[Guest]

went to sportsman's warehouse and they had some armalite and bushmaster AR15's for around the same as the RRA i'm looking at.

i'm not too sure about the quality heirarchy of AR15 builders (other then i've heard Colt is tops)....how do these three companies compare? All comparable or is one a level higher then the others?

 

[Guest]

I'd say Armalite is in the same boat as Colt... Producing needlessly expensive stuff in a world full of high quality, competitively priced stuff from CMT (Stag), RRA, and others. Armalite's parts are high quality, no argument there, but offer you nothing over the aforementioned manufacturers. You ultimately end up paying for the name stamped on the side of the receiver.

 

[Guest]

I'd say Armalite is in the same boat as Colt... Producing needlessly expensive stuff in a world full of high quality, competitively priced stuff from CMT (Stag), RRA, and others. Armalite's parts are high quality, no argument there, but offer you nothing over the aforementioned manufacturers. You ultimately end up paying for the name stamped on the side of the receiver.

+1

 

[Guest]

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=737554

 

[Guest]

Colt #1? Maybe in 1975, or among collectors. They got left behind long ago. Kind of like RR being considered a second tier manufacturer, and when they're low bid on a DEA contract, suddenly everyone thinks RR is #1. Armalite makes an exceptional weapon. Hey.......they're even the AR in AR, what a concept. I''d rate CMT, RR, Armalite, and Bushmaster as equals.

 

[Guest]

Hey.......they're even the AR in AR, what a concept. I''d rate CMT, RR, Armalite, and Bushmaster as equals.

They bought the name, formerly known as Eagle Arms
If you're looking at RRA, make sure you get it chrome lined....it isn't standard.

Mike

 

[Guest]

went to sportsman's warehouse and they had some armalite and bushmaster AR15's for around the same as the RRA i'm looking at.

i'm not too sure about the quality heirarchy of AR15 builders (other then i've heard Colt is tops)....how do these three companies compare? All comparable or is one a level higher then the others?

Colt, LMT, and Noveske are tops. The others can be made to run run with some parts modifications.

 

[Guest]

Mabey I'm too young to appreciate the Colt that used to be, but nowadays, its a company that produces nothing special (and nothing of its own design... but thats another matter ), and charges an arm and a leg for it.

Colt, LMT, and Noveske are tops. The others can be made to run run with some parts modifications.

Uh, the others will run just fine.

 

[Guest]

Oh hell, here we go again with Tiered vendors

Lucky Strike, I don't know why you'd rely on a big box chain to get a good price on an AR but Sportsmans ain't got the best prices. You might have seen several of us recommend AR15SALES.COM (Pete) ... you seriously should just give him a call, he'll smoke the SW costs.

RRA is more than fine, Armalite get's a special place in my heart for being the company (well origionally) that brought us the AR series. They make a damn fine weapon and back it up. You couldn't go wrong with either Armalite or RRA ... I've got a Bushy and can't say that it's anything special compared to my RRA's, matter of fact the fit between the upper and lower isn't near as solid as the RRA's.

You're choice man, it's your money. But if you read the threads around here about AR's I think you'll see the trend for yourself.

 

[Guest]

I picked up a Armalite LEC15A4CB a few weeks ago for under $900 and think it's a fine rifle.
The only AR's ive shoot over the last 30 years have been Colt/S&W 15/Armalite and Stag they are all great guns.

 

[Guest]

Badshot,

I did call Pete (very helpful chap) and got the price on an RRA Elite A4....it was $20 (plus whatever the cheapest FFL i can find) more then the Armalite but had more good stuff (which easily exceeded the $20+FFL fee) on it. I was just doing a check to see if the Armalite was head and shoulders above the RRA or something. Sounds like it isn't so I'll be going with the RRA from pete.

He also suggested going with a full rifle over buying a complete upper and lower since it'll be my first rifle, even though it costs a bit more you get things that you'll eventually need like a hardcase and a 30rnd mag plus higher resale.

I think i've got everything figured out now except whether or not i wanna go with a standard or two stage trigger. Am i correct in saying that a standard trigger is more reliable then the two stage?

 

[Guest]

The chart posted by nikon is quite informative and an objective comparison.

It's amazing how the brands from CMMG down cut corners on their guns. Wow.:shock:

 

[Guest]

The chart posted by nikon is quite informative and an objective comparison.

