Just bought TWO AR-15's..Which one do I keep?

[InnerVision]

Ok here's the deal. I have a friend who has an FFL. He ordered me a brand new Stag and I got it at dealer price ($692) It looks like this:

My best friend is a police officer and his seargent was selling a Colt AR 15 for $700. (just to him..anyone else the price would have been higher). The Colt looks exactly the same with the rear iron sight, but it has a quad rail and a front grip on it.

My friend didn't have all of the money just yet so I bought the Colt. Since I fronted him the money, I get to decide which gun to keep for myself.

Which one????
A Used Colt that has probably thousands of rounds put through it and could probably use a refinish (but has been taken well care of by a LEO)...

Or... A brand new Stag with the same specs. Minus the quad rail and for grip.

 

[Chrome]

I'd stick with the well-used Colt, but I prefer used guns to new.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[Hoppy590]

the colt has a far better resale value, and likely to be that way for a while.

 

[Avenger29]

Um, do you know exactly how some LEOs "care" for the weapons issued to them?

They don't, quite simply. I'm not saying that your friend's sergeant is like that, but keep this in mind.

Is this a department-issued AR, or an LE/Milspec Colt, or just a personal use AR-15 that the sergeant is selling?

Stag ARs have a very good reputation, too. I don't drink the Colt (or HK) Koolaid, so I don't automatically assume a Colt is top of the line...

 

[rbernie]

Do you have the ability to post pictures of the bolt carrier and bolt? That'll tell us a lot about how many rounds the rifle has likely seen.

Sight unseen, I'd be tempted to go with the Colt.

 

[InnerVision]

I don't believe that it is department issued. It is his own personal weapon. He just bought a brand new $2000 Assault rifle of some sort that had been on backorder for a year. He just got notified 4 months short of the year that his new gun is ready to ship. He has to pay them in full so he is in a hurry to sell the colt.

 

[DogBonz]

Give him the Stag...

Then sell the Colt. You can probably get about $1000, depending on the condition simply because it is a Colt. Then use that money (plus a little more) to buy your self a LMT or Sabre Defense AR.

Or get another Stag and spend the rest on ammo.

See. Problem solved.

 

[Hoppy590]

2000$ and on back order? sounds like an DSA FAL

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Well, the Colt has a higher initial value and the rail system and vertical grip are accessories that add to its value. So the only real question is how hard has it been used? Take a look at the thread in the Rifle Forum Reading Library titled "How to Determine the Round Count on a User AR15." Could be that like many LEO firearms, the Colt has been carried a lot more than it has been shot.

 

[InnerVision]

Another question. Say the Colt has been shot a million times. If I replace the bolt and bolt carrier, would It essentially be like putting a new engine in a car?


Also..All things aside concerning brand names here. What is different about the stag (parts quality) compared to the colt. Just the name? or is there more to it?

 

[Hoppy590]

If I replace the bolt and bolt carrier, would It essentially be like putting a new engine in a car?

my limited understanding would say, yes, it would breath new life but theres alot more to a "car" than the engine. if you replace the drive train it will run, but she might bump, rattle and have a broken cupholder and electrical problems

 

[DogBonz]

Well

Replacing Just the bolt may not do what you think. The locking lugs on the bolt wear along with their corresponding lugs in the barrel. The lugs in the barrel have worn to that specific bolt. If they are extremely worn, a new bolt might not be more reliable or make the gun shoot better.


for quality comparisons see the attached chart that was posted here by anothe member:

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Keep the Stag. The Colt belongs to your friend.

There is very little chance you or him will ever know the difference anyways.

 

[InnerVision]

Keep the Stag. The Colt belongs to your friend.

That's kinda how I was feeling. But I honestly think he's the type of guy who would rather have the new gun. He's not too concerned about brand names. I guess I shouldn't be either. Now I have a chance to own a colt. The goal was for us both to get ARs and get great deals on them...and we did. Now here I am making a big deal out of this decision...

 

[Green Lantern]

You might talk it over with your friend, even though it looks like you agree it's your choice.

I'm very much "ehhhh" on used guns that I don't know the history of - but knowing that it was a PERSONAL rather than an issue weapon (as well as what the former owner wants the money FOR) - is a good plus on the Colt.

I own a Stag (what looks to be the exact same model), and thus far am happy even though I paid about $200 more for it than you did.

ONE thing you might consider - you already mentioned that the former owner was willing to sell the Colt at a great deal ONLY to your friend...he might get a little sore to find out, in effect, that he "traded" it right off the bat...

 

[George Hill]

Give one, the Colt. Sell the Stag. Buy a SIG 556.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

That's kinda how I was feeling. But I honestly think he's the type of guy who would rather have the new gun. He's not too concerned about brand names. I guess I shouldn't be either. Now I have a chance to own a colt. The goal was for us both to get ARs and get great deals on them...and we did. Now here I am making a big deal out of this decision...

If you really want the Colt, ask him if he wants to "trade".

Is it a large pin Colt or is it milspec?

 

[rangerruck]

simple, really. not that colt is any better than a stag, but you could fire 100k of rounds down the pipe of a colt, and five years from now, sell it for more than what you paid for it.
Colt ar's, never, NEVER, EVER, go down in value, only up.

 

[planetmobius]

The choice for me would be clear. Keep the Colt.

 

[Eightball]

You said for yourself, you bought the Colt for a friend. I'm sure said friend's buddy who sold the thing would feel jilted if your buddy was toting a Stag.

Besides, you get a new rifle for what you payed for, or one of the most overhyped, "we have odd policies in regards to civilians" type brand that's heavier. Colt=/="be all, end all" in this case.

Stick with the rifle whose past is yet to be determined.