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Standard 20" A2/A4 AR-15... which make

cwinncwinn Member Posts: 1,223 ✭✭
edited February 2011 in General Discussion
I'm in the market for a no-frills standard AR-15. I Want to keep price under $900. First and foremost is reliability, and I've narrowed it down to: Armalite, Bushmaster, DPMS, Rock River, and STAG. Any thoughts?

Comments

  • laylandadlaylandad Member Posts: 961 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rock River would be my first choice followed by Stag. I own both as well as a Bushmaster and their quality is far better IMO!
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,404 ******
    edited November -1
    if reliability is a priority, you're considering the wrong platform entirely.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • KEVD18KEVD18 Member Posts: 15,037
    edited November -1
    you cant go wrong from that list. put em all on paper and tape em to the wall. get a blindfold and a dart. well, you can probably figure out the rest....
  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,914 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    those are all fine
    best bang for the buck imho is
    SW (early ones were stag) and rock river
    if you like a two stage trigger go RRA
    i like armalite and colt too!
  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    my buddy has a rock river with a head spacing problem from the factory. that was enough to make me write that name off my list forever...I know I know any manufacturer can have a lemmon but something like a firearm needs to perform perfectly right out of the box because if I need it, I NEED IT TO WORK. besides, something like that could be life threatening and I mean the shooters life.
  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a colt and 2 DPMS.
  • wittynbearwittynbear Member Posts: 4,518
    edited November -1
    The AR platform is plenty reliable, in a sanitized environment. Add mud, water, caked on dirt and its a paperweight. .223 is not a bad round if you slow down the twist to 1/12 and use a 55gr FMJ bullet, it leaves a nasty wound. Don't know anyone who sells a 1/12 twist, or anything less than 1/9 anymore.

    If you really want an AR get one with a chrome lined barrel and chamber, and get one with a piston system. That will solve about 50% of the problems. You still have the problem of the buffer spring is not strong enough and its a catch 22 because if you make the buffer spring stronger the rifle won't cycle, leave it as is it jams when it gets dirty.
  • Gav-n-TnGav-n-Tn Member Posts: 300 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm a big Stag fan myself. The proof's in the gun room [:D].
  • cwinncwinn Member Posts: 1,223 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thanks to all who responded.

    Those of you who dislike the AR platform: what would you recommend? (I know I know I'm opening a HUGE can...) Let's narrow it down to those shooting lighter calibers than .308/7.62x51. Not trying argue at all, just looking for advice. I was looking at the mini-14 but the possible accuracy issues and magazine prices kinda turn me off, though I'm not 100% against it. Thanks!
  • catpealer111catpealer111 Member Posts: 10,695
    edited November -1
    I had a DPMS A2 HBAR. It was a well built rifle and I didn't have a lick of trouble with it the year I owned it, ran around 2000 rounds through it in that time. I off loaded it due to financial issues, not due to any problems with the rifle.
  • bhale187bhale187 Member Posts: 7,798
    edited November -1
    Rock River, great products and superior customer service.
  • redhead71redhead71 Member Posts: 2,337 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cwinn
    I'm in the market for a no-frills standard AR-15. I Want to keep price under $900. First and foremost is reliability, and I've narrowed it down to: Armalite, Bushmaster, DPMS, Rock River, and STAG. Any thoughts?

    Bushmaster and DPMS is the same company and quality aka trash,junk,garbage,jamomatics!
    Armalite,Rock River,and Stag are all high quality rifles. Of all three of those companys Stag would be the closest to mil spec. Or spend alittle more money and build your own by chosing the highest quality of parts. Ar rifles are NOT that hard to build.
    Just 1 more thing to throw at you look on the auction side their is New Sig 556 rifles for $850! Piston driven guns tend to be more reliable(sp)
  • thebambam2001thebambam2001 Member Posts: 733 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cwinn
    I'm in the market for a no-frills standard AR-15. I Want to keep price under $900. First and foremost is reliability, and I've narrowed it down to: Armalite, Bushmaster, DPMS, Rock River, and STAG. Any thoughts?


