thinking about an AR-15 type...

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Jan 29, 2000
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I went to the Combat Weapons shoot yesterday. Besides thee Uzi, Glock 19, MP%s and 1911s, I got to shoot some very nice m$ types. I am looking into joining the team, and wenat a good lightweight AR type with versatile mopunting options for lights, red dot sights, and the essentil open sights. I have looked around, and Hesse and Olympic seem to be the most economic. Any opinions on either of these types? Suggestions? Offers of donation?
 
Personally, I'd suggest Bushmaster. More expensive, but as my father taught me many years ago, if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right.:)

Plus, if you are looking for a carbine-length rifle, you can get a 16" Dissipator (either with the carry handle, or flat-top). That way, you have the minimum legal barrel length (no sense getting a 14.5" barrel with an extension, because you just lose velocity, and still have to have the full 16" length to hinder movement), but a longer sight radius, thanks to the Dissipator sight mounting.

That's my option, anyway, if you want an AR-15.

--JB
 
In production AR-15's you have Colt, Olympic, Armalite, Bushmaster, plus various others I've never heard of or forgot about. In those I've mentioned the opinions of them seem to be about equal on both sides of the quality issue. In the custom area You have Les Baer, Wilson Combat, and Rock River Arms. They all seem to get a Aplus plus in the quality area. In Rock River Arms favor is the fact they start for about what some production AR's go for. As to the quality of any of these mentioned I cannot personally vouch for any of them because I have never shot any of them, though most people I know who have owned a Colt speak very highly of them.
 
I get to work on all sorts of ARs and I put my money in Bushmasters. You can pay more for equal quality and you can settle for lesser quality and pay less. Bushmaster is good quality, priced right.

If your looking at a Post (stupid ass) Ban rifles, I highly recommend the "AK Shorty" with the M4 contour barrel. Great utility carbine.

John
 
So, I have been looking at Rock River, and they look nice, especially with the guaranteed 1" at 100 Yards. However, I really like the dispatcher barrel configuaration and the four way Picatinny rail system, both of which RRA does not offer. Also, I would like a compensator.

So here is my idea of a great post ban M4 type:
1) Stainless steel upper and lower receivers
2) Dispatcher configuration 1 in 9" twist medium weight barrel with compensator
3) Flat top with detachable A2 sight and raised mount
4) Four way Picatinny mounting system
5) Detachable gas block with detachable front sight
6) Non-collapsing six position type stock with swivel sling
7) National Match 2-stage trigger

A Surefire pistol grip light, EOtech red dot sight and a Ching sling would round it out. Mag of preference: Canadian Zytel.

Yes, I know this is a hell of a list, but if I am going to spend the money, I am going to do it right. Is there a company out there that will make something to spec for me or will I have to piece this thing together with seperate lower and upper purchases.
 
I have a Bushmaster and an Armalite. I think that they are pretty close in quality and performance. What pleases me the most is that they both seem to shoot very accurately and reliably with the inexpensive PMC ammo. The Bushmaster has a heavier target barrel (factory) and especially likes the PMC. It will shoot about 1.5" five-shot groups at 100 yds with a scope, occasionally shooting sub-MOA.

I know a guy with a Les Baer and when I leave the PRK, I'm ordering one. That thing shoots 1/2 MOA!
 
Hesse and Olympic are to be avoided. DPMS and Bushmaster are well established mainstream manufacturers that can produce competition grade '15 types. Look at the high quality Rock River Arsenal guns and go to AR15.com to see what they say about competition guns. Make sure that you get a heavy barrel that is 20 inches in length with a precision crown and a fixed stock with adjustible cheek rest if you will be shooting for range and accuracy. Get the flat top that allows you to mount a variety of sights from holo to sniper scope. Also look at another upper of 16 inch barrel length if you intend to compete shoot house scenarios. If you're going to compete get a competition gun and save the "toys" for burning bullets.
 
Have you considered building your own AR-15 to your own specs? Really, if you have any mechanical ability, its not that difficult (if you leave some of the work to the manufacturers) while you do the rest!

I have built many-an-AR in a past life (pre-kids) for myself and others. My current 3-Gun Carbine is an 16" AR-15 HBAR fixed handle, I built on a Bushmaster lower receiver; it is accurate and I have had no stoppages that weren't related to reloads after 2400 rounds.

For detailed instructions and a step-by-step guide, click hereto read my article A Prospective AR-15 Owner/Builder's Primer which is featured on the Bushmaster website in their FAQ Section.

You'll learn a great deal, and have the satisfaction of shooting your own creation!
 
...Bushmaster is the way to go for a (semi) custom version of the AR...

I've built, in modular fashion, about 8 AR's on 4 lowers...and I've found QPC/Bushmaster to have the best fitting/best working sub-assemblies available...I say sub-assemblies because I bought pre-built headspaced uppers and such...with zero problems to date, I'm very happy, and I shoot.

I've owned Colt/Bushmaster/Oly AR's, and the Bushmaster's were the best 'feeling' of the lot, overall...stress free availability (vs. Colt) was a big factor in my joy as well...

A side story...my pre-ban Oly CAR 11.5/5.5 looked like a poorly painted tinker toy, but outshot my Colt H-Bar, at distance (300 yds)...now, isn't that the strangest thing...lol

Thank god for QPC uppers...lol Also, they make a really slick fluted H-Bar pre-ban 'birdcage' 16" shorty upper too, but I don't think it's cataloged...you'll have to ask for it... ;)

Hope that helps,

Mel
 
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