Help in selecting an AR-15

[Hawk]

I decided to change my approach in asking you all for help in purchasing an AR-15.

My first question is, what manufacturers should I be looking at? Colt, Bushmaster, Olympic Arms, others? Which ones give you the best "bang for the buck"?

[traks44]

There are so many variations you need to know if you want a flat-top model, handel etc.

What is your intented purpose and if you want to mount a scope or not?

[baltz526]

from the blue book: colt (mt6700) msr $1315.00 (mt6731) msr $1290.00 do you have a manufacturer name. lots of ar type rifles out there

[baltz526]

eagle arms msr for model (ea-15 e-1) $795.00

[traks44]

Oh, I didnt see the second part of the post.


I have a Bushmaster V-match flat-top with the 24 inch barrel option. I use it for plinking and varmit hunting and felt it was a good compromise for right around $1000. Its topped with a leupold 3x9x40mm and I swapped the factory grip for a Houge rubber grip(I plan on either a collapsable buttstock or .243 WSM upper in the future). That the beauty of these rifles there are hundreds of modifitcations at relativly low prices.

IMO, if you wonna put a scope in it the flatop is the only way to go. You can mount scopes on the handles but I have never been fond of them personally. Most people dont like a 24 inch barrel but because I dont plan on breaking and entering anytime soon I wanted a 24, Still a nice compact package IMO. Companies such as Rock river, Bushmaster, colt, armalite, olympic, and a few others all make a good rifle.

[Shark Bait]

Colt, Bushmaster, Olympic Arms, others?

Have you thought about building your own? Then you can tailor it to your exact wants/needs.

[Hawk]

How would I go about doing that?

Which manufacturer's parts do you guys recommend?

[OregonHuntress]

My husband just loves his DPMS. They are not very well known here in Oregon but are quite popular in Texas and the rest of the midwest I have a friend that owns three of them. They are made to quite high tollerances and aren't all that expensive for what they are. Hubby bought the .308 and my friends are .223.

Happy Shopping. I have shot the .308 and was doing pretty well. My husband got the collapsable stock as well as the flash supressor added to the base model .308win.

[Fish'n'Chips]

At the gun show at the expo center, a couple of guys that work for olympic arms have a booth ( J and S ) and they sell complete kits for around $460 and if you take them a stripped lower which you can also buy at the show for around $115 they will assemble the complete gun for you and you walk out with 1 for just under $600. If you buy an olympic arms lower you end up with a complete oly ar-15 for exactly $585 including the $10 background check. If price is an option this is by far the best way to go for the price, you can buy the parts off the internet for the same price and you can have the pleasure of putting it together, It's up to you.

[Beeatease]

I have a 24" DPMS.......

Which would now be called PANTHER™ BULL 24 SPECIAL
(RFA2-24SP)

It's a tack driver.......

[PullShootExplode]

After looking and researching this very item I have decided on the Rock River. There is a place in Bend that will order to your specs and he has some on his shelf. Leaning towards the car ute 2 with a surefire suppressor. At any rate should be fun.

[goforchrome]

Second for Rock River.
I shopped the ABC's hard.
I have a buddy with a DPMS upper and he had jamming due to problems with the gas tube.
Need a hammer to fix (!)
Not sure if the problem was his doing or the manufacturer.
Rock River will get my money when it comes time for a custom 1911.
They are the quiet high-end AR manufacturer.
BTW, spend some time holding the model you decide on.
I ordered 18" bull barrel and it is totally nose-heavy.
A member here recomm having it fluted to save weight.
If I was doing it again, I would go with Hbar, not bull.
Compare the RockRiver two-stage match trigger to the Bushmaster Varminter.
Big difference.

[ogrejager]

How difficult is the building process if a guy were to decide to build his own?

[Beeatease]

As long as you can follow directions it shouldn't be that hard to do.

I was told if one was to do that, get the Manual and follow that......

[Opportunist]

My hunting partners Les Baer is incredibly accurate. They are spendy $2,000+. Awesome combo gun prairiedogs/predator/tweekers. Justification to my wife would be its's 3 guns in 1! Let me know Hawk if that works so I can try it on my wife.

[traks44]

My hunting partners Les Baer is incredibly accurate. They are spendy $2,000+. Awesome combo gun prairiedogs/predator/tweekers. Justification to my wife would be its's 3 guns in 1! Let me know Hawk if that works so I can try it on my wife.

