AR purchase decision- help needed

[robert4570]

Hello all ,
I've always wanted a AR but with all the different manufacturers , variations and  accessories its not an easy decision to make.
All my rifles are either lever guns or bolt actions with a couple Rem autos and 2 BAR's ,all  are hunting rifles  so honestly  tactical or defense guns are foreign to me.


I've read comments from members praising Bushmaster . What about other makes , DPMS , Colt , S&W MP-15 ?
I don't care for a gun full of rails, lasers and flash lights or what ever .
I'm  leaning towards an A-2 maybe , honestly haven't done much research on the subject .
Any comments or links to threads on here would be appreciated.
Please excuse my rookie "black rifle " questions.
Robert

[Savage]

I have a Bushmaster A2 and a flattop built from parts. Haven't shot the flattop enough to give it a good evaluation. The Bushy is exceptionally accurate in it's 16" configuration. The only thing I consider to be more desirable between the two is the chrome lined barrel of the Bushmaster. I don't think I've ever seen a "Bad" AR. The platform is extremely accurate and reliable. You could still build one for around $600 last time I looked. You might want to look at the S&W A2 model. Gander Mt had one the other day for $799 after a $100 rebate. I'm sure the Les Bauer and Wilson's have some advantage over the run of the mill ARs. Guess I'm not sophisticated enough for a $3000 AR! What ever you do, get one soon if you want one!!! With the political winds blowing like they are, this may be your last opportunity. 
God save America!!
Savage

[robert4570]

"What ever you do, get one soon if you want one!!! With the political winds blowing like they are, this may be your last opportunity. 
God save America!!"
Savage

Amen brother , that's why I'm gettin on it soon.

Thanks
Robert

[SharonAnne]

Robert, any of the name brand AR-15s will serve you well. consider an A4 configuration. standard stock, standard 20" barrel/forend, picatinny rail top to mount your optics.

[SharonAnne]

Robert, sorry, I should have said "rookie questions" are most welcome. it is how we learn.  try AR15.com. it will be a bit overwhelming but you will find pretty much everything there is pertaining to the "black rifle"

[cochise]

I just went through the same thing. After a lot of study and research I have decided to get an LMT . There is a chart on ar-15.com that explains all the things to look for. LMT is #2 on the chart. #1 is Colt.
I chose LMT because Colt has a reputation for treating civilians like crap if you ever have a cs issue. I also owned a colt 1991A1 and it was junk so I am hesitant to buy from them. Most knowledgeable SWAT and military type guys on other forums recommend LMT highly. I will see next week when I pick the rifle up from my transfer FFL. I will post a review when I get it.

[robert4570]

We'll guys ,
I done it ...broke down and ordered a new AR.
Spent a little more than I anticipated but what the heck I'm all for stimulating the economy .
After work I stopped by the gun shop and talked to the owner a bit and settled on the S&W Model M&P15T Rifle .
I spoke to a couple of officers that were there and they gave high marks on the MP-15 .
For the most part they echoed your comments with the exception of Olympic Arms , one guy didn't care for their rifles .
He didn't elaborate and I didn't ask why.
I'm starting with this one first and hopefully growing from there .
The gun should in by the middle of next week , I'll post some pics and comment on it later.
 
Sharon , Cochise , Savage .. thanks for your input .
You guys have a good weekend
Robert

Here'ss the link to the SW site.
 Model M&P15T RiflafterKU: 811001

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=44934&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=33803&isFirearm=Y



 
 

[MSP Ret]

You guys are so right about getting one now if you want one. After much reading and research I picked up a stripped Stag lower, a DPMS lower parts kit (bought for the price) and put it together last evening. It went together w/o a hitch, just like it was supposed to. Since I bought the DPMS lower parts kit it has been suggested I may have been better off with a Stag lower kit since it may have fit together better, but since the parts fit perfectly with no "tweaking" I am good to go. Now to get an upper. I have 2  A2 buttstocks enroute. I mounted the buffer tube, buffer and spring to the receiver when I assembled it. I may set this one (my first) up with an 18" or 20" HB for varmints, I am trying to get info and opinions on SS barrel vs. a carbon steel barrel with a chrome lined chamber and bore, any thoughts? I also want to build another with an A4 upper (I hope my terminology is correct), a 16" barrel w/muzzle brake and a flattop receiver with an attached carry handle...any thoughts? I would really like to have a 9MM for fun as well but perhaps I would go for a .45 ACP upper to match my one of a kind .45 ACP Handi. If they were not so darned expensive I would get a couple. As a question I see the A4 (flattop?) uppers so much more versatile than the A2's, why do some prefer the A2 versions? Also what the heck is an A3? Thanks for reading and listening and any comments you may have, I can use all the help and information I can get....<><....   

[SharonAnne]

an M16 A2 has a selector for semi-auto or full-auto fire. the A3 has semi and 3 shot burst. in the M16A4 the burst group was removed and returned to full-auto. the burst groups caused problems.

[targshooter]

One of the best sites for AR15 information is the AR15.com site. I have assembled (pinned the uppers and lowers together) two AR15s by  purchasing the upper and lower receivers from Industry partners on that site. The upper receiver is not a firearm and can be shipped directly to you. I have saved several hundred dollars doing this and have both Armalite and Stag rifles. My son has the Armalite (a full size rifle) and I the Stag (a 16 inch barrel M4 derivative with removable carry handle and sights). Both are great shooters. I would recommend the Stag M4 derivative if you are looking for a very handy AR platform. I have tried many of the magazines offered and have had flawless function in all rifles only with  Magpul PMAGs. I cannot say this for any of the various types of surplus ones I've tried. I am sure some of the surplus magazines are military rejects, so the functionality is a bit hit or miss. About 1/3 work in all the ARs I own, some in one rifle and some in another. Some surplus mags do not work properly in any rifle. The AR15.com site is based on the AR15, but also contains other forums. It is not geared towards hunters as this site is, and in fact, many of the AR shooters have no interest in hunting. There is also a strong bias towards the AR platform. All that said, for AR information it cannot be beat. Many of the contributors build their own rifles from the component level, and the competent ones are AR experts.

[myronman3]

an M16 A2 has a selector for semi-auto or full-auto fire. the A3 has semi and 3 shot burst. in the M16A4 the burst group was removed and returned to full-auto. the burst groups caused problems.

this is not true.  whereever it was you got that information from, i wouldnt trust the source.

[SharonAnne]

Myron, you are absolutely RIGHT!!! i found contrary info from what seems to be a more reliable source after i wrote my piece. so... from this other source, A3 and A4 uppers are the same. one has burst, the other full auto. i forget which.

[myronman3]

i am not sure of the difference between a3's and a4's.   i do know that the a1's were full auto, and the a2's were equiped with burst.   i suspect that the difference between the 3's and 4's is the profile of the upper receiver; but that is a educated guess.  as to whether the military screwed with the burst on the rifles, i dont know.   i would be surprised if they did. 
    when i was serving, the cherries would get the rifles because they didnt have the experience to control the rate of fire.  this is where the burst came into play.  as they progressed, they were moved up to more advanced weapon systems.   i would bet that it is still that way today.   thus, you can see the usefulness of the burst feature.   

[SharonAnne]

i researched several sites. the A3 is a full auto A2. it was purchased for the SEALS. it is not flat topped. this confusion came about from civilian use of A2 A3 A4 .  the M16a4 has a picatinny rail and removable carry handle with adjustable A2 type sights. it is burst fire