I am thinking really hard about getting an AR. I have a mini-14 that I think I am going to trade or sell, then put down a little extra dough and get an AR. However, I am kind of torn about which manufacturer is the best to go with. Bushmaster is reasonably priced. I have heard Olympic Arms isn't the greatest. And how about DPMS...I don't hear too much about them. Colt is another option, but wouldn't I be paying a premium for the "Colt" name? Anyway, I would like to hear what you all have to say.
What AR-15 manufacturer?
- Thread starter deacon8
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minutemen1776
Member
Look around. There are tons of threads on this topic since early November. I wonder why?
Anyway, there are lots of good options for ARs these days, so long as you can find one that's in stock. Some will tell you that there is a hierarchy of AR manufacturers, but that's only true to a certain point. Yes, there are premium brands that are likely better in overall quality. However, most forged-receiver, milspec ARs will suffice for 99% of shooters.
To prevent the spread of Internet garbage, I have to say here that Olympic Arms has gotten an undeserved bad rap for the cheap, cast-receiver "Plinker" models they used to sell to budget-minded AR buyers. I don't think their forged-receiver offerings are any better or worse that those of other manufacturers. I have two Olys and can't complain at all about them.
Colts are good. They have a positive reputation for a reason. However, you will be paying a premium for the name, and whether you decide to do that is your call.
I also like the A2 configuration. Many will insist on you getting a flattop variant so you'll have "options" or "flexibility" for mounting optics later. But, if you don't ever intend to use optics on your AR, the utility and cost-effectiveness of the iron-sighted A2 is hard to top. If by A2 you also mean an AR with a 20" barrel, I highly recommend a Government profile barrel over the typical HBAR. These are offered by CMMG, Model 1, and I'm sure a few others.
Anyway, there are lots of good options for ARs these days, so long as you can find one that's in stock. Some will tell you that there is a hierarchy of AR manufacturers, but that's only true to a certain point. Yes, there are premium brands that are likely better in overall quality. However, most forged-receiver, milspec ARs will suffice for 99% of shooters.
To prevent the spread of Internet garbage, I have to say here that Olympic Arms has gotten an undeserved bad rap for the cheap, cast-receiver "Plinker" models they used to sell to budget-minded AR buyers. I don't think their forged-receiver offerings are any better or worse that those of other manufacturers. I have two Olys and can't complain at all about them.
Colts are good. They have a positive reputation for a reason. However, you will be paying a premium for the name, and whether you decide to do that is your call.
I also like the A2 configuration. Many will insist on you getting a flattop variant so you'll have "options" or "flexibility" for mounting optics later. But, if you don't ever intend to use optics on your AR, the utility and cost-effectiveness of the iron-sighted A2 is hard to top. If by A2 you also mean an AR with a 20" barrel, I highly recommend a Government profile barrel over the typical HBAR. These are offered by CMMG, Model 1, and I'm sure a few others.
Really? Is nobody going to add anything else to this post. I was being serious. I need to decide what I am going to get. And I don't really feel like searching through thousands of threads in order to piece together an answer to my question. Let's talk about differences between manufacturers.
DarkCharisma
Member
I have an AR-15 by DPMS. Hasn't given me a lick of trouble so far.
Seattlefungus
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- 30
Today, almost all AR's are pretty close in basic quality. For a basic shooter there is little difference. Olympic Arms did go through a growing/leaning stage. Today, they make good weapons. In fact, they are one of the few that makes their own barrels, receivers and major parts. Their ultra match barrels are pretty good.
Unfortunately, you are a little late. From around the end of October, every AR manufacturer sold every major part for AR building. Then the Shot Show was last week and now they are all back orders beyond June. I'd not be in a hurry. The pricing on lowers is through the roof on Gunbroker with tons of gouging and panic buying going on.
I had twelve AR's in stock at the time of the election and they all sold in 4 days. I've just about gone through my inventory of parts and have had my re-stock orders in on backorder for 6 months. (I'm a DPMS, Rock River, Stag, Oly Arms, Yankee Hill, Daniel Defense & Bushmaster dealer).
With CNC quality machining, I haven't seen a sloppy lower or upper receiver in two or more years. The Mil Spec on the finish is standard and all are quite good. The big names usually seals the finish with a Teflon black. Very nice, but not necessary for good function.
Take your time, you should be able to find a good lower for under 180 in a name brand. 150 for a non-name. When pricing stabilizes, 110 to 120 for an average good lower. Check Del-Ton for parts, M&A sells kits too. Just don't get sucked in to the excited buying frenzy.
Unfortunately, you are a little late. From around the end of October, every AR manufacturer sold every major part for AR building. Then the Shot Show was last week and now they are all back orders beyond June. I'd not be in a hurry. The pricing on lowers is through the roof on Gunbroker with tons of gouging and panic buying going on.
I had twelve AR's in stock at the time of the election and they all sold in 4 days. I've just about gone through my inventory of parts and have had my re-stock orders in on backorder for 6 months. (I'm a DPMS, Rock River, Stag, Oly Arms, Yankee Hill, Daniel Defense & Bushmaster dealer).
With CNC quality machining, I haven't seen a sloppy lower or upper receiver in two or more years. The Mil Spec on the finish is standard and all are quite good. The big names usually seals the finish with a Teflon black. Very nice, but not necessary for good function.
