Which Brand of AR?

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SGTYuengling

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I was born and raised a pistol guy. I never had anything to do with rifles until I joined the Army. I am just starting my gun collection, but with the political climate the way it is, I think now is definetly the time to get an M4 style rifle. I think the M4 would be a good rifle to take to the range for plinking, and it would be great to show to my kids/ grand-kids one day as the weapon I used during my time in the service. (Along with my Sig 228 :D )

My only problem is that the Army makes it easy by handing me the rifle built by the lowest bidder. I do not have mush experience in the civilian rifle market, and I am not sure what to go with. I know Rock River has been building a great reputation, but I am seriously considering going with a Colt for the collector value (original manufacturer of the M16 and all). If anybody has any experiences,thoughts, or suggestions on the topic, it would be much appreciated. Thanks a lot!
 
+1 for RRA. I recently bought an RRA lower with the two-stage trigger. Fit and finish are equal to my Bushmaster lower and the two-stage trigger is miles better than the single stage trigger on the Bushy. In fact, I'm planning on buying a two-stage trigger from RRA and sticking it into my Bushy lower.
 
I would prefer a Colt over an RRA. RRA dremel-cuts their M4 feed ramps and does not properly stake the bolt carrier key. They also use non-milspec receiver extensions that are sometimes red-loctited in place (can be a problem if you want to change out the stock).
 
SGTYuengling, welcome to THR. Colt makes great rifles, but you definetly have to pay a premium for them. Stag makes a great product at a great price. It's hard to find much negative feedback about them.
Now would probably be a good time to buy a few extra stripped lowers as well.

-jagd
 
Welcome! :D
I've had good experiences w/ Bushmaster, Stag & Rock River Arms. Now a days, as long as you go w/ a quality company, you'll have a fine shooter. Get the one you like most w/o breaking the bank ;)
 
Just picked up a rock river myself ( tho not m4 config ) and i am real pleased with it . Its the first ar platform i have owned in 20+ years , and no matter what anyone says about the look of the feedramps , mine seems to run on about anything that fits in the mag lol .
 
If you're willing to spend the money on a Colt, I'd take a very hard look at CMMG (www.cmmginc.com). I've been shopping around for parts to build an AR and haven't found anyone with anything negative to say about them. They offer more options (sights, grips, handguards, etc) than any of the major companies too.
 
I've got a Bushmaster that is a great weapon.
That said I also have a Stag Arms lower and a CMMG lower.
CMMG lower looks 10 times better then the Stag, it will get built
first.

MRI
 
The Stag factory is about 20 misn from me...so I'm a bit partial. They are a good product for the price.
Click to expand...

That's an understatement.

They rival many of the AR's that go for around $1000 in quality.
 
M4 Style Ar...

Call me finicky. I like my DPMS. I picked mine up from a distributor at Crossroads of the West for 850. Phenomonal quality, great gun. I don't have any experience with Stag. My brother in law enjoys his Bushmaster.

All that aside, I have already ordered my Sig556. Something to consider since you've already got the 228. The Sig556 is the single most innovative assault style rifle of the last twenty years. A combination/improvement of the FAL's gas system and the AR's feed system. I like that the civilian ones take AR-15 mags so all my mags will go both ways!

My next battle rifle purchase is going to have to be a Springfiled M1A Socom. I love the weight and the porting is second to none.

I'm not sure if your looking beyond an AR or not but that's two ideas. Plus I hear that HK is bringing a Civilian version of the new G36 to the states along with bringing back the USC. HOORAY!
 
My only problem is that the Army makes it easy by handing me the rifle built by the lowest bidder.
Click to expand...

Was that an intentional joke :confused: If you suffer through all the reports on the M16's early problems, you will see that they often used the high bidder. What they do in 2007 I don't know, but unless the laws of bureaucracy have changed...
 
If you want mil-spec RRA and COLT are NOT the way to go . i own both either one is mil- spec . DPMS is mil-spec and a lot of other brands my be too good luck
 
If you want mil-spec RRA and COLT are NOT the way to go
Click to expand...

