Which AR brand?

Which AR/M4? Bushmaster, Stag Arms, or Spikes Tactical

  • Bushmaster A3 Patrolman (in stock, ready to ship)

    Votes: 30 23.1%

  • Stag Arms model 2, "Plus package" (2 week delay)

    Votes: 55 42.3%

  • Spikes Tactical ST-15 M4 LE (8-12 week delay)

    Votes: 45 34.6%
  • Total voters
    130
  • Poll closed .
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You even have to work on a Lamborghini.
Depends on who puts the gun together and how that day is going. Go mid range and get good optics. use extra money to buy ammo and learn how to shoot your AR.
 
I am not sure what your total budget is but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to wait or if you want something right now.

There are an awful lot of off the shelf AR's available for less than a grand.
 
No one likes to hear their babies being called ugly. If you want more opinions from a hard-use user base, I would suggest researching on a hard-use AR forum with folks that tend to deploy their rifle in competition, teach training schools, and intensive LE duties. The anecdotal evidence of people that run 1000 rounds through their gun in a year versus the guy that runs 1000 rounds a month or sees 1000 ARs fire a million rounds through a carbine class are distinctly different and the latter see larger statistical sampling than just one gun in ideal operating conditions. I say this because the OP specifically listed features that typically benefit a hard-use environment.

At the end of the day, people will defend their purchase to the death. The worst case scenario of overpaying is...you overpaid. The worst case scenario for saving a buck is a product that fails under hard use. One is a blow to the ego; the other could cost you more.
 
No one likes to hear their babies being called ugly. If you want more opinions from a hard-use user base, I would suggest researching on a hard-use AR forum with folks that tend to deploy their rifle in competition, teach training schools, and intensive LE duties. The anecdotal evidence of people that run 1000 rounds through their gun in a year versus the guy that runs 1000 rounds a month or sees 1000 ARs fire a million rounds through a carbine class are distinctly different and the latter see larger statistical sampling than just one gun in ideal operating conditions. I say this because the OP specifically listed features that typically benefit a hard-use environment.

At the end of the day, people will defend their purchase to the death. The worst case scenario of overpaying is...you overpaid. The worst case scenario for saving a buck is a product that fails under hard use. One is a blow to the ego; the other could cost you more.
Click to expand...

A lot of truth in the above statement. IMO it comes down to a form of "potential usage" for a given firearm. I personally would rather see someone who has scraped and saved to buy a $700 AR go ahead and make the purchase and spend the additional $400 on ammo and Buis. These same people who are trying to get buy on a severe budget will never do 1000s of rounds a week (do to cost constraints) but they can and probably will do hundreds a week for a while and become familiar with the platform. If their budgetary constraints change over time and their cheaper AR no longer meets their requirements then there is usually a market for a cheaper firearm for those who are still stuck with other obligations for their paycheck. Different stroke for different folks.
 
For a carbine, with the features you desire, I would honestly get none of those three choices.

I would get a Daniel Defense, BCM, or Colt. Probably in that order.
 
I have a Colt and have never even shot any other version.But from what I've read the Stag Arms would be my option out of the line up.
 
Out of your choices.....Stag

When its my $$$$ on the line BCM.

My opinion on Spikes is well known and don't feel like getting into it again. (You can search my recent posts)
 
I had my FFL order me a Stag complete A2 lower half and them a complete 1H upper half with the plus package last month. I paid $844, shipping and tax included. He got everything in three days. Have your FFL order the lower and upper separately on different invoices, you won't have to pay the 11% excise tax that way.

The rifle has been great so far, I love it. The "plus package" has all the materials, processes and QC tests that all the top AR's have on the "chart" that ARFCOM and M4carbine.net ect. call biblical. In fact. . . . .it's on the "chart".

Good luck, NYH1.
 
On the original posting:

1. Looks like you are willing to spend north of $1000 for a carbine - carbine length gas, etc.

2. Of the three choices you narrowed it to Spikes is an easy choice.... but..

3. If someone has $1000 to spend, and wants a real carbine, there is only one choice needed: Colt.

Need to re-assess where you are getting your information on carbines by the lot of choices you came up with.
 
AR choices

There are a lot of good choices of ARs and a few bad ones. I've had several Colts, one Stag and two Spikes over the years. The only ones I still have are Spikes- a great buy for the money IMO. :) WB
 
Thank you everyone for your input. Honestly, the money I'd rather spend would be closer to the $850 range....but from there I keep nickel and diming myself higher....(well for another $50-$60 I could get this....etc)
 
I couldn't be happier with my Spike's carbine. I've got roughly 1,000 rounds through it and am yet to have any issues aside from a magazine issue (not the fault of the rifle), although I must admit I don't run it very hard.
 
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Never had a problem with the lesser expensive Bushmaster, or DPMS. I have had 4 great shooters from these two companies.
 
i never had a problem/ bushmaster ,dpms

i love my panther for a range gun and coyote killer its great. cant coment on other ar,s as the dpms is my first one:D
 
MrBill120 said:
I'm on the fence looking to buy an M4 style AR.

I'm looking at Stag Arms model 2 (Plus package), Spikes Tactical ST-15 M4 LE, and Bushmaster Patrolman A3. I want the upgraded parts M16 bolt carrier, and heavier buffer, MPI & HPT that's in the Stag and Spikes.
I can order a Bushmaster tomorrow in stock at a distributor.
The Stag is a 2 week wait from the factory, and Spikes said they are at an 8-12 week back log from the factory!!!

Are the upgraded parts, MPI, HPT, 1/7 twist of the Stag and Spikes really worth it? I want to buy is once, buy it right!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
How about these guys:
http://www.redcreektactical.com/contactus.html

Anybody have a Red Creek Tactical rifle?
Was tipped off to them by Buddy owner of SBR ammo.
 
dpms

im probably going to regret asking:D but why does so many people on this forum have a problem with dpms panther ar15,s. i love mine
 
I went with Spike's! I ordered the "ST-15 16" M4 LE Carbine" (Model: STR5025-M4S).

Dollar and cents, even with an 8-12wk wait, I thought I was getting the best value for my money.

Mot45acp
My opinion on Spikes is well known and don't feel like getting into it again. (You can search my recent posts)
Click to expand...
Mot45acp, I followed that thread, and look forward to any future updates.

Thank you EVERY ONE for your valuable input!! :)
 
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