Bushmaster v Colt v FN: who makes better AR15?

I would have to give my vote to Colt. I own a Colt LE6920 SOCOM II and it is superior in workmanship to the my other AR, a CMMG. At least until I started throwing $$$ at the CMMG to make it not suck, but now it isn't really a CMMG anymore. Ha ha ha. Even now the Colt is superior in many ways, mostly in the bolt carrier group and bolt department.

While in the Marine Corps I had issued to me several Colt M16's, all the Colt's were A2's and my last M16 was an M16A4 made by FN. The Colts had noticeably better triggers, better finish machining of internal parts, ran smoother, and seemed to be more accurate (at least the ones I had that didn't have nearly worn out barrels). The FN's trigger was so bad that you could lift the rifle by the trigger with optics, a PEQ2, a light, and a full magazine on board... and the sear wouldn't trip. Not impressed.

savanahsdad,

Honestly from the standpoint of a rifle you're going to fight with the Colt's are better than everything on your list too.

This is a classic question which will really stir the pot. The truth is that I've handled AR's/M16's/M4's from many manufacturers. They all jam from time to time. There is not one that I have picked up and could tell any significant difference in function. Sure, some have better fit and finishes, but function-wise, they're all equal regardless of all the extra testing that Colt does. I am not badmouthing Colt or any company, but in the end, I see Colts jam up just as much as the other makes.

It is also interesting to see COLT following as in a seaech same question was asked here on THR in 2003 and overwhelming response was in favor of Bushmaster!

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Its only interesting if you have no concept of how polling worsk and thus don't understand that each of the polls in question is a non scientific pseudo poll, the results of which have no meaning that you can extrapolate anything from. The polls don't show that the opinion, even just here amongst THR users, has shifted concerning Bushmaster or Colt. They show nothing more than the opinion of those who actually self selected to respond. Trying to read anything into them makes you look silly and isn't a bases for any type of remotely meaningful discussion.

giggitygiggity said:

This is a classic question which will really stir the pot. The truth is that I've handled AR's/M16's/M4's from many manufacturers. They all jam from time to time. There is not one that I have picked up and could tell any significant difference in function. Sure, some have better fit and finishes, but function-wise, they're all equal regardless of all the extra testing that Colt does. I am not badmouthing Colt or any company, but in the end, I see Colts jam up just as much as the other makes.

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What are all of these jams that you see?

What rifles, what types of jams, what magazines, what ammo? Something sounds wrong with how often you seem to be witnessing jams, regardless of the manufacturer of the rifle(s) in question.

PS: The differences between manufacturers is a lot more than testing. The actual materials used vary noticeably among manufacturers.

Not only materials and materials testing but little details in the manufacturing process that make for a reliable rifle. Like properly staked gas keys, and properly staked on buffer tubes on collapsible stock models. Magnetic particle, and high pressure tested bolts, CMV 4150 barrels that have also been MP/HP tested. M4 feed ramps that are cut properly before hard anodizing of the upper receiver. Better finish machining on little parts like the charging handle. When you buy a Colt you get all of those things done correctly.

All of this just off the top of my head compared with the CMMG that I have. There are probably quite a few more that I haven't noticed yet.

Warp said:

How many Les Baer AR15 rifles are out there?

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the pole asks "witch is better" not "who makes more"

savanahsdad said:

the pole asks "witch is better" not "who makes more"

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And nobody said anything about who makes more.

The answer would be Bushmaster if it was simply a matter of volume.


But a tiny boutique manufacturer that you can't hardly even find rifles from...isn't exactly relevant.

owen said:

If you had a complete FN upper it was either made of rejected parts by a sub-contractor or stolen.

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This is incorrect. Bottom rifle is USGI surplus. All FN, not rejected anything. Barrel date code is 06/06 and appeared to be brand new ( no wear on bbl, no brass marks on deflector)



I had a thread with the details here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=675347


ETA: To the OP: IME Ive have much better luck with FN bbls than Colt. Not saying Colt is bad, just my experience has shown FN makes superior barrels. YMMV.

FN sells contract over run parts @ lot pricing to PSA, who then build or sell them. Uppers do NOT have M4 feed ramps, as FN makes M16s.

FN was working on producing civilian market ARs prior to Christmas, but I have no idea if their plans are on hold pending potential legislation or if they are still working toward civilian models.....at least this is what my nephew told me (he works for FN in Columbia, SC). I'll have to ask him what the status it on them.

