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Posted: 10/6/2017 4:22:27 PM EDT
[#1]
Answers will be subjective at best.
My opinion? Colt/BCM/KAC/LMT/DD @ top. Several others that are gtg also. |
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Posted: 10/6/2017 6:22:36 PM EDT
[#2]
Bushmaster, Colt, DD
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Posted: 10/7/2017 1:12:04 AM EDT
[#3]
Noveske
 next question
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Posted: 10/7/2017 5:29:37 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Bushmaster, Colt, DD |
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Posted: 10/8/2017 12:31:56 AM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Answers will be subjective at best. My opinion? Colt/BCM/KAC/LMT/DD @ top. Several others that are gtg also. |
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Posted: 10/8/2017 12:34:59 AM EDT
[#6]
Colt 6920. Kbye.
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Posted: 10/8/2017 12:48:22 AM EDT
[#7]
Salient Arms
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Posted: 10/8/2017 3:22:24 PM EDT
[#8]
Colt, BCM, LMT, FN, KAC, Noveske - True, top tier military grade.
Due to Daniel Defense's moving from a top tier manufacturer to manufacturing fashion peripherals, extreme price raises over the past few years, as well as the company screwing over great employees by forcing them to sign a two year non-compete agreement, then laying them off, they are now a low tier, bottom feeder in my opinion. dpms, bushmaster, rock river arms, smith & wesson, psa, anderson, aero, mega arms - low end commercial grade. |
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Posted: 10/12/2017 2:46:38 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Colt, BCM, LMT, FN, KAC, Noveske - True, top tier military grade. Due to Daniel Defense's moving from a top tier manufacturer to manufacturing fashion peripherals, extreme price raises over the past few years, as well as the company screwing over great employees by forcing them to sign a two year non-compete agreement, then laying them off, they are now a low tier, bottom feeder in my opinion. dpms, bushmaster, rock river arms, smith & wesson, psa, anderson, aero, mega arms - low end commercial grade. |
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Posted: 10/13/2017 1:16:08 AM EDT
[#10]
KAC
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Posted: 10/13/2017 11:48:49 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Colt, BCM, LMT, FN, KAC, Noveske - True, top tier military grade. Due to Daniel Defense's moving from a top tier manufacturer to manufacturing fashion peripherals, extreme price raises over the past few years, as well as the company screwing over great employees by forcing them to sign a two year non-compete agreement, then laying them off, they are now a low tier, bottom feeder in my opinion. dpms, bushmaster, rock river arms, smith & wesson, psa, anderson, aero, mega arms - low end commercial grade. |
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Posted: 10/13/2017 9:39:09 PM EDT
[#12]
My .02 ...and not all brands will be mentioned, just ones I have first hand knowledge of.
Top Shelf: Daniel Defense, BCM, Noveske, LaRue, LMT. Just a hair outside of top shelf: Colt, FN, Troy, Midwest Ind. The "tweener" grade...not quite top shelf, but no where near the bottom: Aero Precision, Spikes, Palmetto State Armory "Premium" line. The good "bang for the buck" grade.... Smith and Wesson M&P's, Palmetto's "Freedom" line, Ruger, Springfield Armory, DPMS, Bushmaster, CMMG, Del-ton, Stag, The "better than a sharp stick" grade....Radical, Bear Creek, Anderson, Hardened Arms, PSA's "PTAC" line, anything with polymer receivers. Then there's the whole can of worms of home built guns that can fall into any of the above levels, or in other various "tweener" levels depending on what components were used in the build. |
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Posted: 10/14/2017 2:44:18 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Has mega fallen off the ship somewhere? I thought they used to be one of the top tier. get ready for the price to double and the stupid "features" to start showing up. |
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Posted: 10/14/2017 2:47:59 AM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Bushmaster, Colt, DD |
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Posted: 10/14/2017 10:37:12 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
the got bought out by zev tech. get ready for the price to double and the stupid "features" to start showing up. |
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Posted: 10/14/2017 11:03:33 AM EDT
[#16]
Daniel Defense, Colt, Windham, S&W
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Posted: 10/14/2017 6:06:29 PM EDT
[#17]
I consider DD, LMT, BCM, and KAC as my go-to options.
There are other good brands out there as well, but these are the four I look at first. DD is a bit expensive for what you get. BCM has the most varietal options. LMT has fewer configs but are extremely reliable. KAC may be the best and most innovative design of the four...at a cost |
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Posted: 10/14/2017 11:46:51 PM EDT
[#18]
DD, BCM, LMT, Colt, Noveske, KAC and anything I've built ;).
