Spikes or Colt? Please help me choose!

[Woodsie]

I am about to buy my first AR15, but I'd like some opinions. After a lot of reading around here I pretty much decided that I would get a Spikes. Then I met up with a buddy yesterday that said he would make the purchase for me using his LE discount. The place that he offered to go doesn't sell Spikes, but they do sell Colt. I've read plenty of good stuff about Colt rifles, but I thought they'd be out of my price range. I'm pretty sure that the Colt would still be a little more, but if that's the better gun I don't mind.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Z-Michigan]

A Colt 6920 is very difficult to argue against. The Spike's is pretty good, but the Colt pretty much sets the standard.

 

[OhioChief]

Maybe think of it from a value point of view. If you get the Colt at a good price ( not sure what the LE price is) then you'll have "equity" in the guy, so to speak. Or you can pay full price for the Spike. The difference is, if you ever sell the Colt, you won't lose as much as the Spike's. Just a thought.

 

[Al Thompson]

Agree with both posters. Hard to go wrong either way. IMHO, S&W is right there too and has a very nice LE discount. Probably best to run the numbers and see what actual cost differences are.

 

[Zerodefect]

I love my Colt 6920. Has never failed. Spikes is pretty good as well.

I'm slowly upgrading my 6920 to something more advanced. Soon I'll cut the barrel to 14.5" and cut off the front sight and add a 13" Larue rail and FSC556 compensator. Carbine grips are far too short for me, I look forward to having this as my go-to rifle with longer rifle length grips.

 

[kwelz]

Colt hands down. I am still not sold on spikes and won't be till I see some get some really hard use. You should also check out Daniel Defense and BCM.

 

[gotigers]

I would go with spikes. Both have great quality, but with spikes you're not spending an extra couple of hundred dollars on a name.

 

[kwelz]

sounds like koolaid.

I would go with spikes. Both have great quality, but with spikes you're not spending an extra couple of hundred dollars on a name.

There is a reason that Colt is the gold standard. It isn't coolaid to stick with a company that has a proven track record of reliability over a company that likes to make Airsoft parts and has no record of proven reliability.

 

[paradox998]

No question, Colt 6920. Gold standard and it will keep it's value. Best AR I own.

 

[Woodsie]

Thanks for the responses. Colt it is.

 

[FlyinBryan]

if i were to buy a new one and had to choose one of those i would go with the spikes.

i had a bad experience with a colt rifle (but it wasnt a 6920, it was a 6700) and i'm funny that way.

if i didnt have to choose one of those, i'd probably try one of the bcm's that everyone raves about. their prices seem really good.

 

[john5036]

You are not going to make a bad decision regardless of which one you choose. The only advantages the Colt has is its long track record and retention of resale value. I'd say go for the Colt in light of the LE discount.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Colt resale value... meh. Depends what you pay. Buy it for $1100 you can probably resell it for $800.00. Spikes, buy it for $800.00 and sell it for $700.00 easily. If you want resale value buy it used. However if the LE discount gets you a Colt for $800, then you have a winner.

I like Spikes, they come to the local gun shows, are pleasant, and are happy to chat or assist you with your rifle.

 

[M1key]

My solution to indecision? Buy one of everything...

M

 

[Neverwinter]

Agree with both posters. Hard to go wrong either way. IMHO, S&W is right there too and has a very nice LE discount. Probably best to run the numbers and see what actual cost differences are.

Do this, and include accessories when doing so. S&W tends to have deals with extra magazines that play into the value calculations.

 

[dprice3844444]

make sure before you order it,ask if the bore and chamber are chrome lined

 

[Woodsie]

Thanks again for all of the help. We are going to try and meet up today and pick one up.

 

[JT sport]

FWIW - I agree with buy one of each.

Surprised no one has used the term "straw purchase" anywhere in the responses. Just sayin.

 

[CoRoMo]

...said he would make the purchase for me using his LE discount.

Surprised no one has used the term "straw purchase" anywhere in the responses. Just sayin.

Yes, this obviously COULD be an illegal straw purchase if the buddy is actually purchasing, paying for, doing the 4473/NICS thing.

But there are ways around it.

We all know of these retailers who sell discount guns to emergency personnel. Websites are most easily dealt with in this regard. Take BudsPoliceSupply.com for example. If you have a buddy who is an EMT or volunteer fireman, he sends his credentials to them while you send a money order and a copy of the receiving FFL's license. You would receive the transfer via 4473/NICS in your state, for the gun you bought with your money, although qualified for a discount with your buddy's credentials.

This is not as easy in a store front, in which layaway would have to be utilized so that you could actually be the one to pay for it, and receive through the 4473/NICS process.

AFAIK, treading through this is technically legal, but ethical? Not really. If the OP's buddy was to acquire the rifle through a LGS the way I described in my first sentence, it is a text book straw purchase and IIRC, a federal felony.

 

[Woodsie]

Honestly, I had no idea that this would be illegal...just never occurred to me. I'm not looking to get either one of us in trouble and will go another route. Thank you for the heads up.

 

[CoRoMo]

Yeah. He can't be the one to fill out the 4473 form, go through the NICS background check, and receive the transfer. An "illegal straw purchase" is something that takes place when someone other than the actual purchaser does this in order to acquire the gun for someone else.

Question # 12a. or 11a. (I forget which one it is since last the ATF changed up the 4473) asks, "Are you the actual purchaser of the firearm". If he's filling that form out on your behalf, he's either got to tell the truth and answer 'no', or lie and answer 'yes'.

Therefore, you would have to be the one to pay with your own money and fill out that form, for this to be legal.

 

[sansone]

COLT...
rather not comment on the straw purchase

 

[CoRoMo]

It happens every single day. It's almost impossible to catch anyone who does it. It's a stupid law like the rest of them.

 

[bradystrib]

I agree with the majority. Get the Colt.