Stepping up to an AR style rifle.

[Amishman44]

Thank you...the information presented has been more than helpful! 2-3-4+ opinions, from experience, are much better than one. Thank you!

 

[remymartin]

I do not own a Colt, but I own a handful of AR's. Some I built, only one that was bought complete. My go to is the DPMS that was purchased as a complete rifle. It's not exactly stock, but it has proven itself to be the most reliable. From what I have heard, read, and experienced, anything DPMS is hit or miss. I guess I got a good one, I wouldn't trade it for a brand new Colt YMMV.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I do not own a Colt, but I own a handful of AR's. Some I built, only one that was bought complete. My go to is the DPMS that was purchased as a complete rifle. It's not exactly stock, but it has proven itself to be the most reliable. From what I have heard, read, and experienced, anything DPMS is hit or miss. I guess I got a good one, I wouldn't trade it for a brand new Colt YMMV.

My friend first owned a DPMS. He was just not happy with it. So he went with a Olympic Arms and have been very happy.

 

[wetidlerjr]

Go here and read the "stickies"
AR Technical Discussion - M4Carbine.net Forums

I agree. Tons of good info there.

 

[Disposable Heart]

For a longer ranged AR, maybe give a thought to a 20" instead of the 16" everyone wants to shove down everyone's throats. One can do very well in home with a 20" if they know how to hold the rifle, but for longer shots, the longer sight radius helps out big time, not to mention the slightly increased velocity (keep the fragmentation range out a little more, not 200 yards, but further than a 16" swirl tube ).

 

[esrice]

IMO, the Spikes M4 or Spikes Mid-Length.

ST-15 M4 LE Carbine [STR5025-M4S] - $799.95 : Spikes Tactical

ST-15 Mid-Length LE Carbine [STR5LE2] - $809.95 : Spikes Tactical

They have almost all of the mil-spec features of a Colt, with a substantially smaller price tag. Other rifles in this price range may be good rifles, but they lack some of the standard features of the Spikes (most notably the more-desirable 1:7" barrel twist).

I just found out from Aszerigan at Profire Arms & Supply - INGunOwners that he is selling the Spikes M4 for 10% off during the month of September. Even with sales tax and transfer fee, you're looking at $780 out-the-door.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...es_tactical_-_september_sale.html#post1321636

You will NOT find a rifle with those specs for that cheap ANYWHERE.

 

[03A3]

That's a heck of a good deal on a fine gun.

 

[Amishman44]

I think I'm going to stick with a S&W M&P 15 AR style rifle...they are basic, simple, reliable, accurate, etc...plus, they have a 5 free magazine deal going on right now.

Unless...as a friend suggested, what about the Remington 7615 rifle in .223?

 

[car06281]

Bushmaster and RRA

I own 2 bushmasters and they are good quality and were reasonably priced. I also own a RRA but haven't shot it yet. Both brands are good value for the money

 

[PatriotPride]

I think I'm going to stick with a S&W M&P 15 AR style rifle...they are basic, simple, reliable, accurate, etc...plus, they have a 5 free magazine deal going on right now.

This is what I use. It's easy to modify, has great accuracy, and has unmatched value IMO. I also use the MP 15-22 and haven't had any issues yet.

 

[daclamdvm]

The best value for the money is to get a stripped lower and a kit from one of the volume dealers like Model 1 Sales, JT, etc. Around $550 all told. If you don't relish the idea of assembling the lower parts, you can get an assembled lower for maybe $250 and the upper for $450. I can't speak to these brands holding value, but I've yet to see an AR of any brand for less than the cost of assembling one, new or used.
My AR is one I assembled and it works great. Admittedly I'm not a competitive shooter or in the military or law enforcement, but I do a lot of shooting and its been accurate and reliable.

 

[rfontes]

i got a dpms a3 lite and love it, nice tight groups out of the box @ 100yds with a nikon prostaff, hasn't malfunctioned yet after 500 rounds down the pipe, but i only use domestic ammo and clean my gun religiously.

 

[1donos]

I have a dmps ap4 (m4) that I have shot a lot this summer and have had no problems with it. I have ran several different mag types in it and all of them fed through the dpms with no miss feeds. I would prefer a colt but when your on a budget the dpms works great.

 

[wilbur352]

I am not a Mini-14 fan, they do not hold there value very well. I would no tconsider buying one for more than $300, simply if you ever wanted to trade it on something else.

I have owned a couple of Bushmasters and shot several of my buddies(colts, RR,Olympic). I think that for straight out of the box it is hard to beat the Bushmaster Varminter 24" barrel and adjustable trigger with a flat top.