S&W, Ruger, Colt, which AR-15?

[louisq]

SSome of the tools, such as an armorers wrench could come in handy, but I haven't needed them in day to day ownership and use.

Noveske stripped lower? I wouldn't pay the premium for it. There are a handful of forges that make all of the forged lowers. The difference in quality comes with who does the final machining. While Noveske is a premium brand, there are many other manufacturers who machine a lower to spec as well and the cost is less. I know you said you aren't trying to save money, but why throw money away when you could use that on optics or other parts.

If you want a BCM build, why not just buy a BCM upper and a BCM lower with what you want already on it. By buying the upper and lower separately and not as a complete rifle, there is some tax savings, but you should always check to see both ways to see which is the better deal.
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gotcha. Makes sense thing is old PetervPan here wants something in hand. Doling out $600 a month is out of pocket. So either I save over 3-4 months, there's that never grow up fella lurking, or draw attention to a large purchase.Gone are the pre retirement days when cash was king and I could claim HUGE discounts unnoticed. In the end it's ver a problem, but over 45 years I've learned how to keep calm water. So in the end common sense will probably win out... then again I just can't NOT be competent enough to build. My nephews get more goodies or tools make a great donation to local guard or leo. BCM, DD here I come.

Thanks for the shared values.

 

[WR Moore]

Besides the armorers wrench, the widget to remove hand guards and the spanner for the receiver extension/buffer tube nut are nice to have around. As is a CAT M4 tool for cleaning the bolt, but that's a maintenance tool.

Most of the other tools you'd need for builds you'd never use for anything else. A full set of headspace gauges (GO, NO-GO and FIELD-OK, the FIELD gauge is good to have for wellness checks) being a prime example. Yeah, people do builds without them , but I value my various body parts.

 

[mrchuck]

Remember the school shooting up in Connecticut in 2006?
I was at a gun show in Athens, Texas when it happened.
I knew at our Walmart here in Gun Barrel City,they had an AR-15 type rifle there.
I left the show, drove back South to our Walmart and saw they still had it.
I bought it. The clerk called it into NCIC as required, and I took it home.
I still have it in the box. I have never loaded it, nor shot it.
I now have others,loaded, and ready to use if necessary.
I will sell it if anybody is interested.

 

[mrchuck]

I have and shoot Kel-Tec's older version of the famous AR-15.
I like it the best!!!!!

 

[louisq]

Besides the armorers wrench, the widget to remove hand guards and the spanner for the receiver extension/buffer tube nut are nice to have around. As is a CAT M4 tool for cleaning the bolt, but that's a maintenance tool.

Most of the other tools you'd need for builds you'd never use for anything else. A full set of headspace gauges (GO, NO-GO and FIELD-OK, the FIELD gauge is good to have for wellness checks) being a prime example. Yeah, people do builds without them , but I value my various body parts.

Thanks, first of the BCM parts purchased. Just the lower and a couple of tools. Succesive approximations...
Barrel search is on. So much to learn.

 

[louisq]

As to tools and their expense. When I built my scratch VW motor I bought a number of tools specific to the build. When I sold my convertible to fund a month in Africa I recovered 70-89% of my cost with shipping. Some fella got a better price and I recovered nicely. I'm one to wile away wiznternet time, while mother watches useless tv ****, finding sales and best prices. Doing value to the resell. Been there done that with several hobbies. In this case, if any of my views are close to correct, having tools could mean the difference between usefulness and an unrepairabld poor purchase. I actually recovered close to 90% selling Vespa tools and saved hugely over paying someone else. And in the end, it's just money. It won't save me from the inevitable dirt nap.

 

[4506517]

Lol......these types of threads can go on and on and on and on.....

It really is like Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge or 9mm vs. .40 vs. .45

I own 25+ AR pattern rifles. I have built almost half of them. The others were purchased in factory form.

I have built 8 registered SBRs, all AR pattern.

Here are some of the manufacturers that I have used, so I can rate them. This isn't "what I've heard/someone told me/I read on the internet". This is based on observed tolerances/fit/finish/feel/performance.

Aero Precision: Wow....what a quality manufacturer. I just finished building two .300 Blackout SBRs using almost 100% Aero parts. One 10 inch barrel, one 8.5. Their machining is impressive.

Colt: The old stand by. I probably own more Colts than any other manufacturer. Remember, there is a reason everyone says "It is just as good as a Colt". I own older and newer Colts. Very consistent manufacturer.

