Which AR-15 ?

Posted by Door Kicker:
We all know that the original AR15 was developed and built by Armalite. So Colt makes a clone of that rifle.



.....and quality/reliability fits into this, how?
 
Doorkicker

if you study a little you will find that Colt bought all the rights to the AR15 in 1959 and the only true AR15 is the Colt. Armalite division of Fairchild has no relation to the Armalite that is selling AR15 clones now.
 
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. I don't shoot it much, but I keep it clean and have had no problems or malfuctions. Very accurate. It is less expensive than a basic model from any of the known manufacturers. Cost can go up quickly when you start tacking on accessories and specialized parts.

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

Con: No customer service on complete gun, poor resale value. Neither is an issue with me.
 
BUSHMASTER.

I haven't fired an Armalite but the two Bushmasters that I own (a DCM, and a carbine) are 100% reliable. You can't go wrong going Bushmaster.
 
I of course am biased...but here is my vote

ZM Weapons LR-300

SBR version with 11.5 inch barrel sub MOA 5 shot group at 100yds with GI green tips.

Full auto version 950rpm...200 rounds more per minute than an M-4 or M16.

Bushmaster is also a great weapon as are others. Bottom line is if you are happy...thats all that matters

View


View


[Edited by Bear_Hunter on 02-04-2001 at 05:13 AM]
 
ARs

I looked at many after swearing off and at the gun for over 30 years. I went with Colts and am very pleased.
I was interested in Armalite until I found out they actually do very little if any manufacturing of parts just assembly.
Mac
 
M1911, go to:http://www.armalite.com/
as see for yourself: its NM AR-15AR barrel is made out of stainless steel. Armalite does have a chrome moly for the AR-10 in .243, however.

Fired 2 rifles over the weekend:

AR-10 in .308 and
AR-15 BM/CLE in .223.

Both operated flawlessly.

Get either a BM or an Armalite and you will never be sorry.

Get a Colt and you probably will.

Albin
 
git a Colt, i have a Colt Match Target HBAR and love it, 600-rounds in it and it's been 100% reliable.
 
Where to find a GREAT Deal?

Where is one going to get the best deal on an AR (Armalite or BM seem the consensus)?

I would want a rifle adequate enough to compete in regular high power matches -I'm no champ- but don't want to become poor from the purchase. Other things- what twist ratio? what kind of barrel?
 
I have owned (and fired) rifles from all three of the mentioned companies and it really doesn't matter. All three of the them, Bushmaster, Armalite, and Colt put out good rifles and occasionally some of them have problems. I would get a pre-ban right now, but that is just my decision. Could be the best deal going is getting a Bushmaster from Keslers (sp?). They are at about $600. My dealer would transfer in for $15. It is hard to beat that deal. Really though, none of those three manufacturers have consistent quality problems. Oh yeah, Armalite has a lifetime warranty. Myself, I don't want to use a warranty, but I guess it is nice to have.
 
Yeah, but Bushy quality has been slipping. I also prefer the Armalite because the quality of assembly is better. And it isn't PURPLE....
 
I truly like Bushmaster - Although I have no experience with Armalite, I handled more than my share of Colt and FN in the Army as an armorer. Don't want to start a flame, but as someone posted earlier, I too feel Colt is overrated.
My BMs have yet to disappoint me in any way. Nice fit and finish, plenty accurate with cheap reloads and Milsurp ammo. Now if I could make up my mind on a preban.... Gunhound
 
Depends on what you use it for

Any AR from the big 4 (Bushy, ArmaLite/Eagle, colt or Oly) will be just fine for general purpose use.

For a DCM gun, I would have to give the edge to ArmaLite. Out of the box, the ArmaLite trigger is better than the Bushmaster, but a Jewell is the best trigger to install.

The ArmaLite comes with a nice Wilson stainless steel barrel that is very accurate, though not as long lived as a Krieger.

Also, Bushmaster glues the front site base to the barrel, whereas ArmaLite has started to use an adjustable front sight base. This adjustment allows you to adjust the zero windage by rotating the front sight base, much as you get the initial elevation zero by moving the front sight post up or down.

My ArmaLite NM AR that I bought new in 1998 required 1 minute of left windage to get a zero on a calm day. Now that's not much, but if you require 2 or 3 minutes of windage to zero, you may run out of windage on a windy day at 600 yards. The rifle shot 3/4 moa and was a contender until about 2500 rounds, when the barrel throat ran away on me and I could not seat 80 gr bullets out far enough. Still shot like a demon with mag length (2.250" OAL) ammo, though.

CLE makes their outstanding uppers with 4 allen screws (two on each side) retaining the front sight base, which means you loosen the screws on one side, tighten them on the other to move the base to get your zero, tighten them all then forget about it.

So, here are my preferences:

1)CLE upper w/ Krieger barrel, on anybody's lower, with a Jewell trigger (about $1700).

2) ArmaLite NM, box stock, about $1300, be prepared for a back order

3) Bushmaster DCM
 
Armalite. My M15A4 flattop carbine has 1000 rounds without a FTF, FTE, or FTF. Great right out of the box. Factory says 2" groups. I can get sub-1.5" with Black Hills 52gr. BTHP Match, American Eagle 55gr., and Winchester White Box Q3131A. IMI Israeli 62gr. is as good WHEN you can get it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top