Author Topic: Who makes the best AR-15? (Read 4231 times)

JJ Kelly · « **on:** August 31, 2008, 05:19:01 AM »

Rock River, Bushmaster, Smith & Wesson, Colt, DPMS, DSA,
Armalite Etc. Also who preferres the gas system over the
piston system?

Dee · « **Reply #1 on:** August 31, 2008, 05:57:22 AM »

I'm a real fan of Bushmaster.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 31, 2008, 06:32:47 AM »

I also have a bushmaster. Never had a problem with it, and also shoots great. That said, I would have no problem purchasing another brand, as I believe the makers you mentioned are very reputable. I also have a DPMS AP4 in .308 on order.

I have also heard a lot of good about Noveske. They are pricy, but I hear nothing but good reviews.

TIMBERTRAMP · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2008, 12:57:08 PM »

although I have heard good things about noveske, and bushmasters are made near where I live ,i'm a fan of colt even though they tend to cost a little more than most others ,if you have to sell it you can usualy get more for it so I consider it more of a investment that I can enjoy like a classic car.that said ,I can't say for sure thats its any more accurate or better built than my friends bushie -tt

Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** September 01, 2008, 04:14:14 PM »

I have owned and shot thousands of round thru two Colts, both with Colt upper and lower recievers. One a rifle and the other a A2. Both were 100% reliable, both very accurate, both more expensive, both no better than the Bushmaster, which I have owned two also.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2008, 06:58:44 AM »

I've always heard ABC (Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt). However, they are all good. My own is a Bushmaster 16" heavy barrel flat top upper and a DPMS carbine lower. Vltor collapsable stock and a 552 Eotech. Gas system on this one. I always fire at least 250 rounds on every range trip and so far not one malfunction in over 1500 rounds. Remember, a AR will run dirty, but not dry. Keep her lubed and they work fine.

Old Syko · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2008, 07:46:44 AM »

I've had the finish burn off the left side of a DPMS upper. The only mechanical trouble I've had was with a Bushmaster lower that wasn't assembled quite right from the factory. Took less than 2 minutes to correct. Other than that it seems to be nothing more than personal preference. My favorite right now is a Rock River lower, Jewell trigger, DPMS upper....well you get the picture. For overall quality and dependability from a box stock AR, Rock River gets my vote.

JJ Kelly · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2008, 04:35:11 AM »

Thanks for input, I'm looking at the Rock River UTE2.
Mid-length handguard, rear sight attached to upper
receiver with a rail in front of rear sight. Also like the
medium weight barrel with 1/9 rate of twist and six
position stock. This is a gas gun which is supposed
to be more accurate than piston gun. Thanks again

phalanx · « **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2008, 04:16:49 PM »

Who makes the best AR anymore, is like asking who makes the best Chevy 350 .

SharonAnne · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2008, 12:41:52 AM »

I do. Send me $5,000 and I will build the AR15 of your dreams.

Dee · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2008, 02:23:02 AM »

Send me $2500.00 and I build you one better than the one she builds.

phalanx · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2008, 11:05:00 AM »

Hu ,well what about my Chevy 350 ? Is that part of the deal ??

SharonAnne · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2008, 11:26:30 AM »

mine will be prettier, and PINK

phalanx · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2008, 01:40:15 PM »

A pink 350 ? now there's a thought , but i think i will keep my AR black thank you.
Oh ,i like Bushmaster also , but my XCR is no slouch either.

Dee · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2008, 03:25:10 PM »

A 350 Chevy burns too much gas with these prices, and a pink AR will not out shoot the one I build.

phalanx · « **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2008, 05:06:50 PM »

A souped up 350 though ,Ahhh those were the days.
I hope we don't end up saying that about the AR15.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2008, 09:50:25 PM »

The terminology I use is "high performance build-up"

Old Syko · « **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2008, 11:05:26 PM »

Some of SharonAnne's handi work? The Evil Pink Rifle.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #18 on:** September 09, 2008, 06:16:08 AM »

Syko. nope, not mine. I would never use the M4 barrel. A worthless narrowing of the barrel. I will not be attaching a grenade launcher to MY rifle.

