Best All Around AR-15

B

bad_dad_brad

New member
I have finally decided to buy an AR-15 and after doing some shopping, I am thinking that the best all around AR is a Bushmaster Dissipator carbine model XM15 E25 A3. I like the way it looks. I like the removable carrying handle sight and the ability to scope it quick.

It is small enough for home defence and has been known to shoot 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. All my friends who have ARs really like Bushys.

Any opinions on this choice and calling it "best all around AR-15"?
 
You'll obviously get a lot of debate on that. Bushmasters do indeed seem to have a very loyal following.

FYI ... Boston T. Party's book "Boston's Gun Bible" (see www.javelinpress.com ) comes to the same conclusion, albeit I assume he would have preferred pre-ban. The Dissipator's main advantage seems to be the sight radius, but some folks don't care for the balance.

Enjoy your AR. Don't forget to buy plenty of mags ...

Regards from AZ
 
Well, IMHO as an all around carbine the Dissapator is the best. Hbar, balance and site radius.......But you confused me :confused:
I have never seen a A3 Dissapator....whoops, looked again and there it was sorry.
Again it would be a great choice but I would good with the A2 carry handle and keep the iron's. Later and ARMS 39A2 BiLevel and maybe some optics or a Red Dot

The Dissapator is an excellent choice in may opinion..

Karsten
57191_Dissmags.jpeg
 
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My only problem with the Dissapator is the short amount of barrel past the gas inlet. I think that has to have a different pressure curve than other AR's, and I've heard that it can cause problems. Of course, the sight radius is only an issue if you don't have some sort of optical sight.
 
Well,

I would have to say that I would not go for the Dissapator as BushM calls it or the Eliminator as Oly calls it. I would rather make up the weight with a good ACOG or something of that nature. I figure that if you use iron sights, it would be because your optics are FUBARed.

I figure:
Pre-ban style 16" Upper with Phantom FH and A3 configuration. I would use a HB, possibly with fluting. 1 in 9 twist, if you would. I would also seriously consider LH threads. The M4 profile is not what I would use since I have heard reports that it heats up too fast and shifts impact, and the small profile for the M203 mount can bluge if you use a can, which I would. For a suppressor, I would pick Gemtech's M4-96, SDS's 7" can or the Triple X from American Manufacturing. Besides, an M203 is for somebody bigger than me to carry. ;)

Front sight is removed and one of the folding sights added. A GG&G scout rail is put on the upper to mount a ACOG or a reflex a little further down. GG&G with also supply the A2 folding rear sight to complete our backup/iron sights. Of course, tritium is used here, so you may pick your favorite. ;)

Standard A2 lower with mag fence and pushpins. I would use the 'A6' colapsing stock with the rubber buttplate. This is that folding stock you see for around 100FRN that has 6 positions and a more robust design than the standard ones that everybody has.

Oh and oodles and oodles of magazines with good ball. Maybe 1 or 2 with match grade fodder and a box of those VLD designs for shots way out past Ft. Mudge. I'm amblivalent on tracers for the last 2 or 3 shots; likewise SS109 or the standard 55gr discussion.

Hmm, I hope I didn't miss anything. :D

Discussion welcomed; flames to /dev/null.

TR
 
johnwill,

The Dissapator style upper is a standard 16 upper with the standard gas system. The gas block/sight base is at the mark for a usual 16" barrel. The sight part is hacked off (or not used, depending on your gas block of choice...) and the handguards are put over it. Another sight base is added at the mark where the full handguards would go, and viola: A 'Dissapator"

So, it acts just like the short 16" rifles. Make sense now? :cool:

TR
 
I've enjoyed my Bushy Dissipator, had it for about a year now!
I've got a scope on it now (old ancient eyeballs).
I'm saving my pennies for a "varmint" type upper, 24" stainless bull barrel w/ flattop receiver. I had to sell my favorite varmint rig in 22-250 so will try to make do with a wimpy cartridge like the .223!:D
TF
 
here is mine...it came down to this or the dissipator upper..the lower is DCM...but any lower will work
m4a3a.jpg


all bushmaster, DCM lower, m4a3 upper with ak muzzle break(works great)
 
Here's mine, it's the AR15.COM Limited Edition. :) Great shooter, and the OKO sight works very well. I also have an ARMS flip-up sight for those "dead battery" days.

