[Unobtanium]

I'm very partial to Rock River Arms, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a DPMS, Colt, Bushmaster or from any other highly regarded company as long as the price was right.

However I will 100% stay away from Vulcan Arms because they are complete junk and I'm not a fan of stag arms because the ones I've seen at gunshows don't feel like all the other top of the line ARs I've fondled over the years. I will also stay away from Remington's ARs because my uncle had one in .204 Ruger and it keyholed because there wasn't any rifling in the barrel. I wouldn't mind the Remington 700 series, I just refuse to purchase their AR rifles because of the obvious lack of quality control.

You do know that Remington AR's and DPMS AR's and Bushmaster AR's are all produced by the same stock-holder?

 

[strokes762]

You do know that Remington AR's and DPMS AR's and Bushmaster AR's are all produced by the same stock-holder?

They may have the same stockholder, but its not like all their products are manufactured in the same facility.

And yes I know that some are, so you don't have to tell me. Their QC varries and although most are very good, just one getting through by Remington is enough to turn me away from their AR line.

 

[joshiedoom]

Spikes Tactical/Bravo Company/Daniel Defense

 

[Sped Man]

I'll tell you after the riots which is best:

 

[joshiedoom]

 

[NHCraigT]

Bcm, colt, noveske. Daniels defense....spikes

 

[0369]

I'm really enjoying this thread, so here's my $.02. I've had bad experience with Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, and Olympic. Does that mean they're all junk? Not really, but I wouldn't buy any of them. I don't believe in the "tiers", but the chart is a good starting point for a newcomer to ARs. A few years back, Daniel Defense shipped a bunch of bad barrels, yet on certain forums they are "top tier". So much for mpt, etc. There are way too many opinions of others used by poeple to appraise the quality of ARs.
My next one will be a RRA lower with a PSA kit. It's funny how PSA meets all "tier 1" requirements, with a good reputation, yet they aren't placed wit BCM, DD, LMT, and Colt by the internet "experts". What it boils down to, is one shouldn't stake their life on a brand name, but rather a proven single rifle/carbine that the owner is confident in through training and proving in a secure environment. I'd take a Delton that goes bang over a "top tier" lemon with a name that someone told me was good.

0369

 

[Ranger375]

I'm really enjoying this thread, so here's my $.02. I've had bad experience with Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, and Olympic. Does that mean they're all junk? Not really, but I wouldn't buy any of them. I don't believe in the "tiers", but the chart is a good starting point for a newcomer to ARs. A few years back, Daniel Defense shipped a bunch of bad barrels, yet on certain forums they are "top tier". So much for mpt, etc. There are way too many opinions of others used by poeple to appraise the quality of ARs.
My next one will be a RRA lower with a PSA kit. It's funny how PSA meets all "tier 1" requirements, with a good reputation, yet they aren't placed wit BCM, DD, LMT, and Colt by the internet "experts". What it boils down to, is one shouldn't stake their life on a brand name, but rather a proven single rifle/carbine that the owner is confident in through training and proving in a secure environment. I'd take a Delton that goes bang over a "top tier" lemon with a name that someone told me was good.

0369

You may be right but I know Daniel Defense makes really quality gear. Thats unfortunate that they shipped some bad barrels but it does happen sometimes to companies that are growing as fast as they are. They forgot to ship me a rear sight that I ordered once and when I called their CS dept they were very kind, apologetic, and sincere. Shipped me one that day, no questions asked.

 

[Long Shot]

1. Noveske

2. Colt- Try to find the 6940 rather than the 6920

3. Daniel Defense

4. Bravo Company

5. LWRC

 

[AKpredator]

The Colt 6920/6940 still rocks. A local shop that sells a lot of AR's has never sent a Colt back.

 

[Octomonkey]

I don't know if it is the "best" name out there since I don't have experience with any others, but my Bushmaster has been a flawless performer for over two years now.

 

[Icculus]

There are so many errors and incorrect info in the following posts it's laughable.

I think that you really can't go wrong with any of the mainstream brands. Stag is the best quality for the price I think because everything from their receivers to their barrels is built in house,

False. They don't make everything in house and I can get a BCM/DD/Colt for the same money

Bushmaster probably has the best barrels along with Colt.

