AR 15 Opinions/Experiences Please

Ryno23 · January 2nd, 2007, 11:31 PM

In an AR 15, I'm looking for your opinions/experiences/suggestions on aluminum vs composite and chrome-lined barrel vs not chrome-lined in an M4A2 rifle. Also, opinions on manufacturers with an eye on a balance between price and quality. This rifle will be for defense and SHTF scenarios, as well as range fun.

Quote:

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

MattLarson · January 2nd, 2007, 11:36 PM

I have a Bushy M4A3, and have been extremely pleased. Mine wears and EoTech sight, and has a light mounted, and is the primary home defense tool at the moment.

Reliable, accurate, and plenty of punch with modern ammo. What's not to like?

Matt

frankmako · January 2nd, 2007, 11:55 PM

ok here we go. the best is the colt, and any type that they make. i got several and they work with on problems. all other companys copy them. the second best is rock river. that what i carry on the job for "raids". to me they are the only two brands i would buy.

SIXTO · January 3rd, 2007, 12:02 AM

Oh boy, you opened up a can of worms...

Here's my thoughts....

Top of the heap is Rock River... the only downside is the chrome lined barrels, or lack there of. You can order one with the chrome for a few bucks extra... if its going to be a target rifle skip the chrome. If its going to be a beaten battle rifle, get it. RR finish is better, the seem to be fit better and customer service is great.

Bushmaster... my second choice. Its hard to go wrong with a Bushmaster. They are built as a M16 is meant to be. A true battle rifle. Not as accurate as some of the others, but still plenty accurate. No pretty frills, what you see is what you get. Customer service has been lacking lately, as a matter of fact I was just dealing with them today. I was trying to place an order for 5 M4's for my dept., they still have not called me back.

Armalite- good make, pricey though. I hope you like green furniture, 'cause thats what they like to ship.

Colt... if you like their name and pretty horses stamped on your gun your going to pay for it. Still a quality product, but more for the money can be had elsewhere. good luck with customer service. I do have a hbar for matches, it is a great gun.
As frankmako's post states above, they work on problems ;)

Dpms, just roll the dice. Some are OK, others belong in the parts bin.

Knight- decent production gun at a custom price.

These are the bigger names, there are more out there though.

rocky · January 3rd, 2007, 12:16 AM

most brands of AR's work just fine. Some of the parts kit guns seem to have a few issues. I would pick Colt, Bushmaster, RRA ,Stag or Armalite without hesitation.
DPMS, Olympic and other brands are a notch below. (IMO)
I own a Carbon 15 Bushie. Not sure if I got lucky, but seems to be others out there with reliable carbon guns. I have heard horror stories of Pro Ord. and Vulcan carbon series AR's .
If you are intrested in the Carbon guns, PM me for more info.
If you can put up with attitude check out
http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3

Ryno23 · January 3rd, 2007, 04:19 AM

Thanks Matt, Rocky, Sixto, and Frank for the imput, and yes I know I'm opening a can but first hand info is a good thing now as I'm pretty saturated with different company lines. Anybody have any thoughts on the carbon vs standard (aluminum) rifles, especially after a few clips have been through them?

"One man with a gun can control 100 without one. Search every house and execute those with arms on the spot, in front of their families to show them what will happen to them if they refuse us. Stalin (I think)
"Political power comes from the barrel of a gun." Mao Tse-tong.

SIGguy229 · January 3rd, 2007, 08:33 AM

Is the jury still out on S&W's M&P 15?

Ryno23 · January 3rd, 2007, 03:50 PM

Rocky, would like to hear more about the carbon 15s. How do I PM you? Sorry, I'm new here and I don't know what "PM" is.

pgrass101 · January 3rd, 2007, 03:55 PM

For a SHTF gun get a chrome lined barrel, you lose some accuraccy but gain in duribility.

I'm building my on AR you'll find several threads here on how to do that.

I bought a Forged lower reciever from a FFl dealer and am going to order my upper from STAG (I think I still might change my mind).

