Which AR should I buy?

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ttheel

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I am looking to pick up my first AR before it is too late to do so. Given the difficult environment to be a buyer right now I understand that one may not get everything he wants. Which one of these AR's would you choose for the price? All are brand new.

PSA M4 Premium Carbine - $1200
Smith & Wesson M&P 15 - $1700
Colt Le6920 - $2000

I know, big prices but that is the way it is in todays climate.
 
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PSA has no warranty and a "screw you" return policy.

They have some good products, no doubt.

However, they are no better than the Smith & Wesson, and Smith & Wesson has a lifetime warranty, and will answer the phone.
 
Right now, it's more of a "can I find an AR" or one at a resonable price, than which AR to buy. I have seventeen ARs in various calibers and confiurations (Colt, Bushmaster, Deleware Machinery, DPMS, Sharps, S&W, and a couple of others I can't remember).

I haven't had any problems out of any of them, although I have encountered some from customers who have had problems, older Olympic Arms and Blackthorne. The Olympic was from the early 90's had faulty fire control parts which I replaced with Bushmaster parts and the Blackthorne had a .223 barrel whos chamber was grossly out of spec.
 
GWARGHOUL said:
PSA has no warranty and a "screw you" return policy.

They have some good products, no doubt.

However, they are no better than the Smith & Wesson, and Smith & Wesson has a lifetime warranty, and will answer the phone.
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I've heard Colt has terrible customer service too. I'd probably go with the Smith. If it was the M&P15 Sport, my answer would be different.
 
Core 15 is a good manufacturer. Many police departments outfit thier officers with them.
 
I am so glad I aint in a position to get screwed by the gun scare, dont need another AR or want to sell one. even if the gun scare continues, in a few months, some guys that spent a lot of money will get pressure from momma to sell these to pay bills, buy Christmas etc. they will have to unload some of these firearms for a lot less money...it happens in cycles. Meanwhile I am good.
 
Which ever one that you can find at a decent price. Fortunately I have had a few for over over a couple of years. They are mixed breeds and they have run flawlessly. Of the three you have listed, my choice would be the S&W.
 
What about just finding one from a reputable dealer and back-ordering it? Finding one on the used or small market is going to be rough but if you can tolerate the 4-6 month backorder you may be better off.
 
mcdonl + 1, but if you're in a hurry it's going to hurt no matter what brand you choose. PSA is in the weeds like everyone else.
 
Amen brother; just like the end of hunting season when everyone either sells or puts their 700's on consignment
 
Anyone who deals primarily in AR15s and accessories (read PSA) will simply not have the best CS right now for obvious reasons.

I had to contact PSA early on, well before this insane AR-anything frenzy, and had excellent service. They had forgotten to include a Pmag with my AR lower and not only apologized with the promise of making things right, but sent the magazine next day air. They likely spent more to ship it than the magazine was worth (this back when 30-round Pmags were still $12).

BTW, my PSA AR has been nothing but an absolute pleasure.
 
Core 15 is a good manufacturer. Many police departments outfit their officers with them.
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As far as I know, Core 15 was considered an "off brand", prior to this current madness. A lot of their guns being priced lower to begin with,right now they are not inflated quite as bad as the big boy names, and it seems a lot of people are buying them and have good things to say about them. I Suspect Core 15 will come out of this madness as one of the next "pretty decent everyman AR" brands. They seem to have good specs and options.
 
PSA has no warranty and a "screw you" return policy.
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To be fair, I suggest you read this thread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=683781

It is an OPINION that they have a "screw you" return policy. Its quite clear in the therms and conditions exactly what their policy is. Someone failing to read those terms, or expecting to somehow be an exception to them may FEEL screwed, but only due to lack of due dilligence, IMO.
 
Build one!

You can buy a stripped lower for as much as you want to spend and then add componets later or buy all at once.

my local gun dealer sells stripped lowers for $140 out the door (CA, FFL etc) then I plan on a Rock Rivers Arms 18-20" Varmint EOP upper, Stage 2 trigger assembly, of course the CA bull button, Or, I like the DPMS upper that Midway USA sells, good reviews. May get into it for less than a grand depending on componets of course, for a good gun.
 
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Build one!

You can buy a stripped lower for as much as you want to spend and then add componets later or buy all at once.
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Have you been under a rock for the last few weeks?

Right now there are no parts to build much of anything
 
The PSA is built to the same specs as the Colt. When the Colts were only $3-400 more than the PSA's, I could see the argument of people wanting the more recognized brand name. But $800 is way too much more to pay for a name. My Dad and I have PSA's, and love them. Of course we built both of ours back before the craziness for $6-700.
 
If you have the cash and want one I would suggest buying the first one you see:)


One thing bugs me though,
By the "overpriced" logic a classic muscle car or knuckle head Harley is overpriced and thats without the fact that the gov isn't thinking about outlawing them. Lots of people pulled the old wait and see last time, and thank goodness it had a sunset.

the saying goes "plan for the worst, hope for the best"
 
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brand name keeps it's value better and longer

There have to be some small shops that still have stock and aren't gauging, set a budget and be patient until you see a good deal. Upper NY state shops still had plenty on the shelves, I'm talking 1 horse town places that don;t have web pages or even listings in the local yellow pages in some cases. Maybe in your travels over the next few months you'll be able to stumble on just such a place and not get ripped off.
 
Colt will hold its value above the others you propose.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
 
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