Opinion - Best AR15

[Martyk]

I hope this debate doesn't get too crazy. I realize there will be a lot of subjective opinions here.

I'm thinking about investing in an AR15 type Rifle. There are so many manufacturers out there now it's mind boggling , it it seems like many of them are quite good. I'd like to pare down a list of the top 5 if that's possible.

What are the top 5 (or most popular) AR15's in terms of Accuracy and reliability in the 1000 ~ 1400 price range. A short comment about why you like your selections would be helpful also. Some of the things I know I prefer for sure are Free Floating Barrel and I like the tactical look like quad rail fore end.

 

[12131]

I'm not gonna get into this. All I'm gonna say is, here we go again.

 

[mattw]

 

[Martyk]

Very nice Matt, thank you!

 

[mattw]

Novekse, LMT, Colt are the top three. They are made with the best materials and best workmanship.

 

[jerkface11]

Blackthorne hands down.

 

[22lr]

Saber, LMT, Wilson Combat, and colt are the best but you will pay just for the colt name so I stear clear of them. I personally have a DPMS and hey it aint fancy but it does the same thing as a high end colt or Wilson.

 

[rscalzo]

What should be posted is the actual manufactures of the major parts. I'm sure most are aware that there are only a few manufacturers producing all of the parts in question.

Kinds of like the early days of VCR's. One manufacturer made them all. Name meant nothing for the most part.

 

[Deepskyy]

The best AR is the one you like the fit and finish of, that is in your price range, and that you can put rounds downrange with a respectable level of accuracy if the SHTF...
I have a S&W MP15 chambered for 5.45 which is a hoot to play with, and the ammo is cheap, albiet filthy. I just purchased a Remington R15 in .223, which is suprisingly accurate out of the box, but the ammo is too damned expensive.

Also keep in mind that Cerebrus owns DPMS, Remington, Bushmaster and Marlin, the Bushys, DPMS and Rems are all going to come from the same factory, same parts, different nameplates.
My R15 is the exact same rifle as the DPMS Bull A3.

 

[RIDE]

LMT!!!

 

[mattw]

Actually Colt isn't just a name. Some people can be AR snobs, but the reason why Colt rifles are expensive is because they don't cut corners. All the important parts are made and put together correctly. If you just want to shoot gophers and paper from a bench, then yeah, you're just paying for the name. If you need it for hard use then you're paying for the 4150 barrel steel and the proper staking and the shot peening and the magnetic particle testing of each part and the list goes on and on. That **** costs money. Other rifles cost less because they don't do some or all of those things.

LMT is usually only a couple hundred dollars cheaper than a Colt and Noveske is usually a couple hundred dollars more (because they have more stringent quality control and higher attention to detail).

So you pay for more than just the name if you actually use your rifle.

 

[mattw]

Full disclosure: I have an LMT upper on a Essential arms lower. I would've gotten a Colt or Noveske if I could have afforded it.

 

[gvnwst]

POF. While they don't sell DI guns, their workmenship is above any other (including colt, noveske and LMT) companys AR. There are no downsides IMO, as the cost is about the same as a noveske.

 

[rob_s]

marty, first you might want to do a seach to see the poop-storm you are likely stirring up.

Second, if you're looking for the best possible combination in terms of accuracy and reliability, I'd take a strong look at the Noveske N4 series. I don't think they're taking orders on complete guns right now, but the N4 Recce Basic should be within your price range, comes with some nice upgrades over the milspec in the form of stock, grip, and rear sight, and Noveske is known for his barrels, the N4 barrels being no exception. West Grant of MSTN has gotten sub-1" groups at 100 yards out of N4 barrels, and that is from a chrome lined barrel, which is very good.

I personally believe that the N4 Recce Basic is the best "all around" carbine, if such a thing exists. It's also an excellent "starter" that you'll never out grow (or outlearn) and that you can just modify as need be as your skills grow and your needs change. If you have a want or need for a longer barrel, or fixed stock, or are looking more for benchrest or varminting, or whatever, then the N4 may not be the best choice.

If you're interested in more "why's and hows" of this one man's opinion, you can click here.