Mine will be a flat top, but the BUIS will be exactly that, 'backup'. It will wear glass as primary sighting. I also see no sense in building a new rifle or carbine and NOT install a free float handguard.

OK,extra points. Who noticed that the pistol grip is installed backwards?

Considering that there is pink background between the pistol grip and buttstock I think this is a PhotoShop modification.

I like the ambi safety and modified trigger guard.

I DO like the shade of pink and especially like the posies on the magazine!

Old Syko · « **Reply #19 on:** September 09, 2008, 08:04:00 AM »

SharonAnne, believe it or not, it isn't a chop. The gun is real according to it's builder. And the grip isn't backward and that isn't pink backround between the grip and stock. Check the link. This thing has made the rounds of every gun board there is. Would have thought you would have seen it somewhere by now.

http://blog.riflegear.com/archive/2007/12/26/hello-kitty-ar-15---evil-black-rifle-meets-cute-and.aspx

phalanx · « **Reply #20 on:** September 09, 2008, 08:20:44 AM »

Dont they call that the Monster Grip ? it is what people in California put on their guns to be compliant.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2008, 11:13:28 PM »

this IS the first I have seen of it. The Monster Grip is a clever way around a foolish law. I have 'bookmarked' the site for the company that did the pink paint job. THAT I do like!

Old Syko · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2008, 12:44:42 AM »

If you actually intend to shoot the weapon after painting you have to be specific about the paint to be used. Local guy has an "honest" M4 painted a tiger stripe pattern that took many tries while working with a paint supplier to get a paint that would take the heat. One of the first paint jobs actually caught fire while running full auto.

SharonAnne · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2008, 01:26:06 AM »

Now THAT would be fun to see a video of!!!

rockbilly · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2008, 06:00:03 AM »

Don't overlook the Double Star ( J & T Distributors). I have two of them, they function and shoot as well (or better) than Armalite, Colt, or Bushmaster. I have a 24 inch heavy stainless barrel ( 1 in 8 twist) on one of the Double Stars that consisitely deliverys groups of less that a quarter at a hundred yards. LARGE you say, perhaps, but not bad for my 70 year old eyes.

Looking at the parts available, and the diffrent guns I am of the opinion that MOST of the major parts are made by just a handful of producers. The lower receiver may be milled by many diffrent shops, but barrels, internal parts. etc, are made by just a few.

Don Krag · « **Reply #25 on:** September 18, 2008, 06:51:03 PM »

I have a pre-ban Colt match HBAR, 1:7, 20". I've only had one jam over almost 20 yrs and it was due to shooting crappy reloads where a bullet probably wasn't seated well. It does especially well with the heavier bullets. The finish has lasted extremely well considering some of the conditions it's been used in. I do plan on replacing the A2 upper with a flat top and switching out for some free float guards and a few other mods. I never cared for a scope mounted so high.

I also plan on getting a Noveske N4 light low profile upper in Nov. I've heard nothing but good reviews for those from people who have have put them through hell. Kinda pricey, though.

cjclemens · « **Reply #26 on:** September 26, 2008, 06:44:49 PM »

I just put a DTI 5.56 upper on a DPMS/panther lower, and I'm getting really good results for <$800.

Singleshotsam · « **Reply #27 on:** September 29, 2008, 05:13:46 AM »

CMMG in my opinion builds the best for the money...

teddy12b · « **Reply #28 on:** October 14, 2008, 11:19:47 AM »

I've owned a colt 223, bushmaster 6.8, and a dpms 308 at different times. Had to sell them all at different times for different reasons. They all shot very well.

My favorite is probably DPMS though and the only reason is because they are more reasonably priced and the quality is just as good as anything else I've ever had. For an example, I just finished getting all the parts around for my new AR-15. I ordered a 6-position lower for $230 and a complete upper for $460. With an FFL transfer for the lower and shipping for both I'll have a brand new AR-15 for less than $750 that is exactly the way I want it to be. If times get tough it won't be hard to get most of the $$ back out of it either.

In any event, you can't go wrong buying from any of the big manufactures, but don't forget that you can tweek your rifle to however you'd like it to be.

LCR · « **Reply #29 on:** October 21, 2008, 11:57:00 AM »

Not sure about the others, but Armalite has a lifetime warranty.