Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles which AR should I buy?

I recently shot for the first time the AR-15 .223 on sea otter. I was pleased with the results and am considering to buy one. However, I know there are many options and customizations available and do not know where to start.

I plan to use it on caribou and seal mainly. The first AR I used had a 2x7 Leopuld and the second had an open peep sight. I prefer an open sight. I also do not want to spend too much on an AR. Something simple, yet respectable.

Which AR should I buy? Your suggestions will help me decide.

I would reccomend a flattop with standard 20" barrel and handguards. This way you can use the detachable handle for iron sight usage, or a detachable scope. You will be amazed at how well it will hold a zero after removing and replacing the scope. I would also reccomend getting one with a free-float tube installed. The free float tube will enhance accuracy.

http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.c...cdfc6c2$C5$CD$A

I've had good luck with model-1 parts kits and there easy to put together. All you need is a stripped lower (ordered from your local FFL dealer) to complete your kit. I shoot 75-80 grain bullets, so I use 1/7.7 or 1/8 twist barrels. with all the .224 bullets availabe, you need to match the barrel to the bullets you intend to use.

I have purchased 2 new Bushmaster rifles, and have now sold the M4 version as I LOVE the standard 20" HBAR target rifle. I have changed the barrel to a 1/7 twist Gov't. profile (read lighter weight, and the 1/7 twist allows me to shoot/reload the 77gr Matchkings). I also have the flattop version and have mounted a fixed 6X power scope on it. I love this rifle!

Huntr

My favorite in AR-15 rifles is a toss-up between Armalite and Rock River Arms.
Here is there web addys to check out.

www.armalite.com
www.rockriverarms.com

Myself, I like a 20" barrel, but your needs may very. If you are gonna use it for caribou, you'll want to look at the 308 caliber versions.

Just a note is you plan to buy parts and assemble it yourself, there are many places that make parts for these rifles, a quallity can very. for instance, Model 1 sales sells mostly E. R. Shaw barrels, were-is Rock River Arms sells mostly Wilson barrels, Just something to beware of.

Rock River. By far the best buy. Be prepared to wait for it though

When I was looking to buy my rifle, the "big three" manufactures were Colt, Bushmaster and Rock River Arm's. The best I could tell from talking to people and by looking around was that Colt was the most expensive but also had the best "quality control" measures in place to catch defects and that kind of stuff. Added "quality control" really does costs money. They are paying someone to check parts and that person isn't making any products for them to sell and get a return on their labor. Having said that, their added "QC measures" also helps them get some of their business, like the military and other agencies that want the added "QC measures" in place and are willing to pay for it! Bushmaster and RRA's quality was suppose to be just as good as Colt's but they didn't have all the QC measures in place that Colt has.

I went with a "RRA AR-15 A2 Tasc Rifle" for two reasons. 1- They didn't cost as much as a Bushmaster and 2- My friends best friend is a FFL dealer that deals with RRA not Colt or Bushmaster and he only charged me cost plus shipping. I wouldn't hesitate to by a Colt or Bushmaster for a second, they make great products! I just got a great deal on my RRA and couldn't pass it up!

I have also heard really good things about DPMS's AR-15's. Their prices seem to be pretty good. I've heard mixed things about Olympic Arm's. I have never had any experience with either of these two brands, so I really don't know.

I have seen Olympic Arm's "AR-15 223 Plinker" rifles online for as little as $579. I also have seen RRA's "Standard A4" (flat top) rifle for $695 and their "Standard A2" (carry handle) rifle for $719 You will have to find a dealer in your area that will do the paper work to accept the firearm in you don't live in the same state as the seller

When I was looking to buy my rifle a year and a half ago, the "big three" manufactures were Colt, Bushmaster and Rock River Arm's. The best I could tell from talking to people and by looking around was that Colt was the most expensive but also had the best "quality control" measures in place to catch defects and that kind of stuff. Added "quality control" really does costs money. They are paying someone to check parts and that person isn't making any products for them to sell and get a return on their labor. Having said that, their added "QC measures" also helps them get some of their business, like the military and other agencies that want the added "QC measures" in place and are willing to pay for it! Bushmaster and RRA's quality was suppose to be just as good as Colt's but they didn't have all the QC measures in place that Colt has.

