I’ve been here a while, reading and trying to learn. I have several AR’s that I have built myself. I say that just to point out that I know there is a big difference in what I have built and what I would take on duty.
I am about to buy a rifle for work. It will also be used for fun shooting and even hunting, but it is primarily a work rifle that I will hopefully never have to use for that purpose, but I need to know I can if I need to.
My budget is ‘about’ $1100. Unless I find a reason to do otherwise, I am planning on a Colt 6920, either in standard or Mag Pul form. But before I do, I want to make sure I am up to date on brands so to speak. So, a few questions if you don’t mind;
[ul]
[li]are Colts still considered top quality “working” rifles
[/li][li]Are there other brands within the same price range to consider with the same or better quality
[/li][li]is there any comparison with a PSA Patrol Rifle Package
[/li][li]just for grins what about the SIG 556
[/li][/ul]
Again, looking for a dead solid dependable rifle I can trust my life, and the lifes of others to. I’m planning on a basic rifle, then adding a light soon after. Possibly adding optics like a red dot at a later time. Other than duty use, I will use it for hunting with heavy bullets on Hogs, coyotes, and possibly deer.
Colt 6920 would be excellent I think everyone here would agree. DDM4V1 and Colt SocomII would be a great gun too as well as BCM. However, I suspect the classic 6920 may fit the bill as a solid Patrol Rifle the best.
I omitted the BCM simply because a complete rifle can be a biatch to locate and some departments have issues with parts guns. I would venture that many would allow a factory Colt.
To reiterate what others have said, Colt, BCM (BravoCompany), or DD will do the job. Having been a LEO, I understand budget is an issue, so whichever has the bells and whistles you require, get whichever one you can find the best price on. Since you have experience with builds, have you given thought to your preference of a mid or carbine length gas system? Not trying to spur a debate on which is better, both have good attributes and most of it is pure preference. However, BCM has a great mid-length that comes with Magpul MOE handguards (not a free-float setup, which will save weight and $$) which would allow the attachment of a light at a later time…a necessity if you work the back shifts. For a patrol rifle, one obviously wants it to be accurate; however, the extra money spent on a free-float setup is not necessary IMHO. Good luck and stay safe.
Thanks for the quick replies and suggestions. Looks like my thinking of Colt was still on the money. Now the real decision, since I posted my questions I found my dealer has several Colt versions, I just have to decide which one:
[ul]
[li]COLT-LE6920MP-B Price $1,059.95
[/li][li]COLT-LE6920 Price $995.95
[/li][li]COLT-AR6720 Price $979.95
[/li][li]COLT-AR6721 Price $979.00
[/li][/ul]
Only because the ones I have put together so far have been from the cheapest parts kits and pieces I could find just to build a plinker. They were not meant to go into harms way.
Now, would I trust my own build if I built it with top quality parts with the intention of building a rifle to stake my life on? Yes I would under that criteria of best parts. But, I have found that I can build a cheaper gun than I can buy, or I can build a gun as good as I can buy, but I can’t build a gun as good as I can buy cheaper than I can purchase it already done.
We have mostly 6721’s and a few newer 6920’s on patrol. Other than replacing springs they have held up very well. Great guns
If I could pick my own, I would go with a pencil barrel 6720, preferably with Magpul furniture. I don’t know how many rounds your planning on putting down range each year, but a 6720 would hold up just fine for quals and the occasional training day for many years. I’d prefer the light weight especially if I’m stuck holding it all night or hiking around with it. Eventually all you need is a sling, white light and maybe an aimpoint micro
The 6720 basically profiles the entire barrel to the smaller diameter under the handguards of the 6920 and is a smaller diameter under the front sight block (.625" vs .750"). I don’t think you are giving much up accuracy wise with the pencil barrel since the govt profile barrel has the weight in the wrong places for accuracy.
I would go with the 6720 personally with MOE handguards for modularity. I am personally not a big fan however of the mbus sight and moe stock that comes on the moe version, however the moe grip and trigger guard are nice to have - this is all just personal preference.
A 6920 is a very good choice but as far a furniture on the rifle just make sure it will not interfere with the locking rack in your patrol vehicle if it is equipped with one.
Out of the options you gave, i’d choose a Colt 6721. Ive used a 9 pound rifle on duty before. Never again. I cannot foresee a LEO-involved shooting incident which would require a 6920 barrel over the lighter 6721.
edit: According to impactguns the 6721 has a 1-9 twist barrel. The 6720 has a 1-7. Might want to confirm that. This probably changes things for a pig gun, not so much for a patrol rifle tho.