AR 15 makes and why?
- Thread starter sks
- Start date
Some companies put greater attention to detail than others. Several companies have established themselves in the AR market: Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, Olympic Arms to name the big ones (if I missed one somebody chime in).
I have had two Colts over the years: a 1971 manu. SP 1 carbine and a preban Sporter, which has finally been changed around to a carbine.
The Colt seems to have solid construction in the receiver halves, everything fits and works like it should, the finish matches, it just shoots good.
Looking at the others they seem to be a tad better than Colt, really it is in the eye of the beholder.
One complaint, though, I have a flattop FN upper. For a while I used the accuwedge, a couple times I could not chamber a round since it hit the feed ramp and pushed the bullet back. Took it out and have not had a problem since.
I have had two Colts over the years: a 1971 manu. SP 1 carbine and a preban Sporter, which has finally been changed around to a carbine.
The Colt seems to have solid construction in the receiver halves, everything fits and works like it should, the finish matches, it just shoots good.
Looking at the others they seem to be a tad better than Colt, really it is in the eye of the beholder.
One complaint, though, I have a flattop FN upper. For a while I used the accuwedge, a couple times I could not chamber a round since it hit the feed ramp and pushed the bullet back. Took it out and have not had a problem since.
If you want a reliable "combat ready" weapon get a factory assembled preban Colt, or a pre or post ban Bushmaster. They are well made rifles that have mil-spec chromed chambers and bores.
If you want more accurate, but less reliable and durable, go with Oly, DPMS or Armalite. They cut their chambers tighter and don't chrome line their barrels.
Beware the parts guns out there thrown together by gunplumbers. Avoid these until you really know what to look for in a reliable AR.
These are all just rough guidelines, YMMV. When looking for your first AR, try to find a knowledgeable person to go with you. Or come on over to AR15.com and look at the complete firearms for sale forum, if somebody is trying to pawn off junk they will get called on it.
If you want more accurate, but less reliable and durable, go with Oly, DPMS or Armalite. They cut their chambers tighter and don't chrome line their barrels.
Beware the parts guns out there thrown together by gunplumbers. Avoid these until you really know what to look for in a reliable AR.
These are all just rough guidelines, YMMV. When looking for your first AR, try to find a knowledgeable person to go with you. Or come on over to AR15.com and look at the complete firearms for sale forum, if somebody is trying to pawn off junk they will get called on it.
I have 2 post-ban AR15s -- a Colt Match Target HBAR and an Armalite (nee Eagle Arms) Golden Eagle. Both have been reliable. The Armalite is a better gun (but also more expensive). The Colt's front sight and rear sight have to be adjusted well out of the middle of their range in order to sight in the rifle.
The standard single-stage trigger on almost all ARs basically sucks. I strongly recommend that you spring for a 2-stage national match trigger. There are several available, including Armalite (which I have), Jewell, Milazzo-Krieger (supposedly the best, but expensive and nearly unobtainable).
If you are going to compete in CMP service rifle, then it is cheaper to buy a rifle that is loaded up to begin with (national match sights, national match trigger, free-float tube, match barrel, etc.), then to buy a rifle and start swapping out parts.
I recommend either Armalite or Bushmaster. Given my limited experience, I can't recommend Colt. I've heard good and bad things about Olympic Arms, but have no direct experience. YMMV.
M1911
The standard single-stage trigger on almost all ARs basically sucks. I strongly recommend that you spring for a 2-stage national match trigger. There are several available, including Armalite (which I have), Jewell, Milazzo-Krieger (supposedly the best, but expensive and nearly unobtainable).
If you are going to compete in CMP service rifle, then it is cheaper to buy a rifle that is loaded up to begin with (national match sights, national match trigger, free-float tube, match barrel, etc.), then to buy a rifle and start swapping out parts.
I recommend either Armalite or Bushmaster. Given my limited experience, I can't recommend Colt. I've heard good and bad things about Olympic Arms, but have no direct experience. YMMV.
M1911
George Hill
Staff Alumnus
Colt
The only ARs that I have ever used that were actually worth bothering with were made by Colt. DMPS comes second, Bushmaster 3rd and Armalite 4th.
Just my opinion.
The only ARs that I have ever used that were actually worth bothering with were made by Colt. DMPS comes second, Bushmaster 3rd and Armalite 4th.
Just my opinion.
FireForged
New member
Forget a "Pre-Ban" anything. Forget any kind of "Kit". Forget mismatching uppers and lowers. BUY A BUSHMASTER!
Whenever somebody plugs pre-ban Colt ARs, you can count on the Bushmaster fans with pre-ban Colt envy to come out of the woodwork! 
Seriously though, if you only want a plinker, buy a post-ban Bushmaster. You can find great prices on NIB Bushies at: http://www.gunbroker.com
Seriously though, if you only want a plinker, buy a post-ban Bushmaster. You can find great prices on NIB Bushies at: http://www.gunbroker.com
I've had pretty good luck with Colt
I have a Colt pre-ban that I don't shoot. Workmanship and finish is excellent. I also have a Colt MT6731 (post-ban, flattop, HBAR carbine) that is my AR shooter. It is also well made and a sweet shooter (I'm always suprised how accurate a good AR15 can be).
Comments about the heavy trigger are true. Mine was originally crisp but heavy - a 2 stage trigger has worked wonders and is a nice subsequent upgrade to do.
A friend got a Rock River Arms AR-15 for Christmas (what a wife he has!) and that is a very nice piece. He is still breaking it in but the workmanship, fit and finish is tops.
I have a Colt pre-ban that I don't shoot. Workmanship and finish is excellent. I also have a Colt MT6731 (post-ban, flattop, HBAR carbine) that is my AR shooter. It is also well made and a sweet shooter (I'm always suprised how accurate a good AR15 can be).
Comments about the heavy trigger are true. Mine was originally crisp but heavy - a 2 stage trigger has worked wonders and is a nice subsequent upgrade to do.
A friend got a Rock River Arms AR-15 for Christmas (what a wife he has!) and that is a very nice piece. He is still breaking it in but the workmanship, fit and finish is tops.
I've owned two preban Colt and were fine rifles, very reliable but not the most accurate(wish I still had them). I owned them before there were any bullets heavier that 69 grains, 69 grain Sierra or 68 Hornady worked good enough for 2"-3" at 100 yards. I have learned alot more about reloading in the 10 years since I owned them and won't blame it on the rifles. I currently have a Bushmaster DCM and an Armalite A4 and they have been everything I expected, the DCM is specialized but with my handloads it's very accurate(3/4 MOA) and the Armalite will do 1-2 MOA with the same ammo I'm feeding the DCM. I don't buy anything but UMC, PMC, Federal or feed it my reloads which may explain my experiences with good reliability. I have not had any functioning problems with any AR rifle I've owned, but I did have to send the Armalite back to get barrel re-aligned.
By the way, Armalite's standard M15 rifles have chrome lined bores but I don't care for the muzzle brake one bit.
Brian
By the way, Armalite's standard M15 rifles have chrome lined bores but I don't care for the muzzle brake one bit.
Brian