Help me pick an AR-15

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Here's what I am looking for:

I desire an AR-15 that meets or exceeds what was banned 3-4 years ago. I also want to be able to put optics on it eventually. And I don't really want to go much over $900. I have never fired one nor have I even held one.

This is what I am currently looking at and was wondering if it met the bill:

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Bushmaster AR-15 A3 M4 .223 Izzy 30 Round

The Bushmaster M4A3/M4A2 type carbines combine light weight with plenty of .223 caliber firepower. The chrome lined barrel offers maximum longevity and accuracy. A telescoping buttstock brings light weight, ease of carrying and quick handling. Forged, lightweight 7075T6 aircraft quality aluminum receivers are designed for simplicity of maintenance and reliability of operation. They incorporate all M16A3/M16A2 design improvements including cartridge case deflector, last round bolt hold open and raised ridges for magazine release button protection. A manganese phosphate outer coating insures complete protection against corrosion or rust on the barrel and all other critical steel parts of the weapon. The carbine includes a permanently installed Bushmaster izzy flash suppressor and is shipped in a Bushmaster hard plastic, lockable storage case complete with black web sling, 30 round magazine, operating and safety instruction manual and one year warranty.

SPECIFICATIONS

* Action: Semi-Automatic
* Caliber: 223 Remington
* Barrel Length: 14.5" + 1.5" Suppressor
* Capacity: 30rd
* Trigger: Single Stage
* Safety: Lever
* Length: 30.875"
* Weight: 6.57 lbs w/o Mag
* Stock: Thermoset composite
* Finish: Chrome Moly Steel
Click to expand...

Edit to add: Also inform me of anything that you don't like about this and why.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Spend less money and buy a better gun. Stag/CMT!
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I've considered that. Found some great deals on a couple handguns, which would allow me to get 2-3 C&R rifles in addition that I've been lookin' at. But I decided I want this instead. Sorry to dissapoint. :uhoh:
 
I would suggest reading the FAQs and posts on AR15.com. If you are mechanically inclined in the least bit, you could assemble your own AR on by combining a complete upper kit with a stripped lower.

I personally just built an AR and was absolutely overwhelmed by the options and information out there when I was trying to decide. Spend some time wading through all the free info before you jump in.
 
Looks to me like it fits the bill based on your wish list.

I have two Bushmasters and I enjoy them both. I've never had a problem with either. One's a high power competition type 20 incher and the other is a shorty with a 16 inch barrel (but otherwise spec'd like the one you posted). I will eventually get around to putting a better trigger on the shorty, and I've already put an A1 stock on it.

I don't like the stock trigger on many ARs, RRA two stage and the Bushmaster competition trigger are probably the only two exceptions.

I'm personally not fond of collapsable stocks unless I'm wearing body armor, which is why I changed out the stock on my shorty.


As far as Bushmaster vs RRA vs Stag vs Colt vs whatever, you'll probably never find anyone who's owned all of them for extended periods of time and tested them all extensively and who can give you an truly unbiased comparison of them all. I've fired quite a few from different manufacturers, but I've only owned RRA and Bushmasters. IMO all of the top AR makers out there these days make fine products, you might find a lemon every once in a while, but then again they even find misprints in the Bible every once in a while :cool:
 
I know a little about these. Bought a Bushmaster shorty very similar to that recently but it was a Davidson's variation; A1 rear sight, fixed handle, A2 flash hider. Mounted a 1.5X compact ACOG on it and installed an aftermarket Jard trigger. Nada mas.

Had a Colt CAR-15 years back and wanted to duplicate it somewhat. I prefer the fixed handle as I can carry the piece with my thumb through the slot (more hand room). Don't see the need for the A2 rear sight on a carbine like this and prefer the KISS approach in general.

The match trigger makes the carbine much easier to shoot well. Best money you can spend, even more than additional ammo.

The ACOG is incredibly good and makes the whole thing a delight to use. Fortunately my disposable income rose as my eyesight declined. Good thing, too.

I have 900 plus rounds through mine in six months and it has run like a Timex.
I know of two other identical BMs and they are just as good.

The removable handle/flat top configuration might be preferable if you expect to go to an optic like an Eotech sometime. What I have suits my needs very well.
 
I wanted to build my own. At least until I read that FAQ you mention over at AR15.com. I can barely put a license plate on to tell you how mechanically inclined I am.

And thanks AFhack, your post was very helpful.
 
My Bushmaster is nearly identical to the one you posted. The only difference is that mine is a "heavy barrel" instead of the standard barrel. However, its a moot point, as it makes very little difference.

Here's mine:

ARandSKS.gif
 
My Bushmaster is nearly identical to the one you posted. The only difference is that mine is a "heavy barrel" instead of the standard barrel. However, its a moot point, as it makes very little difference.

Here's mine:
Click to expand...

Ah, two guns that are on my wishlist for this year. Good stuff. :D
 
You live in Louisville go to knob creek gun show in april i think its 13 till 15 its near fort knox just in case you didnt know you can buy complete lowers and complete uppers you can push 2 pins in to make it a complete rifle and you would save a few hundred on the gun and buy ammo with the extra . You will love that show by the way stay for the night shoot if you can its killer good luck
 
I've considered that. Found some great deals on a couple handguns, which would allow me to get 2-3 C&R rifles in addition that I've been lookin' at. But I decided I want this instead. Sorry to dissapoint.
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I'm not going to be disappointed... it's your gun, I just think Stag makes higher quality AR's at a lower price and still will require little or no assembly...
 
What to you expect the AR-15 to do?

