I have searched through here a little, but wanted to get a quicker answer, hopefully, without starting a flame war, or other riot.

As a former US Army SGT and a person familiar with the M-16, and given the fact that I'd like an AR-15 in the basic setup of the "Ideal Rifle" as posted here, what manufacturer will give me the best bang-fot-the-buck?

I must be cheap, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot while I'm at it. I already did that with a CETME that I lost several hymdred dollars in trade on.

Please be gentle. . . hinking.gif

I've owned or shot them all at one time or another.  I believe the best combination of quality and price right now is Rock River Arms.  They price below the market rate and their quality is top notch.  They essentially build to order and turn around time is 3-4 weeks for a custom upper or rifle.  Well worth the minor wait.  Go to the industry section and read the comments under RRA.  

To put some water on the possible flame war--virtually every major manufacturer of AR's does a very good job and you really cannot go wrong with any of them.  RRA has just impressed me with their value, quality and customer support here on ARFCOM.

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Go with Stag Arms, just click their link on top of the webpage.

Stags are Mil-Spec and good value for the money.

Good luck.

Quoted: Go with Stag Arms, just click their link on top of the webpage. Stags are Mil-Spec and good value for the money. Good luck.

I'd have to agree with this sentiment.  Stag right now offers an incredible bargain for the $$, IMHO they have pushed RRA out of that spot.

i'm in agreement with the above post.  RRA Is great, but stag prices their units below RRA.  Both are equally great rifles.

You are right, Stag Arms is cheaper. . .by$1.00 has
Just think about what if any accessories you want and what the upcharge is for that so that you are comparing apples to apples.  

Well if they quality of the important stuff is the same then you still get the Hogue grip and the two-stage trigger on the RRA and not on the Stag Arms, right?

My opinion would be RRA.

Quoted: Well if they quality of the important stuff is the same then you still get the Hogue grip and the two-stage trigger on the RRA and not on the Stag Arms, right?

Houge BLAH!

RRA Two stage - too many of them wear out and go single action after a while.

Go with Stag and you'll get a proper forged receiver extension which is the proper military diameter (unlike the comercial copy RRA offers).

I'd contact Steve @ Adco Firearms and tell him what you want. He carries RRA and is a great guy.

I think the UTE with mid length gas system is as close to the best first AR configuraton I've seen.  Unless you plan on mounting night vision on your weapon, it makes sense to have your BUIS be an integral unit.

What I'm finding very interesting here is that no one has suggested Bushmaster or Armalite as they are sponsors of this sight. Or, maybe one of the more-often-seen manufacturers, such as Olympic Arms or DPMS. . .

So, perhaps a better question should be, what manufacturer should I stay away from and why?  Again, not looking to cause trouble, just don't want to make a mistake with my hard earned money!

Quoted: What I'm finding very interesting here is that no one has suggested Bushmaster or Armalite as they are sponsors of this sight. Or, maybe one of the more-often-seen manufacturers, such as Olympic Arms or DPMS. . . So, perhaps a better question should be, what manufacturer should I stay away from and why?  Again, not looking to cause trouble, just don't want to make a mistake with my hard earned money!

Most forged receivers are good to go.  This includes the major rifle manufacturers and those who sell lowers.  A lot of people like Rock River Arm, it is almost cult like.  I am not saying RRA is a bad product, it is good.  I just don't understand the fanaticism.  I have built untold numbers of RRA, DPMS, Bushmaster and numerous others.  I have had the most problems with RRA.  Again, I am not bashing RRA.  I have had to ream the front take down pin hole, the rear take down pin hole, the selector detent hole, I have had to tap the pistol grip screw hole.  This was never a consistant problem, it was a case every once in a while.  Enough to to make me take notice.  It was easy to fix.  The rear lug area is too tight for a lot of  Bushmaster uppers, the fix is eash, but most people don't want you filing on the rear lug.  Finish is OK, straight out of the case they are only so so.  You have to clean them up a bit to look good.  I hear RRA triggers wear out on occaision.  I have never experience this, nor has any customer of mine.  If you are Law Enforcement you might want to investigate further.  Bushmasters rarely have problems.  I have never had a problem with a DPMS or Aeemtec, but I have only had 30 of them.  I use almost exclusively DPMS Lower Parts Kits.  99.9% of the time they are perfect.  Some color mismatching.  That has never concerned me, if it does you so be it.  Some take down pins are not spec.  I am a gunsmith so I fix them and move on.  It is a rare problem.  I personally like DPMS because it is reasonably priced and I NEVER have the problems some of these other people have.  DPMS is a better value than RRA.  This year is DPMS' 20th Anniversary.  Congratulation and keep up the good work.

Quoted: Quoted: What I'm finding very interesting here is that no one has suggested Bushmaster or Armalite as they are sponsors of this sight. Or, maybe one of the more-often-seen manufacturers, such as Olympic Arms or DPMS. . . So, perhaps a better question should be, what manufacturer should I stay away from and why?  Again, not looking to cause trouble, just don't want to make a mistake with my hard earned money! Most forged receivers are good to go.  This includes the major rifle manufacturers and those who sell lowers.  A lot of people like Rock River Arm, it is almost cult like.  I am not say RRA is a bad product, it is good.  I just don't understand the fanaticism.  I have built untold numbers of RRA, DPMS, Bushmaster and numerous others.  I have had the most problems with RRA.  Again, I am not bashing RRA.  I have had to ream the front take down pin hole, the rear take down pin hole, the selector detent hole, I have had to tap the pistol grip screw hole.  This was never a consistant problem, it was a case every once in a while.  Enough to to make me take notice.  It was easy to fix.  The rear lug area is too tight for a lot of  Bushmaster uppers, the fix is eash, but most people don't want you filing on the rear lug.  Finish is OK, straight out of the case they are only so so.  You have to clean them up a bit to look good.  Bushmaster rarely have problems.  I have never had a problem with a DPMS or Aeemtec, I have only had 30 of them.  I use almost exclusively DPMS Lower Parts Kits.  99.9% of the time they are perfect.  Some color mismatching.  That has never concerned me, if it does you so be it.  Some take down pins are not spec.  I am a gunsmith so I fix them and move on.  It is a rare problem.  I personally like DPMS because it is reasonably priced and I NEVER have the problems some of these other people have.  DPMS is a better value than RRA.

i thought you built thousands of ar's with dpms?