Honestly, the guns I trust the most and would depend on in any situation I built all or in part. Not that I wouldn't trust a factory gun from the aforementioned manufacturers, but I'd trust my own work equally or moreso. For me, I'd list parts I find the best quality rather than complete guns, but that wasn't really the question I don't think. |
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Posted: 10/16/2017 9:06:45 AM EDT
[#19]
It's just like it has been forever, whatever guns you are interested in you need to find out what the guns are made of, what parts are included.
All these companies are bottom line first. I don't count on any of them doing what they should or what they have done in the past. |
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Posted: 10/16/2017 12:51:53 PM EDT
[#20]
The best AR ever made will be the one YOU like the best. Every brand seems to have it's fan boys and dissenters.
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Posted: 10/18/2017 10:52:50 PM EDT
[#21]
The KAC's are the best out of the box gun on the market.
Great trigger, stock and iron sights. They're ambi and it's very well integrated, not some cobbled on afterthought. The URX is probably the best handguard on the market. They're tuned to run well suppressed or not and the E3 bolt has never been broken. They're ~$2000 depending on your shopping skills and preferences. If you buy a 6920 and dress it up comparably you'll find the total costs very close but sans E3 bolt and gas system. They are somewhat addictive though... |
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Posted: 10/20/2017 1:03:57 AM EDT
[#22]
Colt
Daniel Defense LMT (a little pricey, but good) BCM For the former boutique stuff, Noveske Larue |
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Posted: 10/23/2017 11:39:41 AM EDT
[#23]
Pretty much hashed out already
Colt (6920) is the way to go right now given the pricing. $700 Colt Trooper is a steal. BCM makes great stuff. New rail options too. I trust BCM for mid-length rifles. Larue, KAC, Noveske, LMT great stuff, slightly higher pricing for extra features you may or may not appreciate, may not be mil spec. My $$$... Colt right now. |
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Posted: 10/23/2017 10:33:25 PM EDT
[#24]
Not worrying about money but with a budget of 2k max. And wanting to handle them first. It was between DD, BCM, and midwest industries. Colt not even on the radar. At least not when I had that much to spend. Colt just didn’t come close to fit finish etc.
I went with the Midwest industries. Couldn’t be happier. |
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Posted: 10/23/2017 10:53:53 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
the got bought out by zev tech. get ready for the price to double and the stupid "features" to start showing up. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Has mega fallen off the ship somewhere? I thought they used to be one of the top tier. get ready for the price to double and the stupid "features" to start showing up. |
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Posted: 10/24/2017 6:16:18 AM EDT
[#26]
Where would newly produced Armalite rifles place in the quality hierarchy?
A local dealer was selling the Defender models for $476 OTD until recently. MSRP on these is $799. I bought two - one front sight model and one slick top version. The barrels are 1/7 twist with what appear to be the correct markings and the front sight base is marked “F”. The owners manual states that they are, in fact, “mil spec” rifles. I put a borrowed carry handle A2 sight on the first one, cleaned and lubed per the manual, and fired the 200 round recommended break in with no issues that I can blame the gun on. One failure to feed because of failure to fully seat a magazine and another failure to pick up a round from a GI mag that I need to mark and keep an eye on. The icing on the cake is that I am getting a Vortex SPARC AR optic free as a promotional item. Should be here in a couple of weeks. That one will go on the slick top rifle. At this point, I am pleased. A class with each rifle will tell me more about how I did. |
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Posted: 10/25/2017 11:13:45 AM EDT
[#27]
LMT, Larue, BCM, Noveske, LWRC, POF and many many other good brands all comes down to personal preference
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Posted: 10/25/2017 11:28:57 AM EDT
[#28]
You got a good deal on the Armalite, especially with the free Vortex Red Dot. I would say the Armalite is midgrade below Colt/BCM/LMT, but better than entry level S&W, Ruger, Anderson ETC. It offers a milspec barrel with chrome lining and 7075 receivers. I could not find info on the Receiver extension material or if the barrel and bolt are MPI/HPT, but it checks most boxes for a good rifle. Have fun and shoot it as much as possible!
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Posted: 10/26/2017 12:43:31 PM EDT
[#29]
What about the SIG M400/Elite with full ambi set up, or DSArms? What tier would you guys put those rifles
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Posted: 10/26/2017 9:08:09 PM EDT
[#30]
LMT, KAC, BCM, Larue, and Noveske. Can’t go wrong with any of these.
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Posted: 10/27/2017 8:58:28 AM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What about the SIG M400/Elite with full ambi set up, or DSArms? What tier would you guys put those rifles |
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Posted: 10/27/2017 1:37:20 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
i wouldnt touch a sig rifle with a 10 foot stick unless it was to beat it. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What about the SIG M400/Elite with full ambi set up, or DSArms? What tier would you guys put those rifles
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Posted: 10/27/2017 3:21:50 PM EDT
[#33]
Give Windham Weaponry a look. They're the original Bushmaster guys. When Freedom group bought Bushmaster and moved the plant, the original guys started up again under a new name. I love mine to pieces, and I'd happily buy another complete Windham if I wasn't getting into building them instead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PVEitTfxm0 No, it didn't come with the bayonet, but it did come with the sling and one 30rnd mag. 
