Recommend an AR Carbine $800-$900

[Dollar An Hour]

I'm thinking about an AR Carbine and could use advice from some guys with experience with complete rifles. I don't want to build my first one.

Are they all about the same in this price range? Is it hard to go wrong with S&W, DPMS, CMMG, RRA, Stag, and Bushy? Do any of these companies stand out as far as warranty or customer service?

Do any of these brands include more desirable features like chrome lined barrels, better finish or a more desirable twist rate?

If I want iron sights at first do I order an A2?

 

[Outlaws]

I think you will find CMMG is generally regarded a bit higher than the others as they are much closer to mil spec, but that doesn't mean the others won't function perfectly. Chrome lining can be had in most ARs, you just have to look at the various models and see if it is there or if you can add it as an option. You can get the A2 upper or get an A3/4 with the removable carry handle, or just a flattop with buck up iron sights.

 

[texjack]

OLY

I love my Olympic Arms K16 at $709.00 nib, but no chrome bore.

 

[takhtakaal]

Bushmaster is always chrome-lined, so far as I know.

Here's a new offering: http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWVMF16M4ORC.asp

 

[ashtxsniper]

Bushmaster is my favorite brand of AR's so far.

 

[Frog48]

All of the brands you mentioned make good products.

 

[tjhjunk]

Dollar, you might find this interesting.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642

Tim

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

Bushmaster.


RRA is nice, but they do not chrome line their barrrels. I think you can get it as an option though. The RRA comes with an excellent trigger though.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Stag Arms

 

[gunman42782]

One of the best value ARs I have found is Double Star, and the make a very nice AR.

 

[PPGMD]

CMMG has always treated me well. About to buy another upper from them in the next couple of weeks.

 

[jpcampbell]

Oly Arms hands down, best guarantee out there.

 

[Oohrah]

I got my Bushy for $860, chrome lined 16" HB with adj. stock and
removeable carry handle. There is a one year warrenty on their rifles

 

[yongxingfreesty]

cmmg, all my friends have it. it can do anything my colt can do at $500 less

 

[asknight]

CARBS is my favorite right now...

C - CMMG, Colt
A - Armalite
R - Rock River Arms
B - Bushmaster
S - Sabre Defence

 

[yongxingfreesty]

+1 for colt



the armalite im getting soon

 

[longhorngunman]

It's a lot easier to find a good Ar than to point out any bad ones. Oly Arms has somewhat of a bad reputation but as earlier posters have stated many owners love them. I think a general consenus would be to stay away from Hesse/Vulcan.

 

[rc109a]

Takhtakal: I thought all bushmaster barrels were chrome lined as well until I called. They said if it is chrome lined then the description will state so, if it does not then it is not chrome lined. There are a few barrels listed on their web site that do not state chrome lined. I guess I learn something new every day.

 

[aloharover]

CMMG would be at the top of my list, specially if you are looking for an M4 type carbine.
I have been selling a lot of them lately (800 shipped)
Stag and S&W are a great second.
RRA has such a huge delay in shipping (3-6 months) that I don't consider that an option.
Bushy is overpriced IMHO for what you get.
Since they use different sized pins, and since you can get an equal quality item from LMT, Noveske, or CMMG, I would not even consider Colt.

 

[Walkalong]

My RRA, with two "options' from a stock A2, came in 6 weeks. Very nice.

I added

1. SS barrel with Wylde chamber 1 in 8 twist.

2. Free Float Aluminum handguard, no rails.

I purchased it because

1. I did not hear or read anything bad about them.

2. They had a nice web page with good pics and I could pick out what I wanted without mixing and matching.

#2 was good for me with my limited AR knowledge. Next one may be different. I may even build one, who knows, but I have no complaints with this one.

$957 and change after shipping and tax. Yea, I know. If I knew what I was doing I could build one cheaper, and I may do so next time. At least buy the upper and lower seperate and save a bit. Learn lots of good stuff here.

 

[Will Learn]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=322580 Here the setup ima gonna use. $625

 

[HorseSoldier]

Since Colt has been mentioned, though outside your price range, I'll also toss out Lewis Machine and Tool -- extremely high quality product. I would personally look at getting a quality lower from someone like Rock River and then putting an LMT upper on it, but that combo may be outside your total price range when you get it completely set up.

 

[possum]

i love my bushmaster and all the ones that i have experience with. stag has a great thing going and i would look hard in a stag as well.

 

[Will Learn]

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=BRK15A4S&Category=9f794ab0-7a08-44e0-85d2-34f1832de5ea They reeled me in with the M4 upper and I ended up getting one of these too. X-mas is coming earley for me.

 

[planetmobius]

Our department bought a bunch of DPMS carbines and there have been a lot of complaints due ot issues of spotty quality control. Mostly assembly issues. Right now, Bushmaster and Rock River are turning out some of the best in my opinion.