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Posted: 11/29/2012 11:12:56 AM EDT

I'll be purchasing my first AR in the coming weeks and was wondering if there are any brands that should be avoided? I'll be buying from Cabela's as most of the cost will be covered by points I've earned using their credit card. Currently they have DPMS, Bushmaster, S&W, Windham, and Sig. I'm leaning towards the DPMS 5.56 Recon or S&W M&P15OR-MOE

Any opinions?

Thanks

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:15:22 AM EDT

[#1]

Avoid anything Hesse, Blackthorne and Vulcan Arms.

I would avoid anything with a polymer lower that is better than .22LR

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:16:05 AM EDT

[#2]

I've never touched a Windham but hear good things about them. Never owned a Sig rifle but I own quite a few Sig pistols and I would try one out. Pretty sure the M&P is a solid choice too.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:19:16 AM EDT

[#3]

Hesse and anything from Toad

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:20:49 AM EDT

[#4]

Of the ones you mentioned, I'd go with the Windham (which is made by the same folks who used to build Bushmaster) or the S&W.

The Sig is also probably good to go, though I've never handled or shot one.

I also like CMMG and have had all good things to say about the CMMGs I have.

There's always LMT and Colt, too.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:29:16 AM EDT

[#5]

My PD issues Bushmasters, they are just OK. Of your choices I would go with the Dpms, S&W, or the Sig. I don't know anything about Windham though. I have a close friend who was a Special Forces Sniper in Viietnam, so he knows guns pretty good. He has a S &W MOE and loves it.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:29:44 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
I'll be purchasing my first AR in the coming weeks and was wondering if there are any brands that should be avoided? I'll be buying from Cabela's as most of the cost will be covered by points I've earned using their credit card. Currently they have DPMS, Bushmaster, S&W, Windham, and Sig. I'm leaning towards the DPMS 5.56 Recon or S&W M&P15OR-MOE

Any opinions?

Thanks

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/591552_Companies_to_stay_away_from_.html

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:35:19 AM EDT

[#7]

Sig and Windham have been getting great reviews- My local gun store has been selling a lot of Windhams- and I have heard Windham has outstanding customer service. My Sig has 1000 rds through it and has been perfect.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:48:49 AM EDT

[#8]

+1 one for Sig. Mine has run flawlessly. If I were in your shoes, I would go Windham, Sig or S&W.

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:49:21 AM EDT

[#9]

they are all fine Buy the one that fits you and your tastes best and never look back

Posted: 11/29/2012 11:53:41 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
they are all fine Buy the one that fits you and your tastes best and never look back

this is not good advice.

Posted: 11/29/2012 12:19:18 PM EDT

[#11]

Points or not, Cabela's is the most expensive place to buy a gun. You will certainly overpay no matter what you buy.

Posted: 11/29/2012 12:42:47 PM EDT

[#12]

S&W.

Posted: 11/29/2012 1:03:55 PM EDT

[#13]

I so want to say Colt because they do not stake gas keys just to get this thread really going but I will say

Olympic, Blackthrone, Hesse.

Posted: 11/29/2012 1:28:23 PM EDT

[#14]

Of those Brands get the S&W.

Make sure the Sig isn't a piston gun.

DPMS has a love/hate relationship. (I own a 308 with no issues)
Bushmaster also has fallen from "Good" to "Ok" (My lower is Bushmaster)

Rather than be super l337, either of the above 3 will be OK, but S&W is the best of the three. Stake your castle nut!

Windham is new
Sig quality has gone downhill over the years.

Cabela's is expensive, but if you are using your points--probably ok.

Posted: 11/29/2012 1:33:41 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I'll be purchasing my first AR in the coming weeks and was wondering if there are any brands that should be avoided? I'll be buying from Cabela's as most of the cost will be covered by points I've earned using their credit card. Currently they have DPMS, Bushmaster, S&W, Windham, and Sig. I'm leaning towards the DPMS 5.56 Recon or S&W M&P15OR-MOE

Any opinions?

