Need help choosing an AR

[686fan]

I'm looking to get an AR in .223 & I'd like to get your opinions. There are a lot of manufacturers out there who seem to be putting out great products. The rifle would be used for self-defense.
The most important thing I'm looking for is reliability. It has to be dependable.
I really like the things I've read about the Colt 6920 but I'm open to others.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[amcline82]

A Colt would be a good choice but cost you a pretty penny. There is nothing wrong with a M&P sport. Fun little shorter accurate and very reliable. If your going to us if for home defense I would reconsider and look at a shotgun.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

If you are fine with the configuration of the 6920 then the Colt is a fine choice. If not, you might consider looking at BCM. Lot's of options and equal quality.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Colt. Best in quality hands down. Not so expensive anymore, you can find a basic model for under $1000.

Other quality brands:
Bravo Company (BCM).
Smith & Wesson.
Daniel Defense.

 

[S&W Fan]

Colt, FN, LMT, Daniels Defense would be good choices-Colt now offers a stripped 6920 without stock, handguards or trigger guard for between $700-$750 depending on dealer. That allows a nice option in putting together a gun to suit your wants/likes.

The discussion about an AR vs shotguns for home defense is now like the old talk of the 9mm vs 45

My own 6920 is almost 10 years old, been through many classes with it no problems and always near by. FN by the way has the M16 contract for our military, the ARs FN builds for the civilian market are top drawer.

 

[Arik]

Colt, FN, LMT, Daniels Defense would be good choices-Colt now offers a stripped 6920 without stock, handguards or trigger guard for between $700-$750 depending on dealer. That allows a nice option in putting together a gun to suit your wants/likes.

The discussion about an AR vs shotguns for home defense is now like the old talk of the 9mm vs 45

My own 6920 is almost 10 years old, been through many classes with it no problems and always near by. FN by the way has the M16 contract for our military, the ARs FN builds for the civilian market are top drawer.

Colt and FN were just awarded the contract for M4 another variant. ....I forgot which

 

[gregintenn]

I've yet to fire an AR that wasn't reliable.

I prefer buying the parts I want, and assembling them myself.

 

[S&W Fan]

Colt and FN were just awarded the contract for M4 another variant. ....I forgot which

Yeah, my son mentioned that to me recently. On his last three deployments his M4s were all Colt. The few M16s in the armory were FN.

For the op I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the major brands.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Colt has lowered its prices and assuming the quality is still there, why would you get any factory AR other than the Colt LE6920? It is truly made to mil-spec, unlike some who claim that, but actually pick and choose which part of mil-spec they omit. And, the Colt will always hold its value.

The big problem with Colt is they have just changed their distribution to cut out the small dealer. Colt is not dealer direct, still selling to distributors, but they have contractually bound their distributors to only sell to "Colt Stocking Dealers." In order to qualify, a dealer must have a store front, and the dealer must have at least ten (10) Colts in stock at all times (2 from each of 5 categories). The "unintended consequence" of this unfortunate decision will be to lose smaller dealers who cannot afford to stock ten guns, some of which have absolutely no market demand. In addition, some bigger dealers may opt out as well, deciding that it is not profitable to sit on unsold items just to sell 1911s and M4s, both of which are available from numerous other manufacturers.

This whole new program is apparently the result of some Colt management guy who visited a gun store which did not have a wide variety of Colt product in stock to show to customers. Since Colt has been living off government contracts for decades now, the reaction is not entirely unpredictable. Instead of understanding that the free market will dictate that dealers will stock what the public wants, the response was not to invest in new models or designs the public wants, but to contractually force dealers to take undesirable models to get a few desirable ones. This is "government-think" at its best or worst, depending on your perspective.

Naturally, if you are cynical, you could think that Colt's ramp up of production and its lowering of prices was designed to sell more guns, and it probably will, but one step forward and two steps back. The "two steps back" part is where Colt reduces the number of places that customers can obtain Colt products. That is too bad as Colt is making better guns now than they ever have. Distributors have back stocks of Colt products, for which Colt has already been paid, so selling off those guns to Colt Stocking Dealers will not directly help Colt until distributors re-order.

Someone forgot to tell the brain trust in Colt management that Glock, for one, does not have to force anyone to buy anything. They sell more guns than Colt by a factor of probably ten, and every dealer everywhere wants to stock that brand. Why? Because it is what the consumer wants.

 

[Sailfish 40]

Great deal on a 6920 here.

GUNS -N- AMMO - Colt LE6920-OEM1 LE6920 SA 223 Rem/5.56 NATO 16.1" Post Fnt No Furniture Blk

 

[Mister X]

I say get the Colt.

You state you want it for "self-defense", but I would advise caution using it in the context of civilian home defense. The long gun can definitely play a role, but it is not usually the best choice most of the time and truly has limited applications. This article covers the reasoning Armed Response - Tips for the Armed Citizen: Long gun or pistol in the home?

