I'm looking to buy an AR-15 soon I hope and I've heard so much about all the gun's. Tell me what you think is the best rifle to get. Rock river Arms ,OLY arms ,Bushmaster if anyone out there know of any Armlite that are under $800 like to hear about them also. So far I have found a Rock river rifle for $629w/s&h & FFL with a flat top and 20" barrel. Money is not that big of an issue because I have about $800 to spend on everything.Thanks for the help.

Get a Bushmaster

You will get all kinds of answers to your question. I say get nothing but ArmaLite. Others will say whatever their favorite brand is. It all depends on who you ask and who you listen to. I think you will find that most people do not recommend a postban Colt. My understanding is that their quality has gone down. I could be wrong.

ArmaLite is reintroducing the AR180 as a 180B for under $600.  It is a little different than an AR15 type rifle, but something to consider.  You could also get an Eagle Arms postban, a great rifle, from ArmaLite for about $100 less than the comparible ArmaLite branded M15A2.

The best AR-15 is the one you've got in your hands when the balloon goes up.



Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, Rock River Arms, (in any order) are all good guns.

You will get most responses reccomending Bushies or Armalites.  Both are the best.

I've got a colt.  It's solid as a rock.  I think it really doesn't matter.  When you start paying between 800-1100 bucks for a weapon it's going to be good.  

Usually people say you can't go too far wrong with Bushmaster, Colt and Armalight.  Outside of these, you're in uncertain territory.  I own a Colt and Bushmaster and they're both excellent. However Bushmaster has unbelievably, fantastically excellent customer service.  So should you ever need absolutely anything done on, to, or for your rifle, Bushmaster would be the people I would want to deal with.  Bushmaster also has a cromed bore which is a snap to clean.  I'd say you can't go wrong with a Bushmaster.

I currently own a Bushmaster and have a LEGP on the way.  The Bushy is great and I would suggest it to anyone.  If I were buying right now, I would have to look closely at the Rock River LEGP.  Read all of the good posts about it....the price is right also.

I had a look at the LEPG and it is a good deal but it would cost me about $700 for it with IL taxes and the gun still needs sights a scope mount rings a scope and other stuff so right now the LEPG is out do to that. does anyone know about how much a compleat upper and lower would cost for a Bushmaster.

Bushmaster or Armalite-depending on which muzzle break you want. BM has better customer service.

Does anyone know a good place to buy Bushmaster uppers and lowers at a good price.Thanks

I have  a Colt, BM, and a DPMS. Not really much difference. Likle everyone says, BM has excellent customer service. I think if I could only have one it would be my preban BM shorty. If I had to buy only one I'd go with the BM in whatever configuration you like.

[url]http://store.jcarmory.com/merchant.ihtml?id=121&step=2[/url]

A2 shorty carbine $699

Bushmaster for sure.

Though I don't recommend getting one with a muzzle break.

If there is anyone out there that can beat the price of $629 W/shipping and my $20 for the FFL please tell me. The gun that I found was a 20" barrel flat-top chrome line barrel for $375 and the lower is $220 both are compleat. If anyone can beat this I'd like to talk to you. I don't  want an OLY because of what I've heard. Thanks.The gun that is $629 is a new RRA

Sorry had to put a little extra in this

Is the OLY new or what?
What model?

Start w/ a Bushmaster, my brother.  I assure you that you will not be displeased w/ your purchase.  Mine is definitely [u]not[/u] purple; I wouldn't take any trade for it, either, & I've shot many, many variations.  I have my own reasons (too many to list here,) but I can promise you you'll be proud of your first choice no matter what it is.  Try to shoot as many other rifles as you can first, though.  In the end, you always get what you pay for.

Personally I like MY Cav15 better than my other 3.

2 CAR's and an A2.


Just my .02

Del

I had a Colt Match Target 16" light bbl. The thing grouped about 9" at 100 yds, and then not the same 9" for any two groups. Something was screwed up.