Anderson Manufacturing: They produce a decent product. Budget priced, decent machining. Not bad if you want to go the budget route.

Palmetto State Armory: Another budget manufacturer. They mass produce for the commercial market. I have observed looser quality control from them. Uneven front site ears, rougher finish machining, little imperfections. Still not bad for budget builds.

Bushmaster (Original): Somehow still one of my favorites. Their finish machining wasn't always the best, but I've seen Bushmasters take a beating and keep chugging along. Front sights exhibit some rough finishes, but definitely functionable.

Temple Machine: My friend's father owns this concern. They produce a HIGHLY refined lower. They only produce a billet lower. Manufacturer of 6061 aluminum, they exhibit some of the finest finish machining I've ever seen. EVER. Good luck finding one.

BCM: I have used their uppers only, but they seem to produce a quality product. They are good for finding/ordering uppers spec'd they way you want them. Of particular note, they actually parkerize/phosphate under the front sight base, which not every manufacturer does. They do show a lot of attention to detail.

LMT: I my opinion (remember it is worth what you paid for it) LMT produces the highest quality rifles/parts out there, bar none. They have a great reputation for quality which is well earned. I have a MARS lower mated to a CQB monolithic piston upper sporting a 12 inch barrel. INCREDIBLE gun, absolutely INCREDIBLE. Fit, finish, attention to detail surpass everyone in my opinion.

There are tons of manufacturers out there I can't comment on because I have no experience with their product. You can find thousands of "opinions" on them all over the web.

If it is your first AR, I would start off with an Anderson or Palmetto and build one yourself. You gain an intimate understanding of the rifle and how it works. It also gives you concrete criteria by which to judge for yourself who makes a quality product.

Good luck in your search. It is almost as addictive as collecting 3rd Generation S & W handguns.

 

[Luger9x19]

I think you will spend a lot less money and be happier in the end if you do the following.

* Buy a base rifle now from one of the manufactures you listed.
* Get it, shoot it, shoot it some more and then shoot it again.
* Then build your own.

You will spend less and be happier because you will now have a better idea of how you will use the rifle and what you like, and don't like. This will help you avoid having a drawer full of parts you thought you would love and found out you don't like them as much as you thought.

You also have the advantage of having something you can go shoot while you research and save for the parts you need to build.

After you build one you can sell the original rifle. I suspect you won't as you will like it and want to keep it. You will then start looking at doing a second build. It's almost an addiction as it is fun and the possibilities are endless. Once you have one rifle, more are likely to come.

As far as buying the tools.... They can be useful even if you don't build. I use mine and I loan them out to others who don't have the tools.

 

[Mrnurse]

Best Stoner/ar15 rifle today to me is Larue. Colt quit building good rifles years ago. Larue's for the $$$ is the best deal around. Mil spec is a Joke term.... !/2 the Junk in aero space thats mil spec fails ck... DECAS inspectors checking parts.... ie Gov person cking junk built to the lowest bid contract.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I decided to put a AR together as cheaply as possible. I bought a stripped Anderson lower, a Blackhawk sling, a ODG Amend2 magazine, and a PSA Freedom rifle complete carbine kit in 5.56x45mm. I already had a carry handle. While not something Seal Team 6 members would carry, this thing is fully functional and I will enjoy it. This is a $345.17 investment so far.

 

[Mrnurse]

Actually Team 6 DID carry that type weapon... even today. I built up a Larue rifle with a Anderson lower... Lowers are all about the same (Lower receiver) with a outstanding Larue trigger. I bet Your rifle build will do 2inch and less MOA at 100M with GI ammo. I dont shoot the Stoner rifle in 5.56 past 400M tops.

 

[cyphertext]

Actually Team 6 DID carry that type weapon... even today. I built up a Larue rifle with a Anderson lower... Lowers are all about the same (Lower receiver) with a outstanding Larue trigger. I bet Your rifle build will do 2inch and less MOA at 100M with GI ammo. I dont shoot the Stoner rifle in 5.56 past 400M tops.

I'm pretty sure Seal Team 6, or any other US military organization have not carried a rifle built by PSA...

Not knocking ColbyBruce's rifle by any means, because he gets it. His rifle hasn't been tested, inspected, and declared fit for duty by DOD, but it meets his needs and he enjoys it. And if called upon for a HD situation, it should be up to the task.

