Have one in upper end but want another at more reasonable price point-personally I'd go for the S&W.
Which one and why?
Looking to buy my first ar15 and have limited budget ($800). Have narrowed choice to two. LGS has S&W sport II w/Folding Magpul® MBUS® rear sight, 1:9 twist, for $740, Cabela's has a sale starting Thursday for Bushmaster QRC w/red dot, 1:8 twist for $650. I would be happy with either. It would mainly be used for plinking.
Looking for recommendations, experiences, cautions, etc.
Looking for recommendations, experiences, cautions, etc.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
eenie, meenie, minee, moe, Seriously, if you are just going to plink with it pick one and start shooting. Once you get some trigger time you will find out what you like/dislike about the rifle that you picked and you can change parts to make it the way that you want it.
Out of your (2) choices the S&W Sport II (or Ruger AR-556) is a far better choice than the new Bushmaster/Remlin models. The older Bushmaster's made in Maine were much better quality than the "new" Bushmasters! You may want to look at the Ruger AR-556 it is equal to the S&W M&P model. If you upped your budget another $100 you could get a Colt 6920 and call it a day. :smile: Just my .02 worth.
Save up another couple of hundred dollars and get a Colt like 5lima30ret stated above. If you can't wait the S&W Sport II.
I was at my local Cabelas a couple of weeks ago and they must have had 100 AR15s on the racks out on the floor....all of the builders they carry were available starting at $599 and up. However, they did not have much inventory of AR15 accessories and modding parts....no BUIS for instance. But aftermarket parts are readily available from a variety of sources on line.
S&W :hand10:.
Bushmaster :nono:
Because that's just my personal preference (...and prejudice). :biggrin2:
Bushmaster :nono:
Because that's just my personal preference (...and prejudice). :biggrin2:
This would be my choice, also.If you upped your budget another $100 you could a Colt 6920 and call it a day.
You might want to look at barrel twist rates and how that affects bullet weight you can fire before you commit. 1:7 twist will give you the most flexibility about weight.
I say build your own. You will gain valuable experience getting that familiar with your weapon. Its not that hard and you can do it within that budget.
I completely agree with this.Out of your (2) choices the S&W Sport II (or Ruger AR-556) is a far better choice than the new Bushmaster/Remlin models. The older Bushmaster's made in Maine were much better quality than the "new" Bushmasters! You may want to look at the Ruger AR-556 it is equal to the S&W M&P model. If you upped your budget another $100 you could get a Colt 6920 and call it a day. :smile: Just my .02 worth.
Thank you all for your input. I have read here, and on other forums, that the new bushmasters are "not as good quality" as the old, but have yet to see examples anywhere to support this statement. What specifically are the quality problems? Have any of you experienced these problems or is it hearsay? I ask because for my two choices, and I have a hard limit on my budget amount, the bushmaster is over $100 dollars less than the s&w between the sale and cabela's coupon I have. I am heavily leaning towards the bushmaster unless or until I read some compelling examples of the "poor quality". Not trying to be combative, just trying to stretch my precious dollars the best I can and still get a reliable product.
If all you are going to do is "plink" with this AR, then reliability isn't that big of an issue. If you like the bushmaster and it will save you come $$, then go for it. You can always make upgrades to the rifle along the way, but that's more $$ out of your pocket eventually.
Thank you all for your input. I have read here, and on other forums, that the new bushmasters are "not as good quality" as the old, but have yet to see examples anywhere to support this statement. What specifically are the quality problems? Have any of you experienced these problems or is it hearsay? I ask because for my two choices, and I have a hard limit on my budget amount, the bushmaster is over $100 dollars less than the s&w between the sale and cabela's coupon I have. I am heavily leaning towards the bushmaster unless or until I read some compelling examples of the "poor quality". Not trying to be combative, just trying to stretch my precious dollars the best I can and still get a reliable product.
I purchased my S&W Sport II from grabagun.com. It was $599. Plus $5 for shipping to my local FFL who charged me $10 for the transfer. When I looked yesterday, the price there was still $599. I have added a Red Dot to it and it has been great. Can't hurt to check on grabagun.comLooking to buy my first ar15 and have limited budget ($800). Have narrowed choice to two. LGS has S&W sport II w/Folding Magpul® MBUS® rear sight, 1:9 twist, for $740, Cabela's has a sale starting Thursday for Bushmaster QRC w/red dot, 1:8 twist for $650. I would be happy with either. It would mainly be used for plinking.
Looking for recommendations, experiences, cautions, etc.
I have been juggling with the idea of building my next AR or just buying one off the shelf. I am thinking I am just going to buy the S&W Sport II. My LGS does push towards the Ruger. With the upcoming political firestorm I think the need to do it is sooner rather than later
Around here the M&P Sports and Ruger AR-556 are both in the $600-$625 range, how much is the Bushmaster going to save you from that? If you look at the M&P or Ruger AR-556 side by side with the newer Bushmasters the difference in fit and finish (particularly the upper to lower fit) becomes VERY apparent! If you want a Bushmaster, just look for an older one made in Maine (the new ones are made in NY). I have an Bushmaster Patrolman (manufactured in Maine) with the A-2 carry handle upper and it has worked flawlessly as did the ones just like it that we had at the PD before I retired. They worked as advertised as well and we had no problems with them. I also have an M&P Sport I that is the most accurate AR out of the 4 I own. (Probably due to the 1/8 5R barrel and much better trigger than the Bushmaster.) Good luck!
I just talked to my brother who has Bushmaster A2 built in NY. He has had it just about 2 years and it has operated flawlessly. He has put about 10 different brands of ammo through it without one issue. He has some friends that just bought some new ones at Kittery and they have not had any issues.
I thank you all for your input. Based on the most recent reviews I have read, and my brother's experience, and probably (if I am honest) the cost, I am going with the Bushmaster at Cabela's. It is on sale for $650 and I have a 5% off coupon bringing the price down to $617.50 (reg. price at Cabela's is $699.99). I am not patient enough to order online and wait for it to arrive :tongue:, so I am going to Cabela's tomorrow.
Once again thank you all for your input.
I thank you all for your input. Based on the most recent reviews I have read, and my brother's experience, and probably (if I am honest) the cost, I am going with the Bushmaster at Cabela's. It is on sale for $650 and I have a 5% off coupon bringing the price down to $617.50 (reg. price at Cabela's is $699.99). I am not patient enough to order online and wait for it to arrive :tongue:, so I am going to Cabela's tomorrow.
Once again thank you all for your input.
1 - 17 of 17 Posts
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