It's amazing how the brands from CMMG down cut corners on their guns. Wow.:shock:

keep in mind those lesser guns also cost quite a bit less. For an LMT you are looking at 50% more $$ than a RRA.

the guestion becomes what features do you need to have a solid rifle?

 

[Guest]

keep in mind those lesser guns also cost quite a bit less. For an LMT you are looking at 50% more $$ than a RRA.

the guestion becomes what features do you need to have a solid rifle?

Brewguy hit the nail right on the head.

Those things are improvements, but with the current selection of AR's, they become answers in search of problems. I have yet to hear a Stag or RRA owner complain about anything that those things would have fixed. They cease to be improvements when they yield nothing to the end user, and become money wasted.

ETA: Also noticed that about half the things on that list are personal preference, and have nothing to do with the successful operation of the rifle

 

[Guest]

I've got both and will say that I had issues with my 2 stag trigger after a led shaving some how worked it's way into the trigger mechanism. Not a big deal.. pop the pins and out it comes, a nice clean of that and the trigger group well and all was fine again. Honestly I like it, it's smoother than the USGI standard one, but when it comes to it, it's sitting in my support rifle, not the one I'm grabbing first.

 

[Guest]

I put a Stag Upper on a Stag lower and they fit very well, no gaps, nice and tight pins. It is a solid rifle all this other stuff about LMT is hype. I think you get a good reliable rifle from most manufacturers. Most likely our lives will not depend on these rifles anyway. I use my XD as a first defense, then the 870, and then if things get really really really fubared I will grab the AR. Not to say you should skimp but advertising and tactical this and tactical that blurs the line between a need and a want.

Enjoy your AR, I know I am!

I put a lot of wants on my rifle!

 

[Guest]

I've got both and will say that I had issues with my 2 stag trigger after a led shaving some how worked it's way into the trigger mechanism. Not a big deal.. pop the pins and out it comes, a nice clean of that and the trigger group well and all was fine again. Honestly I like it, it's smoother than the USGI standard one, but when it comes to it, it's sitting in my support rifle, not the one I'm grabbing first.

I've read that the two stage doesn't do as well as the standard for rapid firing ......is that true or just gibberish?

 

[Guest]

Mabey I'm too young to appreciate the Colt that used to be, but nowadays, its a company that produces nothing special (and nothing of its own design... but thats another matter ), and charges an arm and a leg for it.
Uh, the others will run just fine.

If you want plinkers, sure the lesser brands will do. However if your looking for a serious fighting rifle, and/or a rifle you can take through a carbine course and not have it go down, then there are some upgrades you'll want to consider. Id personally stick with Stag and upgrade some of the parts If I couldn't afford the LMT.

 

[Guest]

The chart posted by nikon is quite informative and an objective comparison.

It's amazing how the brands from CMMG down cut corners on their guns. Wow.:shock:

Yup, makes them much cheaper to produce.

 

[Guest]

Also noticed that about half the things on that list are personal preference, and have nothing to do with the successful operation of the rifle

There's a reason the Military has certain specifications for the rifles, Colt and LMT happen to manufacture their rifles to these specs. Many of these specs do however affect the overall durability and reliability of the rifle. Sure, the DPMS is fine for Tom the tool man who puts 50 rounds through his AR every couple of weeks, but for the gentlemen in the sand box gettin' it on, those extra specifications are needed and welcomed.

I sense your agitation with the whole mil-spec thing. Don't worry, I'm not bashing the lesser brands, I'm simply giving out info that may be helpful to others in selecting a rifle. I myself also can not afford a LMT or Colt. However there are certain things in my Stag that I have upgraded. For one, Ive upgraded to an "auto" BCM bolt carrier group. It features a Parkerized exterior and chrome lined inside carrier, machined to USGI specifications, includes the proper Mil-Spec gas key, gas key is chrome lined and heat treated per GI specifications, gas key is secured to carrier via USGI domestic mfg Grade 8 fasteners and properly staked per Mil-Specs.(These properly hardened parts insure a strong staking and proper gas system functioning). The bolt assembly is shot peened for increased strength, includes tool steel machined extractor, BCM Extractor Spring, and is MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected).

Some of the most common failures on AR's are gas key not properly staked, and broken bolts.