Looking at an AR-15

[SnakeDoctor]

I am looking for an Ar-15 and have been looking at the different manufacturs ie Bushmaster, RRA, Colt, DPMS, etc. I'm not sure if one company is any better than the other. I'm looking for feedback and opinions on the rifles put out by these companies. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[David Hineline]

I would buy in order of Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, DPMS, Colt.

It's going to not matter for a while as all the guns have been bought that are currently produced. Expect 3 month delay on new orders.

[junior300]

I would buy in order of Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, DPMS, Colt.


Wow, that's the most ridiculous ordering of AR15's I have seen in a while. Colt is head and shoulders above the others.

If you want a real, informed ranking, try this: Colt, Noveske, LMT, BCM, CMMG - I wouldn't even put Bushmaster and DPMS in a ranking, unless it was for worst quality for the money.

[Woofdog]

Better hurry. After a few months of Obama and a Democrat Congress, there won't be any more.

[Sharpe103]

After researching, I selected a Colt 6920. It will be my first AR. Should get here before Christmas.

[David Hineline]

Wow, that's the most ridiculous ordering of AR15's I have seen in a while. Colt is head and shoulders above the others.

If you want a real, informed ranking, try this: Colt, Noveske, LMT, BCM, CMMG - I wouldn't even put Bushmaster and DPMS in a ranking, unless it was for worst quality for the money.

First off I ranked in order the ones the original poster mentioned.

Reason I put Colt last, Thier older guns used a non std. receiver pivot pin.
Then they removed the bayonet lug before law required them to do so,
Then the sear blocked the receivers and went with non std fire control pins which they still use even on LE dept rifles.

So Colt is still last on any list I provide.

[beavo451]

First off I ranked in order the ones the original poster mentioned.

Reason I put Colt last, Thier older guns used a non std. receiver pivot pin.
Then they removed the bayonet lug before law required them to do so,
Then the sear blocked the receivers and went with non std fire control pins which they still use even on LE dept rifles.

So Colt is still last on any list I provide.

All new Colt guns have standard pivot and takedown pins. The only thing non-standard on a 6920 are large FCG pins and sear-block web. Hammers, triggers, and FCG pins rearely break. If they do, you can find replacements just as easily as .154 pins. Sear-block? How many patrol officers have drop-in auto sears? For those that do, how many departments allow a personally-owned full-auto gun?

If it is for private use and you specifically intend on using that rifle for a RDIAS, then by all means buy another brand. Otherwise, if you can afford a RDIAS, then you can afford another lower.

[Sharpe103]

What is a sear-block web? What does this mean to an owner?

[jwise]

Nothing, unless you plan on spending $10-15k to convert it to a full-auto machinegun.

[Sharpe103]

I see. Thanks again, jwise!

[David Hineline]

What it means is Colt will sell out the civilian market being more PC than required by any law any time they think it will help thier sales with Uncle Sugar.

Also of all the AR and Clone manuf. Colt is the only one that routinely goes bankrupt and gets sold.

[Monkeybomb]

Wow, that's the most ridiculous ordering of AR15's I have seen in a while. Colt is head and shoulders above the others.

If you want a real, informed ranking, try this: Colt, Noveske, LMT, BCM, CMMG - I wouldn't even put Bushmaster and DPMS in a ranking, unless it was for worst quality for the money.

You do realize Bushmaster makes alot of the M-4's for the military. I have a Colt and a Bushy. the Bushy is the one that comes out of the safe the most to shoot. The Colt is ok but the bushmaster shoots as well and has a far better trigger. Colt is not near the top of the list............

[jwise]

Politically, I hate Colt for what they did to their "civilian" rifles. I also hate H&K for lack of parts support and civilian restrictions, Ruger for siding with the gun-grabbers, S&W for caving in with the libs, etc... Before long, I won't be able to buy from ANYBODY!?


However, I own a Colt Python, a Ruger Vaquero, a S&W 386NG, and an H&K P7M8. I guess I don't hate them THAT much... ;)

[jwise]

You do realize Bushmaster makes alot of the M-4's for the military.

<SNIP>

Colt is not near the top of the list............

Um.... This statement is utterly false. Bushmaster rifles have been procured for contractors, but Colt owns the "M4" designation, and every M4 issued to our troops is made by Colt.

If my information is old, and you have the "new" information, feel free to attempt to prove your statement with any evidence you might have. Until I am shown otherwise, I stand by my earlier comment: "this statement is utterly false."

[Monkeybomb]

http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_military_index.asp

http://www.bushmaster.com/community-military-index.asp

I'm told it was subcontracted from Colt. Doesn't sound right considering the lawsuit and appeal.

