AR 15 Advice

[CM9carry]

Hello Folks. Long time reader first time poster here. I just wanted to thank the forum members for helping me make my decision to purchase a cm9. I bought the cm9 about 6 months ago and it has been absolutely flawless. I let my brother shoot it at the range and he had one 3 days later, his has been flawless as well. That leads me to my question, does anyone have advice, experiences, or thoughts on AR-15s? I'm new to the AR platform and after months of researching I'm still not sold on a certain make or model. I do know I want a .223/5.56 cal and I'd like to stay under $1,200. Hopefully someone can lead me to a great purchase just like the cm9. Thanks in advance.

[Bawanna]

There sure is a mountain of brands and configurations to choose from. I went to Colt school and drank the Colt kool aid and I still am fond of Colts but that being said if I was in the market which I kind of am just cause they are gonna get harder to get depending on how things go I'd be looking at a Windham.

BUT there are a ton of good ones out there. I couldn't strongly suggest one over the other with a good conscious.
I'm sure some more AR guys will be slippin in soon.

[yqtszhj]

Windham Weaponry get's my vote. They are the former Bushmaster folks.

The current bushmasters are made in the same factory as DPMS and some others. they were all bought by I believe it was Freedom group.

I have a ORIGINAL made in Maine Bushmaster w/ A3 upper (removable handle), 20 inch barrel and the fit and finish are hand fitted and everything was smooth as silk from day one.

I bought a M4 type New not made in Maine with the same A3 upper and the fit is not the same. It's like a generic. I haven't had any issues but it's not the same build quality.

I hear Windham Weaponry made by the original Bushmaster folks are like the old original hand fitted quality.

Oh, and get the all metal ones, not the carbon fiber ones. And the removable handle then you can use Iron sights or a scope. Just my opinion.

I'm thinking about taking the M4 one and doing some mods to it. I would not touch the first one because it will shoot the butt off a gnat at 100 yards.

[ripley16]

I agree on on the Colt. A nice 6920 is hard to beat. Stag makes a fine AR as well. There are so many to choose from.

I have gone over to the piston camp though and I'd recommend you hunt for a piston driven AR. It will be more difficult to stay under the price limit, but it's doable.

[itsthelaw]

Daniel Defense if you don't mind used would be a great option at $1000-$1200. While I was looking for a DD M4 V5, I ended up with a DD M4 V1 with some extras for $1000. I was told and believe that the barrel is key and the DD barrels are great. So far, I have absolutely no regrets. IMHO, you cannot go wrong with DD. You will find a lot of guns for $1000 new, but they don't have the quality of my DD. If you can find a middie for $1200, you hit the jackpot. Take your time and ask a lot of question. You're off to a great start!

[yqtszhj]

I was told and believe that the barrel is key and the DD barrels are great.

I agree. Exactly on target with the barrel. My first one has a competition barrel and it's top notch.

[chrish]

On this subject, what do you guys think of the Smith M&P 15 sport? I read/watched a review of it 6+ months back where they put it thru the ringer out in the desert and in spite of having no dust cover or forward assist, it never missed a beat. I know that a $1200 weapon would be nice, but at half that price (nearly), I have been seriously considering this as an AR so that I can still afford to pick up another rifle of some kind. The option of 2 weapons for the price of 1 is pretty appealing. If it were unreliable, then spend more, but reviews of it seem to be generally good.

Thoughts?

[knkali]

On this subject, what do you guys think of the Smith M&P 15 sport? I read/watched a review of it 6+ months back where they put it thru the ringer out in the desert and in spite of having no dust cover or forward assist, it never missed a beat. I know that a $1200 weapon would be nice, but at half that price (nearly), I have been seriously considering this as an AR so that I can still afford to pick up another rifle of some kind. The option of 2 weapons for the price of 1 is pretty appealing. If it were unreliable, then spend more, but reviews of it seem to be generally good.

Thoughts?

