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Posted: 4/14/2008 10:48:10 PM EDT
I'm looking at buying a tactical carbine AR, and am wondering which maker I should go with. I would like it to be a flat top since I will be mounting a EOTech on it, 16" barrel, with the m4 style stock, and the type of forearm with all of the rails for mounting extra goodies . Cost is somewhat an issue, but I want a good quality AR without going to a Les Baer-priced one since I may also put a real scope atop her and take her out to the 500 yd backstops, if she is accurate enough. I am currently considering Bushmaster, RRA, or the Smith & Wesson M&P- suggestions?
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| RRA entry tactical w/ tactical carry handle, chome lined barrel upgrade. $1035.00 at Impact Guns. Has a match grade trigger and Houge grip that come stock. You can also talk to the guys at Impact and they'll do a custon order w/ RRA that comes out cheaper than if you went through RRA itself. They have all sorts of cool upgrades, if you can think it they'll make it. Only downside is a 8-12 week wait at least. |
Yep RRA is a good choice. I got mine alot cheaper than that from Pete at Legal Transfers, a dealer on this site. And it was in stock so no wait .check in the EE.
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You say "Tactical Carbine" is your use for training and/or comp., LEO, home protection, all the above? If you are LEO and want to use for a duty weapon, assuming your dept. allows, I would stick with LMT or Colt. Unless you are trusting the weapon with your life and working it hard everyday as a duty weapon (LEO, Military, PSD, Ect.); as long as the gun is in spec. and is absolutly reliable with the ammo your putting through it I don't know the make of the gun makes that much difference, unless you want a particular make or model for the CDI factor. Just my 0.2cents. I know not everyone will feel that way. |
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RRA -- Love mine. Great fit, finish, accuracy, really nice two stage triggers. Definitely worth upgrading to chrome lined. Pete at Legal Transfers is the way to go. I also have a Bushmaster upper that I can say all the same things about, except the trigger of course. Keep in mind that if you purchase a Smith & Wesson M&P, you are really purchasing a STAG, so you might as well buy a stag for 20% less. But then again, STAG is not on the same level as far as quality, fit, finish, and customer service as Bushmaster, RRA, or LMT. Edit: If you are concerned about a Warranty, When I called Smith last year to inquire, they told me that all of their firearms carry a Lifetime Warranty, EXCEPT for their M&P15 models, which carry a one year. I don't like their confidence level there. And for the others, according to their respective websites: Bushmaster offers a "One Year Bushmaster Warranty" RRA: "Complete Rifles, Upper Halves and Lower Halves carry a Limited Lifetime Warranty against failure of factory parts and labor." |
 Colt M4 upper & lower, LMT stock, CMMG Barrel:  You can put just about anything together yourself from 100s of sources of parts: Parts from; Colt, Bushy, LMT, E.R. Shaw, CMMG, BCM, Samson, YHM, M1S, CMT/Stag, EOTech, Hogue, M.I., Daniel Defense, Burris, ARMS, Harris, & Surefire.  Just pick the good stuff. |
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Opinions are like assholes. Everyone has got one. Everything you have seen in this thread is exactly that also. There is no BEST AR15. Everyone will have an opinion, and usually it is what they own, and they have little experience with others. You'll get answers like RRA, Stag, LMT, CMMG, Colt, Bushy etc all day long. They are all good rifles, and you would most likely have good luck with any of them. Myself, I don't really care for Bushmaster, I have seen more problems with them than I have had with my Olympic (zero). My next buy will be put together from the Equipment exchange. But, if I had to pick one manufacturer it would be CMMG. Why? Because they are an hour and a half away and make good stuff. If RRA were that close they may be my company. |
I realize everyone has an opinion, but thats what I'm asking for since before I posted this, I had not even heard of half of these names listed. I've been around the gun community long enough that whatever firearm someone owns is likely to be "God's gift to mankind, totally faultless" etc, but I've only owned 1 AR before, a basic Bushmaster. From what has been mentioned, I'm looking at the LaRue (great accuracy) or a LMT (expensive compared to RRA). I'm not going to be using this everyday, but I want it to be dependable and accurate. I would imagine any of these well know makers will be perfectly reliable for me, but accuracy can vary. |
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Any one of the mass production rifles you've listed will serve you well. My personal preference is LMT, especially now that they are selling complete rifles to the public. I also like the Sabre Defence rifles. You should consider a build from one of the banner sponsors if you have the money. Bushy amd RRA have been known to leave a couple of the assembly details out of some of their examples. Buying one from a reputable seller can ensure it's assembled correctly. Just ask them to inspect the rifle and fix what they find wrong. |
+1 TRUE I hear tell from Pat Rogers the S&W line is ALOT BETTER than it was Before Better than Stag for NOW |
This is the biggest issue right now. There are several good choices, and RRA isn't a bad one. Just not the one I'd make. Waiting, and waiting is the issue. I'd of built my own from parts. That's just me. |
This info is about 14 months old. Things probably have changed by now, and I quite possibly could have been told faulty information in the first place. I do know a few guys who are more than happy with their S&W. |
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