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Posted: 6/16/2005 9:36:19 AM EDT
| I am sure that this has been asked a hundred times, but I cannot find a thread. I am getting ready to buy my first AR, I know that I want an M4 (familiar with that platform), but I am up in the air on a manufacturer. I would like to keep the price around a grand, I don't need the fancy bells and whistles to start with. Just a good CQB rifle. All suggestions/advice is appreciated. Have a good one. |
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To save money, buy a complete lower and complete upper separately. You'll usually save the 11% exise tax. Assembly is as easy as pushing two pins together (SUPER easy.) To save even more, buy stripped upper/lower and parts kits, but assembly is quite a bit more difficult. Not like building an HK clone or anything, but harder than pushing two pins!  Rock River, Bushmaster, DPMS, etc... They'll all be under a grand either way you go. Armalite and Colt can be a little more pricey. I recommend chrome lined bores and chambers for their ease of cleaning, if not for their durability/reliability. ETA- My last rifle I bought was a CMMG. It is built much more like a Colt than the others (M4 handguards, 1:7 bbl twist rate, M4 feed ramps, and comes with an optionable M16 bolt carrier.) I bought the complete upper for $499, and complete lower for $254. Total cost (less shipping, which is usually less than sales tax) was $754!! |
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Click Here. Then Click Here. Stag is made by the same company that makes alot of Colt's parts IIRC. You pay $215 for the 6 position lower, and $490 for an M4A3 upper with detatchable carry handle. For $705 you get a high quality rifle that will be fun to shoot. |
| I like Bushmaster (It's what I bought) and I'd also highly recommend the removable carry handle flatop over the fixed handle version. I prefer the iron sites on the carry handle over a scope, but I wanted to keep my options open for Eotech or some other scope system in the future. |
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The A3 version is the way to go, and Bushmaster would be a good price for a good weapon. The Stag upper/ lower is a cheaper version, but still of good quality. RRA is another name that I would feel comfortable with. Don't get an A2/ fixed carry handle, you will limit yourself if you do. |
That it has but this is why we are here. I would get to your dealer or Gun Show and just play with them. Pick the one you like best and go with that. The truth is each one of us has our own ideas to what is a better manufacturer. All the manufacturers put out a solid reliable weapon. Like anything else They all have a blemish on occasion with one thing or another. |
| Bushy or RRA are good choices. I went Bushy and am happy with it but if I could do it again I would go CMMG. Like Jwise said basically all of the options that make the Colt special for a good price. They also have an outstanding track record around here. In fact I have not heard one complaint. |
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