Thanks

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_118/591552_Companies_to_stay_away_from_.html

Sorrry, I searched before posting using "brands to avoid" and hat thread didn't come up.

Posted: 11/29/2012 1:45:41 PM EDT

[#16]

The S&W is $999.99 with $100.00 rebate which appears to compare with other shops favorably. After my points, I'll have less than $400 into it and have never paid a dime of interest. I'd rather have a 60% discount on a $900 gun than no discount on an $800 one.

I never looked into it, but does anyone know if Cabela's in Michigan sells stripped lowers?

Posted: 11/29/2012 3:06:49 PM EDT

[#17]

You just missed the sale at Dick's. They normally have Troy carbines for $1099 but had them on sale for $799 right before Thanksgiving.

Posted: 11/29/2012 3:31:08 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
I never looked into it, but does anyone know if Cabela's in Michigan sells stripped lowers?

I think they do, but I've never seen them there so I don't know. And I've only been to the Dundee one. Wouldn't hurt to ask while you're there.

The S&W would be my choice too.

Posted: 11/29/2012 4:40:21 PM EDT

[#19]

Another vote for S&W.

Posted: 11/29/2012 5:08:08 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Quoted:
they are all fine Buy the one that fits you and your tastes best and never look back

this is not good advice.

And why? they are all from major manufacturers that stand behind their products. Ok they are not Noveski or Larue, but they are far from junk.
Not everyone needs an AR suitable for the battlefield.
The average buyer will be well served with these "lesser" brands
JMO

Posted: 11/29/2012 5:45:14 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

Quoted:
they are all fine Buy the one that fits you and your tastes best and never look back

this is not good advice.

And why? they are all from major manufacturers that stand behind their products. Ok they are not Noveski or Larue, but they are far from junk.
Not everyone needs an AR suitable for the battlefield.
The average buyer will be well served with these "lesser" brands
JMO

Once again, this is not sound advice

There are brands to stay away from.

Posted: 11/29/2012 5:59:53 PM EDT

[#22]

Buy a Colt or Spikes. Use the Cabelas points in conjunction with one of those coupons they send out for $100$75 (these days) off of $500 and buy ammo or an Aimpoint (or anything else you may need since it appears you frequent Cabelas anyway).

Simple answer: Windham or S&W. My older Bushmasters were good (currently Windham).

Posted: 11/29/2012 6:40:52 PM EDT

[#23]

If you can get the M&P MOE for $999 and a $100 rebate, go for it. Great AR (especially for that money) with a unique and very cool Magpul roll mark on the lower!

Posted: 11/29/2012 7:01:26 PM EDT

[#24]

Of those, I would go for the S&W or Windham.

Posted: 11/29/2012 7:06:41 PM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:
they are all fine Buy the one that fits you and your tastes best and never look back

this is not good advice.

And why? they are all from major manufacturers that stand behind their products. Ok they are not Noveski or Larue, but they are far from junk.
Not everyone needs an AR suitable for the battlefield.
The average buyer will be well served with these "lesser" brands
JMO

Once again, this is not sound advice

There are brands to stay away from.

http://www.vulcanarmament.com/gfx/vulcan_logo.jpg

Yes there are brands to stay away from your right .
The op is buying from Cabela's and mentioned the brands available to him there. I think of those he would be fine.
If you can site specific reasons for him to avoid those brands then please do so

Posted: 12/3/2012 5:26:11 PM EDT

[#26]

I ended up getting the S&W MP15 OR-MOE. It was $949.99 with a $100 rebate. I put a Burris MTAC 1-4X scope and FastFire reflex sight on top.

Posted: 12/3/2012 6:46:22 PM EDT

[#27]

Good Job!

Posted: 12/9/2012 6:41:22 PM EDT

[#28]

POF-USA, avoid it like the plague.

Posted: 12/9/2012 7:25:11 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
I ended up getting the S&W MP15 OR-MOE. It was $949.99 with a $100 rebate. I put a Burris MTAC 1-4X scope and FastFire reflex sight on top.

I think you made a good choice. Now enjoy!
Shoot
Clean
Oil
Wipe down with gun cloth
Repeat...

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