opinions wanted

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floridaboy

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I'm considering getting an AR type rifle.Two that look interesting are the Ruger 556 and the Smith Sport ll. These are currently listed on Buds for $499.99 which after taxes, shipping and ffl is about all I want to spend. Is one clearly better? I've always been a bolt or lever type, so your opinions will be helpful. Thanks.
 
We have several ARs and my favorite is the Ruger. I love how the D-ring just unscrews so you can easily remove the handguards. I've put a lot of rounds through mine and it has been a good hog/ranch rifle. It gets pretty dirty riding in the Mule but it never fails to function.
 
Up until last year I had never owned an AR either. I purchased the Ruger. My purchase was based solely on price and experience with the Ruger brand. Great little rifle. I've had absolutely zero problems with it. Coincidentally it's the only rifle I've ever purchased that didn't need the sights adjusted. On target right out of the box.
 
I own 2 of the sport 1 models they have been trouble free and 100% reliable , but really it today's market of $499 dollar factory built AR's with factory warranties it's hard to go wrong with either one, IMHO
 
I have an M&P Sport and it's a very quality entry level rifle. The only advantage of the Ruger is the rifling twist rate. If you think you'll ever seriously shoot 75 grain or greater projectiles then you'll want >1/9. If your primary ammunition will use >=69 gr bullets you'll get ever bit of accuracy from the 1/9 twist M&P as the Ruger.
 
You mean less than 1:9. Higher spin rates (that is lower numbers like 1:7) stabilize heavier bullets. I like the Ruger better, though the MPR Model is the one I've been eyeing....
 
I couldn't find what specs the S&W had on the bolt. But the Ruger's 1:8 twist barrel, 9310 alloy bolt and chromed carrier are nice features on a budget AR15. I would go with the Ruger between those two.
 
Ruger. And FYI, Buds has no tax and free shipping. Might check “gun.deals” they have a Ruger for cheaper. 6B288758-C513-4AC2-BB2C-7F9780141812.png
 
Before you shell out the cash go to galleryofguns.com and use the gun genie to look at prices local to you. It will probably be in the ballpark of what you would do buying online since these are very popular.
 
I’ll throw in another $500 gun. Radical firearms makes some pretty dang nice guns for $500. I have 2 in 300blk and both are excellent. They have descent furniture on them and shoot good. I’ve never had any reliability issues from either.
 
Ruger. And FYI, Buds has no tax and free shipping. Might check “gun.deals” they have a Ruger for cheaper.
 
For a first AR, its never a bad idea to stay with a known reputable company such as: Ruger, S&W, Colt, CMMG, Bushmaster, Windham, Savage, etc. If one finds out the AR platform is not for them, then it is easier to offload a known companies product then a lesser known one. This is especially true of a company that is known to stand behind their products if something is wrong, and in many situations despite if they are the original owner or not. Such has been the case with Ruger and S&W.
 
Good for you, I think it's a good idea to buy your first AR rather than build it.

My first was a Bushmaster. If I were just getting in to AR’s today I would choose a S&W.

Go with the S&W.

Just Sayin’ ;)
 
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Unless it's going to be a truck gun of some sort I'd probably pony up a few hundred dollars more and get a Colt 6920. You'll be glad you did later.

Gunbroker for $799.
 
floridaboy asked:
Is one clearly better?
Click to expand...

No.

Both are basic M4-style semi-automatic carbines made and backed by reputable manufacturers with excellent customer service organizations. They should be regarded as equivalent rifles for all practical purposes.

The Ruger does use some proprietary parts in their rifle (notably the front sight base/gas block) which may become an issue if you intend to make significant modifications to the rifle. But, my attitude about that is that if you're going to buy a gun and replace half the parts on it, then just save up your money and buy what you really wanted in the first place.

When I was faced with the exact same choice you are now making, I regarded them both as equals and bought based on price (at the time the S&W was a few dollars less). I have Rugers, i have S&Ws. I wouldn't hesitate to buy either one.
 
Armored Farmer wrote:
My LGS owner compared accuracy on those two rifles.
He said Ruger, no contest.
Click to expand...

What testing did the LGS owner do to reach this conclusion?

To say some unnamed person did some unspecified test and reached a particular unexplained conclusion isn't very helpful to someone trying to make a decision in how to spend their money.
 
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