Uh oh. Someone said Colt wasn't mil-spec.

Strap on the flame suits, dig the trenches and heat up the popcorn!

CMMG lower looks 10 times better then the Stag, it will get built
first.
Click to expand...

What flaws are you seeing on your Stag? Mine have been perfect.
 
If you want mil-spec RRA and COLT are NOT the way to go . i own both either one is mil- spec . DPMS is mil-spec and a lot of other brands my be too good luck
Click to expand...

Sorry, but no civilian AR is "milspec", and esspecially not DPMS... at least NOT moreso than RRA or Colt...

I'm not knocking DPMS, but they are not even close to being milspec when you compare them to many other manufacturers...
 
ok buy yourself and lower parts kit and try to put in on a stripped colt lower and see if the pins are the same size .
 
I have no problems with Bushmaster. MOA out of a stock 20" rifle. None of my friends that own them have had any problems either.
 
ok buy yourself and lower parts kit and try to put in on a stripped colt lower and see if the pins are the same size .
Click to expand...

ok, but large pin size doesn't apply to ALL Colt lowers.... only some...
 
Wow- Thanks! A little clarity...

:what: Wow. I am still extremely new at this (just signed up last night) and I was very surprised to see all the responses in just one day.

What I am taking away from this right now is that I really cant go wrong, as far as quality goes, if I stick the the majors- Colt, RRA, Stag, Bushmaster, etc. If I am off base, please let me know! I see that everybody is partial to their own brand, but only a couple people have said why.

I really do not know enough about the different manufacturers, and I am just starting to look into them. With that said, my big questions are these: what should I be looking for in an AR to decide which manufacturer to go with, what should I stay away from, and what are the main differences between the different manufacturers? :confused:

I am very ready to shell out for the right rifle- I just haven't figured out what that rifle is yet. I really dont even mind paying a little extra for that pony on the side, if that pony means it will retain its value. With that said, if Colts AR's are of lesser quality for whatever reason, then I'll go with another manufacturer. I would like a quality M4 style rifle, and I would like something that will hold its value over the years- possibly even become an investment.

I have not gotten the opportunity to look into the Sig 556, but I definetely intend to. I love the 228, and my ole man is a huge Sig fan- he is about to round out the entire P series into his collection. I like the Sig reputation, but how does their 556 compare on the field with the other M4 style rifles?

Again, thanks a lot guys. I am new to THR and this has been an awesome introduction. Happy shooting.:D
 
OK, yes, most major brands have decent quality.... but...

There are differences in overall quality between different manufacturers.

In defense of Colt (a company I don't like a whole lot), they are making one of the best AR's out there. And they had better be because their customer service is notoriously bad...

Another thing to keep in mind... People are always quick to mention that the govt goes with the lowest bidder... but you must keep in mind that the lowest bidder still has minimum requirements for quality to maintain as well. In this regard, Colt is one of the best because some of the processes that Colt (as well as a few others, but not most) insists on performing, like MPI/HPT testings for barrels, bolts, etc and the quality of materials they insist on which some other manufacturers cut corners on... Most companies do not perform these processes, and many of the ones that do, do not do it to the extent that Colt does.

So, keep in mind, I don't drink the kool aid, but I will buy Colt parts for AR builds if the price is right (rarely, but it has happened to me on occasion).

The absolute best in quality in general would be companies like Colt, LMT, CMT/Stag, CMMG, Sabre Defense, BCM, and a few others...

Bushmaster, RRA, DPMS, are making pretty good rifles, but some of their parts are better on some than on others. It would take me forever to explain it all, but in short, Bushmaster makes 4150 milspec steel barrels, which is one thing I like about Bushy, but one of the only things I prefer to most others. RRA makes better bolts and BC's, but they don't chrome line barrels standard and their buffer tubes are not "milspec" which is irritating...

The reason I like Stag/CMT the best is because they are making the best quality for the best price.
 
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