Best AR-15?
- Thread starter Uhave2
- Start date
Bear_Hunter
Inactive
ZM Weapons
This is the baddest of them all!
ZM Weapons LR-300
This is the baddest of them all!
ZM Weapons LR-300
Yikes, that is about the ugliest thing in the world...is that really supposed to be an ar15??? Well, I guess I could make mine look like that if I bought about thirty aftermarket pieces for it. Anyways, I really can't say which is best. This is one of those questions that get asked all the time and everytime there are tons of different opinions. But I can say the majority of the people like Bushmaster the best...which is what I happen to have!!!!!!!
I'd have to agree with Rex (somewhat). If you are looking for a pre-ban AR-15, buy a Colt. If you are looking for a post-ban AR-15, buy either a Bushmaster or Colt. I'd probably even say Bushmaster is the better post-ban, but not by a large margin. I'm sure some people would disagree with me on that, but I own pre-ban ARs (Colts) and post-ban ARs (Bushmaster and Colt) and I think Bushmaster and Colts are comparable. Bushies cost a little less, but their quality is just as good.
Anyway:
Pre-ban - Colt
Post-ban - Bushmaster (or Colt depending on price)
Anyway:
Pre-ban - Colt
Post-ban - Bushmaster (or Colt depending on price)
reject parts?
I'll agree. I have an FN barrel (purchased in '93) that was a reject due to plating irregularities at the breech and crown. It is a flawless bore, smooth (by mil-spec standards) and a perfect tight chamber. I knew it was a keeper when It (notice proper pronoun) delivered a 1" group at 100 tards with UMC 55 gr. ammo.
Since then, I've shot .5 MOA groups at 300 yards with mild 80 gr Sierra loads. One of these sessions introduced me to the problems with American Eagle brass and I split the bolt, locking the action up solid.
I used a drift to hammer the carrier out of the action, replacing the bolt and upper (powder gas had slightly expanded the upper so I replaced it). It still has the magic and I use my Federal brass as a pellet stopping media for my air rifle.
I have amazed many people with this rifle, one was a group of hunters that were shooting gongs at 300 yards. I took a standing position, aimed center mass and proceeded to ding out "Shave and a haircut".
This rifle has been the death of many golf balls at 300 yards. I love accurate rifles. I think I have the blood of Jack O'Conner in me or at least I'm a relative.
I'll agree. I have an FN barrel (purchased in '93) that was a reject due to plating irregularities at the breech and crown. It is a flawless bore, smooth (by mil-spec standards) and a perfect tight chamber. I knew it was a keeper when It (notice proper pronoun) delivered a 1" group at 100 tards with UMC 55 gr. ammo.
Since then, I've shot .5 MOA groups at 300 yards with mild 80 gr Sierra loads. One of these sessions introduced me to the problems with American Eagle brass and I split the bolt, locking the action up solid.
I used a drift to hammer the carrier out of the action, replacing the bolt and upper (powder gas had slightly expanded the upper so I replaced it). It still has the magic and I use my Federal brass as a pellet stopping media for my air rifle.
I have amazed many people with this rifle, one was a group of hunters that were shooting gongs at 300 yards. I took a standing position, aimed center mass and proceeded to ding out "Shave and a haircut".
This rifle has been the death of many golf balls at 300 yards. I love accurate rifles. I think I have the blood of Jack O'Conner in me or at least I'm a relative.
Great story, Keith,
however, re: Jack O'Connor; I read somewhere recently that brother Jack did most of his shooting over the keyboard of his Remington-Rand. I hope isn't so! I loved to read his rants about the 270!
If it's true about Jack, it's doubly true about the rag writers of today. Every gun they "test" is the best gun ever.
In Handguns they rarely proofread the stories and there are usually at least three mistakes on every page. It is embarrassing to read such a poor effort! At least Jack was a good read and spelled everything right.
however, re: Jack O'Connor; I read somewhere recently that brother Jack did most of his shooting over the keyboard of his Remington-Rand. I hope isn't so! I loved to read his rants about the 270!
If it's true about Jack, it's doubly true about the rag writers of today. Every gun they "test" is the best gun ever.
In Handguns they rarely proofread the stories and there are usually at least three mistakes on every page. It is embarrassing to read such a poor effort! At least Jack was a good read and spelled everything right.
