Posted: 2/2/2009 9:21:12 AM EDT
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I'm looking to pick up my first AR.
I know Colts have a good reputation so I went to a local dealer and noticed they had several (5-8 or so) in stock. I'm looking for a 14.5(w/ fixed flash) or 16 inch flattop carbine. Which model(s) should I look for and what are fair prices? |
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If I were you I would go with either a LE6920 (16" flat top M4 upper), or the LE6921 (14.5" flat top M4 upper w/ perm attached break making it 16") I don't know where you can find one of these that is completely built and ready to buy.
Also for the perm attached break, I would put a break on that is a quick detach sound suppressor break, like a Gemtech, KAC, YHM or AAC. I'm not sure if the KAC is long enough to make it 16" though. The reason I say this is once you perm attach a standard flash hider, you can never put a silencer on the gun. If you ever want to have a silencer in the future, it may be worth while. So you could buy a LE6921 complete upper assembly first (which is probably fine considering you don't have any other AR15 components) and then perm attach a Gemtech G5 QD Flash Hider (if you can find someplace to do this for you when you order the flash hider the better), then pick up either a de-registered LE6921 lower, or a standard LE6920 lower and slap that puppy on it. These components will be hard to find, but would be pretty bad ass. Otherwise just pick up a LE6921 and be done with it. Prices all very. It seems the best bang for you buck is to buy through Clyde Armory (www.policeguns.com). I know they actually have full LE6921's in stock right now for $1,495. They might just de-register it and attach a perm flash hider for you if you call them and ask. Also LE6920's are really hard to find right now, so getting on a waiting list for one might take longer than waiting for your SBR tax stamp with the NFA branch at the BATFE. Anyway I hope this helps! 
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| colt is great, anything but a bushmaster will be just as good or better especially when considering purchase price. for the $1500+ it costs to get a colt, you could build a pretty bad ass custom AR using larue, noveske, or other top tier manufacturer goodies. i'd suggest LMT or Rock River Arms, i really love my RRA A4 carbine (flattop, 16") |
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colt is great, anything but a bushmaster will be just as good or better especially when considering purchase price. for the $1500+ it costs to get a colt, you could build a pretty bad ass custom AR using larue, noveske, or other top tier manufacturer goodies. i'd suggest LMT or Rock River Arms, i really love my RRA A4 carbine (flattop, 16") I've considered some other brands, but I think the shop has only Colts and Bushmasters in stock. Do you know of any place that has the brands you mentioned in stock? I don't. The store I went to had some Colts for around $1550 and one I think for $1190 and some Bushmasters for around $1090. I couldn't read the tags and I didn't have time to ask to see them because I was on my lunch break. I'm gonna go back to get exact prices and model numbers. I do have an Essential Arms lower coming to me in the next week, but I'm having trouble finding an upper. I was thinking of selling the lower and getting a rifle at the store. |
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the only thing not "mil-spec" on my RRA is the buffer tube. which can be easily swapped out if u care. he is correct however that Colt & LMT come with a mil-spec buffer tube from the factory. the problem is going to be finding stuff in-stock right now. if u gotta have an AR now, then go buy that colt for $1600. it's not particularly overpriced considering the brand and lack of availability on all things AR since obama.
for the money, i'd get an LMT. for the re-sale value, i'd get a colt. for perfection, i'd get a larue |
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the only thing not "mil-spec" on my RRA is the buffer tube. which can be easily swapped out if u care. he is correct however that Colt & LMT come with a mil-spec buffer tube from the factory. the problem is going to be finding stuff in-stock right now. if u gotta have an AR now, then go buy that colt for $1600. it's not particularly overpriced considering the brand and lack of availability on all things AR since obama. for the money, i'd get an LMT. for the re-sale value, i'd get a colt. for perfection, i'd get a larue I've got some ocean front property in Arizona for sale... |
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the only thing not "mil-spec" on my RRA is the buffer tube. which can be easily swapped out if u care. he is correct however that Colt & LMT come with a mil-spec buffer tube from the factory. the problem is going to be finding stuff in-stock right now. if u gotta have an AR now, then go buy that colt for $1600. it's not particularly overpriced considering the brand and lack of availability on all things AR since obama. for the money, i'd get an LMT. for the re-sale value, i'd get a colt. for perfection, i'd get a larue why exactly are you even in the colt forum? 
so RRAs non spec barrel steel. poorly staked carrier no MPI tested bolt,no pressure test, no shot peening, no M16 carrier, no MPI barrel, non 556 chamber non chrome lined barrel non 1/7 twist no staked castle nut, no H-buffer etc etc guns are Milsec? should I go on with that list? I tihnk you should rethink what you get for your money with RRA. but they are pretty, i will give them that 
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so RRAs non spec barrel steel. poorly staked carrier no MPI tested bolt,no pressure test, no shot peening, no M16 carrier, no MPI barrel, non 556 chamber non chrome lined barrel non 1/7 twist no staked castle nut, no H-buffer etc etc guns are Milsec? should I go on with that list?
Yes, please.  I'd actually like to know what else is non-Milspec.
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so RRAs non spec barrel steel. poorly staked carrier no MPI tested bolt,no pressure test, no shot peening, no M16 carrier, no MPI barrel, non 556 chamber non chrome lined barrel non 1/7 twist no staked castle nut, no H-buffer etc etc guns are Milsec? should I go on with that list?
Yes, please. I'd actually like to know what else is non-Milspec.
How about the very dimensions of the entire weapon? Are you aware that Mil-Spec covers the materials, the finish, the testing requirements, but not the actual dimensions? It's not like you as a new black rifle manufacturer can just call up Joe's Mil-Spec Bolt Carrier maker and say "send me mil-spec bolt carriers". That would be such a basic violation of every NDA imaginable, yet thats what people think. Instead, the parts are sent to an engineering firm where a new set of prints is drawn up. Then, engineers try to figure out the tolerances based on the dimensions of a sample of the various parts. This process is then repeated for every vendor who decides to start making weapons. Ever wonder why the parts don't ALL interchange? Ever wonder why X upper doesn't fit X lower properly? If this was all in the "spec" then nobody would have this problem would they? Ever tried to put an old RRA Lower under a Bushmaster or Colt Upper? Ever tried to use PMags in your SGW Lower? Mil-Spec is such a bullshit word in this industry. |
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Ever wonder why the parts don't ALL interchange? Ever wonder why X upper doesn't fit X lower properly? If this was all in the "spec" then nobody would have this problem would they? Ever tried to put an old RRA Lower under a Bushmaster or Colt Upper? Ever tried to use PMags in your SGW Lower?
Actually no. I'm didn't know these issues. Thank you for saying that though. I'm really glad I asked before buying. You guys are really giving me a proper education.
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I think it is always a good rule of thumb, "You get what you pay for".
When I first got in to AR15's I went the Bushmaster route because I could build one up complete for about $700. Needless to say those guns are long gone and now the only AR15 type rifles in my stable are ponies! 
Go with the Colt and if you are ever strapped for cash and need to sell it, you're almost guaranteed to get your money back out of it. There is a reason for that. |
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East Coast Gun Sales 139 Apple St Duncansville, PA 16635 (814) 695-2104 You're not going to try to buy them all are you?  People are hoarding like crazy lately. DUMMY!! you posted that link and they are robably gone now, LOL
AND I LOVE MY COLT 6400!!!!!! |