advice on a new AR-15?

S

sks

New member
Will probably purchase a new AR-15 tomorrow at the gun show. I'm in no way an expert on this particular rifle and in fact consider myself a total novice. But I just WANT one and that has always been enough for me to purchase a gun.

Do any of you have suggestions as to what particular brand or model to purchase? My tendency is for the carbine model as it will be for plinking and home defense.

Suggestions for optics? Flattop or regular model?

Please give me all of your collective wisdom.

Thanks

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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
Based on extensive research, including this forum and the AR-15 forum, I bought a Bushmaster. It appeared to be at least as good as the Colt and the Armalite, and a good deal less expensive.

I am very happy with my decision. I probably have close to 1000 rds through it without a hiccup, and it's as accurate as any other AR that I have seen. Mine is a 16" barrel with A2 sights. A good general purpose configuration. The 20" barrel is probably too long for HD use. The A3 sight is a little more versatile and more expensive, but I put a red dot sight on mine with no problems.

The only major modification I made was to replace the standard A2 buttstock with the shorter A1. I am 6', but have arms that are a little shorter than normal for my height. I've heard several reputable writers say that the A2 buttstock is too long for the average person. A1s are hard to find. Mine is a Colt A1 that I bought second-hand at a gun show.

Also, try to find 20 round USGI mags. 20 rounders are harder to find than the 30s (and 20s are more expensive than 30s), but they are a lot easier to shoot in prone or benchrest. Check out the mag FAQ on the AR-15 forum. Used 20 round GI mags go for anywhere from $15-25. I've seen dealers at gun shows ask as much as $35. Fergiddaboudit. (Did I spell that right? I'm not from NY.)
 
Bushmaster! Absolutely! Positively! I also shoot a 16" Bushmaster Shorty, but have free-floated the barrel with a DPMS tube; have installed a JP hammer/trigger set. I don't have any trouble with the A-2 stock. I've fired SEVERAL thousand rounds without a hiccup. I only shoot my own, mass-produced and/or one-at-a-time handloads. With Berger bullets and a good day, I shoot .5" groups. With inexpensive, bulk 55gr. fmjbt bullets, It shoots 1.5" or so. Oh, I did install a Smith post-ban brake.
 
SKS

I think the "I'll never buy an AR15 at a gunshow stems from disreputable dealers building up junky parts guns, something you probably can't catch as a newcomer.

Go with a reputable outfit and get a Bushmaster.
 
DaMan,

Why is that?

There are three locally that I'm looking at and they will be at the gun show tomorrow. They are:

1. Colt Match Target with 16" bull barrel and a removable carrier handle or whatever you call that thing. $ 1,100.00

2. Bushmaster flattop with 20" barrel. $ 700.00

3. Colt Target with Leoupold scope, 20" barrel. $ 1,400

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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
Wassup SKS,
I too have been looking at the best way to own an Ar-15 and Bushmaster seems to be the way to go. But $700 sounds almost too good to be true. The cheapest 20" I have seen is $730. I am not saying you will get a bad gun; but be sure to check it thoroughly. Take a bore light, and open it up. Look at the trigger group if you can. I just heard from a friend of a friend who got a good deal on a Bushy. It had some rust on the interior. Just be careful about inspecting it.

Good luck and have fun. I am looking forward to the day when one of those black babies is mine, all mine.
 
Everything I've read in this forum says go with Bushmaster. Why does no one recommend Colt? Has their quality gone down or is it just the price? Or something else?
 
Bam Bam,

The Bushmaster is at a local gunshop here and the original price is $900 but the guy has it for $ 700 right now. It is slightly used. If it was a pistol I would know what to look for but with the AR I'm not too sure.

I too wonder why the Colt gets sort of negative reviews. Everyone seems to recommend the Bushy.

Can't wait to get my greedy little paws on several tomorrow and just fondle them.

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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
sks, gunshows are where dealers take their junk they can't sell.

The guns you describe are post-ban and I assume all are used. Depending on the Colt model, I'd say they are asking about full price for their used guns.

I would assume the 16" is a MT6530. The 20" sounds like a MT6551. If they aren't..... run away!

Barrel on the Bushmaster should be marked "B MP 5.56 NATO 1/9 etc." Make sure it has the "B" or it might be a parts gun.

Watch out! I have never found a good deal at a gun show. Lots of junk! Some of them even unsafe!

Regards! DaMan
 
DaMan,

Thanks for the information and I will take those thoughts with me to the gun show. The Colt Match Target is a new weapon.

Thanks
 
a bushmaster is darn close to milspec

chromelined bore
no sear block afixed
both take down pins are mil sized

dZ
 
Coming from one who's used both military M16A1's and M16A2's, I must say, "mil-spec" really ain't that great....remember, "Mil-spec" is another term for "lowest bidder"...

I had a Bushmaster with a full stock, A1 sights, and a 16" heavy barrel with an AK-74 style muzzle brake. It was an excellent rifle. Well put together, and rock solid. A good choice.
 
dz might have added that Colt has none of those features that he mentioned. Also, from what I understand, Colt's customer service to the general public is nonexistent.
 
I have a Bushmaster Dissipator (16", but with full-length rifle handguards). I'm very happy with it. I'm sure Armalites and some others are also fine, but I'd probably go Bushmaster again.

I believe one reason Colts are not so popular is that Colt changed the size of some pin holes, and changed the internal dimensions of their receivers (to prevent M16/full-auto parts from being installed). This makes some of them difficult to swap parts with. Once you have an AR, you may want a different "upper" (barrel and action) to use with your lower. Having a Colt with the non-standard pin sizes might make this difficult. I don't know if all Colts are like this - I'm just reporting what I've heard.

To me, it seems like guys who aren't really into ARs tend to assume that Colt must be the best (brand recognition, what the military used, high cost, etc.). Those who know a lot about ARs go for Bushmasters and Armalites (or build their own, based on a Bushmaster lower). At least this is my (maybe incorrect) perception.

I've also put together a kit gun (20" stainless bull barrel, free-float handguard, flattop receiver, scope) on a Bushmaster lower. Shot it today. I got about 2"-3" 10-shot groups at 100 yards, with heavy gusting winds, drizzle, and cheap South African ammo. There were some problems getting the kit together (slightly out-of-spec parts), but it now works fine. Cost me around $500 plus the stripped lower (and a couple of evenings, and some grief).

I bought my Bushmaster Dissipator at a gun show, but I'd made the deal with the guy by e-mail and just met him at the show. I think I paid $735 for it. Many dealers sell at shows, so I think its possible to get good quality and good deals. But I would be careful that you are getting "real" complete Bushmaster rifle rather than a kit gun. If it comes in a Bushmaster plastic hard case, with paperwork, etc. that's a pretty good sign. Good luck.

Doug
 
Well guys I didn't bite the bullet. Saw several Bushmasters, Armalites and Colts but just couldn't bring myself to purchase one. One of the best ones was a Pre-Ban Bushmaster carbine with retractable stock for $ 1,000.

Thanks for the posts and advice.

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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
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