Who makes the best AR15 ?

[KIGY]

I'm shopping for my very first AR15 rifle and I don't know much about it.In the service I used the AKM (AK-47) Romanian made.I'm looking for QUALITY and MIL SPECS for my new AR15.I'd rather spend a few extra $$$$$ and get it right the first time.What do you say? COLT or BUSHMASTER ? Thanks !

Search for AR-15 Parts & Accessories

[JustinM]

www.slr15.com

[TonyF]

Colt 6920.

[LittleRedToyota]

COLT or BUSHMASTER ? Thanks !

are you trying to start a fight? seriously, though, you'll get all kinds of opinions on this question.

perhaps the most common answer will be colt...since that is what the military uses. i would not disagree, but they are considerably more expensive than other brands, and there are many other makers of high quality ARs.

stag is the same quality as bushmaster (and RRA, etc. etc.) for significantly less money. stag is the retail outlet of CMT (continental machine and tool) which makes many of the parts that other manufacturers put into their ARs. in fact, the smith & wesson M&P AR15 is a re-branded stag with a higher price tag.

if you want to spend more, go for it, but in the world of ARs, higher price does not necessarily mean higher quality, so don't assume one maker is better than another just because their rifles are more expensive.

actually, come to think of it, lycanthrope prolly makes the best ARs

[LorDiego01]

I hear DPMS makes one damn good rifle.

[D-FENS]

I am a total newb. With that said...

I'm in the market for an AR myself but since it's my first, I don't want to go overboard. Here's what I've learned during my quest. BUCKMARK and Lycanthrope has been very helpful in this process.

You'll want to look for something (probably) like an A3 upper which is a flat-top without the carry handle. You can get a detachable carry handle with the flat tops. This is good if you want to mount a scope or red dot.

It really depends on your budget. If you want to go all out, get the Colt. The model mentioned above is the one used by the military, minus full-auto. This will run you 1200-1300, as far as I know.

A Stag arms upper and lower was suggested to me as I want to keep my build under 800. Buy the upper and lower separate to save a few bucks. You can then put them together and insert the two pins to attach them.

The Stag Arms upper comes with the Chrome lined barrel which is important for barrel longevity. The one I have picked out is the Stag Arms complete upper, chrome lined 16" barrel in a 1:9 twist (everyone will give you a different opinion on twist, the 1:9 is just the signal above the noise that I got). Mine is specced out because I won't be doing a lot of long range shooting, more or less just plinking.

A complete Stag Arms lower was also suggested. This will have to be shipped to an FFL. GunrunnersofPA is a great FFL if you're in Allegheny Co. Total cost of mine is about 750 including shipping.

Again, I'm, a total newb. This is just what I've gathered lately and what I'll be purchasing in a few weeks.

EDIT: Another reason for the Stag complete upper and complete lower is the lifetime warranty on both. It's not gonna help you if SHTF but it's a great resource until then.

[bogey1]

colt probably has the best resale value.

[BUCKMARK]

COLT and LMT

These are the only two companies that are making rifles for the US Military that will sell to civillians. FN will not.

Colt and LMT make rifles the way the Govt says they need to be. They can't take short cuts.

Bushmaster takes so many shortcuts on their rifles, your head will explode trying to figure them all out.

If I had a wad of money to spend on the best out of the box M4.... TonyF was spot on... The COLT 6920.

For a rifle less than $800, a Stag Arms is hard to beat IMHO.

[Harvey_Birdman]

I hear good things about RRA and the Wylde chamber (which allows for interchangable use of 5.56 and .223). I've been considering picking one up later this Spring before another AWB goes into effect.

[BUCKMARK]

I hear good things about RRA and the Wylde chamber (which allows for interchangable use of 5.56 and .223). I've been considering picking one up later this Spring before another AWB goes into effect.

You can run .223 Rem. in any AR15 chambered for 556