Take your time, you should be able to find a good lower for under 180 in a name brand. 150 for a non-name. When pricing stabilizes, 110 to 120 for an average good lower. Check Del-Ton for parts, M&A sells kits too. Just don't get sucked in to the excited buying frenzy.
blacksmithsc
Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2008
- Messages
- 66
Love my Stag, never had a FTF, FTE, or any other issue, with any ammo I've put through it. I can hit an 8" circle at 100 yards 7 out of 10 times with it (open sights btw), my son (who's eyes are 30+ years younger) can hit the 8" circle 9 times out of 10. I couldn't be happier with it.
You pay a premium for a premium product. The name is only the indicator of the quality of the product. Whether or not you want, need, or can afford the premium is up to each shooter to decide for themselves.
If any AR is a "pay for the name" it's Bushmaster. You can get a Stag of better quality for the same price, or an RRA of the same quality for a lower price. Or, you could before all the current panic buying foolishness. :banghead:
30 cal slob
Member
rob,
is da chart down? i can't seem to find the .jpeg of the tabular reference.
help?
thanks!
-slut
is da chart down? i can't seem to find the .jpeg of the tabular reference.
help?
thanks!
-slut
I have heard DPMS's can hold their own against some higher end AR modles like Colts, CMMG and Stag. Anyhow, I have been hearing from many people that the DPMS 308's are superior to 308's of other brands. I was reading a review of comparison to ArmaLite and DPMS LR-308 and the reviewer said the LR-308 has the accuracy of like a bolt gun with the advantage of semi-auto configuration. I was told the functionality and accuracy of many DPMS's can compare with higher end models for a fraction fo the price. However, I have only heard horror stories about Olys and Bushmasters I have heard many complaints.
matrem
Member
"I have only heard horror stories about Olys and Bushmasters I have heard many complaints."
"I have heard DPMS's"
Sir..Couldn't this be considered hearsay?
"I have heard DPMS's"
Sir..Couldn't this be considered hearsay?
matrem
Member
"I have only heard horror stories about Olys and Bushmasters I have heard many complaints."
"I have heard DPMS's"
" I was told the"
Sir..Couldn't this be considered hearsay?
"I have heard DPMS's"
" I was told the"
Sir..Couldn't this be considered hearsay?
RRA
Model 1 (if you want to uy a complete upper)
Stag
CMMG bargain bin guns are a steal.
There are a ton of good ones and very few bad ones. I have also never heard from anybody first hand that had a bad expeience with Olympic or Delton.
Model 1 (if you want to uy a complete upper)
Stag
CMMG bargain bin guns are a steal.
There are a ton of good ones and very few bad ones. I have also never heard from anybody first hand that had a bad expeience with Olympic or Delton.
swing2hard
Member
Has everyone forgotten about Noveske?
match/precision rifles:
White Oak
Les-Baer
Yankee Hill
all-round duty rifles (mostly milspec)
Colt
LMT
Noveske
CMMG (with a drop-in milspec bolt)
very high-quality, trusted rifles:
Charles Daly
Sabre Defense
S&W
Rock River Arms
Stag Arms
Armalite
Great plinkers/light use guns:
Bushmaster
DPMS
Olympic
Great plinkers for the money:
Del-Ton
Double Star
Things you should never buy:
Vulcan
Hesse
White Oak
Les-Baer
Yankee Hill
all-round duty rifles (mostly milspec)
Colt
LMT
Noveske
CMMG (with a drop-in milspec bolt)
very high-quality, trusted rifles:
Charles Daly
Sabre Defense
S&W
Rock River Arms
Stag Arms
Armalite
Great plinkers/light use guns:
Bushmaster
DPMS
Olympic
Great plinkers for the money:
Del-Ton
Double Star
Things you should never buy:
Vulcan
Hesse
Last edited:
Guns and more
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I just bought a Colt.
I would rate LMT and Noveske as tops.
Colt next, maybe Armalite, CMMG in the same group
Bushmaster, S&W a tiny bit down,
Stag, DPMS, RRA next.
Everybody else.
But from what I read, nobody is really unhappy with what they have. I bought a Colt because I didn't want to always wonder if I made the right choice, and Colt (in their price range) has the best features.
That's my opinion.
I would rate LMT and Noveske as tops.
Colt next, maybe Armalite, CMMG in the same group
Bushmaster, S&W a tiny bit down,
Stag, DPMS, RRA next.
Everybody else.
But from what I read, nobody is really unhappy with what they have. I bought a Colt because I didn't want to always wonder if I made the right choice, and Colt (in their price range) has the best features.
That's my opinion.
AXIS_OF_EVIL
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- Jan 27, 2009
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- 1
Anybody heard of Kel Tec? Local dealer carries them and I was wondering if their worth anything.
kyle1974
Member
seems like the only bushmaster bashers are the ones that have "heard it somewhere"
All this talk about combat conditions... what percentage of people are going to use their rifles in actual combat conditions....
All this talk about combat conditions... what percentage of people are going to use their rifles in actual combat conditions....
RockyMtnTactical
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- Oct 21, 2006
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- 3,539
Stag Arms if you are on a tight budget. LMT if you have the money.
Check this out, it might be helpful. The only thing I saw that wasn't right was the Smith & Wesson M&P15. I have one and it is leaps and bounds more quality than what is shown in the thread.
http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?t=81462
Seth
http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?t=81462
Seth
spyderdude
Member
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- Sep 8, 2006
- Messages
- 315
I was looking at getting a Bushmaster for my first AR-15, but stumbled across Smith & Wesson's entry into the black rifle market. It had everything I was looking for (M4 size, removable carry handle, collapsible stock), and my dealer had them priced right under my budget of 1000 dollars. I was also pleased to know it comes with a chrome lined bore, but then again so do most other modern AR type rifles. The fit and finish on the Smith & Wesson M&P15 is excellent!
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