I’ve been deliberating over this issue for months. I bought a Colt 6920 as my main go-to rifle in 2016 specifically because I thought it was the most reliable AR15 I could buy. It has never jammed, but several months ago I started reading about the improved reliability of midlength gas systems and am doubting my purchase. In short, I want the most reliable AR15 I can get. I’m not interested in the bells and whistles of the KAC or URGI, but I am interested in maximum reliability. I’d rather not have to spend $2500 on just the rifle and would prefer something basic, but I will save up for that if that’s what it takes.
What is the most reliable AR15? Do you have to go to KAC with the expensive features I don’t want (such as the URX rail, flash hider, etc) to get the most reliable rifle?
(I also have a Colt AR15A4, but I’m starting to agree that it’s a bit long for indoors use)
Something I’ve been considering was re-barreling my 6920 with the same barrel the URGI uses by Daniel Defense, but I’m not sure if that’s an efficient option.
You really don’t need to start a new thread everytime a new idea comes to light. You are overthinking this shit massively. Get your carbine set up, and spend some money on reputable training first.
I understand if this thread needs to be taken down or locked. I’m aware I’ve been talking about it quite a bit. I guess I’m just still just experiencing buyers remorse.
I doubt you will ever break your 6920, or shoot enough to wear it out. Buy ammo, mags, a decent optic, and train with it. There is nothing inherently unreliable about a carbine gas system, especially on a rifle made by a reputable manufacturer like Colt, DD, BCM, etc…
A number of AR’s are very reliable, a Colt 6920 is one of them. If your weapon malfunctions in combat, it doesn’t guarantee that you are dead. Immediate action, spare mags and the ability to remain calm under fire will probably prevail. If it don’t, maximum reliability probably wouldn’t save you from being dead. I can’t swear to this, but I think most dead people would still be dead with an absolutely flawless AR and lots of people are still alive, in spite of the fact they had to use a shitty AR.
Edited because there is nothing I can add to what the SMEs are telling you. Your 6920 is the Toyota Tacoma or the Honda Civic of the AR world, never a bad choice.
Every manufacturer will have its odd goof-up. Most “bottom-barrel” manufacturers will have their exceptionally well-built flukes. Everyone has an opinion on what the best is, but “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Like Iraqguns said, worry more about getting good training on it. If it does eventually fail, figure out the problem; and go from there. Don’t buy into the “this is the best that ever was” stuff, because it’s usually nothing more than anecdotal drivel in favor of someone’s opinion.
Now, that doesn’t mean that if a company has a reputation for poor QC or materials, that you should chance it; but a solid gun plus great training is better than a top-of-the-line masterpiece with none…unless, of course you have the means to get both.
Alright, I appreciate everyone’s responses. For now I’m going to buy more ammo, a red dot, practice, and attend another training class. I won’t beat this dead horse anymore. Eventually I may spring for a midlength upper.
Now that you’ve owned it for two years with no malfunctions, anything you change has the potential to introduce new unforeseen problems.
If I had this level of OCD, I would just buy an LMT Enhanced BCG, shoot it 500 rounds, and if no malfunctions call it a day.
Do you have an Aimpoint Micro/Comp or a Trijicon ACOG as your optic? Do you have a Surefire M300 or m600 Scout light? Those are the standards for reliability in optics and lights.
How about mags? OKAY Surefeed E2 are the most reliable feeding mags for home defense. In the field, they can bend and dent so it’s Pmags and Lancers for that application.
How about ammo? You need super reliable ammo that works with your gun.
If you do want a mid length system, pick up a BCM mid-length with their MCMR rail and ELW BFH barrel. Either just the upper, or upper and lower separately to save on the 11% excise tax. You’ll get the free float rail, properly contoured barrel, and BCM qc.
As far as changing things introducing unforseen problems, that’s what’s made me hesitate on simply swapping out for a midlength barrel, gas tube, and gas block. I should probably just get a new upper before that point.
I do not currently have an optic, but I’ve had my eyes set on the COMP-M4, and the M300 light. Magazines are all PMAGS, and so far I’ve only been shooting Lake City 855, 193, and Federal .223 55gr. I plan to only shoot M855 (Lake City or IMI) out of it for practice going forward.
If I do go to midlength it sounds like my safest bet is to buy a BCM, DD, or the Geiselle URGI clone. But the practical thing to do right now would be to focus on practicing with it as it is and getting a good optic, light, and ammunition.
Somewhere on this forum you can find an older thread by Eurodriver. He put his personally owned 6920 through hell, to include running over it with a truck. Several times. It just kept on working. It finally stopped working when it took a tumble down a cliff, and I think the impact caused the barrel to bend.
My opinion, shoot your 6920 and verify function. Then lube it, load it, and drive on. And don’t throw it off a mountainside.
Don’t waste your money on M855. M193 clones are cheaper and work just as well at putting holes in paper. Use something better for putting holes in people.
You are more likely to have a problem with the gun if you have it rebarreled than you are if you leave it as it is. Someone could muck up the rebarreling.
This really is getting silly. It’s not like you are going to be going the Afghanistan or Iraq and firing 500 rounds a day in the middle of a sandstorm for weeks on end without sufficient opportunity to clean or lubricate it.
You are talking about taking it to the range and practice and hopefully taking a shooting course or two with plenty of opportunity to lubricate it.
Using the exact same gun that you have, many people have taken 2-3 day classes where they may be firing 500-700 rounds a day and never experienced a single malfunction. As long as you are using good magazines and good ammo, you should be fine.
I would add the Aimpoint pro. You will be amazed how much faster and easier you can engage targets.
You have a Colt 6920, an AR that’s about as reliable and durable as it gets. Don’t even think about middies or uppers or gas blocks or any of that nonsense until you have sent at least a couple thousand rounds down range with your Colt.