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Posted: 10/28/2017 2:08:31 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The best AR ever made will be the one YOU like the best. Every brand seems to have it's fan boys and dissenters. |
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Posted: 10/28/2017 5:06:02 PM EDT
[#35]
Colt - the true spec. Anything else being better is a matter of bells and whistles. You can add those later.
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Posted: 10/28/2017 7:52:25 PM EDT
[#36]
What's the take on BCI Defense? I work literally right around the corner from them in Bremen, Indiana.
I'm looking to pick up my first AR as a Christmas present to myself (from my wife) and don't know a whole lot about the platform yet. |
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Posted: 10/28/2017 8:02:14 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Colt - the true spec. Anything else being better is a matter of bells and whistles. You can add those later. |
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Posted: 10/28/2017 8:14:24 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
E3 bolt laughs at you. the sr-15 is the true evolution of the ar15. |
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Posted: 10/29/2017 2:20:02 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
this. the sr-15 is the true evolution of the ar15. Love my SR-15, but I’d argue that the evolution branched and at the top we have the SR15 with E3 on one side and the MRP with enhanced bolt on the other. |
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Posted: 10/30/2017 10:38:22 PM EDT
[#40]
Look no further than top of your computer, see all the Company Logos displayed, they all supply or manufacture quality components for AR's
The bar has been raise over the last 5-10+ years in the AR gun world. Any manufacture that doesn't bring quality to the market will be flushed out. There is no place to hide in this very competitive market. Mil-Spec used to be the Gold Standard and still is today, quality standard that wont let you down on the battle field. As Manufactures seek ways to differentiate then selves and make parts better in some way, there are a lot of AR parts that exceed Mil-Spec standards. Focus on your intended use and budget and only buy for reputable sources like those shown above and you wont be disappointed in quality of the parts. |
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Posted: 11/2/2017 7:05:06 AM EDT
[#41]
Aero Precision is one amoung many good brands. Just finished putting this together and it was flawless. Without optic and forward grip, it weighs 6.58 lbs with a m16 bcg and H2 buffer and a hanson barrel. Thats not a skinny ultralight barrel. Im shocked at how light weight the manufacturers are getting their rifles and carbines. Huge departure from the prior generations of rails.
Forged receivers with integrated finger guard, flared magazine well, and threaded bolt catch pin, and a sweet as hell rail with four points of anti rotation. 
I would not call them low end consumer grade. They have several product lines that are a step up in quality. The M4E1 series has been spectacular. The BAR style M4E1 is another forged unit. 
I have really grown to appreciate the brand since spending the coin on the BAR M4E1 platform. I would put the fit and finish against any MFG. |
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Posted: 11/4/2017 11:02:29 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
What's the take on BCI Defense? I work literally right around the corner from them in Bremen, Indiana. I'm looking to pick up my first AR as a Christmas present to myself (from my wife) and don't know a whole lot about the platform yet. |
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Posted: 11/4/2017 11:15:23 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Colt - the true spec. Anything else being better is a matter of bells and whistles. You can add those later. |
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Posted: 11/5/2017 11:54:54 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I've heard good of them so far. I own a couple of hand guards made by them, no complaints. The nitrided BCG's have a good finish. Last I checked they were using Faxon barrels on some of their models. Local shops such as Belchers and Midwest Gun Exchange sell them. I found I can get some of their parts cheaper through Belchers than through BCI's website. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
What's the take on BCI Defense? I work literally right around the corner from them in Bremen, Indiana. I'm looking to pick up my first AR as a Christmas present to myself (from my wife) and don't know a whole lot about the platform yet. |
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Posted: 11/5/2017 12:16:37 PM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
E3 bolt laughs at you. |
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Posted: 11/5/2017 12:18:34 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
For the price I expect better looking anodizing and forging flash cleaned up around the trigger area. |
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Posted: 11/14/2017 7:46:32 PM EDT
[#47]
To me, the best value is BCM
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Posted: 11/14/2017 11:55:50 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
To me, the best value is BCM |
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Posted: 11/15/2017 4:47:37 PM EDT
[#49]
KAC, Noveske, Colt, LMT, DD, BCM, FNH. Buy Top Tier and "Buy Once, Cry Once."
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Posted: 11/15/2017 11:02:47 PM EDT
[#50]
What makes a Colt, BCM or DD better than a Spikes? I have owned all four at one time or another an I notice no real difference. At what point are you just paying for a name?
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