RRA is probably the best IMO, but Bushy is good too.

rocky · January 3rd, 2007, 04:24 PM

Personal message. Top rt corner to enter email functions. Or just pick the user in posts to email or PM

January 2nd, 2007, 11:36 PM	#2
MattLarson Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,510	I have a Bushy M4A3, and have been extremely pleased. Mine wears and EoTech sight, and has a light mounted, and is the primary home defense tool at the moment. Reliable, accurate, and plenty of punch with modern ammo. What's not to like? Matt __________________ Hope is not a plan.

January 2nd, 2007, 11:55 PM	#3
frankmako VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Posts: 2,036	ok here we go. the best is the colt, and any type that they make. i got several and they work with on problems. all other companys copy them. the second best is rock river. that what i carry on the job for "raids". to me they are the only two brands i would buy. __________________ An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject. Red State State of Mind

January 3rd, 2007, 12:02 AM	#4
SIXTO VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Here and There Posts: 10,436	Oh boy, you opened up a can of worms... Here's my thoughts.... Top of the heap is Rock River... the only downside is the chrome lined barrels, or lack there of. You can order one with the chrome for a few bucks extra... if its going to be a target rifle skip the chrome. If its going to be a beaten battle rifle, get it. RR finish is better, the seem to be fit better and customer service is great. Bushmaster... my second choice. Its hard to go wrong with a Bushmaster. They are built as a M16 is meant to be. A true battle rifle. Not as accurate as some of the others, but still plenty accurate. No pretty frills, what you see is what you get. Customer service has been lacking lately, as a matter of fact I was just dealing with them today. I was trying to place an order for 5 M4's for my dept., they still have not called me back. Armalite- good make, pricey though. I hope you like green furniture, 'cause thats what they like to ship. Colt... if you like their name and pretty horses stamped on your gun your going to pay for it. Still a quality product, but more for the money can be had elsewhere. good luck with customer service. I do have a hbar for matches, it is a great gun. As frankmako's post states above, they work on problems ;) Dpms, just roll the dice. Some are OK, others belong in the parts bin. Knight- decent production gun at a custom price. These are the bigger names, there are more out there though. Last edited by SIXTO; January 3rd, 2007 at 12:08 AM..

January 3rd, 2007, 12:16 AM	#5
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,060	most brands of AR's work just fine. Some of the parts kit guns seem to have a few issues. I would pick Colt, Bushmaster, RRA ,Stag or Armalite without hesitation. DPMS, Olympic and other brands are a notch below. (IMO) I own a Carbon 15 Bushie. Not sure if I got lucky, but seems to be others out there with reliable carbon guns. I have heard horror stories of Pro Ord. and Vulcan carbon series AR's . If you are intrested in the Carbon guns, PM me for more info. If you can put up with attitude check out http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3 __________________ "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, 04:24 PM	#10
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,060	Personal message. Top rt corner to enter email functions. Or just pick the user in posts to email or PM __________________ "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, 04:19 AM	#6
Ryno23 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 21	Thanks Matt, Rocky, Sixto, and Frank for the imput, and yes I know I'm opening a can but first hand info is a good thing now as I'm pretty saturated with different company lines. Anybody have any thoughts on the carbon vs standard (aluminum) rifles, especially after a few clips have been through them? "One man with a gun can control 100 without one. Search every house and execute those with arms on the spot, in front of their families to show them what will happen to them if they refuse us. Stalin (I think) "Political power comes from the barrel of a gun." Mao Tse-tong.

January 3rd, 2007, 08:33 AM	#7
SIGguy229 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kabul, Afghanistan Posts: 2,059	Is the jury still out on S&W's M&P 15?

January 3rd, 2007, 03:50 PM	#8
Ryno23 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 21	Rocky, would like to hear more about the carbon 15s. How do I PM you? Sorry, I'm new here and I don't know what "PM" is.

January 3rd, 2007, 03:55 PM	#9
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,548	For a SHTF gun get a chrome lined barrel, you lose some accuraccy but gain in duribility. I'm building my on AR you'll find several threads here on how to do that. I bought a Forged lower reciever from a FFl dealer and am going to order my upper from STAG (I think I still might change my mind). RRA is probably the best IMO, but Bushy is good too.

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