The US Military is using some Bushmasters as well as contractors.

http://www.cybershooters.org/dgca/bushmaster_m4.htm

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_/ai_n16741495

Colt lost the lawsuit about the m-4 designation

Here is the appeals ruling

http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/06-1696-01A.pdf

The M-4 has/had been exclusive for colt. I may have mispoken as Bushmaster may have only had the contract for 20 and 11.5 inch barrell models. there was a 4 or 5 million dollar contract awared to Bushmaster from the Army in december of 2007.

The one article mentions the M-4 during desert shield and desert storm. I don't think this is possible since If memeory serves me the M-4 was not put into regular service until around 1997

And I stand by the statement Colt is not at the top of the list.................

[SnakeDoctor]

Thanks to all for the info regarding an AR15.

[ManInTan]

Quick looking and Buy... OBAMA won, the clock is ticking!

I have had a DPMS for a long time and love it!

[XD_Shooter]

I just picked up a Bushmaster M4A2 today, love it so far.... I Shoulda ordered some bulk ammunition last week though... now its $5 or so higher than before.... thats if you can find it online.... Guess im back to the store...

[COBRA90GT]

...Anyone know why the Noveske website states they are not taking orders for rifles right now?...


Demand, most likely. Give them a call to find out... :D

[fdkay]

Um.... This statement is utterly false. Bushmaster rifles have been procured for contractors, but Colt owns the "M4" designation, and every M4 issued to our troops is made by Colt.

If my information is old, and you have the "new" information, feel free to attempt to prove your statement with any evidence you might have. Until I am shown otherwise, I stand by my earlier comment: "this statement is utterly false."

I believe that Colt lost the M4 lawsuit.
It was originally a military designation, other companies are marketing "M4's" now.
Also, at one time, Colt lost the contract to make M-16 rifles for the military.

I'll put my Smith up against any Colt any day.

I've seen bushy's used very heavily with nary a malfunction or breakage.

To each his own, if you want a Colt, by golly buy one, they make a very fine rifle, but I don't think it is any better than many of the other ones available.

Of course I'm not counting Oly and company.

[Long Gun]

I don't think AR15 snobbery has its place. Remington owns Bushmaster and therefore DPMS, and with all the tech they inherited now market a hunting AR with their own name (Remington) on it. I don't like Oly either, but to each their own. I snicker when I see disparaging remarks about Bushy or DPMS. "Who cares if it's mil-spec or not, it isn't my fave brand so it sucks..."

I guess other 1911's suck if they aren't Colts with lots of 'smithing done to them for accuracy and reliability. Maybe I shouldn't have bought that Springfield WWII El Cheapo? I should have saved up and bought a Colt.

[Mstangfk]

the US Army at least has several Bushmasters in 7.62...SDM weapons in some Combat Units.

[junior300]

I don't think AR15 snobbery has its place. Remington owns Bushmaster and therefore DPMS, and with all the tech they inherited now market a hunting AR with their own name (Remington) on it. I don't like Oly either, but to each their own. I snicker when I see disparaging remarks about Bushy or DPMS. "Who cares if it's mil-spec or not, it isn't my fave brand so it sucks..."

I guess other 1911's suck if they aren't Colts with lots of 'smithing done to them for accuracy and reliability. Maybe I shouldn't have bought that Springfield WWII El Cheapo? I should have saved up and bought a Colt.

Well, DPMS and Oly DO suck, so it's not really snobbery, but more common sense. What companies do you continually hear the most complaints about? DPMS and Oly. It really kills me that people spend $800 on a DPMS or an Oly, when if they'd done a little research, they could have had a better rifle for the same $$$ or a little more.

That said, Bushmaster is not quite in the same league as Oly or DPMS, but for what Bushmaster is pricing their rifles at lately, there are many other brands that I would recommend first.

As far as your 1911 goes, I don't know if you shouldn't have bought it. Does it suck? If it does, then I probably would have bought the Colt instead. The $200-$300 difference between a WWII re-issue Springfield and a standard Colt is there, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. The Colt uses 3 MIM parts, whereas the Springfield has many. The Colt's frame is made in the USA, the Springfield's in Brazil. The Colt's ejector is pinned in and the Springfield's is glued in. The Colt does not have a stupid mainspring safety and the Springfield does.

[Woofdog]

And here I've been using my DPMS lower for years and never knew it sucked ...

[junior300]

And here I've been using my DPMS lower for years and never knew it sucked ...

The devil is in the uppers. DPMS doesn't make their own lowers anyway.

[toasterlocker]

The devil is in the uppers. DPMS doesn't make their own lowers anyway.

Beat me to it. I just asked about this in the big AR thread.

[Woofdog]

So what is the complaint about DPMS? I'm happy with my lower and it works well. What's the deal on the DPMS upper and why do you think it sucks?