 

[Martyk]

Matt, what did you spend putting your rifle together like that?

 

[rob_s]

Not Matt, but here is a basic carbine I put together from Bravo Company upper (similar price to the LMT) and a stripped lower and lower parts kit. Without optic I have $1150 in the gun, and that includes $100+/- of premium parts that aren't really necessary.

 

[proven]

noveske, colt, lmt, sabre, charles daly would probably be my top pics and in that order. i've read some really great reviews of les baer rifles, but haven't heard much in the way of their reliability.

you might want to check out m4carbine.net. there's a ton of info for you research, and some very, very knowledgeable people to ask questions of.

 

[H2O MAN]

Opinion - Best AR15

Short answer: The one you own.

Longer answer: Any quality lower receiver with quality small parts and FCG topped by a NOVESKE upper.

 

[helz_mcfugly]

I'm not gonna get into this. All I'm gonna say is, here we go again

true that.
to answer your question

the best AR is the one that protects our freedom in war.

but yea, im with proven on models if you are wanting to just get one.
but you could build one. thats way more fun then going and picking one out. then you get the best of everything and you get exactly what you want.

Im doing that right now as a matter of fact. Im building my second AR. buying every single part. its fun to me to go to gunshows and stores and website and find the parts you want. and research each part for quality. fun fun fun i tell ya.

 

[rob_s]

Im doing that right now as a matter of fact. I'm building my second AR. buying every single part. its fun to me to go to gunshows and stores and website and find the parts you want. and research each part for quality. fun fun fun i tell ya.

I agree. My last AR (the second one I linked to above) was one I assembled from a stripped lower and complete BCM upper, and I have a Knight's Armament stripped lower on the way that I'm really going to take my time and build up into a benchrest accuracy platform. The trigger, LPK, and stock I want just to round out the lower itself are all backordered, so we'll see how long that process takes! :banghead:

 

[Runningman]

I'm thinking about investing in an AR15 type Rifle.

With prices what they are right now (HIGH) I don't see AR type guns as a good investment right now. Unless you find a very good deal.

Let me add seems like you answered your own question since only Colt can legally stamp AR15 on their receivers.

 

[FlyinBryan]

I hope this debate doesn't get too crazy. I realize there will be a lot of subjective opinions here.

lol, yes there are, but they arent hard to spot.

I'm thinking about investing in an AR15 type Rifle. There are so many manufacturers out there now it's mind boggling , it it seems like many of them are quite good. I'd like to pare down a list of the top 5 if that's possible.

as you have already seen, there really is no "top 5"

as far as the most popular, bushmaster is the leading supplier of ar15 type rifles in the united states, followed by dpms if im not mistaken.

i have only owned 2 different kinds, colt and bushmaster, and out of the ones ive owned, the bushmasters have been better. this is not to suggest that bushmaster builds a better rifle, ive just had better luck with them.

let us know what you choose and how you like it.

 

[taliv]

The trigger, LPK, and stock I want just to round out the lower itself are all backordered, so we'll see how long that process takes!

rob, white oak has LPK and geissele's in stock. good luck finding a stock in stock. i just snagged one of grant's UBRs before m4c went TU.

out of curiosity, what parts were you looking for?

 

[mattw]

Matt, what did you spend putting your rifle together like that?

I bought all of this stuff well before election time last year so prices will be different now.

-Essential Arms lower - $84 + $25 transfer fee
-RRA lower parts kit - $68
-LMT upper - $485
-CMT Bolt carrier group - $100
-VLTOR Modstock and buffer tube assembly - $159

Total = $912

Good luck finding any of those parts right now though, if you do find them expect to pay highly inflated prices and be on a long waiting list.

 

[rob_s]

rob, white oak has LPK and geissele's in stock. good luck finding a stock in stock. i just snagged one of grant's UBRs before m4c went TU.

out of curiosity, what parts were you looking for?

I want one of G&R's LPKs less trigger/hammer, and a Geissele SSA trigger from ADCO. Also planning on a UBR as well.

Any idea what happened to M4C? shoot me a PM if you like.