OT: Best AR type rifle?

Gun guru · Aug 4, 2008

I purchased an Armalite M-15 rifle in .223 caliber. There are several makes and models of this firearm in the AR style. Most of us here own guns and I would like opinions of who you think makes the best AR rifle. There are several makers of these, Armalite, Smith/Wesson, Barrett, Bushmaster, Rock River Arms, Colt, Panther, Sabre Defence. I have shot the Armalite (mine) and a Smith/Wesson. Pro's and con's of each. Also which was the most accurate.
If you have fired several different versions of AR's then chime in or if you have only fired 1 type. Say if it had a scope or the iron sights.

1936 · Aug 4, 2008

The mithy Matel. Instructed to shoot low for electronic target hits.

dhermesc · Aug 4, 2008

Armalite AR10 in .243, I've had the rifle for 8 years and I just mounted a Tasco World Class scope a year ago. Very little kick and can out perform my ability to stay on target. At 200 yards and a bench rest its all in a 1/2 - 3/4 inch and it would probably do better if I was better.

In 8 years I've probably only put 1000 rounds through it at most - I only recall three miss feeds - and I blame the cheap magazines I have. I bought it because its illegal to use a .223 on deer and it was cheaper (at that particular moment) than a .308.

Mike from cny · Aug 4, 2008

I have 3, a bushmaster XM15 service rifle style with 20" barrel, a RRA lower with a wilson combat free floating grip upper with a 24" stainless bull barrel, scoped and heavy..has bipod. I also have a pre ban carbine built up, forward grip, 16" threaded barrel and socom collapsible stock.

The pre ban is fun, pretty accurate

The bushmaster is a handy all around gun. Very accurate.

The RRa/Wilson Combat combo, So accurate, with a scope, makes you want to use iron sights..lol.

I'd consider selling a tractor to buy an Armalite AR-10T. Want one in the worst way, I have a Springfield M1A though. Love it.

-Mike

GeneMO · Aug 4, 2008

I have a RRA in the Carbine version. I like it cause it is easy to handle. I have quite a bit of feeding problems, but as previous posts mention, I think it is cheap magazines. I think some of the blame is also the bullet type I use.
69 grain boat tail hollowpoints. Extrememly accurate in this gun, but the hollow point seems to dig into the feed ramp area. I also have to keep it pretty clean, I dont think the AR types will ever rival an AK-47 for feeding when immersed in sand, mud, and ran over by a jeep.

I have used it both open sights and scoped. Tend to like open sights, because I bought it to be very portable and to carry everywhere, and the scope kinda defeats this purpose.

Killed quite a few deer with it and about 2000 prarie dogs. But for Central Mo. deer hunting, I still like my Marlin 336 in .35 Remington loaded with a Speer 180 grain flat nose.

Gene

Gun guru · Aug 4, 2008

I didnt know that a .223 was illegal on deer?
Why?

RayP(MI) · Aug 4, 2008

In some states they consider it and it's kin to be too light, and thus prohibit it's use. Son took my .223 out one day, deer died in it's tracks!

wallacedw · Aug 4, 2008

I've only used the Colt (Marines) M16A1 and A2. Sure wish I could get one of THOSE back! I did look at a Century Arms model and it was a COMPLETE piece of crap! I have heard good things about the Bushmaster. Someday I would like an M1A (drooool) but have too many guns as it is... In trying to be a rancher/farmer I have found that I can't blow money on toys like I used to.

Interested in this topic. I have a Mini-14 but do miss the M-16/AR-15. Maybe you could put up a poll also?

Gun guru · Aug 4, 2008

The century arms website says that they are a purchaser of surplus arms around the world. Basically they buy junk from the commies.
I wouldnt buy one.

The only foreign firearms I would buy are the
H-K, and those Italian shotguns that cost an arm and leg. H-K has a real nice website,
Go to Hkpro.com and then click on World of HK. Lots of pictures of awesome hardware, MP-5, HK41, grenade launcher--military use only. Full auto guns...I have to stop and wipe the drool off my chin.

Gun guru · Aug 4, 2008

Just for info if anyone wants to look/drool/dream here are the websites for the gun makers.
Hkpro.com (this website is not from HK directly) This HK site is just incredible.
After getting in go to World of HK.