74093_AR15.COM_Limited_Edition_Rifle.jpg
 
Build your own!!

It's not hard at all. Wait around for a good deal on a new lower receiver and get that transfered through your FFL. Mail order a complete upper and a parts kit from one of the AR-15 suppliers. Get a USMC M-16 maintenance manual for about $7 from Brownell's. Gather a few tools--some punches, a hammer, and a torque wrench. Spend an enjoyable afternoon assembling your rifle.

I got a PWA lower from some guy on ar15.com and some FN parts for a 16" carbine from J&G Sales. They're good folks. Most any configuration is available--20', 16', pre/post ban, carry handle, flattop, or free-floated barrel. All this about 18 months ago.

I don't shoot it much, but I keep it clean and have had no problems or malfuctions in several hundred rounds. Very accurate. It is less expensive than a basic model from any of the known manufacturers--even the Oly plinker. Cost can go up quickly when you start tacking on accessories and specialized parts. I just got an Ergo-grip, a carry sling, a few magazines, and a couple of cases of ammo.

Pro: Cheap, fun, educational, and you can say "I done and builted it my own self."

Con: No customer service on complete gun, poor resale value. Neither is an issue with me.
 
Best at what? DCM type matches? Combat? What type of anticipated combat? Urban? Wooded? Desert? Jungle?

As a primary combat weapon, the iron sighted Dissapator is the best choice (Bushmaster of course). It will stand up to hard abuse over the long haul better than a red-dot scoped anything.

For "spec-ops" type stuff, CQB or hit-n-run raids, the M4gery (Bushmaster of course), properly red-dotted excells.

So my answer, BUY BOTH!!:D

cheers

tire iron
 
My vote for a "jack-of-all-trades" AR is a Bushy or Colt lower with an A3 detachable carrry handle upper, and a 1x9" twist chrome lined heavy barreled 20". That would bemy perfect AR. It would work as both a fun gun, target rifle and a varmint rig. I don't like 16" barrels. Seems silly to take a cartridge whose primary attribute is speed, and make it slower to save 4" of length (or less if you add one of those loud-ass muzzle brakes). Everybody but me seems to love them though.
 
I chose a Dissipator b/c of the sight radius. The rilfe is pretty handy at 34.5" OAL. Due to the handguard, you don't have to worry about a hot barrel to burn your ear when you sling it over your shoulder. Hitting the 12" gong at 200 yards in no sweat.

As for the handling, it may feel kind of awkward with the heavy barrel. But a M4-profile barrel is available to make a world of difference if you intend to swing the muzzle around back and forth. But with the heavy barrel, I can shoot longer strings w/o having to worry about burning out the bore.

I don't really care for removable carry handles. Then you have to worry about glass, mounts, loctite, doohickies, and gizmos. And it gets very expensive. Forget that!

Front sight, focus, press trigger, ting! That's it for me.
 
Poodle,

The important savings is not in the barrel length, but rather the weight. This becomes even more pronounced with a M4. I know when I recently got a M4 upper as an alternative to my 20" barrel for tactical competition, it made a HUGE difference in how much easier it was to manuveur.
 
Hello all,
Hey 8200 rpm I like what you said about making it simplier.
But I have old eyeballs and can't keep the target, front sight and the rear sight all in focus at the same time. Not much depth of field for me, so I must resort to an optical device of some sort presently I have a target scope mounted on my Bushy, maybe a simpiler optic thingy would work better, I don't know.
TF
 
Thanks 8200rpm for the advise on the handle thing. I don't really like scopes all that well for a carbine. I think I will go with the fixed handle. You can always mount a scope of some kind on the top.
 
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