Is that some kind of joke? BM can't even consistently put a true 5.56 chamber in their guns and a great number of them have to be reamed out. Not to mention they are badly over gassed.

Colt is the orginal however you cannot interchange parts with Colt's and most aftermarket parts which could be a problem for preppers or SHTF.

False. Colt parts interchange just fine. If you are referring to the pin size, they changed to standard size pins many years ago.

Its not fear-mongering....with Colt you pay for the name....not much else.

False. You pay for a company that actually has and adheres to the TDP. Not to mention you're not paying anything extra for the name. You can get Colt's for the same or often less than then the other brands you mention.

Just look at their 1911's. JUNK. Give me a Springfield, Kimber, or even a Rock Island before I buy into that pony nonsense. They lost their way I am sorry to break it to you.

OK guy.

I guess you didn't hear that the Rock River Arms smoked the Colt in the DEA AR15 test hence why they carry RRA's and not Colt's.

You should really do your research before you regurgitate gun show/gun shop nonsense.


I will give you credit though that you hit the nail on the head with DD as they do make a very high quality product.

 

[ranger56528]

I like my DPMS Panther and my Bushmaster....Have had no issues but i also do not shoot a 1000 rounds a day either...

 

[Alaskacajun]

Noveske
Bravo Company USA (BCM)
Colt
Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT)
Daniel Defense
Knight's Armament (KAC)
LWRC


- Clint

 

[hunter1000]

LWRC
Barrett REC7
KAC

These would be my 3 choices. Two are piston and one isn't. Diversity!!!

 

[luke_a]

Noveske
Bravo Company USA (BCM)
Colt
Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT)
Daniel Defense
Knight's Armament (KAC)
LWRC


- Clint

Excellent list, you can't go wrong with any of those.

 

[meadmkr]

With the thousands of rounds fired in short periods of time, the instructors of these schools have seen it all. There is a reason they shoot BCM, ect.

Unfortunately 'reliability' isn't the only reason that many instructors or staff use a specific brand. This isn't unique to firearms (look at the camera companies and sports photographers) but many companies have steep discounts for certain market segments (ie, law enforcement/military discounts) to help promote the brand.

 

[Doc_Shane]

LMT or BCM are the top two for me, although I am really intrigued by PSA lately.

I used Colt's and FN M16's, M4's as issued weapons I wouldn't own a Colt if it was free, I don't like their corporate politics and apparent disdain for the civilian market.

Currently I am running an LMT Defender 16, it's been flawless and has around 8K rounds through it right now, never have had an FTF or FTE with it.

 

[SeekHer]

Who makes the best AR well that's a really simple answer, it's Armalite -- everybody else makes a copy!

There are far better made, with better materials, costing considerably less, backed by strong warranties ARs then Colt...Their claim to fame is that they got the first and first subsequent contracts until the patent period ran out and then everybody and their brother got on the band wagon and have blown Colt out of the water...Colt has dropped so far as to having lost (not picked up/renewed) all their government military contracts and if it wasn't for LEO sales they'd be thankfully tits up, dead and buried, taking a dirt nap along with that SOB McNamara.

 

[luke_a]

Who makes the best AR well that's a really simple answer, it's Armalite -- everybody else makes a copy!

There are far better made, with better materials, costing considerably less, backed by strong warranties ARs then Colt...Their claim to fame is that they got the first and first subsequent contracts until the patent period ran out and then everybody and their brother got on the band wagon and have blown Colt out of the water...Colt has dropped so far as to having lost (not picked up/renewed) all their government military contracts and if it wasn't for LEO sales they'd be thankfully tits up, dead and buried, taking a dirt nap along with that SOB McNamara.

Not sure where you have been but the original Armalite went tit's up decades ago, the new Armalite is just a purchased brand name, similar to the new Springfield Armory. The new Armalite is not even close to top tier, most people would place them somewhere between DPMS and RRA.

I would like to see proof that the Armalite rifles are made from better materials than a BCM, LMT or Daniel Defense rifle.