High End AR Advise Needed, Please.

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DogBonz

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
2,068
Location
NJ
After taking a carbine class, it has become apparent that my DPMS carbine, while great for punching paper and plinking, is not up to the task of course work. So, if you had $1500-$2000 to spend on a high-end AR, what would you get? I am not interested in heavy barreled target type guns. I want the best quality, most reliable, dependable AR made. I would like a 16 to 18 inch barrel, and while rails would be nice, I don’t need to be tacticool. I am looking at Sabre Defense, LMT, LaRue, Wilson, etc.

PS. Please no “you could buy an AK and a tank for 2K…”

Please stick to ARs
 
Just curious, why does it have to be high-end, if it's going to be more of a "rough & ready" rifle for you? There are plenty of great AR options (especially kits) that'll get the job done in fine style and still come in under a grand.

Seeing as you already have a paper-puncher, why spend the cash if you don't need to? Pick up something from any one of the multitude of AR manufacturers and have a bunch left over for ammo, ya know?
 
Just curious, why does it have to be high-end, if it's going to be more of a "rough & ready" rifle for you? There are plenty of great AR options (especially kits) that'll get the job done in fine style and still come in under a grand.
Click to expand...
Could you name one that is better than the DPMS and still under a grand?

It sounds like this guy wants a top notch battle rifle, not a compromise.

To the OP,
Barrett makes one in 6.8, a little more expensive than your target price, but I am sure it is a nice piece.
 
Could you name one that is better than the DPMS and still under a grand?

It sounds like this guy wants a top notch battle rifle, not a compromise.
Click to expand...

Personally, I have very little experience with the AR platform, but I know that if you ask a group of 100 AR enthusiasts what their dream "high end" battle rifle would be, you'd get about 100 different answers.

What if I could suggest a better brand? How does that change my question? I asked why expensive was so important, seeing as there are numerous mid-priced options that are just as good if not better. If he insists on big-dollar, that's fine. I'm asking so that I can better gauge his needs. No reason to get flustered.

And what does having a "top notch battle rifle" have to do with price, anyway? AK's are "top notch" battle rifles, and many of them can be had under $500.

So besides trying to be confrontational, what's your issue with my question?
 
After taking a carbine class, it has become apparent that my DPMS carbine, while great for punching paper and plinking, is not up to the task of course work.
Click to expand...

Could you explain what you mean by this? Was it malfunctioning? Not accurate enough? Too big? Small? We might be able to give you a little better advice if we knew what specific issues you were wanting to address. Better put, I just personally am curious to know what problems you were having.....
 
If you want to spend some money, might as well take a look at what DSArms offers. They even have a piston-driven AR-15.
 
Personally, I have very little experience with the AR platform, but I know that if you ask a group of 100 AR enthusiasts what their dream "high end" battle rifle would be, you'd get about 100 different answers.

What if I could suggest a better brand? How does that change my question? I asked why expensive was so important, seeing as there are numerous mid-priced options that are just as good if not better. If he insists on big-dollar, that's fine. I'm asking so that I can better gauge his needs. No reason to get flustered.

And what does having a "top notch battle rifle" have to do with price, anyway? AK's are "top notch" battle rifles, and many of them can be had under $500.

So besides trying to be confrontational, what's your issue with my question?
Click to expand...

So what "mid-priced options" are "just as good if not better" than LaRue or LMT?

I am not being confrontational in a negative or rude way, I am just asking you to back up your claim.
 
So what "mid-priced options" are "just as good if not better" than LaRue or LMT?

I am not being confrontational in a negative or rude way, I am just asking you to back up your claim.
Click to expand...

Dude, I'm not "claiming' anything. I just think it's not very productive to completely write off my response to his question the way you seem to be doing. Like I said, I'm a novice when it comes to AR stuff, but I know that "cost" does not equal "quality". Look at all the Kimber 1911's coming back with broken slide stops, crappy MIM parts, and horrible customer service.

That's all I'm saying. I'm sure LaRue and LMT are awesome platforms, but to say that there are no better options? That strikes me as a little silly. I'm not saying that it's untrue, because I don't know. I do know that you seem to be discounting my comments because I can't produce "proof" that one brand or another is better, when I'm not even trying to claim that!

There may be no better brands. That's fine. But from reading his post, it seems like he needs a more "battle-ready" AR, and I know that you don't have to spend the big bucks to get one. Hence, my reply.

I still don't understand what the big deal is.:rolleyes:
 
I would go with this- http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=100

or a upper built around this barrel if you wanted a 18incher-White Oak Armament SPECIAL PURPOSE RIFLE (SPR) Match Barrel- http://www.whiteoakarmament.com/

To cut costs at this point I would buy a Stag lower and add a Timney trigger http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ARR661-63850-2276.html

I would use this stock if weight wasn't an issue. http://www.magpul.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70_88_90&products_id=193

This stock if light weight is desired- http://www.vltor.com/carbine-modstock.htm

Then I'd determine what optics would be appropriate and mount them using Larue quick detach.
 