Edit - He told me they are still gearing up for commercial mmodels and are in the process of purchasing more (fixture) equipment. It is his understanding that the government will not allow them to use the same equipment to make commercial models as those used for government models.

I have Colt's,Bushmasters(2 preban made before 89'), Armalite and I don't see or experiance any differance between them quality or function wise. I know Bushmaster was sold so maybe their quality went down. I have recently obtained two LWRC SBR's and they are awesome rifles with piston operating systems.

It is my understanding that 10 year old BM's are a better rifle than the newer ones. Many shortcuts (ie: properly staked gas keys) taken which will never affect the average shooter. By newer I mean even 5 year old Bushies.

As far as small AR makers turning out quality rifles let's not leave LaRue out of the mix... nor Wilson Combat, plus more!

I voted Colt in the "poll" / popularity contest.

The "best" AR is the one you bought and put in your safe. Ask a question like that on an internet forum and you're going to get roughly a bazillion different answers and opinions.

RainDodger said:

The "best" AR is the one you bought and put in your safe. Ask a question like that on an internet forum and you're going to get roughly a bazillion different answers and opinions.

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I disagree. STRONGLY.

The "best" AR is the one you bought, trained with, burned through case quantities of ammo with, trained some more with, and now trust your life to as a result of your experience with it.

Warp said:

And nobody said anything about who makes more.

The answer would be Bushmaster if it was simply a matter of volume.


But a tiny boutique manufacturer that you can't hardly even find rifles from...isn't exactly relevant.

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I thought you did in post #25 you even put a (?) on the end of your post , hummm must be my falt , don't worry I'll get over it

The Bushmaster V-Match that I know own, shoots tighter groups than the Colt H-Bar that I sold! as to which one is better! May just be a matter of perspective!

Colts are the "standard". I have owned and sold just about every kind of AR there is, and to be the Colt falls short. They are ultra-reliable, but so are most of them these days. Accuracy, and fit and finish has been lacking on most of the recent Colts I have handled. You can buy an upgraded AR with more features from several manufacturers for the price of an entry level Colt.

savanahsdad said:

I thought you did in post #25 you even put a (?) on the end of your post , hummm must be my falt , don't worry I'll get over it

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Tiny niche manufacturers that aren't really even represented in the market aren't something many people care about, at all

That is all nice, but the Colt you buy isn't MILSPEC either, so neither Colt nor FN build a commercial milspec AR variant for public sale.

10 years ago things were different. Bushmaster was producing one of the best AR's available to us. Older HBAR's are still great. Other companies were far behind them, but most have since caught up.
Colt would not sell directly to civilians, but intentionally created a grey market that allowed such sales. Sales and service was second hand. They had the dumb big hole, small hole/screw pivot pins and sear block just to piss us off. I didn't want anything to do with that stuff. Their attitude back then was like HK "You suck, we hate you. Buy our stuff second hand."

If you live in an area outside the US not subject to our NFA stuff then; the sear block and ability to swap commercial or miltiary uppers or DIAS in your area might still be an issue against the Colts, with the dumb pivot hole issues or ability to actually drop in a DIAS.
Today, most people would choose a new Colt over a new Bushy, but neither are mil-spec.

I still like my old Bushy. Original Clinton era AWB legal condition. Shoots great.

jungle said:

That is all nice, but the Colt you buy isn't MILSPEC either, so neither Colt nor FN build a commercial milspec AR variant for public sale.

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As an entire firearm, technically, no, of course they aren't. They aren't select fire.

But if you get into all of the very specific requirements, there are rifles, such as Colt, that meet a LOT of the specifications that many other manufacturers do not.

Not all "AR15" type rifles are created equal, same as not all 1911 type pistols are created equal.

I have no hands on experience with FN, but i agree with you on jamming. I have had colt and bushmaster both jam one me.

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Every single mechanical device will fail. Every gun will fail, given enough time and/or the right circumstances. I will not call a Bushmaster better than a Colt because it jams 1 less time out of 1,000 rounds, nor will I call an FN better than a Bushmaster just because it has 1 fewer malfunction. If it is a continual problem, then that is a different story.

Heck, I have seen 3 Aimpoints fail in the last 2 months, yet I would still say that they are the best red dot sight on the market..... And in that same 2 month time frame I have seen a truglo and a UTG red dot sight stand up to twice the amount of rounds without a problem...