without a problem, and have two conventional LMT's that have less rounds but are likewise GTG.