Don't know if I can help or not but my long time shootin' buddy "just had to have an AR"! Well, he got one and it was a Colt H-Bar (used, I'm not sure if pre-ban or not). I've got a video tape of us shootin' at a large propane cannister at about 110 yards. We shot rapid fire, me with my Mini-14 and him with his Colt. No contest, he won, end of story. That Colt is one accurate son-of-a-gun. I was impressed. I guess the Bushmaster's are a good value. Sorry, that's all I know. Best Regards, J. Parker
9mmepiphany
New member
jdams951 - the ZM with the 16" barrel, no forward grip and folding (rather than adjustable) stock look much nicer, sorta like a sleeker Galil(sp). the big think about the zm is the operating rod and recoil spring above the foreend, that allowed the deletion of the buffer/recoil assembly behind the action which made the folding stock work (like fn fnc) it also made for a cleaner action.
uhave2 - i tried the bushie 1st and went with the armalite instead, i found it more accurate. a bit more $ than the bushie a bit less than the colt. customer service was very helpful.
uhave2 - i tried the bushie 1st and went with the armalite instead, i found it more accurate. a bit more $ than the bushie a bit less than the colt. customer service was very helpful.
Payette Jack
New member
Forget Colt
Who wants to mess with different pins and crap?
If there is a "best", it's probably Armalite. My latest catalog has chrome-lined barrels available (its probably 2 yrs old though).
Who wants to mess with different pins and crap?
If there is a "best", it's probably Armalite. My latest catalog has chrome-lined barrels available (its probably 2 yrs old though).
ARs
I got Colts (6700 & 6724) after looking at them all. I was going to go Armalite but then I found out through a discussion group that they actually manufacture very little of what goes into their guns - just assemble parts from other manufacturers.
Yes, I could have gotten Bushmasters cheaper through my bud but I didn't care for their fit, finsih and varying color.
I got Colts (6700 & 6724) after looking at them all. I was going to go Armalite but then I found out through a discussion group that they actually manufacture very little of what goes into their guns - just assemble parts from other manufacturers.
Yes, I could have gotten Bushmasters cheaper through my bud but I didn't care for their fit, finsih and varying color.
Here's my vote!
You can read about my opinion at this url:
http://www.epinions.com/content_6777704068
Let me know what ya think!
You can read about my opinion at this url:
http://www.epinions.com/content_6777704068
Let me know what ya think!
mcshot,
My Bushmaster is slightly purple when coated with CLP and in the right light. My friends Colt (with detachable carry handle) has a very purple lower in any light, and its carry handle is also purple. Fit and finish are the same. They shoot the same, as far as we can tell (we shoot High Power and local Palma matches, never off the bench). We got our rifles within a month of each other. The only differences (that I can see) are: 1) cost (Bushy is cheeper), 2) color (Colt is more purple), and 3) pin size (Bushy is mil spec pin size, Colt isn't). My opinion: why spend more for a funny pin size?
I was of the impression Armalite made their own parts. I don't care for the muzzle brake Armalite puts on its "standard" models. Their "target" models have non-lined bores, which no doubt helps accuracy relative to the Bushmaster V-match line, which uses chrome-lined bores. The only non-lined Bushy is the DCM.
BigG,
SP-1s are not winning Highpower competitions. Not unless they are rebuilt with heavy fast twist stainless or chrome moly barrels (with a name like Kreiger on them), and properly free-floated. Oh, and with fully adjustable rear sights, with 1/2 moa or 1/4 moa adjustments. I suppose a good rifleman could win a local reduced (100 or 200 yard) match with a stock SP-1.
My Bushmaster is slightly purple when coated with CLP and in the right light. My friends Colt (with detachable carry handle) has a very purple lower in any light, and its carry handle is also purple. Fit and finish are the same. They shoot the same, as far as we can tell (we shoot High Power and local Palma matches, never off the bench). We got our rifles within a month of each other. The only differences (that I can see) are: 1) cost (Bushy is cheeper), 2) color (Colt is more purple), and 3) pin size (Bushy is mil spec pin size, Colt isn't). My opinion: why spend more for a funny pin size?
I was of the impression Armalite made their own parts. I don't care for the muzzle brake Armalite puts on its "standard" models. Their "target" models have non-lined bores, which no doubt helps accuracy relative to the Bushmaster V-match line, which uses chrome-lined bores. The only non-lined Bushy is the DCM.
BigG,
SP-1s are not winning Highpower competitions. Not unless they are rebuilt with heavy fast twist stainless or chrome moly barrels (with a name like Kreiger on them), and properly free-floated. Oh, and with fully adjustable rear sights, with 1/2 moa or 1/4 moa adjustments. I suppose a good rifleman could win a local reduced (100 or 200 yard) match with a stock SP-1.
Payette Jack
New member
The dirty little secret of the AR world is
That most manufacturers buy their small parts from the subcontractors that supply FN. This includes bolts, bolt carriers, springs, pins etc.
That most manufacturers buy their small parts from the subcontractors that supply FN. This includes bolts, bolt carriers, springs, pins etc.