Windham Weaponry underrated

[EMT40SW]

Without starting a flaming war I would like some input from those that have at least shot but preferably owned Windham Weaponry (WW) ARs. I own two & personally find them to be fantastic quality for the money. Their barrels are 1050 chrome lined. I can't vouch for their carbon fiber models but their aluminum receivers are go to go. Quality control seems high. I think they are some of the most underrated but quality entry level ARs on the market especially at the current pricing of $450-$650 for carbine & mid gas system with M4 or medium profile barrels. Please share your thoughts. Thanks

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

I have one, a basic model, that I have since modified/upgraded.
No complaints at all about quality . The original trigger was lousy but that's almost expected in a low cost AR.

 

[mshootnit]

I would like to get a hold of one of their uppers

 

[imashooter]

I've owned the basic WW 20" government model for a year now and imo the quality is excellent. Deadly accurate with the hard sights when I first got it. I have since added a Vortex 4-12 variable scope and a Timney 3lb trigger. Great rifle. The Timney made it measurably greater. Highly recommend WW for their products and customer service. Here it is less the Timney.



Sometimes it wears legs but normally not.

 

[burrhead]

A couple of years ago I built an A4 clone with a Windham Gov't profile barrel and it shoots the lights out.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Their barrels are 1050 chrome lined.

You'd better hope not. If that's true, they're the weakest AR barrels on the market. AISI 1050 is a medium carbon steel, not much stronger than the hot rolled A36 you get at the hardware store.

Truth is, you didn't do your due diligence. Windham is using 4150 and 416 stainless like everybody else. And they don't mention chrome lining on any of their models.

As to their quality, well, they're pretty much just on par with every other entry level. Decent but unremarkable. They certainly do not stand out amongst the competition.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

Truth is, you didn't do your due diligence. Windham is using 4150 and 416 stainless like everybody else. And they don't mention chrome lining on any of their models.

I don't own Windham rifles but a friend of mine has been singing their praise for quite some time. I personally find them to be on the expensive compared to their piers, but they indeed sell chrome lined barrels extensively on their rifles. Pot meet kettle.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I don't own Windham rifles but a friend of mine has been singing their praise for quite some time. I personally find them to be on the expensive compared to their piers, but they indeed sell chrome lined barrels extensively on their rifles. Pot meet kettle.

I never said they don't; I said it wasn't mentioned, which it isn't when you Google "Windham Weaponry barrel steel". You get (or at least I do) Barrel Material: 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium 11595E Steel w. M4 Feed ramps

ETA:

Windham lists their barrel specs in three separate and disjointed categories. Why they choose to list M4 feed ramps with material, but mention profile and lining separately, and twist rate in yet another category makes no sense, but that's how they've done it. So, yes, they do state CL in their 4150 barrels. Just not in the same category, which is rather nonsensical, and why I missed it. If I were going to break it down that much, I'd detail the barrel extension (different material from barrel) and feed ramp profile on it's own.

Basically everyone else chooses to state material completely on it's own, or include it with other specs that also detail lining. None of them detail feed ramps with barrel material as the only two in a spec grouping.

Armalite:

• Barrel
  HB, Double Lapped, Chrome Lined/Chrome Moly Vanadium

Bushmaster:

16" Chrome-lined barrel (HBAR profile)

Colt:

Barrel material: 4150CMV

Daniel Defense:

BARREL: Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel, Cold Hammer Forged, 1:7 twist, 11.5″ Govt Profile, Chrome Lined, MP tested, and Mil-Spec Heavy Phosphate Coated

DPMS:

Barrel
16" 4150 Chrome Lined

FN:

BARREL
16” button-broached, chrome-lined

Palmetto:

Chrome Moly Steel Barrel, Chrome-lined

Rock River Arms:

Barrel: 16: Chrome Moly R-4 Profile, 1:9 Twist

etc., etc.

 

[1911 guy]

I have a rifle with a Windham Weaponry barrel. 14.5" chrome lined 1-7 twist.
Currently, it has a RDS with A2 irons, but I checked it with a 4x magnified scope when I built the rifle. It shot well. Under 2" at 100 with M193. A few groups were much smaller, but they were not the norm. But in my opinion, consistently under 2" at 100 yards with mass produced ammo is good. I never bothered with handloads or match ammo, that's not what this rifle is for.

I like it well enough that I'm considering Windham, among two other manufacturers, for a barrel to go on another build that's been sitting idle in my closet for a while now. I'm thinking dissipator just because it's different and rifle length sight plane with not much more than carbine length barrel.

I can't say anything about their rifles in general, I only own a barrel.

 

[imashooter]

You'd better hope not. If that's true, they're the weakest AR barrels on the market. AISI 1050 is a medium carbon steel, not much stronger than the hot rolled A36 you get at the hardware store.

Truth is, you didn't do your due diligence. Windham is using 4150 and 416 stainless like everybody else. And they don't mention chrome lining on any of their models.