Traded (returned to dealer) for a Bushmaster floated 16" H-bar, flat-top. Good customer service, great gun. Not anything like the M-16, but jeez!!! what a shooter!!!

I have been thinking about the Bushmaster but I can't find anyplace that sells the compleat uppers and lowers for it at a good price. The best I saw was about $500 for a compleat upper from the Bushmaster web site. I'm looking right now for the best place to buy bushmaster uppers and lowers so if anyone know please tell me.

Mine is best!

OK

You can have my Bushmaster lower, and 24" SS bull barrel upper with Springfield Armory .223 bullet drop compensator scope for a mere $1500. And let's not forget the harris bipod. [:)]

Sorry critter_FR little to much for me. I'm looking for something that can got to hell and back not a sniper rifle.

For the money, you should get the LEGP rifle by RRA. It's a VERY well made gun, shoots extraordinarilly accurate for a 16" and with the OKO sight, or the standard carry handle, you're out the door for about 8 bills. You can't go wrong with that!

I hate to beat a dead horse, but...

If you are going to take a RRA flat top, you still need a decent scope and mounts. When you buy the LEGP, you can get a great deal on an illuminated reticle scope and mount (see the accessories page on [url]www.castle-arms.com[/url]), then compare the total cost for the LEGP, with scope and mount with the cost of the RRA $629 model and a similar scope and mount bought without the LEGP discount. You might find the LEGP to be a pretty damned good deal.

personally I feel that the "BEST" AR15 is the Knights Manufacturing SR15.. when you add up the prices for all the extra goodies they are a real bargain... $1400 - (match trigger $199 - Knights Handguard $299 - M4 flattop rear sight $135 = $633) makes the base rifle only $767..


[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1553124&a=11783667&p=50879119[/img]
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1553124&a=11783667&p=50879120[/img]
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1553124&a=11783667&p=50879127[/img]
[img]http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1553124&a=11783667&p=50879124[/img]

Think about it, all great upgrades done for you..

Agwood

It's a little more then 8 bills for me its about 7 bills for me to get the rifle because I live in IL and they place has 7.5% taxes thats why I have not bought one.

LEGP=$660 + 7.5% tax
rings=$4.99
scope mount=$14.99
5 new green mag followers=$7.49
FFL=$20
S&H=$8.95
Total=$765.92

RRA=$595 w/S&H
Rings=$4.99
Scope mount=$14.99
5 new green mag followers=$7.49
Rear flip up sight=$80 W/S&H
Otis cleaning kit=$30 W/S&H
FFL=$20
S&H=$8.95
Total=$761.42
I have a scope for the rifle so thats $0 for both.

My math maybe a little off but as you can see for $4 less I can get a lot more. If  I'm wrong with the math please someone tell me.

My take:

There are lots of subjective reasons to pick a weapon.
Objectively, Bushmaster provides the best deal for someone starting out.
Reasons:
1. Free gunsmithing on all future upgrades and work on the weapon.
2. Genuine mil-spec product (i.e. chrome-lined barrel)
3. Excellent accuracy off the rack.
4. Good customer service.
5. Reasonable prices.

On a personal and more subjective note:
I was lucky when I picked my first weapon to be a Bushmaster.  It was a 20" heavy and shoots sub-MOA stock.  That may be a fluke, but I hear lots of guys speaking of their BM rifle's accuracy.

The Knights product with the RIS/RAS system is a good product at 1600 with the bells and whistles.  But I believe you can make a better product for the mission the SR-15 is designed by building one up on your own.  

There are really three possibilities for the AR system:
1. Close support carbine;
2. General purpose short-medium range battle rifle;
3. Precision short-medium range sniper weapon.

