AR 15 Opinions/Experiences Please - Page 2

Hobbes · January 3rd, 2007, 04:31 PM

I wouldn't touch a composite lower with a 10 ft pole (sorry Rocky

). Weight savings a negligible on an already light weapon. While it is true you lose some accuracy with chrome lined, you or I won't notice it. A match shooter will. Chrome lining has come a long way, and does help with corrosion and bbl life. Early chrome lining was applied unevenly resulting in loss of accuracy, but as I said, it's much better now. Is it completely necessary? No, (do any of your other guns have it? No? Are they big rust buckets?) but it is nice to have on a "battle rifle"

Colts test every bolt, not all others do. IMO you will be fine with either Colt, RRA, Bushy, Stag or Armalite. The S&W are made from another companies rifles and Troy accessories. Can't remember which company. Point is, they are good pieces and S&W only slapped their name on them.
I prefer to build my own from parts from the above makers since I can get exactly what I want. If you can put together a lego set, you can build an AR. Seriously, I'm not even joking.
Big name companies get some of their parts from CMT and LMT, just so you know. Good parts.

hsuCowboy98 · January 3rd, 2007, 04:32 PM

Ive got 2 RRA, and a Bushy patrolman's carbine. I have never had a problem with either, but I like my RRA rifles better. IMHO, RRA is at the top of the game these days for value, service, and quality. Best buy all-around.

I wouldn't touch a composite lower with a 10 ft pole (sorry Rocky ). Agreed 100%

rocky · January 3rd, 2007, 04:43 PM

To each their own, use what ya like or need. No offense taken.

A1C Lickey · January 3rd, 2007, 11:46 PM

Not to hijack this thread, but other then weight are there any benefits to a carbon or composite reciever?

Hobbes · January 3rd, 2007, 11:50 PM

It was all done for weight savings.
One of my main problems with them is that they are prone to getting the threads stripped where the buffer tube screws in.

rocky · January 3rd, 2007, 11:52 PM

carbon fiber is somewhat flexable. Alum will bend and stay bent. the finish on a carbon upper/lower will not wear off. However carbon fiber is softer , and will gouge easier.
Also I notice my CF gun needs little(probably none) if any lube on the parts that are CF material.

Team American · January 4th, 2007, 04:19 AM

I'm seeing an Armalite 16" M-15 A2 model with retractable stock and birdcage flash supressor for $700 in the CDNN 20th Anniversary catalog...I'm a Rock River fan also, but that seems like a pretty good price for Armalite.

Phone number for CDNN is (800)588-9500.

AutoFan · January 4th, 2007, 12:13 PM

The only reason to go with composite is to get a really low weight gun, which means a 16", skinny barrel and whatever is the lightest stock, handguards and forearm (and not hanging a bunch of stuff off the rifle).

As to the manufacturers, all of the abovementioned will put out an acceptable rifle, some better than others, some more expensive. My personal rifle is from DPMS. It will outshoot anything but a match rifle, and maybe some of those. Of course, I set it up to do just that. I have never had any significant problems with it. DPMS does not have any worse quality than any of the other major companies, judging from the AR15.com forum. Which is a good place to go get some very strong opinions and alot of good info.

Tubby45 · January 4th, 2007, 12:46 PM

Stick with the following companies and you'll be alright:
Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Stag, CMMG Inc, RRA.

Chrome lined bore and chamber for cleanliness and durability, slight accuracy loss, not enough to notice for the casual shooter.

As far as bang for the buck: Bushy, RRA, CMMG, Stag. Colt, Knight, Les Baer, etc are higher end guns that are overpriced for their performance. You can get one of the other brands and have just as a reliable and accuate rifle as the higher end brands. For a non-rail handguard AR15, I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for it.

levi333 · January 4th, 2007, 01:17 PM

Stag makes the lower for the S&W M&P15.
Ill probably be building a Stag, unless i find a good deal on an S&W.

January 3rd, 2007, 04:32 PM	#12
hsuCowboy98 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,023	Ive got 2 RRA, and a Bushy patrolman's carbine. I have never had a problem with either, but I like my RRA rifles better. IMHO, RRA is at the top of the game these days for value, service, and quality. Best buy all-around. I wouldn't touch a composite lower with a 10 ft pole (sorry Rocky ). Agreed 100% __________________ Fear No Evil.