:shocked:your hunting partner is Les Baer :shocked:

[Shark Bait]

How difficult is the building process if a guy were to decide to build his own?

With the proper tools it is pretty easy to build your own upper and lower. In fact most everyone I know who has built their own end up building several so the initial investment in tools works itself out. It gets too easy to say “Oh now I want an ultralight weight .223” or “Maybe I want to recreate an old school version of the AR-15.” If you buy a complete upper and decide to assemble your own lower you can get away with about a $10.00 investment in tools and an hour of your time.

This approach lets you choose the exact components you want from the beginning rather that replacing generic factory parts later. The varmint configuration that I want to build would cost me somewhere north of $2000.00 if I buy it ready to roll and that is all at once. By the time I get done, I will be into it about $1100.00 (less if I would quit missing the barrel I want when it is on sale) and it will be spread out over a year. On my other builds I have saved anywhere from $100.00 to about $350.00.

Plus I get the satisfaction of doing it myself.

[Opportunist]

Traks 44, My hunting partner owns a Les Baer ar-15! It would be awesome if he was Les Baer, then it might be cheaper for me to own one of his rifles!

[sunshinefisherman]

I have an Olympic arms with a 12.5" barrel with a permanently attached flash hider to make it a legal gun.
I love the gun but was dissapointed to find that I could not change the front grip style due to the welded-on hider

If I had to do it again, I would get a Bushmaster with a telescoping stock, forward assist, standard handle and a standard flash hider.

Why Bushmaster? because the snake logo is cool, the name (it's a bushwacker) and the quality is higher than the Olympic and on a par with Colt.

You should consider what is important to you and are you willing to pay for it? If, like me, you are going to blow 1000 rounds in an afternoon in the gravel pit, a lesser model will do. If you are going to shoot Yotes at 300 yards, different story.

[fool phishn]

DPMS-LOWPRO CLASSIC 16" with a JP adjustable trigger what a nail pounder for under $700 plus the scope can't go wrong .

[bassbum]

ROCK RIVER, the 18 inch varmint eop is the only way to go.SS free floating bull barrel, NM 2 stage trigger, hogue pistol grip, deadly accurate. if i do my part, you can cover 5 shots with a dime

[Hawk]

With the proper tools it is pretty easy to build your own upper and lower.

What kind of tools will I need to build one?

[scottishsetter]

DT Distributing.... Parts kit(It ain't hard to make it TOGETHER) Bushmaster rec'vr. DONE. Just do it.

[Shark Bait]

I think that the easiest way to see what building your own entails is to read this thread here:

AR Building

[scottishsetter]

My bbl was installed as it came from JT Dist. I did install the Jewell trigger;sweet.
Start with a top of the line recv'r.ie. Bushie.

[Dan in Alaska]

I have owned two different AR-15's, both were DPMS. One was a 20" flat top, and the other was a Panther Bull 24" Special. I never had a problem with either one of them, but they weren't configured exactly the way I wanted them. I bought them both, because they were very good deals. When I did finally sell the rifles, friends bought them from me, and they continue to enjoy them. I wouldn't hesitate to own a DPMS again. Not at all.

However, bassbum, you have got the one I want. I plan for my next AR to be a Rock River 18" Varmit EOP.

[goforchrome]

ROCK RIVER, the 18 inch varmint eop is the only way to go.SS free floating bull barrel, NM 2 stage trigger, hogue pistol grip, deadly accurate. if i do my part, you can cover 5 shots with a dime

This is the exact gun I bought.
Scary accurate with BlackHills factory ammo.
Never seen what handloads will do.
Make sure you handle one before you buy or you might find it nose-heavy for everything except bi-pod or benchrest.
If you want, I might offer mine for sale.

[bassbum]

ya its not a pack around gun,but if you want to call in a yote, wack a couple of hundred squirrels in e.oregon,or just punching holes in targets,its the only way to go!!

[Chesapeake]

Keep in mind what chamber you want for your AR, 223 or 5.56. They are different.

DPMS uses a 5.56 chamber but marks the barrel .223

Rock River uses a modified chamber that is between the two.

Most others use 5.56 except on thier target barrels, markings vary or are not marked at all.

If you plan on shooting milsurp or bulk get a 5.56. If you want absolute accuracy get a .223 and use .223 ammo.