30 Ameetec.  I have sold over 1,000  DPMS rifles.  Hundreds and hundreds of DPMS lowers, if not over 1,000.  I don't build AR's.  That is illegal.

carricozarmory.com has some very competative prices and Clinton has both RR and Oly, among other things.

My honest opinion is that the best bang-for-buck option is to get one used FTF off the EE.  You are in TX and it seems like a lot  of the best deals I come across are "FTF only" in TX.  The TX hometown forum can help you search for deals in your state.  Bottom line is a lot of guys have multiple rifles, get the itch for something else, and sell a new or near to new AR for very good prices to fund that new project.

I haven't been around as long as some of these guys, but most of the major names are good to go.  Stag/CMT quality has been excellent in my experience and certainly worth the $ if you decide to build your own.  Otherwise, ABC (Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt) will almost never steer you wrong, and will always be easy to sell if you decide you don't want it anymore.

Quoted: What I'm finding very interesting here is that no one has suggested Bushmaster or Armalite as they are sponsors of this sight. Or, maybe one of the more-often-seen manufacturers, such as Olympic Arms or DPMS. . . !

You asked for "Best Bang for the Buck".

Bushmaster was top dog, then RRA, now it's Stag/CMT (stag lower with a CMT upper).  I love my Bushmasters all of them work well.  However their costs have gone up over the years.  You can now get a comparable product (better in some ways - notably if you get a telestock) for less $$.

I have no reservations about recommending Bushy's, but bang for the buck wise Stag/CMT is better.

Nothing wrong with DMPS/Oly if you are looking for a plinker or even a precision AR.  However if you want something that stands up to hard use (say during 3-5 day training courses with demanding shooting schedules) as a group they don't do so well (yes there are individual rifles that might do well - but as a group they don't fare well).

RRA or Bushmaster.

Quoted: Question for someone who may know? On the Stag Model 4 Preban, is the 20" barrel Govt Profile or HBAR? I saw it was a 1/9 twist, but didnt notice profile mentioned? Same with their M4 barrels, are the turned down under tha handguards of heavy?

I believe the 20" is an HBAR and the M4 barrel is gov't. profile.

gds_enterprise offers bushmaster 20" govt profile 1x7 bbls./uppers in stock

For the price you can't beat DoubleStar!

 Best deal J&T car package $459 striped Mega lower $89 shipped roll your own it's easy.  Or if you don't want to mess with building buy the same package and a pre built lower like  the Mega M4 package I got form John at NW tactical for $239 shipped ( with stag m4 stock) and sell off the lower parts kit and car stock for a 100 bucks what you'll have is a top notch rifle for $598 hows that.

  Do a search on these companys or shop all the other great dealers here on the EE you can't go wrong and the reason your saveing the money is theres no exersice tax on the complete firearm.

  I own or have owned several factory complete rifles that include Colt, Bushmaster, RRA and few "parts" guns and I honestly have had better luck with my parts guns. That being said I've never had a major problem with any of my AR-15 rifles.  There are a few companys that I would not use in a build up but if someone does there research they should have good luck.

    I'm new to this board and have in the past been more of an AK guy where the quality of guns from country to country was based much more on reality than opinions.  I've always owned ARs as well just wasn't "in" to them like the AKs   That being said when push comes to shove alot of parts are from the same companys ( CMT, LMT, LAR, Olympic)and the metals used are from the same forge.   I for one don't think you can go wrong with Bushmaster, RRA, Colt, CavArms, Armalite, StagArms, CMMG, Double Star and several I'm not thinking of. Also there are some great parts only companys like White Oak ,Leitner Wise and Mega.  
  If you really want the most Bang for the Buck pick the brand whos rep your most comfortible with go shoot the shit out of it.   I will stand buy my opinion of building one though you just get to know your rifle better and it just adds a new aspect of a already great hobbie.

Quoted: What I'm finding very interesting here is that no one has suggested Bushmaster or Armalite as they are sponsors of this sight. Or, maybe one of the more-often-seen manufacturers, such as Olympic Arms or DPMS. . . So, perhaps a better question should be, what manufacturer should I stay away from and why?  Again, not looking to cause trouble, just don't want to make a mistake with my hard earned money!

 Not going to get caught up on who makes crap but as far as complete factory rifles go there is an industry fourm and if you read each companys involvement in there fourm you can see who has a passion for great guns and who doesn't. Not to say that the others make crap but just a thought.

What configuration are you looking for? If you want a standard A2 Upper with chromelined 20" barrel and do not mind assembling the lower. You can get a complete Rifle kit from Del-ton for 500.00 you need to purchase a stripped lower.

I just built a lower for my rifle in about 45 minutes it was easy.

Which is the best bang for the buck isnt as important as getting the best gun you can afford.

RRA would be my answer to your question, then Bushmaster then STAG.

...but what is really important is which AR15 company has the older staplers