January 3rd, 2007, 04:43 PM	#13
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,060	To each their own, use what ya like or need. No offense taken. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

January 3rd, 2007, 11:46 PM	#14
A1C Lickey Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Luke AFB, AZ Posts: 718	Not to hijack this thread, but other then weight are there any benefits to a carbon or composite reciever? __________________ SSgt. Lickey It takes a college degree to break'em; and a high school education to fix'em!

January 3rd, 2007, 11:52 PM	#16
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,060	carbon fiber is somewhat flexable. Alum will bend and stay bent. the finish on a carbon upper/lower will not wear off. However carbon fiber is softer , and will gouge easier. Also I notice my CF gun needs little(probably none) if any lube on the parts that are CF material. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

January 4th, 2007, 04:19 AM	#17
Team American VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,797	I'm seeing an Armalite 16" M-15 A2 model with retractable stock and birdcage flash supressor for $700 in the CDNN 20th Anniversary catalog...I'm a Rock River fan also, but that seems like a pretty good price for Armalite. Phone number for CDNN is (800)588-9500. __________________ "I surrounded 'em"- Alvin York "They're ain't many troubles that a man can't fix with seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six"- Jeff Cooper

January 3rd, 2007, 04:31 PM	#11
Hobbes Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Centralia, VA Posts: 384	I wouldn't touch a composite lower with a 10 ft pole (sorry Rocky ). Weight savings a negligible on an already light weapon. While it is true you lose some accuracy with chrome lined, you or I won't notice it. A match shooter will. Chrome lining has come a long way, and does help with corrosion and bbl life. Early chrome lining was applied unevenly resulting in loss of accuracy, but as I said, it's much better now. Is it completely necessary? No, (do any of your other guns have it? No? Are they big rust buckets?) but it is nice to have on a "battle rifle" Colts test every bolt, not all others do. IMO you will be fine with either Colt, RRA, Bushy, Stag or Armalite. The S&W are made from another companies rifles and Troy accessories. Can't remember which company. Point is, they are good pieces and S&W only slapped their name on them. I prefer to build my own from parts from the above makers since I can get exactly what I want. If you can put together a lego set, you can build an AR. Seriously, I'm not even joking. Big name companies get some of their parts from CMT and LMT, just so you know. Good parts.

January 3rd, 2007, 11:50 PM	#15
Hobbes Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Centralia, VA Posts: 384	It was all done for weight savings. One of my main problems with them is that they are prone to getting the threads stripped where the buffer tube screws in.

January 4th, 2007, 12:13 PM	#18
AutoFan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Sunshine State Posts: 954	The only reason to go with composite is to get a really low weight gun, which means a 16", skinny barrel and whatever is the lightest stock, handguards and forearm (and not hanging a bunch of stuff off the rifle). As to the manufacturers, all of the abovementioned will put out an acceptable rifle, some better than others, some more expensive. My personal rifle is from DPMS. It will outshoot anything but a match rifle, and maybe some of those. Of course, I set it up to do just that. I have never had any significant problems with it. DPMS does not have any worse quality than any of the other major companies, judging from the AR15.com forum. Which is a good place to go get some very strong opinions and alot of good info.

January 4th, 2007, 12:46 PM	#19
Tubby45 Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: In the reloading room Posts: 1,988	Stick with the following companies and you'll be alright: Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Stag, CMMG Inc, RRA. Chrome lined bore and chamber for cleanliness and durability, slight accuracy loss, not enough to notice for the casual shooter. As far as bang for the buck: Bushy, RRA, CMMG, Stag. Colt, Knight, Les Baer, etc are higher end guns that are overpriced for their performance. You can get one of the other brands and have just as a reliable and accuate rifle as the higher end brands. For a non-rail handguard AR15, I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for it. __________________ Freakshow Manufacturing LLC "You can kill it. We can help." 07 FFL/ 02 SOT

January 4th, 2007, 01:17 PM	#20
levi333 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon, in the valley Posts: 123	Stag makes the lower for the S&W M&P15. Ill probably be building a Stag, unless i find a good deal on an S&W.

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