[Fish_N_Russ]

I have had ARs for many years and built many as well. Olympic makes a good gun for the $, as does DPMS. But the only 2 makers that the military had contracts with for M16s were Colt and Bushmaster......so that should tell you something. Rock Rivers are OK but not built with same tolerances as Colt and BM. If you can get a good deal on a quality lower, make sure you get Milspec parts (which some companies DONT use btw). Its quite easy to build one and if you lived closer I could just loan you the tools since I have all of them.

[Hawk]

I'm having trouble sorting out the conflicting reports of whose guns/parts to buy. Can someone help clarify this stuff a bit?

Some folks are saying that the Rock River uppers are good and Bushmaster isn't as good. Others are saying just the opposite. Is there really that big of a difference that I as a rookie shooting cans and yotes will notice? I'm not looking to drive nails at 500 yards, just kind of inflict some damage.

[SR1 5]

You might want to do some research on the Knights Armament SR15 Match rifle that I currently own. My best 3 shot group to date is 3.5 inches at 500yards with Black Hills Match ammo. Check out Impactguns.com Knights SR-15 Match Rifle with 20" barrel and Free Float RAS
Price: $1,799.99
Manufacturer: KNIGHTS MANUF.
Impact Item #: KMC-98070
Out of stock: Email for lead time Accepting orders.


[Add to Cart] [View Cart]


"The .223 version of our world class SR-25 .308 rifle. The heavy barrel offers ""free floating"" target grade precision- and the adaptability of a unique ""free floating"" RAS forend for mounting day/low light shooting accessories.
When the first round must be EXACTLY where you want, if your need for rapid, equal precion follow-up shoots is paramount, consider this rifle your first and best choice.
Also ideal for mounting large objective varmint or target scopes.
20"" Target barrel, free floating. Picatinny rail. 2 stage match trigger. Flat top receiver. Length 38"". Unloaded wt. 7.9 lbs.
"

[dubl_t]

any opinions on Kel-tecs?

[Weatherby]

I have a rare factory Colt carbine in 7.62X 39 made for our special forces. We blast the bad guys,take their ammo and have unlimited supplies laying all around. I love it, much more punch than the .223. I like it as a gun to take on my quad. It has a clip for fast loading, and the punch of a 30-30. You can't bet it for close calling coyotes or a light deer option. I was lucky to buy up 5000 rounds last year as the ammo is going up in price. Still very very cheap to shoot. AR-15's have so many options your unlimited to want you want to style yours after. Enjoy it in America !!

[leftym4]

building one is easy if you have the right tools and someone to show you how to build it or a video or GI manual. but if its your first just buy one complete you will learn as you go they are a grown mans erector set and you can accessorise them like your wife does her wardrobe

but imho
first make sure to get a A3 flat top upper receiver if you like open sights you can get a detachable carry handle or buis. this gives you more options like adding a scope or aimpoint or eotech ect.
if you want to be cool and have something for plinking get a carbine 16" barrel and collapsable stock.
if you want more accuracy go 20"+
if you want even more accuarcy go with a free floated bull barrel.

as far as brands i'm partial to colt they are the original they hold their value and they are just the best and somthing about that name COLT. ****

second would be bushmaster. ***1/2 bushmasters are good but over rated as mentioned cool logo

oly makes good stainless bull barrels but their lower end stuff is well let just say lower end ***

RRA made me made with bad customer service ** thier early lowers were out of spec but they do make a really great 2 stage trigger and their products are resonably priced

Stag really stands behind their products and are inovators with the left handed ar15 ***

dpms although concidered low end by some actully do make a good product and a great value for the price ***

armalite the developers of the ar15 (ar taken from armalite colt bought the trademark Ar15) very good product spendy good if your going for accuracy***1/2

these are just the bigger names there are alot of other brands and custom stuff out there. you can pick up a used colt match target for around $800 and other brands for as low as $500 that are kit rifles or beaters.

i would also just go with the .223 not the 7.62x39 (although a fund round but good mags are hard to find) since thats what they are designed to shoot . also they sell a .22 kit that you can pull the bolt carrier group out and insert the .22 kit and mag and shoot .22 rimfire out of ar15 for plinking lots of cool toys for the ar15

the thing about building one yourself is 1 route is just to save money $400 kit with a $109 receiver.

or the other route to build it exactly as you want it. for example using a dpms left handed flat top receiver matched to a colt M4 barrel 14.5" with permently attached phantom flash hider for legal"16" lenth with RRA 2 stage trigger in a Bushmaster lower with arms 40L low profile buis and arms 19 detachable scope mount with nikon 3x9x40matte scope with option to use aimpoint ML2 also on a arms detachble base and pri flip up front sight with colt side sling swivels with YHM lw free float tactical rail forarm with knights panels detachable laser and flash light and colt 4 position M4 stock smith enterprise chrome carrier ambi selector safty switch and hogue grip trijicon night sights



BUT BEWARE ONCE YOU GET A BLACK RIFLE YOU CAN GET BLACK RIFLE FEVER.

