Colt vs S&W

[Rhyno37]

This weekened Gander Mtn. is having a pretty large gun sale. Figure I'll take my Vinci in and see what they can do for a trade, since 5 months of selling it I've gotten no offers. I notice they have 2 AR's on sale that caught my eye first:

Colt SP6920 for $1199

S&W M&P 15 Optics Ready with Eotech 512 for $1299

Sounds like pretty good deals to me for Gander. In your guys' opinion, which is the better buy, or which one should I get? The S&W seems like an awesome deal with the Eotech, but I'm not too keen on having the front post/site removed.

 

[kwelz]

What is the intended purpose of the carbine?

 

[KansasPaul]

The price seems a bit high to me - you can find a new 6920 on gunbroker for $1000. Not sure about the S&W but it would be worth taking a look online for pricing. Check out CDNN as they often have some great deals on rifles especially when they often include extra magazines or accessories. Either rifle will serve you well. The Colt has MPI tested bolt and carrier - not sure about the S&W. The other thing to consider is whether or not you ever plan to sell the rifle somewhere down the line - the Colt will hold value better than the S&W. If you do plan to keep it long term then I would go with the one that was most preferred - either way they are both great rifles.

 

[Rhyno37]

Comparing to Bud's it wasn't too expensive for being Gander. And this will mostly be an all around rifle, some plinking, maybe some coyote hunting, just a fun rifle.

 

[joed]

I'd probably choose the Colt over S&W but that's a personal preferrence.

Funny, but 5 years ago this would have been referring to pistols.

 

[rcmodel]

Colt.

rc

 

[Aiko492]

Colt

 

[RyeDaddy]

Colt. It's better built, although there's certainly nothing lacking in Smith and Wesson's AR's that the average consumer would miss. The resale on Colt is much higher than any other mainstream manufacturer also, so if you get bored with it...

But as was said you can find a 6920 for around a $1100 elsewhere, and not pay sales tax. That's what I always end up doing.

 

[nipprdog]

but I'm not too keen on having the front post/site removed.

 

[Rhyno37]

I think it just completes the gun aesthetically, just personal preference.

Any links to a 6920 for $1100? I figured I'd do Gander so I can trade in my Vinci I've had NO luck with.

 

[Girodin]

Of those choices I would go with the Colt.

I'd also much rather get this than the S&W with an eotech:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/firearms/rifles/psa-16-hf-m4a1-patrol-carbine.html

It is currently out of stock and I do not know when it will come back it but it was right around $1k which with the aimpoint is a great deal. I'm not shocked they sold out.

The rifle is IMHO a better built gun than the Smith and I think aimpoints are a better sight than the eotech as well.

 

[SaxonPig]

I generally prefer the original.

 

[HOOfan_1]

The price seems a bit high to me - you can find a new 6920 on gunbroker for $1000.

What is the price after shipping and transfer fee though?

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Colt. Nothing wrong with S&W, it's a fine mid-grade AR. But the Colt is a...COLT.

 

[kwelz]

Shipping and transfer would add maybe another $50 to either of these.

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920
Should be back in stock soon according to Grant.


http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6720
In stock now

 

[mdauben]

While we have penty of Colt [strike]snobs[/strike] fans making recomendations, I honestly think they both make very good ARs. I think in this particular case, it really comes down to; do you want to run the gun primarily with optics? If so, get the S&W. If you primarily want to use the iron sights, get the Colt.

Certainly you can put a scope on a gun like the 6920, but IMO if that's what you want you might as well go with a flat-top gun to start with. The only thing I question about on the S&W is that you are spending quite a bit of that price for the reflex sight, and if you intend to do predator hunting with the gun, you might want to mount a regular scope. If so, you might want to look for a "naked" 15OR instead. You should be able to find one considerably cheaper than the one you linked to in the OP (check below).

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/53496

 

[TheLostOtter]

Cheapest I've seen http://dsgarms.com/ProductInfo/CO6920.aspx

 

[kfgk14]

Colt, but it'd be cheaper to go to a local gun shop and have them order a 6920 from G and R tactical for about $950, have it shipped to the FFL, and then pick it up. You'd save a lot of money, the transfer fee should be about $30.

And by the way, a Colt 6920 is a flat-top, it just ships with an attached iron sight. it takes a wrench and some minimal level of intelligence to remove the sights.

Also, the Colt is a true Mil-spec (in materials and fabrication techniques, aside form barrel length and select fire capabilities) firearm, has been for decades, and always will be. the S & W is not. Just for the record, of course. If it doesn't make a difference to you, that's all good.

 

[Robert]

Either one would be fine, but I'd take the Colt. But YMMV

 

[pwrstrkd]

Colts nothing special, paying more for the name. They make things in bulk for the military. They do make a decent product, but their quality control could be much better. All they do for civilain models is take all the military stuff out of standard models, rebadge it and sell it to you... Much better products for the money, never been impressed by anything made by colt, execpt for the old revolvers and such. Even their 1911's are sub par