Who makes the best AR-15 on the market

[MMcfpd]

As you can see by now, it depends who you ask. On the upside, it appears that almost everyone likes what they've got.

I've got several and, cost notwithstanding, if I had to grab just one for the duration I'd take a Colt. OTOH, I could probably make do with a CMMG or a Bushmaster.

And while there are certain marks about whose products you regularly see gripes, often enough about specific QC or quality problems, I've also seen gripes about Colt, LMT and whomever else you might want to consider top tier.

 

[ugaarguy]

That chart means nothing to anyone and shouldn't, unless you are in the sandbox or the like.

The question "what is the price tag on the colt?

I can tell not difference in that and my BM patrolman carbine.

Just currious" was asked. I provided an answer. That chart is quick reference of things to change, fix, or keep a close eye on in several manufacturers' rifles. The items shown as critical truly are critical for a weapon. For example, I properly staked the gas key on my DPMS AR's bolt carrier to hold me over until I get a Colt, LMT, or BCM bolt carrier group. Alternately, the carbon steel Olympic barrel that's on my FN upper shoots very well so I'm leaving it alone.

The chart also shows where your extra money is going on the top brand rifles.

 

[seektruth]

Noveske, Colt, LMT, Sabre Defence.

 

[H2O MAN]

ID_shooting

H20, what is the price tag on the colt? ...... Just currious

Clyde Armory is currently about the only source of 6920s, they have about 60 on hand.

Something like $1300.00 ~ Get them now or wait and wait.

 

[Soybomb]

That chart means nothing to anyone and shouldn't, unless you are in the sandbox or the like.

Out of curiosity, why do you feel that way? While they may not need to use it every day, we have many people in the country that rely on their rifles for their personal protection on the job or at home. It seems no different than wanting a reliable handgun. Odds are your bolt won't break if/when you seriously need your gun but when a lot of this stuff is the same cost, why bother with the less tested option? Same for twist rate for that matter. If you want to shoot 75gr ammo, 1/7 twist might be a very important feature to look for. I can understand wanting the best quality rifle just as much as I can wanting the best quality handgun. Thats not to say everything listed there is important, but some of it really probably is.

 

[jpwilly]

DPMS rifles are great IMO. My experiance with the my two has been +++. Stag, Bushy, Etc all good AR's

 

[TimboKhan]

Consider that a target AR, match rifle, may have a long heavy match barrel with a twist tuned to heavy (90+ grain) match ammo, gnat's breath trigger, and 12 pounds of lead in the fixed stock and fore end. A big heavy unwieldy beast that isn't suited to action shooting but will happily make sub moa holes at a thousand yards.

I think he already answered it, but you may have overanalyized what he meant by target shooting. I have a Bushmaster Predator and another Bushmaster carbine, and at the range, both are used for "Target shooting". One is obviously for real target shooting, and the other is for shooting at targets for fun. My Predator, a fine rifle that I like, is fairly unsuitable for HD. My carbine, which I end up shooting far more often, is suitable for about everything and is in fact loaded and standing ready by my bed right now.

If you didn't pick up on it, I like Bushmaster. I like the product, I think they sell for a fair price, the teeny-tiny bit of service I needed was handled most excellently, and they have a nice selection of rifles. DPMS would be my second choice, almost entirely because I want a 7.62x39 upper, but also because they too seem to make a quality product.

Both my rifles are pre-cerebus, and thus it remains to be seen if the overall quality and service remains the same (I can't see why it wouldn't, but who knows). On the other hand, Cerebus also just licensed the Masada, which is at least interesting to me. Who knows if I will ever buy one, but at least they are making something interesting. Cerebus also gets a high-five for marketing a Remington AR. As far as I can tell, it isn't anything but a Predator that has a mossy oak paint job, but a Remington AR does nothing but help make AR's more "mainstream".

 

[Nagant]

What about the S&W M&P series? Probably pretty pricey compared to some others talked about here, but I think they are pretty darn nice. I personally have never been too impressed with the bushmaster AR's. They seem... loose... or something. The M&P 15 feels nice and tight... solid. Accurate, reliable. I like it Just my 2 cents.

 

[Soybomb]

Both my rifles are pre-cerebus, and thus it remains to be seen if the overall quality and service remains the same (I can't see why it wouldn't, but who knows).

I'm actually hoping it goes the other direction and they get some higher quality bushmaster parts over to the dpms side of things to streamline and cut costs.

 

[lencac]

I suppose you can get a good or bad any manufacture AR. My Colt is going on 17 years old. Literally the only time it jammed was when I ran wolf ammo through it. The original barrel throat went south at about 50,000 rds. !!!! It's a Match H-bar 20" 1 in 7 twist barrel. I have had it hot enough to boil spit on the barrel and I have had it shoot sub MOA groups with handloaded ammo. I've had it so muddy that I literally had to clean it with a garden hose. Let it drip dry for 5 minutes, stick a fresh magazine in it and start blastin. It has absolutely never failed me and always hits what I point it at (except the magpie that liked to dodge bullets).
So without hesitation I say >>>> COLT
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/7215/ar15hz8.jpg

 

[possum]

if money wasn't an option then i would go with a slr-15 the "grail" from defesive edge. but i have had no issues with the 2 bushmasters that i have owned, and the many more that i have shot. are they the best ? maybe not but they are a great value, and they will run and run in my experience.

stag makes good stuff, as well as rra.

 

[Darthbauer]

Um, you are in CA.

Unless you are LEO, the only ones you can get will be the lesser brands which are getting into CA (legally) under the radar.

Could care less that im in CA. I have ways of getting around the laws (legally). I have the abilty to get any brand I want.

 

[SwampWolf]

Not trying to divert the OP's purpose, but I'd be interested in opinions regarding who makes an AR best suited for a target rifle for NMC (Service Rifle Competition) "out-of-the-box"?

 

[pgeleven]

You can get great rifles for less though. What's the purpose of this rifle? I see $3k rigs that miss paper at 100 yards on shooter error. Because you have the best weapon money can buy doesn't mean you'll shoot tight.

couldn't have given a better response. no amount of money spent on a weapon can guarantee it will rub off the proper fundamentals to handle it like an expert.
it seems almost every company out there is making their own AR type rifle. if this is your first i would recommend shopping around a bit until you find one for about $700. i feel that most weapons that sell for more than that without any difference in appearance or features, youre paying for the name brand.