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Posted: 8/17/2007 6:36:58 AM EDT
| With all the manufacturers to choose from, where do I start? I would like to purchase an AR-15 for protection |
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You really can't go wrong with any of the manufacturers out there. Lots of people say to stay away from Olympic, but other than that... You'll pay more for features you won't need for home protection from makers like LMT and Colt. I'd humbly suggest something from Stag, Rock River Arms or Bushmaster. They are reasonably priced, solid units. |
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Rock Rivers Arms from Legal-Transfers (aka Pete) Prices too low to even print www.jobrelatedstuff.com/forums/topic.html?b=7&f=21&t=382817 |
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You're probably just gonna get a list of everyone's favorite. I build my own, using premium parts. This is the best way to go, because it's already exactly what you want versus spending $1000 and then having to start swapping parts. Otherwise, Colt, then RRA would be my choice, with the RRA needing a good inspection to make sure everthing is staked & proper. Bushies will go bang, but I think their finish sucks. |
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1 Make sure that what you want for home defense is an AR. I too am a shotgun guy, although again in the minority here. Here is a recent discussion on the topic:www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=334589 2. Decide what format/ features you want. I would say the most popular setup around today is a flat top upper (almost everyone will tell you to go this route as it leaves your options open for sighting systems), with either a 14.5 or 16 inch barrel. This seems to be the most versatile iteration of the AR currently. Shorter barrels would probably be better for home defense, but require paperwork and fees with the Governement. Longer barrels give a longer sight radius and more velocity, but the gains for most folks are probably not worth the inconvienence of the longer barrel when looking at a gun for self defense. 3. Think about details. Chrome lined vs unlined vs stainless steel barrel (probably can't go wrong with chrome lined in my opinion) Rate of twist for barrel (1/7 probably more versatile than 1/9) How important are things like M4 feedramps and F marked FSB to you? Will you be bummed when you learn what these things are, and find out your rifle doesn't have them? Type of stock (I prefer cheap 6 position stock, but you can go wild) Sighting system- (Most would argue for at least iron sights, with possibly some sort of red dot for home defense) Lighting system (if you are serious about it as a HD weapon) Do you really need a railed handguard? (probably not in my opinion) 4. Look at brands to see who has what you want: You can go with a cheap- Model 1 sales/MandA upper/kit and buy a lower receiver and build it yourself. Avoid Vulcan/Blackthorne/Hesse at all costs You can get a more "name brand" upper- Stag, Bushmaster, Armalite, Rock River which probably has better parts and will cost a little more (which I think is well worth the extra $. You can spend a little more and go with one of the best- Colt, LMT, ?maybe Sabre Defense After spending some time around here you will learn that at least Colt and LMT do more in terms of making sure everything is going to work in their rifes- which makes them cost more, but the difference in price is not significant if you are a professional who depends on them every day. For the average "weekend warrior (myself included) you have to decide if the extra money is worth it. 5. Shop for price. Go to the Equipment Exchange and start looking. You will find better deals there than you will anywhere else, and you will support folks who help support the site. Now- here is my advice: Buy a Lower from any big name company. Buy a LMT 16" upper and Bolt control group off the EE. LMT is top quality, but without the premium price you pay for the Colt name in my opinion. Buy a Rock River Arms Lower Parts kit and 6 position stock off the EE. Buy a back up iron sight with the features you like. Buy a DVD which outlines how to assemble these. It is very simple to do, and you will understand how your rifle works. Then go shooting. Although you will pay a little more up front buying the good stuff, you will never regret it down the line. You won't read and learn more about ARs and wish you had invested your money another way. What is it going to cost? LMT upper with BCG- a little over $600 Lower Parts kit: $60 Stock: $60 Lower Receiver: $100-150 BUIS: $100 Total: $920 with BUIS The advantage of buying a LMT or Colt right up front is that as you learn more about AR features and materials, you will say, "Oh 4150 is better? My gun has that", or "Whats a shot peened MPI inspected bolt?, oh I guess my gun has that." Or, "Oh, LMT and Denny make their barrels oversized so they don't need to be etched before lining and that makes them more accurate? I'm glad I got one." Etc, etc. Lets say you don't want to go with the LMT- Get a RRA upper from Pete at Legal transfers and you will spend around $750. Lets say you want to go even cheaper, and buy a kit from one of the budget "no name" companies, and you can do it for $670 (chrome lined) or $640 (non chrome lined) again, both with BUIS. If you are really cheap, you can put one together from used parts off the EE you might do it for $500 to $550. Then again, you could go to a pawn shop and buy a used 12 gage Rem 870 for $150-$200 and have a very good self defense weapon for the home. To me, when you consider that 1000 rounds of wolf ammo goes for $200 anymore, putting a few hundred more into your rifle to get the best is well worth it. I say this as a guy who doesn't own an LMT. I have multiple ARs- mostly RRA and Bushmaster, and am happy with them. However, if I was starting over with a single AR, knowing what I know now, this is the route I would go. |
Major ARs I'd consider, In order Colt (from the LE line - not the civie line) LMT, BCM, CMMG Bushmster, Stag, S&W, Rock River Arms (assuming the barrel was chome lined). There are also some specialy shops like MSTN, Noveske and such that produce excellent rifles that are very customized. |
As some others said: .45 ACP 1911 or 12 gauge Pump. Ain't nothing like racking that slide to make em run like hell. 00 or 000 buck gives em religion. Big time. Roy |
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Personaly I would look at a good pump shot gun fist like the remingtom 870 H.D. But since you are looking for a AR try looking at these Mfg. Colt.Rock River Arms and Bushmaster You would most likely be better off with M4 type configuration. Try an find some people with AR's and ask to shoot them to see how you like them be for you shell out a bunch of money. With what ever you get for protection you need to practice a lot with it. |
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well, you can check this chart out: www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=2&t=163620 i'd stick to the ABCDRS, LMT brands; stag/cmt and RRA are about the best bang for the buck for what you get; bushys are real available and offer a great product also +1 on 1st deciding on exactly what kinda setup you want--features, length, style, stocks, bbl setup, budget, etc from a general overview, i'd consider an AR w/ a A3/flatop upper, adjustable stock, and ~16" bbl to keep it compact, but efficient enough ballistically as to having an AR for HD/SD, i personally prefer em for such (vs shotgun) for most situations...while the shotgun can be loaded w/ many diff types of loads, any suffient load will overpenetrate indoor walls (5.56 less so than 00 buck though) and the AR provides more range, easier handling, less recoil, and imo, better sights/optics/light mounts, etc YMMV |
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Consider a shotgun. I use the FN, but the 870 is great too. That said, build your own like DDEL said - you pick the parts YOU want at the price you want. I build my own. I like how they come out. Mine are based on LMT MRP and Noveske lower; MGI upper and lower; POF upper and Noveske lower; LMT MRP upper and tbd lower (in process). Noveske's were bought because they were available and good enough. There are many good choices. Many great parts. Plus you get to really understand what the gun is about when you build your own. If you want an OTS AR, all of the brands listed by everyone else are worth consideration. Hard to truly screw up. |
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for high end production ar15 1- Colt (the original) 2- CMMG 3- LMT 4- Sabre Defence For mid-range production ar15 Rock river Bushmaster Stag S&W Armalite Buy a CMMG lower receiver group for $265.95 then order a CMMG complete upper for $525.95 snap 2 pins together and you have a high end ar15 for a mid-range price. less than $850.00 after shipping. |
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I just got a RRA from Pete @ Legal Transfer and I love it. Legal Transfers |
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