hello all,
im new to the page here and was wondering some of your opinions on a few AR’s ive been looking into…i currently own several rifles, and handguns. i have been shooting since 14, and really got into it when i was a Marine…my current rifle of choice is my fulton armory M14, i recently started shooting my budddies AR and enjoyed it, brought me back to my days in the Corp…i was considering purchasing one and started doing some research. A few of the ones ive had my eye on are palmetto state armory, spikes tactical, del-ton, special ops tactical, and diamond back…im looking into easing into the AR market…the two ive narrowed it to are the special ops tactical, and the spikes due to the spec sheet, and pricing…any thoughts or insight into these rifles would greatly be appreciated…i do plan on using it heavily, and running run and gun drills, as i currently work for the Department of Homeland Security as an agent…thanks again for any input you guys may have, i appreciate the knowedge and experience that you guys can share with me…thanks again
None of the choices are amazing, the PSA is probably the best bet. Why not a Colt 6920 or a BCM?
Fixed it for ya
I’m pretty sure its Corps. Also, I suggest you do some research. Neither of those two would even be on the top 20 list.
Unfortunately, the usual practice for those new to the AR is to look around to see what seems to be readily-available, or to scan gun magazine advertisements, rather than to research what might actually be worth owning. Since all of these rifles look very much alike to the casual observer, there is a certain logic to this; however, the truth is that there are considerable differences in everything from component design, specifications and quality to the assembly standards employed in building them.
All ARs are not created equal, and your list effectively reads like a roster of hobby-grade commercial rifles, which are known to fall well-short of the current service-grade standard. Again, this is a common mistake, so don’t feel too badly about it; just take the time to build up your knowledge base so you aren’t left with buyer’s remorse a month or two after spending all of your money.
You may or may not need, or even want, a gun built that closely adheres to the government’s Technical Data Package (TDP) for the M4 series, but you will benefit from getting as close to it as you can where metallurgy, parts testing, chamber dimensions and other key factors are concerned. Further, you want to deal with a company that at least understands the nuances of correct assembly – look up “staking” for starters – if not an actual government contractor itself.
Most of the rifles that you mentioned are hopelessly-compromised by shortcuts applied throughout the production process. You see this most often in the form of a features-laden carbine that is being built to what seems to be a very reasonable price-point. Since there are no free lunches, what you eventually find is that the features come at the expense of some very key fundamentals, such as correct barrel steels, bolt testing, proper assembly and the like.
Invest in a rifle that is built from the same quality materials (or better) as the one you carried in uniform, developed with the same military/LE service standards in mind and built by folks who take the work being done on the production floor every bit as seriously as what they have the marketing team working on upstairs. We all like slick glossy magazine ads of pseudo-SWAT dudes and scruffy contractors moving to contact with a cool Brand-X rifle in their hands, but relatively few of these rifles are well-suited for serious work beyond the photo shoot. Learn the difference, and buy the real deal.
Assuming that you’ve been waiting for the Cliff’s Notes on this one, here is a common short list around M4C (alphabetically): Bravo Company Manufacturing, Colt, Daniel Defense, Knight’s Armament and Noveske. Depending upon what you are after, and in what configuration, Lewis Machine & Tool and Smith & Wesson might also be worthy contenders. While an not exhaustive list, the point is that these companies are all generally-engaged in the business of making it harder to buy a crappy AR.
AC
Thank you
Go talk to Grant at G and R and get one of his BCM’s. I’m not sure why “easing” into the AR market equates to buying a subpar rifle.
This. Grant will take care of you. Buy once, cry once. Colt, BCM, or KAC would be my recommendation.
Have invested in all three over the years. All represent solid choices.
If you’re looking to go for the throat, and buy a rifle that you will never grow tired of, I’d start saving for a SR-15 from KAC.
AC
Some manufacturers aren’t to accepted on this forum. Spikes and PSA are darn good rifles, plain and simple. I would put my Spikes against my 6920 any day of the week and the finish is better, if that means anything to you. BCM also makes a darn nice rifle. If you might be selling it down the road buying a Colt will always bring more money simply because it is better known than the others. My best advice is to read this forum and others from cover to cover. Read 10 times more than you post, and it wont be long before you will have your own view on this topic. We all have different needs, what is the perfect rifle for me may be totally wrong for you, so asking strangers what gun you should buy isn’t always the best option. But there is good info to be had hear, just like any other forum you have to take the BS out of some of the threads and keep the good. You will learn this in time Grasshopper. Welcome to the jungle!!!