I bought the M&P 15 OR model and beat the snot out of it during drills and never missed a beat ( that is until I removed the POS bolt release lever from Tactical Link and the got rid of the POS Pmags) yet. The OR (optics ready) is about 900 and add a red dot you are a little over 1300. The MP 15 Sport is around 600. Both chambered in 5.56. Hell there are a lot of good ones out there like everyone said. I am a SW fan though. Love the MP9 from them too. I like the OR though because the barrel can accept a grenage launcher where the sport cannot.:ohmy:

[hardluk1]

I guess I look at AR like some of us look at kahr pistols. I did not buy the high dollar version but the basic models CW and CM. For a AR I bought a M&P sport and have been more than pleased with it. Payed 595 + tax and have a rifle that will shoot sub moa with a few match grade ammos and under 1-1/2" with several 55 gr fmj rounds. Like others the reviews from guys that do run them hard have been great. Only S&W product I care to own. Buy one of these and have enough money for decent optics and some ammo too.

[xb12s]

...I bought a M&P sport and have been more than pleased with it. Payed 595 + tax and have a rifle that will shoot sub moa with a few match grade ammos and under 1-1/2" with several 55 gr fmj rounds...

That's a good deal. I would have taken that too. I only see them for about $695+, $750ish at LGS.

Lots of other good advice that I agree with here. I agree with the Wyndham and Daniel Defense suggestions. I think the M&P, Wyndham, and DD give you three price ranges to pick from. I'd go Wyndham probably myself but that's more based on what I feel I could afford.

Good luck

[melissa5]

I've got DD's, but for $595 I'd give the M&P Sport a chance.

[ruf45]

+1 on the M&P

[gm412]

Windham Weaponry get's my vote. They are the former Bushmaster folks.

The current bushmasters are made in the same factory as DPMS and some others. they were all bought by I believe it was Freedom group.

I have a ORIGINAL made in Maine Bushmaster w/ A3 upper (removable handle), 20 inch barrel and the fit and finish are hand fitted and everything was smooth as silk from day one.

I bought a M4 type New not made in Maine with the same A3 upper and the fit is not the same. It's like a generic. I haven't had any issues but it's not the same build quality.

I hear Windham Weaponry made by the original Bushmaster folks are like the old original hand fitted quality.

Oh, and get the all metal ones, not the carbon fiber ones. And the removable handle then you can use Iron sights or a scope. Just my opinion.

I'm thinking about taking the M4 one and doing some mods to it. I would not touch the first one because it will shoot the butt off a gnat at 100 yards.

I got one of these about 4-5 months ago. Excellent rifle. Love it. And for the price cannot be beat. You will like one if you choose it.

[Double3]

Colt 6920 can be had in your price range.

You wont be disappointed.

[les strat]

You have a bunch of options at that price range.

You could pony (no pun intended, LOL) up all the $ and get a Colt or DD, etc. Then you are left with, "Hmmm. Now I need an optic," which most people put Eotechs, Aimpoints, Trijicons, etc on as they are tried and true optics used by LEO's and the military.

Or, you could buy something like a Windham, which are terrific rifles, and use the leftover money on the optic, upgrades, ammo, etc. Check out the article and review on one of the more milspec Windham's in the newest American Riflemen. The M&P is pretty good too.

It's a win win if you ask me!

That said, my AR is a Colt 6920. I absolutely love it.

[itsthelaw]

I've got DD's, but for $595 I'd give the M&P Sport a chance.


Tinman? :cool:

[itsthelaw]

Sorry...Melissa...I had to go there.

[melissa5]

Tinman? Is that some kind of liberal argument starter or killer? :)

[Bawanna]

Tinman? Is that some kind of liberal argument starter or killer? :)

"I've got DD's,"

I guess you have to lower yourself to Jocko's gutter level to consider it a clothing article size descriptor.
I of course had to think about it for a long time to understand myself and I'm sure Tinman didn't understand the request either.

I'd post some example pictures but I try to avoid such distractions especially at work or at home.

[melissa5]

"I've got DD's,"

I guess you have to lower yourself to Jocko's gutter level to consider it a clothing article size descriptor.
I of course had to think about it for a long time to understand myself and I'm

I'd post some example pictures but I try to avoid such distractions especially at work or at home.

Well, good grief. I get it now. :o The girls are big, but not that big. LOL Sometimes I forget that I'm talking to a pack of mules...uh, males. :p

[Bawanna]

.

Well, good grief. I get it now. :o The girls are big, but not that big. LOL

That's it? That's all itsthelaw gets for such a thought provoking post?

I've been beat to a pulp for even thinking less than that when I didn't even do anything.