I personally believe configuration #1 is best served this way:
BM 14.5" heavy fluted barrel, w/ V-match front gas block w/ Phantom (or Vortex II) flash suppressor;
BM lower with DCM parts, 2-stage trigger, Hogue 3 groove grip;
Les Baer 14" free-float 4-sided Picatinny rail forearm ;
Knights RIS/RAS modular accessories: 4 9-rib panels, push-button sling adapter, folding-front sight;
Surefire RIS/RAS milenium flashlight front vertical grip w/ infrared filter (or standard vertical grip w/ a Surefire M6 w/ RIS/RAS mounted on left or right);
GG&G rear folding MAD sight;
Trijicon TA-11 (or TA-31) ACOG on ARMS #19a mount; and
Knights buttstock extension w/ sling adapter.

Config #2, would be the same with
20" heavy fluted; and
bipod adapter and bipod.

Configuration #3:
BM DCM barrel with shaved gas block;
BM DCM lower w/ 2 stage trigger and PSG-1 grip;
BM V-match upper w/o brass deflector;
Les Baer 16" free-float 4-sided Picatinny rail forearm;
Knights RIS/RAS modular accessories: 4 9-rib panels, push-button sling adapter, folding-front sight, bipod adapter, front vertical grip;
Harris bipod;
Sure-fire M6 w/ RIS/RAS mount w/infrared filter;
GG&G foldng rear MAD sight & 30MM scope rings;
Leupold 3.5-10X40 M3 Tactical Mil-Dot scope w/ illuminated reticle.

Just some ideas.

In the end, it really depends on what you want to do with the stick anyway.

I would keep your options as open as possible by going with the upgrade/customer service friendly Bushmaster/Quality Parts Co.

Good Luck.

After perusing the various forums here, I got the strong sense that Bushmaster was heavily favored.  But after talking to a close friend and active high power shooter, I got a completely different sense.  This particular shooter took her own IL sharpshooter team to Camp Perry a couple of years ago so I value her judgement.  At least here NE Illinois, the predominant brand used in competition is Armalite.  When I mentioned Bushmaster, I was told that not only do people NOT use Bushmaster, but that people who had them were getting rid of them for Armalites.  

So who has the best AR?  Who the hell knows.  Maybe we should ask who has the worst ones.  Hesse?

YAHOO!!!!
nobody said colt.
I think you people are gettin smarter[:D]

Sorry I think colt is to over rated and to much money. They sell the same rifle to LEO for $800 and you can get it for only $1100.

I second that.

btt

[size=5][b]
1.Bushmaster
2.Colt, older ,the better.
[/size=5][/b]
Some Colt's have wierd pin sizes, and the front takedown pin That requires two screwdrivers is a bitch.
Chrome lined barrels and quality control are why I pick these two.
I've owned some of both and they ARE RELIABLE.

btt

Pre-Ban COLT!

[img]www.gunsamerica.com/upload/976109980.jpg[/img]

btt

I'll go ahead & say Bushmaster again, as I have yet to plug for their product & service today.  I feel better now, thanks.

ARMALITE!

The Armlite is a lot of money and I have not seen any for around $800. Anyway I read on this board that the guys who make the RRA rifle where old Armlite employees and there about the same rifle just under a different name.

Apparently, money is an issue.

Then get the Eagle Arms brand from ArmaLite.  It is their 'standard' brand while the ArmaLites are their 'premium' brand.  Also you might want to check out the new AR180B for less than $600.  Go to [url]www.armalite.com[/url] and click on the 'The ArmaLite AR180B' icon at the top of their home page.  In fact, here is a picture
[img]http://www.armalite.com/sales/catalog/rifles/ar180/wholeRifle_small.jpg[/img]

Some notes

Colt or Bushmaster.... Both are exellent..I own both..Either way you won't be disappointed. These two are the BEST.

ArmaLite is the best, no contest.

[b][blue]BushMaster!!![/blue][/b]

Specifically, a HOT ROD "Dissipator" model!

The BEST "AR15" is an M14

Bushmaster shorty ak carbine.  Very accurate and reliable.  Very sweet shooting.  I think Bushmaster has the best open sights sytem around.

Bushmaster shorty ak carbine.  Very accurate and reliable.  Very sweet shooting.  I think Bushmaster has the best open sights sytem around.  But use Colt mags.