 

[louisq]

What an adventure. Gun prices have amazed me. I fella could have a backup 380, a 9mm, and an Ar 15 from Ruger, all for under $1200 before tax. A buck or two more for a S&W trio. Makes me wonder what's wrong with me. Why that won't ring my bell. So, Ruger on the way. Couple hundred in tools, Aero lower and BCM kit in the mail. RR Arms discussion in full swing.Really nice fellas!

Glock hunt almost over. I just can't will the nephews a Ruger. That'll be a part of the stuff the church gets for resale. I know, odd, but it's only money. No kids, no real bills and a fair retirement. All will outlast me. I cheated out or was frugal,all these years. Heck the nice guys at the LGS decerve a break too. We're so busy being frugal sometimes that we forget those stiffs have the same wants and desires. Dirt naps require no funds.

 

[louisq]

Oh and thanks. Great helpful thread.

 

[Luger9x19]

What an adventure. Gun prices have amazed me...... So, Ruger on the way. Couple hundred in tools, Aero lower and BCM kit in the mail.

Would that be the Ruger AR556?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am going to build another AR to give to my granddaughter. I was thinking she might like these parts on it.

 

[cyphertext]

I am going to build another AR to give to my granddaughter. I was thinking she might like these parts on it.

That is why I built my son's rifle. His highschool mascot is a pirate, so I wanted a lower with a pirate rollmark.

Spike's Tactical Calico Jack is a pirate themed lower. He loved it!

 

[louisq]

Would that be the Ruger AR556?

Yes the MPR version. But I've been bitten. PT retirement job will allow a new brood by summers end. Rock River/BCM. Howw RR to BCM, TBD. Almost went the budget RR for a bit less but every Ruger I've owned was usually one of the lower priced in firearms "class" but uber reliable. A mag problem 50 years ago with 10/22 soon solved and flawless. First full sized 9mm, cannot remember modelbut got the **** beat out of it in my tool box. Never failed after first 100 rounds. P95 or some such.model. Early mini14 was on of the most fun and first non military (but it was a police version from Streicher Arms) .223 I owned. Just plain fun.
I want to buy a S&W but personal experience, however limited won. And a swell fella conversed with me by PM and got my liking RR.
Google Image Result for https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/app/uploads/swat/2017/12/15165635/Ruger-3.jpg
RUGER®
AR-556® MPR
Rifle-length gas system
SBN treated threaded barrel & low-profile gas block
Ruger® Elite 452™ AR-Trigger (2-stage/4.5 lb. pull)
Ruger® muzzle brake with radial port design
Slim, free-float 15" handguard with M-LOK® slots at the 3/6/9 positions with additional slots on angled faces near muzzle
Magpul® MOE® grip & MOE SL™ collapsible buttstock (with MIL-SPEC buffer tube)
Includes (1) 30-round Magpul® PMAG
OAL: 35" - 38.25" (11.1" - 14.4" adj. LOP)
Wt.: 6.8 lbs.

AR-556® COMMON FEATURES
Gas operated, semi-auto
Type III hardcoat anodized 7075-T6 aluminum flat top upper receiver with forward assist, dust cover & brass deflector
9310 alloy steel bolt, shot peened & pressure tested
Matte black oxide finished, chrome-plated bolt carrier & gas key (staked)
Cold hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel with matte black oxide finish & ultra-precise rifling
1:8" twist rate
M4 feed ramps
Enlarged trigger guard

 

[Luger9x19]

The AR-556® MPR looks like a pretty sweet rifle. I've shot my buddies regular AR-556 several times and it is a good rifle, but the upgrades on that are pretty sweet. I love my Smith, but if I had to do it over that MPR would be on my list.

That Ruger P95 is a great pistol. I sold mine to a buddy and just got to shoot it a few weeks ago. Still a Great gun! Only had one problem with it. The recoil assembly broke. Called Ruger to order the part and it was in my mailbox three days later at no charge. I've never had a problem with any of my S&W's so no experience with their customer service, but I am confident if I do, they will be there for me.

Keep us updated on your build and congrats on the purchase. You can probably make room in your safe for a S&W too. Maybe an M&P 15T

 

[louisq]

BCM Lower parts kit here today, Aero M5E1 Builder Set w/ 15" M-LOK Handguard - Coyote M17 Cerakote Elite ordered tonight. Hopefully she who sometimes is obeyed has a delayed look into my fun account. But WTH, 46 years and still good...