Even Chris Costa of Magpul fame, who most would probably assume would chose an AR as his go-to home defense weapon actually defaults to the pistol over a shotgun it M4 except in certain rare circumstances. [ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dtxxvHF_pTY[/ame]

...

 

[ErnieDeBord]

Colt..of coruse

 

[LVSteve]

This whole new program is apparently the result of some Colt management guy who visited a gun store which did not have a wide variety of Colt product in stock to show to customers. Since Colt has been living off government contracts for decades now, the reaction is not entirely unpredictable. Instead of understanding that the free market will dictate that dealers will stock what the public wants, the response was not to invest in new models or designs the public wants, but to contractually force dealers to take undesirable models to get a few desirable ones. This is "government-think" at its best or worst, depending on your perspective.

The arrogance of the Colt management knows no bounds. The S&W crew make some odd decisions from time to time, but they are Einsteins compared to the brain donors at Colt. If a Colt manager demanded a nickel for his advice on selling guns in the US, I'd ask for change.

 

[Hapworth]

Colt 6920s are ubiquitous right now and as inexpensive as they've been in years thanks to an over-saturated market and diminished demand after the last scare dissipated.

They're iconic and the standard-bearer in quality. You can't go wrong with one.

Daniel Defense is also excellent -- at least every bit Colt's equal in quality while offering more configurations, options, and a build-your-own capability.

Among the hardcore AR-15/M4 enthusiasts, these two are considered bullet-proof choices; the current top-of-the-heap, though, is BCM, in terms of what gets recommended the most, and appears entirely deserving of it.

There are others, large and small, also worthy: LMT, Sionics, Noveske come time mind; but were it me, I'd choose between Colt, Daniel Defense and BCM.

And from them, I'd go BCM -- they're riding an impressive wave of quality, word-of-mouth among those who really know the platform, and great customer service. I think they're the maker to buy from right now and were I in the market, would build an all BCM mid-length.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The arrogance of the Colt management knows no bounds. The S&W crew make some odd decisions from time to time, but they are Einsteins compared to the brain donors at Colt. If a Colt manager demanded a nickel for his advice on selling guns in the US, I'd ask for change.

This is the funniest thing I have read all day! Actually got verbal, honest-to-goodness, out-loud laughter out of me!

 

[scooter123]

I'm going to go against the consensus here and advise you to avoid Colt. Because to be blunt they have been feeding at the government trough for far too long. I recently looked at a Colt 1911 that the dealer wanted 1600 bucks for and the feel when flicking the safety on and off was like it was bathed in Mud. When I commented on that the dealer asked me to repeat myself, and which point I stated "it feels like MUD". He felt that safety, put the pistol in a gun box and put it under the counter. I suspect it will be going back to the factory.

Point is that getting a good detent feel on a 1911 isn't rocket science, it's simply a matter of shaping the area of the safety lever that contacts the plunger correctly. Because Colt is going through MAJOR cash flow issues I expect that their quality control on the civilian side has basically gone by by. So I don't believe it's a good time to invest in any of Colt's civilian products.

If you want a very good rifle at a bargain basement price I don't think you could go wrong with the S&W M&P 15 Sport or Rugers new AR 5.56. For 600 bucks you get a darned good rifle for the money spent.

PS; I build my own AR's and the way I build them they aren't cheap by any stretch. However, every time I see the 15 Sport going for under 600 dollars I am tempted to pick one up just to have a basic "beater" I could use for plinking and put away dirty without feeling the least bit guilty. I can also tell you that based on my experience that there are only two things that will cause an AR to be "unreliable". One is letting the receiver get so sludged up the bolt can't move freely and the second is not giving the magazine a good smack on the bottom if you insert it on a closed Bolt Carrier. The simple truth is the AR15 is an exceptionally well designed and reliable rifle when maintained properly.

 

[bulldogman]

Really! I handled an S&W FS9 today, the trigger was gritty as can be, QC must have gone by by, so I don't think it's a good time to invest in any S&W civilian products. At least I realize my statement is complete hogwash!

 

[BigBill]

I couldn't justify spending the big dollars for a AR style rifle in 223. I put it off for many decades. Then I got my foot in the door when I seen the brand new Russian Izmash Saigas in 223 for just $259. After shooting my brand new Russian Izmash Saiga in 308win (AK/AKM) what a work of art these really are there flawless in operation. I'm very happy with the saigas.

 

[getoff]

No ones mentioned Palmetto State Armory. As far as bang for your buck goes, tough to beat. Guy had one transfered to the LGS I part time at for around $700 shipped. Thing had Magpul furniture, stainless 1 in 8 twist rate bbl. Nice gun with lots of goodies for $700...

 

[GatorFarmer]

You could just buy a Yugo AK clone. They tolerate the average life of a home defense gun, I.e. dust bunny habitat, better than an AR15. There are also fewer small parts to lose or break, and you do not need to learn much in the way of voodoo to keep it working or adjust it. Just something to think about

Beyond that, just shop around your area and check for deals. If you want an AR the Colt is likely going to be the best value now.