Opinions on Wilson AR-15 Rifles?

[BerettaNut92]

What are your thoughts on the Wilson rifles, how does the quality, fit, finish, reliability, etc. etc. etc. compare to something like a Colt or Bushmaster?

MSRP on Wilson is $1375, Bushies are between $1000-$1100.

 

[444]

Well I was going to say that the Wilson is overpriced, but the prices you quote are far more than a Bushmaster costs here.

I don't own a Wilson, let me be clear about that. The Wilson is a fine rifle, but, to me, it doesn't offer anything for the extra money. And even with the prices you quote, it is still a pretty substantial difference. I do own two Colts and wouldn't pay anything extra for them either. They are also terrific rifles but again, they don't offer anything over the Bushmaster. My Bushmasters are very accurate and have been totally reliable. The quality is as good as anything out there, bar none. The finish on my Bushmasters is without question better than my two Colts. But I don't really care about the finish as this is a military type weapon and not intended to be a showpiece.
Believe me, when I bought AR15s 2-6 money was not an issue. I am not rich but if I thought I could get a better rifle for a couple hundred more, even five hundred more, I would have paid it without batting an eye. Same holds true now, if I was buying another AR15 which I am bound to do, I would be willing to pay $1500, but I wouldn't because I would buy a Bushmaster confident that I am getting as good of an AR15 as is made.

 

[jim]

a gun is only as good as the person shooting it.
fwiw
RRA is a co that was formed by former employees of les baer.
their rifles shoot very well for 1/2 the price.
and as with any ar platform you can always upgrade barrel later on.
the rra's have a match, or what they call a match trigger on most models. it looks just like an armalite only cost less.
what do the say 1/2moa is their guarentee.
oly used to, and may still say their barrels are 1/4moa. i know mine is.
just my $0.02

 

[444]

If you are worried about accuracy, look into what it takes to transform an AR15 into a match rifle. I suggest a couple books; The Complete Guide To AR-15 Accuracy by Derrick Matrin & Bearrett Tillman; and The Competitive AR15:The Mouse That Roared by Glen D. Zediker. You will find that very little is done to a standard AR15 to make it a match rifle. Basically they float the handguards and do trigger work. You don't even really need a new barrel. The standard run of the mill AR15 is a very accurate rifle and needs very little to make it a competitive rifle at the national level. Point being, I wouldn't buy into any big accuracy claims, most any AR15 is likely capable of the same accuracy right out of the box.
As far as triggers go, if you are using this rifle for formal bullseye competition, then go for the match trigger. Otherwise, be careful. I am just repeating what I have heard. I am getting ready to go the the Gunsite Carbine Class and have been asking everyone I see for advice. One thing that I have heard a couple times now is; if you are foolish enough to have a match trigger, make sure you bring two carbines with you so you have a rifle to use after the first one breaks on you. After hearing that at least three times from people that know what they are talking about (like Pat Rogers) I would pay attention. I may someday put together an AR15 "Varmint Rifle" with the heavy barrel, big scope, and a bipod which will also have a match trigger. The rest of my rifles are going to be sporting a standard mil-spec trigger.

 

[Steve Smith]

I agree with everything 444 just said.

 

[BigG]

Ditto. Glen Zeddicker recommended getting a std Colt and putting on a free float tube and maybe getting an aftermarket trigger. That's basically it. The freefloat tube is because the tight sling warps the bbl on the AR15.

 

[Steve Smith]

And if the stock barrel really IS crap, swapping it out is quick and cheap.

 

[gun-fucious]

if i wanted a really cool AR for one holing i think i would build a SPR-ergy[TM]

 

[Nero Steptoe]

I've inspected one Wilson AR. Lot of money for essentially the same rifle as my Bushmaster that I've personally modified. Has the identical DPMS free-float tube; JP trigger/hammer. Also uses RRA lower. Wilson? Just something that somebody at Wilson put together, using commonly-available parts.

I've heard all the stuff about the unreliability of "match" triggers. The RRA match trigger has no adjustments and should be as reliable as any other AR trigger. Stock "mil-spec" Ar triggers can pull as heavy as 9#. You really think that's a recipe for accuracy?? I've fired thousands of rounds through my Bushmaster equipped with the JP hammer/trigger combo, with no failures and great results.