Armalite or Barrett

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dwwhite

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Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to taking the plunge and purchasing a .50 BMG.

I'm not there yet, but I have passed the idle speculation stage and am now starting to do some fairly in depth research.

Right now, I've narrowed down my options to a Barrett 99 or an Armalite AR-50.

The Armalites can be had for about 3k in my area with the Barretts going for about 4k. However, the Barretts come in a kit form with a bipod and 10x Bushnell Elite? scope. Armalites do not come with any accessories.

Does anyone have any real world experience with either of these two rifles?
Does the addition of the bipod and scope, along with the Barrett name justify the extra thousand dollars? Any help is much appreciated.

FWIW... I am not especially interested in an upper for my AR, nor am I very excited about a shellholder style bolt, and I do not need repeater capabilities. Real world applications for me will be shooting at targets and the occasional stray feral hog out to about 800 yards.
 
Id say the Barret for two reasons.

1. A scope for a .50 will easily eat up that 1k difference.

2. I would think that the Barret will have a higher resale value because of the name.
 
I've fired both and own the Armalite. Both are great rifles and you really cannot go wrong with either.

How to decide? I'd think about two things....how far do you plan to carry it, and do you wish to fire it offhand?

The Barrett weighs about 25lbs while the AR50 closer to 36, and the 99 being a bullpup puts the CG back far enough that you could shoulder it standing if that mood struck you.

The AR50 is SO barrel heavy that it is nearly impossible to fire offhand, unless you are strong enough to hold close to 40lbs with your left arm fully extended.
 
I just got an AR-50 myself and am quite happy, but I don't think your gonna go wrong with either.

Now I am in no way downing the bushnell elite 3200 10x40, I think they have some great glass and you def. cant beat the price but just know they can be had for less than $175 online.

I'm not sure of the cost of the barrett bipods, but the prince bipod you see on the ar-50's are right around $200 give or take 15-20 depending on who you order from.
 
If you want a package deal check out Knesek Guns for the AR-50, comes with everything you need less ammo. http://www.knesekguns.com/pictures.php?pics=AR50SPECIAL

The AR-50 will hold it's own against the M99 any day of the week, people get caught up in the name game. Basically your stuck with making a decision on which one you like more. If it's about money then get the AR-50 package and use the extra money to buy ammo.
 
Thanks for the responses, folks.

As for carrying, it'll be from the pickup to the bench, and back, this won't be a field gun. Neither would be fired off-hand. I did not know that the Bushnells could be had so cheaply, I'll have to look into that, though a 10x scope may be a little on the small side for shots past 600y or so.

What about the ergonomics of each? I am left handed, though I plan to purchase a righty. With the Armalite, I am comfortable that I can fashion a "custom" cheekpiece that will clear the bolt, though I am not so sure about the Barrett. I'm afraid that the Barrett's bolt may pop me in the nose with every shot.

Resale value is also a consideration, generally the new wears off my gun purchases after a year or so. With the exception of three or four heirlooms and favorites, my gun collection rotates with regularity. Would the Barrett retain enough value to justify it's purchase over the Armalite?
 
I have an AR-50 and love it. You may want to consider burris posi-lock scopes for either fifty. the first scope on mine was a springfield armory and the rifle beat the snot out of it as well as a leupold vx-2.(the rearward and forward recoil breaks the springs) :banghead: I would rather fire my weapon than remove a scope every 50 or 60 rounds to mail a scope back for repair. at this point the burris black diamond has withstood more than 400 rounds without loss of zero. As for accuracy, i can keep 10 rounds in a paperplate at 900 yards. not too bad for a non competition shooter i think. good luck and great shooting.:)
 
Barrett will have a better resale value, unless the Democrats have their way
 
What about the ergonomics of each? I am left handed, though I plan to purchase a righty. With the Armalite, I am comfortable that I can fashion a "custom" cheekpiece that will clear the bolt, though I am not so sure about the Barrett. I'm afraid that the Barrett's bolt may pop me in the nose with every shot.
Click to expand...

You're in luck. ArmaLite makes Southpaw AR-50's.

http://wa15le.com/Gun Suppliers/Armalite/armalite ar-50.htm

And I love my AR-50.
 
I have never fired a 50 but I have always thought the Barrett would be the one I would get if I ever have the money but that just my one cent
 
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