^ I could not help but think I was just introduced to a magical quest.
Op what almost everyone else said, I personally started off with a Daniel Defense V1 and it has been great, it was much more than I needed but everything I wanted and it left room for me to grow into. Now I’d consider these manufactures the norm and besides a couple other companies I would not bat an eye at anything else. If money is tight personally I would ignore the itch until I could move forward with one of these manufactures. I promise you will thank AC and IG later.
You may want to give Rainier Arms a look also. They have also proven very solid to me.
Also another vote for Grant at GandR, he will point you into the right direction
Awesome. Should be the standard Mark 1 Mod 0 response to anyone asking the “what should I buy…” question.
Coming from someone who bought a Spike’s, I’m happy with it. The problem is you will yearn for more. You said it yourself, you want to ease into the market. In that case, buy a quality rifle, and shoot it. Then go from there. The more you shoot the more you will want to purchase for your rifle, and having a quality fighting gun as a proper base will create many less future headaches after you’ve eased in.
Someone said earlier, buy once cry once. I always add buy cheap buy twice. Take it from someone who has been there. The up front price difference is minimal, especially in the long run.
From your list, I’d go Spike’s. Won’t find a whole lotta’ love here for it but a solid choice.
After reading the OP, I doubt that he was in my Corps or in DHS…high school maybe. And since he has been shooting since he was 14, he likely only has a year of experience shooting.
No Marine would make that kind of mistake.
I am not buying his “bona fides”.
Stats:
Date of Birth
August 18
Join Date
07-28-13
Total Posts
1
OP, let’s start off with this simple question. How much are you willing to spend, not counting magazines, ammo, sling, etc.?
reason i was asking about these rifles, is for a few reasons…one ive always been more of an M14 guy…i have three of them, my best one is my futon armory. i was looking into the colt LEmodels, and looking at the spec sheet i noticed that a few less expenisve rifles seemed to share the same specs. spikes says they use the 4150 cmv steel barrels, M4 feed ramps cut into the receiver and barrle extension before being finished, M16 bolt carrier, that properly staked and 158 carpenter steel and shot peened, 7076 aluminium receivers upper and lower, F marked front sight base, T marks on the upper rail, barrels and bolt carriers are mp and hp tested, and 5.56 chambers…again, im not an expert on the AR, i carried one in the CORPS…(for those that felt the need to correct the fact i forgot an S) and was able to keep it running despite its wanting to jam…also, i want to know if its better to spend a little more for nickel boron bolt carrier groups and chambers. if i can get away and spend a little less for the same material, then i comes to a question of quaility…i know that two rifles with the exact components could in fact be assembeled totally diferent…i dont want a compitition gun, i have my M14 for that, i want a rifle that i can run hard and not worry about it malfunctioning. my department uses rock river arms, and they run just fine, accuracy is another story when they get hot, but dont forget, my dept is going with the lowest bidder… i have no problem buying a colt for 1500, but if i can spend less and get the same quaility, it would leave me some room for customization…that being said, i want a rifle that functions, no rifle if accurate if its not functional. i also understand that alot of people have their favorites, so my question was more asking if the spec sheet reads the same, what are factors you guys would look at in choosing a rifle
You want to run it hard and not worry about it malfunctioning. Then go for this.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=6920
Or this.
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=M4-650-112
Work it hard and then determine if or what you want to change. Better set aside some coin because accessories are addicting!
Lol, I would spend time investing in spelling and grammar lessons before anything.
Also anyone can copy down specs, obviously your no expert and I’d bet your far away from a Marine, you picked the wrong place to fake that shit, if so. But I hope I’m wrong, because that’s not cool
Regards I think you would have better luck with the ARs mentioned.
my spelling is fine, my typing is not…i served from 1992 until 2000 3rd batallion 8th Marines out lejune…my MOS was 0341 mortarman, theni later took an 0861 billet as a forward observer…if you still doubt me, you can kiss my ass. i didnt sign up to this sight to be critized for petty bullshit by some shitbird like yourself. if you have nothing constructive to add to the conversation, i suggest you **** off…had i had great knowledge of these rifles, i wouldnt be asking, you ever think of that? i asked for opinion and facts, not for some asswad to give me shit about spelling and question my military service