    Get a Rock River with a 1/8 twist 20". It lets You shoot the 77 grain Sierra BTHP like we are using against the ragheads.
  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Army is using hollow points now?[?][?]
  • 9 on the floor9 on the floor Member Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Rosie
    Army is using hollow points now?[?][?]


    Open Tip Match. [:p]
  • thebambam2001thebambam2001 Member Posts: 733 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 9 on the floor
    quote:Originally posted by Rosie
    Army is using hollow points now?[?][?]


    Open Tip Match. [:p]


    Exactly! How are we getting by with this?

    Black Hills is the manufacturer.
  • CbtEngr01CbtEngr01 Member Posts: 4,340
    edited November -1
    I like to build my own AR's, but it's hard to beat an Armalite out of the box.
    I wouldn't overlook a Mini 14 tactical. Can get it under $900, can get 30 rd mags for around 10 bucks. Action is based on the Garand, it's reliable. Atleast the couple I've had(and still have).
  • 9 on the floor9 on the floor Member Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by thebambam2001
    quote:Originally posted by 9 on the floor
    quote:Originally posted by Rosie
    Army is using hollow points now?[?][?]


    Open Tip Match. [:p]


    Exactly! How are we getting by with this?

    Black Hills is the manufacturer.

    It's not considered an expanding bullet.
    The open tip is the result of drawing the jacket from the base to form the boattail, the jacket has to end somewhere so it becomes a hole above the lead core. Any expansion on impact is just a bonus!
  • Ox190Ox190 Member Posts: 2,782 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Too bad you're not in Texas, I know of a local guy selling Spikes flat tops for $700.
  • 9 on the floor9 on the floor Member Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My standard A2 is an old PWA from the '80s.
    I don't know who owns PWA anymore, but the rifle has been [and still is] extremely accurate and reliable. [But I've never filled it with mud on purpose or run over it with my truck.]

    All my recent ARs are Stags and I've had great luck with them.
  • cwinncwinn Member Posts: 1,223 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Again a big thanks to all who responded.

    I'm aware of the mini/AR debate. However, I know little about the Sig 556. Is it generally considered to be the superior rifle when compared to the AR-15? I handled one a few years back and it seemed to be a nice rifle.

    Are there any other options that I'm missing?
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by thebambam2001
    quote:Originally posted by 9 on the floor
    quote:Originally posted by Rosie
    Army is using hollow points now?[?][?]


    Open Tip Match. [:p]


    Exactly! How are we getting by with this?

    Black Hills is the manufacturer.


    Quick answer is that the US military lawyers issued a report saying they meet the standards of the Hague act, since the bullets aren't INTENDED to expand. Whether or not they do expand or this is true in general might be debatable, but nobody has successfully challenged that, so we use them.

    Frankly, I don't think it matters.

    A formerly standard 55 grain FMJ .223 bullet from a long barrel will literally fragment into a zillion pieces inside a human body, which is every bit as "bad" as one that simply mushrooms from a soft point.

    If you're hit with a .308 anywhere on the torso from 0 - 500 yards, its probably not going to make much of a difference if the bullet is of an expanding type or not.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by cwinn
    Again a big thanks to all who responded.

    I'm aware of the mini/AR debate. However, I know little about the Sig 556. Is it generally considered to be the superior rifle when compared to the AR-15? I handled one a few years back and it seemed to be a nice rifle.

    Are there any other options that I'm missing?

    Hard to give options since you didn't say what you wanted this gun for.

    I'm assuming you want a military/combat style rifle in .223.

    Israeli Galil is basically a upgraded Kalashnikov in .223 with a milled receiver (ie its heavy) nice folding stock, better sights and ambidextrous controls.

    These are highly reliable and more accurate than the typical Kalashnikov. Unfortunately, they're also ungodly expensive, and I don't think you'll be able to find a "real" one for under $1000.

    You *can* probably get one of the Century arms "Golani" builds (which use surplus Galil parts built onto an American made receiver and barrel) for well under that amount, though some of these are subject to problems.

    You could take a look at the Kel-Tec .223 rifles, which use AR-15 mags. They're light, foldable (!) and I believe use a piston-type action for reliability.
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