First off thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to my “new guy, new buyer” post about a week ago. I read every response and took the advice given. I went out again and took a look at a few different AR’s, and I am down to two that I feel would be a good first purchase for myself… What are your guys thoughts on these two, and what are the ups and downs of either?
I am between a Colt LE6920 MP-B $1299.99 (I think this Colt comes with a lot of Magpul accessories too which is nice, right?)
Both are good rifles. Colt has A LOT of problems with lowers when it comes to cosmetics, so be sure to check thoroughly when inspecting it.
A lot of people will recommend Colt for the simple fact the Military has used it before… I guess that makes it (Good to go). But, there’s absolutely no proof out there that says a S&W isn’t on par OR better than Colt.
Also, that Colt price is very high for that model, from prices I’ve seen around my area. IF… you want to save up another $200… you can get a Daniel Defense M4 which is a very good top-tier quality AR, better than Colt & S&W in my opinion.
While s&w is a good firearm, this statement is false. Google the m4 chart and stack them up side by side and the Colt wins every time. Just the specs alone in the rifle is your proof.
In MY opinion you can’t really go wrong with either. There are a few things to consider tho.
Colt, they have a very good name and they make killer rifles. They dident get their reputation by chance. With a Colt you will get a full auto carrier if that matters, you will have a fixed front sight and a chrome lined barrel.
The Smith,
Some of the best CS in the industry. Low profile gas block, if you want to swap out the rail down the rode it will be easier then if you have a fixed front sight.
Those are the things that jump out at me. If you are going to keep this as your first rifle and leave it mostly stock and then get another one and make it how you want it then I would go with the Colt. But if you want one gun that you will upgrade down the rode then I would go with the Smith.
Either way they will both be great guns.
I have owned both rifles. I had a 1st gen Smith M&P 15T with all of the Troy accessories and also the LE6920MP-B. Both were great shooting guns. The Smith is heavier weight wise than the colt. Most likely because of the 12" quad rail. I did prefer the 1/7 twist of the Colt over the 1/8 of the Smith, it seemed to hold a tighter group. If it is any indication of my preference, I sold the Smith and kept the Colt. If I had it to do again, I would still keep the Colt. Anyway, just my $0.02
Also, here is a new colt for $1149.99 if you can live with the Magpul FDE.
The Colt carbine is the standard and many knowledgeable people will tell you this. The S&W is a hobby gun and though the T version may be better than their standard offerings it doesn’t compare to Colt.
But still when you compare the quality of the parts and the manufacturing processes side by side the Colt wins. I’m not bashing on S&W, i’ve owned a couple and they make good guns but they are not quite up to the level for Colt, BCM, DD, LMT, etc.
It doesn’t matter if the chart is around or not. The Colt 6920 which is the derivative of the Colt M4 carbine is the standard. They have seen combat from Vietnam-Panama, Gulf War I, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://gunfacts.webs.com/M4Chart1.gif
Colt…when getting answers ffrom people make sure you look at there post count usually the higher the count the better advice.
I’d get the Colt LE6920 MP-B which comes with Magpul accessories. Their black MOE stock, grip, hand guard, trigger guard and vertical grip.
My wife bought me a Colt MT6400 Carbine for Christmas and my birthday last year. It’s the post-ban compliant version of the LE6920. I’ve tried a few different things on it that I had and used on my other AR. However, I’ve settled on a Magpul ACS stock, MIAD grip, their MOE hand guard, trigger guard and I have the vertical grip. I’m still not sure if I’m going to keep the vertical grip on it or not, I go back and forth on it.
Off topic but I went with [b]THIS[/b] light and mount combo and [b]THIS[/b] QR sling mount from Impact Weapons Components. Both were simple to install and use with my MOE hand guard.
I’m no AR expert by any means. That said, Colt AR’s are usually the AR’s in which all others are judged against.
Good luck and let us know which one you end up getting.
This. This cat knows his shit when it comes to weapons. Colt’s 6920 is THE standard for the civilian market. You can get more expensive/possibly better rifles, but the 6920 is the standard. Smiths are between colt and dpms quality wise.
Is this the exact same colt as I named above, the LE6920MP-B but just not in the black? It’s the exact same weapon with the same Magpul accessories correct, just in that different color.
I have both of those guns. The S&W is okay but the Colt is the true winner. The colt has the h buffer, a FA BCG, 1/7 barrel and has a correct gas port. S&W has carbine buffer, semi BCG, 1/8 barrel (mines 1/9), and is over gassed. Only thing i wish is Colt made a 16" midlength. Go with the Colt.