Colt is an American company with a long and great reputation… FN is a Belgium company that made a name for itself in the US Military with M240 and M249 SAW - also of course breaking into the M16 market in the 80’s and now known for their “cold hammer forged” barrels.
What do you all think of FN as compared to Colt. Both make good products but does anyone think one or the other stands far above the other? If so, why?
Do a search and you will find several threads about FN ARs. In short between the two, Colt is the one most everyone here is going to choose for hard use/duty/HD. Reason being is that, unless something has changed recently, FN’s commercial ARs are not to the same milspec as the ones they are delivering to the military. This has to do with Colt still owning the TDP and FN only having rights to use it for rifles going to the military.
FN has long history as well. They made a name for themselves long before US military contracts. Ever hear of the FAL? I would probably say FN but that is subjective and just my opinion. I have used FN M16A3s. It shot the same as the Colts. I think there is no difference in the rifles that both companies sell the military.
Well one of the two are bankrupt…
Well, not necessarily talking about commercial vs. milspec. But IMO the term “milspec” is dropped too often. Milspec doesn’t necessarily mean better. I have two FN 20" “milspec” barrels… Doesn’t mean they are better than FNs CHF civilian process which, if memory serves me correctly, they can’t use on M16/M4 military contracts.
Also, most TDP for the M16/AR15 ran out in 1983. But I imagine you are referring to the M4 TDP.
Haha, the FAL completely slipped my mind… I was a Army product of the mid-90’s, and a one enlistment chump at that… Since then, got out and haven’t touched a rifle for 15 years until just recently. But ya, forgot all about FAL =P
If you compare the commercial FNH rifle to a 6920 you will see the Colt is the better rifle. Unless something has changed recently the off the shelf FNH rifle is pretty watered down compared to what they ship Uncle Sam. Feel free to use the search and read the thread here comparing the two.
Some light reading on the FNH 15
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?143446-Is-FN-preparing-to-release-their-own-AR
Well, I am putting together a 16" FN upper with commercial CHF barrel, “milspec” FN M4 upper receiver, GG&G pinned flip up sight/gas block, FN SCAR 16 muzzle brake and milspec M4 quad rails. Only think not up to “milspec” standards is the barrel which is CHF, the PRI flip up, and commercial muzzle brake… What part of this build you think I’ll be disappointed with?
Say what you want, but again, unless things have changed, the rifles that are going to be available on the market for you to buy as a civilian the Colt rifle is going to still be the rifle that most who are looking at a hard use rifle are going to lean towards. FN’s AR15 line has shown a trend towards more commercial grade gear, the giant white FN on the side does not help their cause. Between the two as go to rifles for home defense or duty I am going to side with Colt here. If you want to argue what the military is getting, both are supposed to be to the same spec and as such the differences, all things being equal should be minimal.
As far as milspec vs non milspec. Yes, there are guns that are not milspec that would be considered better. I consider BCM’s midlength gas system to be superior to a milspec carbine gas system when looking at standard carbine length barrels. (14.5-16 inches). But, the things that one might consider improvements are generally going to be few and far between in my opinion and only offer incremental improvements generally speaking, and can often be chalked up to pure preference, seeing as while I prefer a middy, a carbine gas system will work admirably. That said, yes, milspec can be thrown around quite a bit, but the way you will find it to be used around here is as the minimal level of quality that one would want for a hard use/duty/HD rifle. While milspec can be improved upon, a commercial grade rifle is generally not going to be built to the level that would endear itself to trust out of the box, not that I really trust any rifle, or gun for that matter, out of the box until I have had the chance to run rounds through it, but a commercial grade rifle is more likely going to deficiencies in areas, like staking, or lack there of, weaker materials, lack of QC, that can cause issues down the road.
You do realize there is a difference between you building a rifle yourself with hand picked parts, and what they sell in a compete package with their FN 15 carbine, right?
They make great stuff, however for whatever reason the complete rifle they brought to market wasn’t up to the same standards as what Colt, BCM, LMT, etc. offer.
What is your purpose for the upper/rifle? We would be better able to answer if we knew that.
Also, by scar muzzle brake I am assuming you are referring to the PWS FSC556? I have my opinions of that thing, but will hold it until I know what you plan on using the rifle for. Also, what are you considering milspec M4 quad rails? KAC RAS?
I very RARELY buy lowers or full rifles in the AR platform - there is no need other than for investment and I prefer to shoot. I have two lowers assemblies (A2 and M4) and a number of upper assemblies (wont say how many). Haha, I’ll give you that - I would NEVER but and FN lower looking like that. IMO, that is embarrassing and I can only guess that FN had some chick come up with that from their marketing team. The way I look at it, I can mix/match FN and other milspec components to my hearts desire but I try to keep upper parts the same because a colt barrel mounted to a FN receiver just seems “wrong” =P
Yes, I know the SCAR PWS inspired break isn’t thought highly of and it’s loud. And yes again, KAC “style” rails, but not “KAC” name brand - I have a new P&P upper rail and a new CAPCO lower. Purpose of this rifle is simply a range shooter and a backup SHTF rifle. Honestly is has no real purpose but to be a SCAR inspired M4. I do it because I can =)
As Jbecker pointed out if you are picking the components and building it yourself it does become a different ball game. If you worry is the barrel from FN, then again lots of threads on that for you to read through and make decisions from since then their rifles kind of become irreverent since you are looking at components.
If it’s a beater and range toy slap on it what you like, just don’t shoot next to me. I personally hate that brake, not because it isn’t effective at its job, mostly because I have spent time beside the ****ing thing and have a hacksaw in my bug out kits to take care of such offensive things should shit hit the fan.
Yes, that is understandable. But in reality the AR platform is the way it is because an original barrel could be easily changed with a similar parts barrel if that barrel was shot out or damaged… Same goes with BCGs, stocks, etc. So why not take advantage of it? Unless of course you are a collector - which I can’t afford to be anyways =)
Well, when I go to the range I have range courtesy, I would never use it with someone too close to me. Now if you are the kind of person that would go out of your way from down the line to complain then I’m sure we would have unpleasant words to exchange :rolleyes:
Well if you want to spend a grand on a rifle just to throw another few hundred at it to make it comparable to other off the shelf rifles that also only cost a grand, knock your socks off. You asked about Colt vs FN in your first post, and off the shelf the Colt is the better buy.
Colt and FN have a long history of marketing the same designs…