As to their quality, well, they're pretty much just on par with every other entry level. Decent but unremarkable. They certainly do not stand out amongst the competition.

The barrel specs on mine:

4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium 11595E Steel w. M4 Feed Ramps
20” Gov’t. A2 Profile, Chrome Lined with A2 Flash Suppressor
1 Turn in 7” - Right Hand Twist

 

[EMT40SW]

You'd better hope not. If that's true, they're the weakest AR barrels on the market. AISI 1050 is a medium carbon steel, not much stronger than the hot rolled A36 you get at the hardware store.

Truth is, you didn't do your due diligence. Windham is using 4150 and 416 stainless like everybody else. And they don't mention chrome lining on any of their models.

As to their quality, well, they're pretty much just on par with every other entry level. Decent but unremarkable. They certainly do not stand out amongst the competition.

My mistake I meant they are 4150 but only about half the AR manufacturers use 4150. When I did my research 6 months ago I was surprised the following manufacturers use 4140 barrels:
Ruger, all S&W, & Del-ton. Also Stag but they Chrome line their 4140 barrels for some reason. Any way good input. Keep it coming. I still think they are great value especially at $450-$500 for a Colt quality AR. I have deployed my fire shelter for the flaming that will ensue. But I am not posting this for the Colt fan boy but to someone looking for a quality entry level AR with the best bang for the buck with wearability. Secondly they are made by many old Bushmaster gunsmiths when Bushmaster put out good rifle with tight quality control. Feel free to flame on.

 

[1911 guy]

4140 is "normal" barrel steel. It is a near certainty that every rifle you own, other than milsurps and AR's, is made of 4140. 4150 is a military requirement because it will take a bit more heat before a barrel fails. If your barrel isn't hot enough to burn your hands, it doesn't matter.

 

[Rshooter]

Yes they are made by the original Bushmaster folks. Weapons with a fine pedigree. They are on par with many others. As for not chrome lining the barrels, the non chrome lined barrels are supposed to shoot better. We also do not have too much of a need for chrome barrels in the US unless you are far down south in the humidity. Just keep it cleaned. All of my Garand barrels, and many of my other barrels, are not chrome lined.

 

[MistWolf]

The technology for chrome lining a barrel bore has come a long way. There is less loss of accuracy than many think. Having a chrome lined bore isn't necessary, but it's a good feature to have. If you're really concerned about accuracy, choose a quality stainless steel barrel.

The choice between 4140 and 4150 is between excellent barrel steel and even better barrel steel and 4150 CMV is better still.

 

[MachIVshooter]

My mistake I meant they are 4150 but only about half the AR manufacturers use 4150. When I did my research 6 months ago I was surprised the following manufacturers use 4140 barrels:

4140 is actually a mechanically stronger alloy.

Personally, I prefer unlined, and really couldn't care less if they're 4140 or 4150. I have plenty of 416 stainless barrels, too, which have held up fine, despite 416 being mechanically much weaker than the chromoly steels

 

[Ks5shooter]

Have the Windham 7.62x39 AR and love it never an issue

 

[AABEN]

I have the VEX-SS It will shoot 1/2 MOA at 100 yards this is my second one. I sold my first and then wish I had it back. So I got the 2 one and it shoots like the first. I would by one again if something happen to this one. They are a very very good built gun that is very accurate I am 77 years old so I put a Timney 3 lb in it that is what makes is very accurate for a old man

 

[JO JO]

I have an old original Bushmaster Match A2 , it is a very good rifle and thinking of buying a windham next , plus they have a lifetime warranty for piece of mind. They have been doing this for a long time I think they are among the 3 original AR makers
Armalite,Colt and Bushmaster the rest came decades later I believe

 

[PoPo22]

I bought one after I gave my old "90's" model Bushmaster AR to one of the kids. I bought the basic model (I think it's call an SRC) which came with rails and no sights. I put a 1.5 RDS and flip-up back-up sights on it. I've only put 500-600 rounds through it so far with inexpensive .55 grain practice ammo (it shoots less than 2 moa with the RDS). The fit and finish is very good compared to my old Bushmaster. I did replace the stock trigger with an "ALG-ACT trigger" for a smoother/consistent trigger that is still mil-spec.For a basic model with few upgrades I am very satisfied/happy with it. I had asked our department's gunsmith about them (since he deals with AR's issues a lot) compared with a basic Colt and he believes they are every bit as good for a much lower price tag. If you plan on reselling/status then go with a Colt, but if you simply plan on shooting and for utility purposes then they seem to be a great deal, IMHO.

 

[Min]

How is Windham compared to Stag?

 

[Stormie]

When Remington bought Bushmaster and moved the facilities from Maine to New York, many of the Bushmaster employees choose to remain in their home state of Maine, and started Windham. Windham is more like the original Bushmaster than the current Bushmaster, now owned by Remington.