Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
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  1. #1
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    Default Who makes a top tier AR15?

    I contribute to a popular boating forum and one of the never ending debates is about labeling manufacturers by tiers.. The BCA thread got me wondering about AR15 manufacturers... How would you break them, down in tiers..? low/mid/upper
    my rough estimate is..

    lower
    BCA(only because I read it here, so it must be true)

    mid
    Palmetto State
    Bushmaster

    upper
    Daniel Defense
    Bravo Co

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    Quote Originally Posted by CallinSIC View Post
    I contribute to a popular boating forum and one of the never ending debates is about labeling manufacturers by tiers.. The BCA thread got me wondering about AR15 manufacturers... How would you break them, down in tiers..? low/mid/upper
    my rough estimate is..

    lower
    BCA(only because I read it here, so it must be true)

    mid
    Palmetto State
    Bushmaster

    upper
    Daniel Defense
    Bravo Co
    I would call the lower end entry level, as a lot of folks want to get an AR, but do not want to invest too much dinero. Bushmaster was bought out by Remington and since the bankrupcy is being liquidated by various discounters, so it is not what it used to be. Are we rating on price or performance or value for the money?
    Illegitimus non carborundum est

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    What makes a ''top tier'' AR?
    I don't speak English , I talk American!

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    Quote Originally Posted by gghbi View Post
    I would call the lower end entry level, as a lot of folks want to get an AR, but do not want to invest too much dinero. Bushmaster was bought out by Remington and since the bankrupcy is being liquidated by various discounters, so it is not what it used to be. Are we rating on price or performance or value for the money?
    I would say overall performance/quality.
    I know most top tier will also be amongst the most expensive(you get what you pay for, but in boating there are some "budget" boats that consistently rank in upper mid tier...I imagine that holds true with firearms

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    Like most things I think it's kinda subjective to the shooter. Line up a sub moa, moa, 3moa ar. If your a 3 moa shooter, that super expensive sub moa ar won't do anything for you. Similarly, that super tight sub moa ar that only shoots one certain round reliably and chokes on steel cases is useless if you have to defend yourself and it locks up. Where the 3 moa gun that'll run Tula trash ammo would be much better in that circumstance.

    All that to say "top tier" is kinda subjective to use and user.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    I always wanted a lewis machine and tool, but too expensive.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    To assess quality, the quality criteria must first be defined.
    It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. Voltaire

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    Quote Originally Posted by buxbandit View Post
    To assess quality, the quality criteria must first be defined.
    I see your point, range shooting vs shtf..
    I guess more a SHTF scenario and you had to fight your way back home. you really can't anticipate what your gonna come up against... CQ or long range shots... what AR would you want in your hands..? (that would be top tier)

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    In my mind, I consider an AR to be one of three categories:

    Duty Grade - off the shelf, break it in, lube it, and count on it to save your life

    Hobby Grade - may be picky about ammo or mags, may need some tweaking or part replacement, could be made Duty Grade

    Waste of Money - doesn*t work, fundamentally wrong from the factory, for example lower FCG pin locations are incorrectly machined

    Now if you want to talk value for dollars, that is a different ranking system in my mind.
    Last edited by JoshIronshaft; December 3rd, 2020 at 02:19 PM.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Who makes a top tier AR15?

    I have 3 different JP rifles and I'd take any of them to war.

    That said, my PSA rifles have always gone bang too.

    Both will hit man sized targets out to 400. The JP just lets me know that when it doesn't, it was my fault.

    Ironically, the PSA typically shoots garbage ammo better. With better ammo, the JP shines.

    If 2-3 moa and reliable is what you're after, a PSA is the ticket. If you want to hit small targets at 700, spend the extra money on a decent barrel or pony up for a top tier AR. I'd be perfectly happy with either for a bump in the night.

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