I went with a "RRA AR-15 A2 Tasc Rifle" for two reasons. 1- They didn't cost as much as a Bushmaster and 2- My friends best friend is a FFL dealer that deals with RRA not Colt or Bushmaster and he only charged me cost plus shipping. I wouldn't hesitate to by a Colt or Bushmaster for a second, they make great products! I just got a great deal on my RRA and couldn't pass it up!

I have also heard really good things about DPMS's AR-15's. Their prices seem to be pretty good. I've heard mixed things about Olympic Arm's. I have never had any experience with either of these two brands, so I really don't know.

I have seen Olympic Arm's "AR-15 223 Plinker" rifles online for as little as $579. I also have seen RRA's "Standard A4" (flat top) rifle for $695 and their "Standard A2" (carry handle) rifle for $719 You will have to find a dealer in your area that will do the paper work to accept the firearm if you don't live in the same state as the seller.

You might want to look at a 308 Win in an AR configuration of some kind as said above. Bushmaster, Armalite, Eagle Arms (same parent company as Armalite I beleive) DPMS and there is probably a few others.

One problem -- just depending on your needs-- is that Bushy and Colt don't use the best barrels. RRA does use Wilson which is, IMHO, a big step up in barrel quality. Though I"ve seen good bushy and colt barrels, I've seen the odds day in and out better with the Wilson. Though they are not the best either.

And even though QC means quite a bit- the QC means nothing if the Colt sight is so rough (IE moa) that you can't adjust to center. Vs a good 1/4 moa sight from others.

Just my opinion.

Jeff

Sealhunter,

Correctme if I am wrong, but you plan on using the rife in a utilitarian role, up there where Permafrost dictates the garden planting?

If that is the case, Bushy,Colt, Armalite, and Rock river are on equal ground.

Am a pedigreed Bushy Armorer, that previously was harnessed to Colt's with an appreciation for RRA,that has to deal with Armalites daily as they are also in the inventory.

Given the same set of peramiters, I'd grab either the bushy or the Armalite.

The RRA rifles are TIGHT!!!!!!!!
Cold is unforgiving.

RRA is not to MIl-Spec. in dimensions materials or finish.

However they are boringly accurate and reliable for an out of the box AR given normal conditions.

Armalites are currently running either "Hot or Cold" from the box.
(Current foreign Military contracts and the expiration of the assault weapons ban have seriously taxed the small and intimate shop filled with good people in Geneseo... customer service remains 100% however..... From Mr. Westrom on down they are great folks!)

Colt has a "Legend", and a following.
Even if in this regard they are getting their components from the same folks as Bushy, and RRA.

Bushy, is what they are.
An assembly house.

If you find a "L" prefixed serial numbered rifle on the used rack, snag it!

Then go home and check the torque on the carrier key screws and Military field stake the thing.

From there, worry over moisture freezing the thing.

I have over 100 in my direct care, and have had fewer problems than with the Colts after disregarding the Bushy Gas key staking issue.

E4E

E4E

Glad you are here to keep me straight. I continue to think along accuracy lines( a downfall from competitive shooting I suspect). And fail to see the really large picture mostly.

Thinking along sloppy lines just a tad for performance is a great idea.

Add that to a 7.62x39 chamber(seemingly abundant ammo in AK) and you might well be down the best road.

Jeff

Jeff,

I also have a Competitive background, and well know the siren song. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

It's a conflict that can be refined to a very fine point with the AR/M16 thanks to it's "Leggo-esque" nature, and ease of maintence.

I hate to disagree but the AK is one trick pony with limited flexibility.
(Good thing is that it's one trick is reliability even in the hands of a semi-trained Monkey!)

Stoner designed the AR around the .223/ 5.56 cartridge, and it lacks the capability to accept magazines adapted to the tapered 7.62X39 cartridge so a conflict exists between the two as a blended platform.

Maybe the next genious will figure it out, and not have to comprimise the differences.

At practical ranges(0-250m) the bone stock and Mil-spec AR/M-16 will hold it's own or better against any std. out of the box rifle in the same price category, and in the same chambering.

If flexibility was to be considered as a virtue, there would only be one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />


Compete, Hunt, Defend.
The last one to do this was the 03'Springfield, anditwasn't in the inventory anywhere near as long, nor exposed to as many Americans.

I have an agenda in all of this.

Apologies if it has been misunderstood.

E4E

As they say no harm no foul. Its always interesting to learn.

Need to email you a few questions off line at some point-- probably a PM here maybe.

Jeff

im curious which barrel is better shaw or wilson?
thanks rc