If you go to http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&hl=en
click on the "Comparison" tab at the bottom right side.
click on the "Comparison" tab at the bottom right side.
Who Makes The Best AR 15?
- Thread starter rugerman07
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natescout
Member
Ruger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CoRoMo
Member
Ugh! I thought this was a new thread!
Not that a new thread would make this subject any more palatable.
Not that a new thread would make this subject any more palatable.
frankiestoys
Member
I think the new Ruger SR-556 is going to make a deep impression on the AR world, if its as tough as the rest of the Ruger line up.
RockyMtnTactical
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Of those you listed, Colt. I really like BCM, LMT, Noveske. Stag wins best value award.
No expert, but here's what makes logical sense to me:
a. 6.8mm SPC = bigger hole.
I don't shoot full auto, so the recoil shouldn't be a big deal.
b. Gas piston = cleaner = more reliable.
Like a AK47. I've read one story about one person's opinion about piston not being as reliable as DI. But I still see reputable manufactures making them.
a. 6.8mm SPC = bigger hole.
I don't shoot full auto, so the recoil shouldn't be a big deal.
b. Gas piston = cleaner = more reliable.
Like a AK47. I've read one story about one person's opinion about piston not being as reliable as DI. But I still see reputable manufactures making them.
mljdeckard
Member
All of the brands you listed are economy brands except Colt. (And I think Colt is a bit overpriced.) I do think that the vast majority of shooters will do fine with an economy rifle.
If you are looking for BEST, and not 'best for the money', you need to include Noveske, Daniel Defense, Lewis Machine & Tool, etc.
If you are looking for BEST, and not 'best for the money', you need to include Noveske, Daniel Defense, Lewis Machine & Tool, etc.
mesinge2
Member
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Z-Michigan
Member
1) Do you get all your ammo for free? If not, how does paying 35 cents/rd compare to $1.00/rd?
2) Would you ever want a follow-up shot or are you only hunting and never miss?
3) You are aware that 6.8 SPC was botched in the original SAAMI spec and development, and you need very particular barrel designs to get anything over about 2600fps from a 115gr bullet?
Lots of reputable manufacturers will make whatever will sell. Nearly all of the gas-piston AR15 conversions, including those made from the factory like the Ruger SR556, have carrier tilt issues and are dubious in terms of any real reliability benefit. They also generally have inferior accuracy and are more front-heavy. Better off to have a gun with the setup it was originally engineered for. If you want a gas piston, think SCAR, XCR, or Remington ACR (Magpul Masada).
Agent Smith
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- Mar 28, 2009
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MIM gas key is superior to forged a forged key according to LMT engineers. Get your facts straight.
smoketheresfire
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- Sep 22, 2009
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I don't think most people who know ar's would agree with you. Plus I did not present any facts about the strength/weakness of MIM, I simply stated that the mim is not considered as desirable as forged and LMT's reputation has suffered because of that. Don't get your gas key in a bunch, I still would love to have an LMT ar. Unlike a lot of the ridiculous suggestions here LMT actually IS a top tier ar15.
smoketheresfire
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There's a whole lot more to it than that. Thats no more true than saying "a 1911's a 1911"
SwampWolf
Member
Chose "other"- I like the rocking Rock River Arms.
mljdeckard
Member
Mags, I'll take it a step further. I won't even insist that it's forged as long as it's in-spec.
smoketheresfire
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- 93
I built (not slapped an upper and lower together, but actually assembled from springs and pins) mine as well. And there's no ego to it. My build was not a no expenses spared super ar. It was the best milspec parts available, within reason. Sure wish I could have a noveske barrel, kac rail, and ubr stock...but I didn't have enough money. I did drop the money where it counts (bcg, barrel, etc).
The ego part comes in when people go out, buy a basic ar off the rack, then come here, knowing next to nothing about ar's and state that the brand they happened to buy is the best ar. That said, having a tier 1 ar does not make you a more effective shooter, it just means your chances of a malfunction are reduced and your weapon can withstand more punishment.
The ego part comes in when people go out, buy a basic ar off the rack, then come here, knowing next to nothing about ar's and state that the brand they happened to buy is the best ar. That said, having a tier 1 ar does not make you a more effective shooter, it just means your chances of a malfunction are reduced and your weapon can withstand more punishment.
I researched and priced parts and building for two years in a search for my first AR.
Ended up with LMT for just over $1K, it would have cost me more to build the rifle from parts than buy it.
Believe me, I penny pinch and scrimp and save like no one, and I didn't buy because of "brand". When I tell someone at the range that I have an LMT, most go "Huh? Never heard of them."
Ended up with LMT for just over $1K, it would have cost me more to build the rifle from parts than buy it.
Believe me, I penny pinch and scrimp and save like no one, and I didn't buy because of "brand". When I tell someone at the range that I have an LMT, most go "Huh? Never heard of them."
Texpatriate
Member
Mags-
I mean no disrespect my friend, but there is a difference in quality between the various manufacturers. Sometimes a significant difference. I'll concede that yes, lowers are pretty much the same, but there is a whole lot more that goes into an AR than just a lower. The differences in parts and quality is quantifiable:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6993
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7263
If you build with the same quality parts as a tier one manufacturer, use the proper tools, AND you actually know what you're doing, then yes, you can (theoretically at least) build an AR of same quality as a tier one manufacturer.
But parts, ain't just parts. A DPMS lower parts kit is not the same quality as a Colt or Daniel Defense lower parts kit. 4150 barrel steal is better quality than 4140. A Tapco buffer spring is not the same quality as a BCM buffer spring. A poorly staked and untorqued gas key WILL likely fail before a properly staked and properly torqued key will. A MPI/HPT/Shot Peened bolt is LESS likely to fail than an untested one or a batch tested one. Etc., etc., etc.
I mean no disrespect my friend, but there is a difference in quality between the various manufacturers. Sometimes a significant difference. I'll concede that yes, lowers are pretty much the same, but there is a whole lot more that goes into an AR than just a lower. The differences in parts and quality is quantifiable:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6993
http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=7263
If you build with the same quality parts as a tier one manufacturer, use the proper tools, AND you actually know what you're doing, then yes, you can (theoretically at least) build an AR of same quality as a tier one manufacturer.
But parts, ain't just parts. A DPMS lower parts kit is not the same quality as a Colt or Daniel Defense lower parts kit. 4150 barrel steal is better quality than 4140. A Tapco buffer spring is not the same quality as a BCM buffer spring. A poorly staked and untorqued gas key WILL likely fail before a properly staked and properly torqued key will. A MPI/HPT/Shot Peened bolt is LESS likely to fail than an untested one or a batch tested one. Etc., etc., etc.
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Texpatriate
Member
Yep. Sorry dude. I love the chart. But even without the chart, there's still a difference.
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