[Hawk]

Great post lefty,

I'm just getting back into the AR buying process; my son wants us to get two of them for Christmas so we can assemble them together.

So, everybody, please keep the suggestions coming!

[cooky]

Colt match target hbar w/ the twenty " barrel. Remove the compensator and put a put a new smith industries vortex flash hider on it. The colts are the best off the shelf AR's imho. All the other ones are made of crap parts to some degree.

[Hawk]

Could someone please clarify for me what the difference is between a pre-ban barrel/upper and a post-ban barrel/upper?

Thanks.

[Shark Bait]

Luckily we don't have to worry about pre and postban in Oregon. Some states still do.

A preban upper would have a bayonet lug on the front sight base and a threaded barrel with a removable flash suppressor.

A postban upper would be missing the bayo lug and have either an unthreaded muzzle or a permanently affixed muzzlebrake (yes there was a difference in the eyes of the law and BATFE).

Build or buy away in this State without having to worry about it.

[Hawk]

Originally Posted by Shark Bait

A preban upper would have a bayonet lug on the front sight base and a threaded barrel with a removable flash suppressor.

A postban upper would be missing the bayo lug and have either an unthreaded muzzle or a permanently affixed muzzlebrake (yes there was a difference in the eyes of the law and BATFE).

Sounds like the pre-ban barrel would give me more options as far as changing flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, etc., correct?

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by Hawk

Sounds like the pre-ban barrel would give me more options as far as changing flash suppressors, muzzle brakes, etc., correct?

Unless I'm wrong, I'm thinking that they should be (at least until the Democrats start messing with the guns laws again ) producing barrels (and entire rifles) in the "Pre-ban" configuration again.

What happened on "the Ban" was that it had an auto expiring Sunset Clause in the law, unless renewed.

Lots of $$$ was made by speculators buying up and hoarding Pre-Ban parts and assemblies as well as the >10 Shot Magazines that were also a part of the "Clinton Assault Rifle Ban".

Hopefully this silliness won't reappear.

[Hawk]

Actually, two questions:

1. So the pre-ban barrels would allow me to change flash suppressors/hider, correct?

2. Is there that much difference between flash suppressors/hiders? Can you actually see a difference between a standard A2 flash suppressor and a Smith Vortex flash hider? What does the darn thing do anyway?

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by Hawk

Actually, two questions:

1. So the pre-ban barrels would allow me to change flash suppressors/hider, correct?

2. Is there that much difference between flash suppressors/hiders? Can you actually see a difference between a standard A2 flash suppressor and a Smith Vortex flash hider? What does the darn thing do anyway?

Well...from what I've seen (somewhere on one of Smith's sites there's a wmv showing an M14 being fired, from the shoulder, on Full-Auto with it remaining straight and level!) the Vortex is actually a Muzzle Brake rather than just a Flash Hider.

As mentioned above seeing an M14 (.308) fired Full Auto and barely moving (this is one reason the M14 wasn't particularly effective in Full Auto mode; 1st round on target, 2nd round FEET over the top and climbing on successive shots!) If the video is accurate, this is truly AMAZING!

The M16A2's "Birdcage" Flash Hider is primarily that, to minimize visible flash, also with a solid bottom section so as not to kick up a dust "signature" when fired close to the ground.

Back to the first question, yes, the "Pre-Ban" configuration is essentially just a threaded muzzle, allowing anything with matching threads to be affixed to the front of the barrel (including "Can" style Silencers).

[Shark Bait]

Originally Posted by Hawk

2. Is there that much difference between flash suppressors/hiders? Can you actually see a difference between a standard A2 flash suppressor and a Smith Vortex flash hider? What does the darn thing do anyway?

I found these in my hard drive, saved from a different site. None of these are a Smith Vortex, but each pic has a standard Vortex in it and you can see the differences between different flash hiders.