Which ar ?????

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I was all set to buy a Bushmaster in 5.56...when I was visiting with a saleman in a Cody store...he told me the new ones are not as good as the old models..we hear this about all firearms I guess...Another guy mentioned a new Ruger...would be a great one...so my plan was upset...AR's are not something I know much about..during my conversations, I have learned much, but still feel lost as to what make to purchase...Sat. at the gunshow, a fellow had a Remington he liked very much...but he said Remington didn't make it...So my question is what is a top quality AR to purchase.. I would probably use it some for called coyotes, or some varmit shooting..sold my mini14 because it was so inaccurate..My main reason for purchase, is the meltdown of society...with lots of bolt guns, I sort of feel I need an AR also...at this time I would put a scope on it because that is the sights I use most....What make is of the old Bushmaster quality, or have I been fed a bunch of B.S.?

[ironglowjr]

Wow....I think the guy at the store was acting like he knew something when he don't. they have gotten better in my opinion.. AR15 are a beautifull think you can get pretty much ANY of them for what you want theam for and you wont know the differnce I would recomend DPMS for a starter... I have delt with AR style rifles in the Marines everyday for the past 8 yrs..... I know have gotten out and bugun building them...I have bought all different types of uppers and lowers (receivers) and they have all been good...(Aero Precision)...After you have begun messing around with these platforms you will start to want to enhance it and the sky is the limit for that... Hope this Helps!!!
 
ironglowjr

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Thanks..was looking at the Bushmaster line again..the orc model looks like it might suit my needs..but the DPMS you mention was the company that I was told make the Remington AR..thanks again

[Old Syko]

You're going to see very little difference between most any of the common brands.  My preference runs more to Rock River since they seem to hold tighter tolerances in their machine fit.  Right now I have examples of RR, DPMS, Bushmaster, Double Star, PSA and others and they all work fine.  During the last election glut quality got pushed aside by some manufacturers (especially lower parts kits), in order to meet supply but most all that has been sorted out now.  Long story short.  If you have found one you like, buy it along with copious amounts of ammo and shoot it.  Odds are you won't be disappointed.     

[spence44]

Wyo Coyote hunter, I was in the same boat few few months ago. Didn't know alot about ars, but I read and learned as much as I could in short amount of time. A couple of friends were more than happy to let me try theirs. I settled on a Rock River ATH and am extremely happy I did. With 75 grain handloads and Hornady's superformance ammo I have gotten  several half inch groups at 100 yards. Rock River more than lives up to there advertised accuracy guaranty. Hope this helps
Spence

[Buckskin]

Most are pretty good these days, a couple things to watch out for are used guns that were built.  There are a lot of cheap components out there and a lot of guys build them that way and realize they should have put some money into it instead of going cheap.  Also, there are a few good companies that put out very cheap versions of the AR, Bushmaster comes to mind.  A buddy of mine saw an ad from Cabela's for a $600 AR, I was going anyway so I checked it out.  Lower was made of plastic and it felt like a toy.  But I have Bushy, it's my close range no optic AR and it's solid, and plenty accurate for it's role.  I also have a Remington R-15 which is my long range varmint killer, it has killed dozens of yotes out to 400 yards. Love this gun, accurate as hell and since I'm not a black gun traditionalist I really like the camo.
 
 
My plan was to buy a S&W M&P when I got my Bushy, but a guy was selling his Bushy (his wife didn't want it in the house) to Gander Mountain when I was seconds from buying the S&W. I saved $400, ticked off the salesman at Gander and the guy got an extra $100...

[rickyp]

Most are pretty good these days, a couple things to watch out for are used guns that were built.  There are a lot of cheap components out there and a lot of guys build them that way and realize they should have put some money into it instead of going cheap.

Nothing wrong with a built ar, while there are some less expensive parts they all work. You ahve to decide on what you want  your rifle to be for. You do not need to spend $200 for a trigger group for a battle/ range rifle. I have 3 lowers that I built my self and all 3 use the CMMG LPK and they shoot very good. The triggers are not bad but they are for battle/ range use and not compotition.

[cjclemens]

You can't really go wrong with any of the well established AR manufacturers.  All make a good quality product.  I have a Del-Ton and a DPMS.  Both are excellent rifles.  As far as fit and finish, Rock rivers look a little nicer, but you wont see a difference in function.  Don't let some salesman steer you away from what you really want.  Find someone who's willing to go out of their way to get it for you.  After all, the customer is always right.

[Empty Quiver]

I have owned a DPMS for several years. It has worked fine and dandy and has something like 1200 rounds through it now.


To me the main thing you get with extra dollars is the extra build quality touches. Things like "proper" staking ( if the nut never comes loose does proper matter? ).