We can't help you if you don' t tell us what the rifle is supposed to do.
Make noise, burn powder, punch paper, kill varmits or make you feel safe at home.
 
I would go with either a Bushmaster or Colt.

Both make good AR's.

If you get a Stag, or build your own, I would question how much you will get for it if you ever decide to sell it. Not many people have ever heard of Stag, and the non-informed will be unlikely to have any interest in buying it. Bushmaster and Colt will have name recognition that will help with resale. If you build your own, this will be even more of a problem. I would not want to buy an AR built in a garage workshop by someone I don't know. Would you?
 
The only change I would make is for a flat top since you're looking to put optics on your AR.
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You dont need the flat top for this. It cost more and I find that mounting optics with a delta mount on the carry handle puts the glass at just the right height. Also if you go with the detachable handle and mount optics to the rail you lose the ability to use your irons, unless you buy an expensive BUIS. Dont be afraid to shop around, buy used and save some $. I bought a new Bushmaster and while its a fine weapon my recent buy a used Colt is every bit as good a gun for much less money.
S5030157.gif
$799.00 got me this, a half dozen factory Colt 20 rounders, sling, and case.
 
I would go with either a Bushmaster or Colt.

Both make good AR's.

If you get a Stag, or build your own, I would question how much you will get for it if you ever decide to sell it. Not many people have ever heard of Stag, and the non-informed will be unlikely to have any interest in buying it. Bushmaster and Colt will have name recognition that will help with resale. If you build your own, this will be even more of a problem. I would not want to buy an AR built in a garage workshop by someone I don't know. Would you?
Click to expand...

You can always get what your parts are worth on AR15.com's EE.

I wouldn't buy a complete gun, built by someone in a garage or at the shop, unless I got a steal on it and could part out the parts I didn't want/need.

But, no, you won't have a problem getting pretty close to what you paid for a Stag, just like a Colt or a Bushmaster, as long as it was in nice shape...

Besides, what's the point in buying something with the intention to have a good resale value? If you buy something that is good quality you probably won't want to re-sell it. ;)
 
That is a excellent choice, trouble free less hassle than those generic brand ARs.
Also their made of 4150 steel vs 4140, also their chrome lined, I have & had many different ARs, Bushmaster uppers are top notch.

Stay with a good brand name, seem some people are happy just to have a AR period, owning a Hesse or DPMS or some other generic crapper with cost yeah down the road, might even cost you your life.

If your talented enough, you can build a decent AR15, if you start and finish with good name brand parts.

TG
 
I just bought my first AR (a Rock River Arms Entry Tactical) and researched everything extensively. I was set on the Colt LE6920. From what I can tell, Colts are suppossed to have minute benefits that account for the significantly higher price as when compared to other ARs. The differences between Colts and all the other ARs are insignificant and will not make any noticeable difference in performance, reliability, accuracy, etc.

In short, get whatever AR you like. They are all built pretty much the same. There are small differences between each brand, but very rarely do you find owners complaining about their AR regardless of brand. I went with RRA because they are priced on par with everyone else and because I could customize it the way I wanted. Check out their website www.rockriverarms.com. Don't be discouraged by the prices on the website. Your dealer will probably be able to get a RRA rifle for about $100-200 less than the price listed. Also, I think it says something when RRA beat Colt when the DEA and FBI were testing for an AR. However, get whatever AR you like. I doubt you'll be disappointed either way.
 
I agree, you should check out AR15.com. There are numerous threads on this issue, and if you do a search (or post a question) you'll get tons of info.

The consensus there (I think) is that overall, Colt is the best quality, most reliable, and holds its value best. The LE6920 is a great gun, and the closest you can get to the military M4 as a civilian (it's even stamped "For Military and Police Use Only").

HOWEVER, Colt is criticized for being too expensive (for it's incrementally better quality), difficult to find a gun for civvy purchase, and a difficult company when dealing with civilian buyers. Us Colt owners are accused of "drinking the coolaid".

Many people argue the best thing to do is buy a Bushy of very similar (?same) quality, and spend the difference on ammo and accessories.
 
I have a colt its Over rated and i have a RRA its got a better fit and finish then my colt . dont get me wrong colts are good but there's a lot more cheaper ones just as good . A lot of people just like buying the name so they can say i own a colt then they put it up and never shoot to find out what it can and cant do . check out double star in winchester lokks like a pretty good ar (never shot one) but its looks like a milspec
 
I wouldn't put DPMS in the same category as Hesse. Hesse is awful. DPMS makes some good stuff. Funny thing is, some people will tell you Bushmaster is crap. I don't believe that either. Had one and it was just fine.
 
For your use?

My AR rifle, I sold due to physical problems.
Spend money on Trigger, Sights/optics, barrel, stock. In that order.
Get some decent magazines and ammo.
Go shoot.
I bought a stripped lower and upper and had one made.
I like 20" barrels and M193 ammo.
 
If you want an M4, you really can't do better than a Colt 6920. There are qualitative differences between the Colt and M4-style carbines offered by everyone else, (this is well documented in other posts on this site) but for a gun used exclusively at the range these differences will be less important. The Colt simply is better, but whether it's worth it to you (based on what you need it for) is a personal decision.

Based on my experience, I haven't found any qualitative difference between Armalite, Bushmaster, RRA, and DPMS rifles. All cut certain corners to keep costs low, all turn out their share of excellent rifles as well as lemons. My advice is to choose the features you want, i.e. chrome bore, flattop, etc., and buy the one you want at the lowest price you can find. If you will want to employ this AR as a defensive piece, the Colt 6920 is the way to go, and is well worth its modest premium over the other brands.

vanfunk
 
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