Armalite.com

Rockriverarms.com

Barrettrifles.com

Sabredefence.com

Pantherarms.com or DPMSINC.com (dont remember which is right)

Bushmasterfirearms.com

Rugerfirearms.com (havent been here in a long time)

Stagarms.com (south paw shooters) Left side ejection porting.

Sigsauer.com

marlinfirearms.com

I like guns as much or more then tractors. A gun collection is cheaper and less maintenance then tractors.

rexhellwig · Aug 4, 2008

The design has been around long enough that the bugs are pretty well worked out.

Which brand? model? options? ... Well that depends on what you intend to do with it.
Survival? Plinking pop cans? Coyote control? Competition matches? Almost always, you get what you pay for. I still keep an old Colt SP1. Thin, flimsy, slow twist barrel. No forward assist. Rear sight has no windage adjustment. The pull on the G.I. trigger is so high {compared to the M1 / M14 triggers} that it takes a few rounds just to get used to the thing again before I can hit anything. It's a seventies rifle and can't match what is available today. But I would still never trade it off.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 4, 2008

I have a bushmaster xm15 16" (basic a2 style) and i have been very happy with it. My other ar is one i put together with a dpms lower bushmaster bolt and armalite 20" flat top upper. Like it alot too. The flat top is hard to beat for generally any optics. Must say though my experience with the bushmaster 20 rnd magazines are the absolute worst for feeding. However, My no name aftermarket 30 rounders I've never had any problems with. go figure.

Gun guru · Aug 4, 2008

I remember seeing a marketing (market share) breakdown of the sales of AR rifles about 5-7 years ago and it was as follows
Bushmaster--44k
Armalite--11K
Rockriverarms--8K
other makers were all way under the Bushmaster numbers. I am sure that these #s are civilian sales. I would think that the defence dept would have bought a lot more.

I thought the Bushmaster was one of the best even their magazines.

KIP in MX · Aug 4, 2008

I have a Pac-West (no longer in business)lower receiver in an AR-15 carbine that shoots okay. Think I bought it in 1986. Also have shot several Colts and I couldn´t tell any difference. I´ve had a Mini-14 since 1980 and like it alot more than the AR-15. Would rather shoot my Armscorp semi-auto M-14 than either of the .223s though.
The thought of an AR-10 in .243 sounds interesting.....

kyhayman · Aug 5, 2008

For years here anything under .240 wasnt legal for deer. Now, any center fire rifle caliber is ok. As to AR's, I've got a Colt HBAR and love it. Im shooting with iron sights and its as accurate as I am. I normally use it for coyotes and groundhogs. Carry 30 round mags with every 3rd shell a tracer. I've got no experience with anything but the Colts, thats all we had when I was 'working for Uncle Sam'.

MarkB_MI · Aug 5, 2008

I'll stick with my M14, thank you. If you want to know why, read [i:654c4848f0]Black Hawk Down[/i:654c4848f0] by Mark Bowden.

Joe(TX) · Aug 5, 2008

It depends on the state. A .223 is legal here.

Anonymous-0 · Aug 5, 2008

This article is on topic with the off topic AR discussion.
Funny AR / AK / Mosin Article

Gun guru · Aug 5, 2008

I like the comparisons.

rexhellwig · Aug 5, 2008

That was funny.
I think they descriminated against the Mosin-Nagant. Heck, it has a safety. And if your Russian rifle got rebuilt in Finland, it's pretty darn accurate, too.

BillinCentralMO · Aug 5, 2008

I've had a mini 14 for many years. It is fast handling and a cream puff to shoot. It is too small for the big central MO deer I hunt though. That's for the '06. The mini 14 can sure lay down a field of fire though and thousands of coyotes and jackrabbits been collected with it.I have only shot an AR 15 one time and I wasn't overly impressed with it.

Rootsy · Aug 6, 2008

You want to know anything there is to know about the AR world? [b:32fb76a35a][i:32fb76a35a]AR15.com[/i:32fb76a35a][/b:32fb76a35a]

OT: Best AR type rifle?

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