I would emphasize getting what you want from the get go. If you want a collapsable stock, railed fore end etc., etc., ad infinitum, get as much as possible factory installed. Transformer / Barbie Doll qualities are touted as a number one advantage and it is true. Do you need an extra stock, front sight, carry handle, trigger group, all laying in a box in the basement? Next thing you know you have $480 dollars of upgraded parts on a $780 rifle. Now you are into the price range of some awfully nice rifles.


If you are not a interweb gun buyer you may want to consider becoming one for this gun project. At the very least find a LGS who is willing to work at getting you exactly what you want.


As a bare minimum I would get the upgraded trigger from whatever outfit I bought from, stock GI is godawful.   

[Bugflipper]

Bushmaster makes the Remington R15.
 As far as quality, most of the companies get their parts from the same source. So in a lot of cases it all just comes down to assembly and which options they choose to offer. People could list 20 brands for you and all would be good recommendations. If I were to buy a new one it would be Rock River, Stag Arms or Double Star. Just because of the price point and reputation/attention to detail.


 A lot of people buy much more than they need because they want the best. At work they issue Noveske. Most consider them the top of the line. I have 2 at home configured outwardly the same( besides the barrel length) to practice with. A Bushmaster with a 22 lr conversion and a Rock River. They have had many rounds through them and have served very well for their intended purpose.
 I really don't think BM dropped in quality unless  it was temporarily as Old Syko stated. It is just a tight market now. The Rock Rivers, Stags, Double Stars and so on seem to focus more on the details. Where BM tries to put out a quality firearm in mass like they have been doing for a long time. All of the common brands put out a good AR. I would just want the most for the money if I were buying one.


Here's a decent write up on what to look for in a m-4 clone AR.
http://forums.officer.com/showthread.php?81462-So-you-want-to-buy-an-AR-15-huh

[84Jim]

I have a RRA and an Armalite as well as Delton M-4 that I built.  I like them all, but would probably recommend a RRA.  But as almost everyone else has said most of them are good guns.
One thing you might want to consider is the chambering, .223, Wylde, or 5.56.  The way I see it the difference is in the leade, .223 being less, 5.56 the most, and Wylde somewhere inbetween.  If you're interested in accuracy as I suspect you are I'd stay away from the 5.56, especially if you shoot mag length ammo, due to the bullet jump.  .223 might be hard to find in commercial AR15's.  I think that RRA (and probably others too) chambers Wylde which is a good compromise.  But good luck finding a salesman who knows the difference I'd do a little research with the manufacturer to be sure I knew what I was getting.

[Singleshotsam]

I would suggest building your own or buy a colt M4 style.  Whatever you go with make sure that the bolt and reciever extention are properly staked.

[SHOOTALL]

I would suggest building your own or buy a colt M4 style.  Whatever you go with make sure that the bolt and receiver extention are properly staked.

Great idea !
 
I didn't care for AR's , liked M1A's and still do. Back in the 80's I had a Colt and Bushmaster both heavy bbl target guns. Both shot well but seemed the 223 was puny. The rifling was something like 1 in 12 or such. They went and a M1A was acquired and it was accurate and the round was not puny. Here we can hunt with a 308 but not a 223. Yes that influences my thinking .
So one day a couple years ago I decide I want to put a rifle together and it seems an AR is a good project. I chose the 6.8 SPC for above reasons. First things first , the lower. So I spend time checking on what lower is best , most will tell you that a few companies make lowers and alot of companies buy them and stamp their logo on them . This might be true . But what I have learned the hard way is those building really good rifles either make their own or have them made to mate well with the upper they use. Mil spec is the buzz word . Hear once more what does it mean ? There are alot of products offered as mil spec. often saying "built to mil spec. " Now if you buy this type part in all likelyhood the parts will fit together and work. But they may be loose fit. There are wedges etc to get a more tight fit . The thing is the parts fit in the dimensions of mil spec. but not always the completed spec.  The bbl on a military A-4 is harder than a civilian AR . They fire more rounds in most cases and see more abuse than most civilian guns. Also with loweres and uppers you get into cast vs forged , and coatings . Confused yet ?
 OP ask which AR , I say buy or build the one you want. Buy a good name brand lower with a matched upper or rely on wedges ( these work ) to tighten up the gun . I have shot mine with and with out the wedge and it shoots about the same either way. If you build you can buy the parts you want vs switching out later . Triggers , stock etc can be up graded in the build. One option I would recommend is a nickle boron carrier , they are slick very slick. They are reported to run dry , I oil mine and it has never had a hick up. BTW both my Colt and Bushmaster had a loose fit .

[fatercat]

2nd on m14

[SHOOTALL]

2nd on m14

In a Socom you get alot of gun in a carbine package that can leave an M4 behind in the power dept.