AR-15 question

[CalamityJane]

I'm looking at adding an AR15 to my "library". Would be my first of this type of rifle, actually my first rifle. Would like opinions, comments, etc, from you experts out there.

Can I go wrong with a Bushmaster 16", collapsible stock, removeable carry handle (is this A3?), flash suppressor, full-length hand guard model? It's new, and comes with hard case. It is not a Carbon model; asking price in the $800 neighborhood.

Thanks.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Not a bad price for a Dissapator A-3. Buy it now!

 

[Nathan Williams]

What state do you live in? Your post says southwest USA if by that you mean Cali then no .

 

[10-Ring]

If you can get a new Dissy for $800, get 2 The Dissipator was on my short list. I went w/ midlenght RRA for financial reasons

 

[CalamityJane]

No, I'm not in Calif, thank goodness. No offense to those who live there and love it; just very happy right where I am, good ole rural America. Don't want to mislead, it's not $800, it's more than that, but under nine. It feels good to hold, so I'll probably get it.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[kennyboy]

A3=removable carry handle. I searched and searched, trying to find a good AR. I am convinced that the best AR is the Colt LE9620. This rifle has telescopic stock, A3 carry handle, 16" barrel, etc. It is about $1200 give or take $100-200, but is recommended over the Bushy. Check it out.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Bushie 16" carbines All The Way.

Add an optic such as an Aimpoint, EOT, or Trij and a flip up rear site when
additional $$$'s allow it.

Stick with military aluminum mags and get a good American-made sling
such as one of the Spec-Ops models with a quick release buckle.

Have fun!

 

[Jackal]

No, u cant go wrong.

 

[Nathan Williams]

My $0.02 by from Bushmaster and forget about Colt. Bushmaster builds a fine product at a fair price. Colt has taken a anti-stance against civilian customers since their new ownership. Colt is also over priced and over rated. Hell FN Herstal has replaced Colt as the primary supplier of M-16 type rifles to the U.S military. Too bad FN does not make a AR type for the civilian market.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

That should be a good choice, and hard to beat for the price. Colt is better, but will be over $1,200 easily out the door for a 6520, and probably in the high $1,300, low $1,400 range for a 6920 out the door.


I'm not a fan of the dissipators. They have a gas block underneath the handguards and the front sight post is just a front sight post, rather than that and a gas block. The only advantage to them is if you're the type of shooter who likes to use a traditional handguard but likes to be able to position their hand further forward. For that, they're perfect.


I'd rather just have the shorter CAR or M4 handguards and add a vertical grip. Don't need to buy a super-duper expensive high end FF rail system costing $350 to do a forward grip. I bought a GG&G rail that bolts through the holes in the bottom of the handguard, and attached a TDI (stubby) grip to that. Works great. I have no idea what people are talking about when they think this method is not sturdy and strong. There's no play in mine even when I pull on it very hard. I put gorilla force on it and have no problems at all. Then again, my Colt handguards are thicker than other AR's I've seen. I wouldn't attempt that method of grip attachment with the flimsy handguards found on some kit-guns. Perhaps that's what people refer to when criticizing this method for grip attachment. Total cost was around $30.


Anyway, my point was, a verticle grip is BETTER at dealing with hot handguards than any dissipator style rifle in my opinion because you avoid the handguards entirely. Even dual-heat shielded M4 handguards become uncomfortably hot if you run the gun hard. I suspect most AR owners never really run their rifle that hot...


So the dissy offers 2 features...the ability to put your hand much further up the guards on a carbine length rifle, and improved handling of heat over standard guards. Some people just like the looks.


Go for it. If you don't have an AR already - you *need* one

 

[Dienekes]

Just bought a Bushmaster M4/CAR type carbine this summer, now have about 300 rounds through it w/o any problems. Back in the late 80s I had a Colt in the same configuration and if there is any real difference I can't detect it.

My first experiences with the ARs was 1966 courtesy of Uncle, and I am seriously intolerant of any lack of quality in any weapon. Thus far the Bushmaster is a nice little carbine and a keeper.

The one constant seems to be a fairly lousy trigger. Installed a Jard drop-in kit in this one that improved it greatly.

The other big, big improvement is a compact ACOG 1.5X x 24 which is the best thing since the invention of gunpowder. Cost $700 and worth every cent.

Personally I would get the Bushmaster and put the difference towards a really good trigger and the ACOG.

It's your money.

 

[Lebben-B]

Can I go wrong with a Bushmaster 16", collapsible stock, removeable carry handle (is this A3?), flash suppressor, full-length hand guard model? It's new, and comes with hard case. It is not a Carbon model; asking price in the $800 neighborhood.

I'd jump on it with both boots, particularly since it's new. At $800, you'll have money left over for ammo and extra mags.

The only advantage to them is if you're the type of shooter who likes to use a traditional handguard but likes to be able to position their hand further forward. For that, they're perfect.

Disagree. A full length gas system allows a shorter barrelled AR to operate like a standard length AR with respect to gas pressures and tolerances. It also provides a longer sight radius when using iron sights.

Mike