Which AR-15 Would YOU suggest...

R

ReserveCop

New member
I am looking to perhaps buy my first AR-15 type tactical rifle.

I want to buy a NEW basic model.

Which one (i.e. brand and model)would you suggest and what would be a good price for it?

Thanks for your opinions.
 
Will Your Chief Give you a Letterhead?

If you can get a letterhead and the weapon is for duty use, I'd recommend the Colt R6920 Law Enforcement Carbine. It's as close to an M4 carbine as you can get without going to a title II firearm. About $875 should buy you one.

If it's not for duty use, but personal I'd suggest a Colt SP1. Basic 20" rifle. Good ones are available used for around $1200.00. This is about the cheapest quality preban you can get.

If your budget limits you to a new postban weapon, Bushmasters are going for $700-800.

Your post says you're looking for a "tactical" rifle. This means many things to different people. Are you looking to compete in three gun combat matches, carry it on patrol, home defense, CQB? All of these applications can be done well with about any AR varient, but if you're looking to get it in and out of a squad car or for CQB use, you might be better served with a 16" barrel and collapsible stock then you would with a 20" barrel A2 stock model.

So give us some more info on the uses you envision and we can help you more.

Jeff
 
ReserveCop,

The answer depends on your tactical application - sniper/observer, primary duty rifle, SWAT/SRT/CQB, etc.

For a sniper/observer (other than .308) I would personally go with a 24" bull barreled rifle (DPMS or Bushy), 1/8 twist with shaved or rail type gas block, free floated, pure flattop or raised rail, scoped 10X with mil dots, equipped with bi-pod, Jewell two stage trigger and aftermarket pistolgrip that repositions the hand farther to the rear. This setup will run $800-900 for the rifle and another $300-500 for the scope and $200 for the trigger if needed.

For a primary duty rifle I would go with a straight A2 rifle from Colt or Bushmaster with a 20" barrel in 1/9 twist. Ought to be able to get one for $750-900 (post-ban) depending on brand.

For a CQB gun I would go with a Flattop 16" HBAR with shorty handguards (Colt or Bushy). I would add an optical sight with iron backup, a light and a tactical sling. If it was a pre-ban I would also get a 4 position collapsable buttstock. Basic post-ban gun will be $750-850 plus $250 or so for the optical sight, $25 for the sling, $150-250 and up for the light. (I have a nearly new post ban of this type for sale because I recently obtained a pre-ban that replaces it - e-mail me if you are interested.)

These are my actual choices for the applications listed - your results may vary.

Mikey
 
I'd stay away from Colt for a parts compatibility reason. The DPMS is what I'd consider the best value. Armalite, Bushmaster, Rock River, and Olympic all sell good, quality weapons and have good customer service. Of those, I'd jump on Armalite. Since I'm cheap, I usually buy DPMS though. There are MANY choices. I think I covered most bases below:

http://www.gunkits.com/
http://www.armalite.com/
http://www.bushmaster.com/
http://www.dalphon.com/
http://www.dpmsinc.com/
http://www.knightsarmament.com/
http://www.m-aparts.com/
http://www.model1sales.com/
http://www.olyarms.com/
http://www.carbon-15.com/
http://www.rockriverarms.com/
http://www.zmweapons.com/
http://www.hessearms.com/
 
I'd stay away from Hesse Arms and ASA. If I didn't go with Colt, then Bushmaster, Oly or DPMS have all done well. BTW, a lot of these companies subcontract with one another. When Oly had a fire, a lot of others willingly sold them parts to get started again. Ask member artech about how these companies, while independent, work with one another.
 
The safest answer to this that I've heard (and agree with) is "A,B,C,D" Meaning stick with Amralite, Bushmaster, Colt, and DPMS for the best quality. Many folks add Olympic to the list. Stick with them and you'll get a quality gun at lower rates (compared to the custom shops) and factory warranties.
 
Have you thought about...

...building your own?

If you're handy with basic tools, a kit from a well-known retailer such as http://www.jtdistributing.com will give you all the parts you need to screw one together...less the stripped lower receiver, of course. I'd buy an Oly, Bushmaster, PWA [now sold as Rock River Arms], DPMS or something similar.

If you buy a new, assembled rifle, I'd avoid Colt...their quality control is awfully spotty these days.
 
I don't know if you are getting an LEOnly gun or a postban, but I would reccommend a Bushmaster flattop carbine with a fluted heavy barrel.
 
my use, at this time is...

Right now we can only carry a 870 on duty, so my AR-15 would be for personal use only.

However, in case this policy changes in the future, I would like to get an AR-15 that I could perhaps qualify on in the future.

Right now it would be used for HD, etc.

Thanks for your opinions.

P.S. I would like a NEW post-ban AR-15 type for under $1000.
 
You should be able to buy a post ban from any of the major manufacturers for under $1000. For Home Defense I'd recommend a 16" barrel, flattop upper with reflex type sight and a light.