The answer is simple: COLT

Ignore the many morons across the web that hate Colt for whatever convoluted and exaggerated political reasons. They are not the ones shooting 1,200rds in 2 days at a carbine class. They are the ones shooting their mouths off on the internet. Sorry, I'm just preempting a phenomenon that occurs whenever the word "Colt" is uttered in a thread.

If you want an AR that will survive a carbine class - get a Colt.

If you want custom, I'd say Noveske. I don't own one, but the build quality is superb and uses good parts. You have the budget, so there is no need to get LMT (although they are good quality too). LMT is the choice when you don't want to spend on a Colt.

Get the Colt LE6920 for flattop. If you want an A2 carry handle with an ultra light barrel, the LE6520 is ideal. I have the 6520.

For some strange reason, all the major bigtime carbine instructors in the country seem to agree that Colt is the way to go. They discuss these very same topics to great length as they watch AR's break down all the time when students bring inferior gear to class. I guess it would have to do with experience and expertise. They don't care about any other nonsense. They just care about what works. Carbines are tools. Tools have to work.
 
Cites please?
Click to expand...

There is a long thread on 10-8 Forums among several different instructors discussing this issue. Colt was the preferred choice there.

As for what to do, it would help to know where the DPMS was unsatisfactory. Chances are good that a new upper would solve the problem and allow you to either get a quality rifle for less money or get a better quality rifle than you anticipated.

Personally, I think there are a lot of good ARs out there that will survive a course; but when I need something to work I call MSTN and tell them what I need. You can bet that whatever it is they deliver, it will run reliably.
 
Fair enough. FWIW, I wasn't asking to be a jerk, I honestly was curious and I know how easy it is for anyone to throw out the "everybody says so" line.

Seems Colt is a good one. I'll remember that.
 
I agree with the other guys, go find a Colt LE series. Some of the other "custom" shops put together great rifles, but if you want one that works and isn't going to break your bank, find a Colt.

6920s can be had for around $1200 now. You'll get a true NATO chamber, chrome bore and chamber, 1-7 twist, properly staked gas key, and M4 ramps that weren't put in after the fact.

It will also have some resale value when you're done with it.

Chuck
 
I'd buy a Colt. Oh wait, I did. :)

If you want a carbine on the light side, get a 6520 (A2 Gov't model carbine w/ light barrel) or a 6920 (semiauto flat top M4). Both have 1:7 barrels.

I have a 6721, which has a flat top upper and a 1:9 twist HBAR barrel. I love it.
 
I'd put my money in a good trigger, 20" stainless barrel, then good irons, eotech, scope or nv scope based on what you want to shoot at. Definatly ar-4 style flat top... the kind that doesn't have the standard irons. Really depends on what you want to use it for.
 
I was gonna say lmt, but two guys beat me to it. Also I am not sure about reliability, but Les Baer is the only semi , or the only ar for that matter, that comes with a .5 inch moa guarantee.
 
COLT 6920 is the best AR I have ever owned. It is my go to gun. I use mine every month for a carbine class and have had 0 (zero) malfunctions. I have owned over 20 different AR's (6-7 different manufactures) and the 2 COLTS I own are the best shooting out of them all. The COLTS actually feel better. I have Bushys with 1500+ rds with zero malfs as well, they just dont feel the same. Plus you can get a 6920 for $1100 now! I payed closer to $1600 when I got mine. Colts just flat out shoot good!- Art
 
Sounds like you want one that functions, such is in a tactical class.

First, i would go Colt, 6920. Others I would consider would be LMT. I used a RR in a 3 day course and it functioned great, was reliable and accurate. I now consider that rifle reliable for that type of use. I would not go "high-end" as in a rifle by one of the semi-custom makers. I have a Baer that, while a good and accurate and nicely finished rifle, did take some work to get that way. It's trigger was too light and would double and triple on me and I had to swap it out. It is accurate, but as of now, if I needed a SHTF rifle, it would not be my Baer.

My Armalites have been too spotty in terms of reliability and I would not trust them in that type of situation.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

D
  • Locked
Top end AR question
Replies
19
Views
2K
ifit
I
S
  • Locked
AR 10 advise....
Replies
12
Views
596
Robert
Robert
T
  • Locked
Hey need AR 10 suggestion!
Replies
11
Views
2K
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
D
C
  • Locked
Need first-hand advice on buying a somewhat high-end AR-15
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
kamagong
K
M
  • Locked
AR-15 Lowers? Low $ or High $....
Replies
11
Views
6K
soul_rapier
S
Back
Top