How come I always get the beat down and everyone else gets a pass.
Could it be cause I enjoys it?

I've never figured out the conversion from numbers to letters myself, I try to study up on the very rare occasions when I go shopping with the missus but then I get the beat down for trying to figure it out. She says it don't look right for me to be handling the boulder holders in the ladies dept. Even though I tell her I'm studying. They sure got some buckets on the rack. Could use as a sling shot for bowling balls if you could find big enough rubber bands.

[itsthelaw]

I turn 12 years old next week...

[Bawanna]

I turn 12 years old next week...

Maybe we're twins. Wife says I act 12 most the time. Sometimes she says 5, those must be my good days.

[RedRyder]

I really like my older model Bushmaster. Not sure what the new company puts out but sure like mine. I've also got a Ruger Mini 14 and though it does not have the accuracy of the Bushmaster, it's reliability is flawless. Just thought I'd give you another possible option. I got my Ruger on Gunbroker for about $550 in like new condition with 5 - 20rd mags and an older model Aimpoint sight with side mount.

[itsthelaw]

Let me bring this back to the OP's focus. There is a reason that I bought the DD (giggle). It was on the recommendation of 3 people who train on ARs and on several internet posts that I read. BTW, the other most common recommendation for the best gun my money could buy was a Stag and one of the S&W M&P15 models that I cannot remember. Maybe the 15t or TS.

The reasoning was that I would have a complete gun made by one very good manufacturer. From that point, I could learn to shoot with the stock sights and then move to the optic of my choice. As noted before, I was looking for a middie, but read that they DD carbine was a great carbine and it was a deal I could not pass. I have an extremely solid base gun and can add to it as I get the cash, but I really don't need anything for now. I will get an optic and a sling, and I might get a light. With an optic and a sling, this is an amazing gun. The optic I purchase will determine the total cost, but at least I have that choice when I am ready.

That was just how my brain worked at the time, but I still think it was a great choice.

[yqtszhj]

The reasoning was that I would have a complete gun made by one very good manufacturer.

Most excellent reasoning. Like my first bushy (oh no, I shouldn't have said bushy after the DD detour. :eek:)

[Bootlegger]

M&P 15 Sport is my vote:

I bought mine just over a month ago for $639 OTD, no dust cover or FWD assist but just how much are they really needed?

Something I found interesting is the 5R rifling all the S&W AR's use. I knew nothing about it until some reserch.

Good luck with your serch, I'd say get one while you can and all the 30 round mags you can get...... WHILE YOU CAN!!

[Double3]

Can't go wrong with the DDs.

My buddy went out and got the M4v7 right after I got my LE6920.

My original plan was to get one of the lower priced ARs but I'm glad I went with the Colt.

[AIRret]

Which AR15 has the best availability of spare parts? If the world goes crazy that would be very important.

[joshh]

after weeks of comparing specs and prices i bought a spikes tactical midlength ar. I coudnt be happier with it. they are a great company to deal with and will provide a high quality product like the big name/government contract companies at a more reasonable price without sacrificing the quality of the product (i believe they do some govt work as well). I special ordered mine built the way i wanted/needed (MA) but if you are looking for standard model with a traditional foregrip, aimsurplus has them coming in this week for $769 shipped. compare the specs and you will see they are top notch for a much more reasonable price.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/eos/images/product/F1STR5035MLS2.jpg

[joshh]

Which AR15 has the best availability of spare parts? If the world goes crazy that would be very important.

most of the better models are mil-spec and parts are pretty interchangeable. even some of the cheapo's you can swap out their crappy components for better ones when/if they fail. a guy at my club had an M&P sport that he is now into for well over $1k because he kept upgrading things and now he is looking to buy another upper. AR's are fun but can be addicting.

[AIRret]

Thanks josh

[kahrseye]

After consulting with some LEO's that are friends of mine. I settled on a Rock River Arms. So far I've put on an Eotech site and a Mako 5X magnifier. I haven't sighted it in yet but before I put on the Eotech I was amazed at how accurate it was with just iron sites. It shoots really well and my friends told me that this rifle is very reliable.

[Double3]

Which AR15 has the best availability of spare parts? If the world goes crazy that would be very important.
Anything mil spec.

I don't believe the cheaper ARs are all mil spec.