You should be able to bring this combination in for just under $1000. If you want to budget it out, you could build your own. It isn't all that hard. However you do get a warranty if you buy a factory built rifle.

I've seen Bushmaster post ban carbines for $650 around here. You can get an inexpensive red dot sight ADCO, Tasco and a light TACM for the other $350 you have left. Not the most high speed low drag stuff but it works.

HTH

Jeff
 
Forgive me for jumping in on your thread but I, too, am considering an AR-15 purchase and have been wondering about the comparative advantages/disadvantages of the following options:

1) flat top or carry handle?
2) muzzle brake?
3) floating barrel?
4) barrel length (does it go beyond long=accurate, short=more maneuverable?)

Thanks in advance...
 
"1) flat top or carry handle? "

I would go with flattop. Red dot sights like the Aimpoint CompM are VERY instinctive and easy to use and use accurately and quickly, and you're better off mounting them on a flattop.

"2) muzzle brake?"

Might as well, but be forewarned it makes the gun DAMNED loud.

"3) floating barrel? "

No, not really necessary for anything but competition or very long range varmint hunting.


"4) barrel length (does it go beyond long=accurate, short=more maneuverable?)"

I think 16 inches is about perfect for a 223. You don't lose that much from 20-16 inches and it adds a lot of maneuverability and handiness.
 
Get an A3 version, and then you have a flattop / carry handle combo - very versatile. Little price difference from the A2, as I recall.

The only reason I've seen argued for a muzzle break is looks ... those who own them have generally reported they are indeed loud as all get out, and the .223 round seems to offer little use for a break. I've never understood buying a fireman mainly for looks, but I realize some folks do. [Makes me think of someone choosing a specific hammer, because they like the orange handle ... ;) ]

Regards from AZ
 
Hey Jeff I agree comepletely on the function over form argument on the breaks. But AR's just look kind of silly to me with that long skinny barrel sticking out there with nothing on it. A friend who builds AR's makes a type of short barrel shroud(SP?) that makes them look a lot better and does'nt increase noise as it stops right at the crown I'm sure some after market companies do the same thing.

When I asked the function of it he went on and on about the increased controlibility due to the weight, and barrel cooling then when he saw I wasn't buying it he said "OK it makes the gun look like it wasn't neutered by Clinton before it left the factory".

Yeah it kind of like the hammer thing, but would you really enjoy using a pink handled hammer with hearts all over it in front of the guys when for 5 bucks you could put a nice black handle on it.

Just a thought, Blue Duck
 
Here's a couple more things to think about. I should say, here's a couple things that I wish I had been told about before I bought mine.

1- If you get the A3 (removable carry handle,) you can't mount a red dot sight on the flat top w/out the front sight blocking your view. The scope will work because it focuses "through" the front sight, but the red dot variety don't magnify.

2- If you get a compensator, that precludes swapping out the forearm. I bought a Hogue floating forearm, but found out afterwards that it can't be attached unless you cut the front sight off. (You're supposed to slide the front sight off the front of the barrel, but the compensator blocks it's movement.)

If I could do it over, I'd buy the flat top version and add on the flip up (detachable) iron sights and the low-mounted red-dot sight.

This is JMHO.

J. Wise
 
I own Colt, Bushmaster and Armalite

Go with Bushmaster

Bushmaster is a mil-spec semi AR-15. OK, a quasi-oxymoron here. But fire control holes and receiver holes are mil-spec which means parts are aplenty. And no save-me-from-myself stupid sear block.

As to configuration think:

- 16" barrel. You don't need any longer and its handy.
- Fixed stock. For butt-stroking innocent suspects.
- Flattop. Optics flexibility and can have carry handle too.
- Think C-more tactical sight on the flattop. SWEET!!
- Wilderness/Giles tactical sling
 
If you can get department letter head i'd go with a Colt M4 (semi auto) copy as well. (I passed on a Pre ban Colt Car-15 years ago and I've been kicking myself ever since.) thats if you like the 'shorty version' that should run around $800

If you can't , Bushmaster seems to have the best price on Full sized post ban rifles (20 inch hbar, removeble carry handle etc). runs around $750-800

Good luck.
 
"1- If you get the A3 (removable carry handle,) you can't mount a red dot sight on the flat top w/out the front sight blocking your view. The scope will work because it focuses "through" the front sight, but the red dot variety don't magnify."

It's very simple to buy a riser to mount the red dot sight high enough to clear the front sight.
 
Something to think about,

Your Dept. may ONLY allow COLT AR-15s (mine does).
Your Dept. may frown on any "modifications" other than a scope/red dot sight.

IMHO, buy the COLT.......

As for LEO guns, BEWARE, once you leave law enforcement, you may have to rid your self of that evil Assault Weapon. Don't blame me, but there are laws about civilian (retired Police included) that prohibit possession/ownership of assault weapons that are LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY. There is a way that might be tried to get around the law (but I won't get into that).
 
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