m41
Member
I am looking to replace a Colt AR15 type rifle, I sold mine several several years ago and I was wondering which brand and what model would be the best buy. I am only wanting the rifle for general target shooting.
Which AR type rifle the best buy
- Thread starter m41
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I like to think the M&P 15 Sport is one of the best, but you really have to look at them all, decide what options you want. What your price range is. For myself the Sport is the best value, as far as dependability and accuracy to be had for around $600. Other members may tell you how they feel but that is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions. LOL
Plazzman
Member
I own a Sport also and I would agree with Oneyeopn. The best for the price. I did my research and I have been a S&W person for along time. But it is you who has to decide. Good luck.
storeyteller
Member
Got my sport for around $600 and it came with BUIS so I could shoot it right out of the box. Man am I glad I got it, instead of another 'entry level' AR.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Another vote for the Sport as the best VALUE....but may not be the best buy, depending upon the features that you want in an AR.
crofoot629
Absent Comrade
I'd reccomend a Colt again. Either a 6920 or 6940. I know you said target shooting but for a couple of hundred dollars you'll have a rifle that's probably better made and will absolutely hold its value better.
I have two Colt/Noveske Franken guns and two Noveske Thunder Ranch models.
Noveske wouldn't be in my price range normally but I live nearby and they've treated me very well. I met John Noveske through the Sheriff's I was working for and he supplies us with the bulk of the departments AR's. Actually for all I know they may have replaced all the Colts with Noveskes by now.
Back to the point, Colt.
Emory
I have two Colt/Noveske Franken guns and two Noveske Thunder Ranch models.
Noveske wouldn't be in my price range normally but I live nearby and they've treated me very well. I met John Noveske through the Sheriff's I was working for and he supplies us with the bulk of the departments AR's. Actually for all I know they may have replaced all the Colts with Noveskes by now.
Back to the point, Colt.
Emory
Kodiakco
Member
S&W M&P 15 Sport. Durable, reliable, lifetime warranty. It is the best bang for the buck. While the Colt is a proven rifle, so is the S&W rifle. Are there differences, sure. Would you regret buying S&W, nope. I've put about 2000 rounds thru my M&P 15 OR since mid MAY. I've had exactly 1 malfunction, which was ammo related. I shoot local tactical matches and am very happy with my S&W.
Smith. Or Windham Weaponry. 
I think the M&P Sport at $600 is the best value.
I researched ARs for a while before my first purchase, and I would recommend the Sport to anyone looking for a quality AR for a good price.
Having said that, I determined the M&P OR was a better choice for me.
For around $200 more than the Sport, it has the forward assist and dust cover, which I believe would help with resale because so many think they have to have them, and I knew I wanted to set mine up with optics, and didn't want the A2 sight post.
Some say the barrel on the Sport may be better,(1:8 twist, melonite) but I think the jury is still out one that one.
Good luck choosing the AR that is right for you.
I researched ARs for a while before my first purchase, and I would recommend the Sport to anyone looking for a quality AR for a good price.
Having said that, I determined the M&P OR was a better choice for me.
For around $200 more than the Sport, it has the forward assist and dust cover, which I believe would help with resale because so many think they have to have them, and I knew I wanted to set mine up with optics, and didn't want the A2 sight post.
Some say the barrel on the Sport may be better,(1:8 twist, melonite) but I think the jury is still out one that one.
Good luck choosing the AR that is right for you.
OK I hear trash talk....Prove that a Colt is better built, You may be able to prove that a Colt meets 50 year old metallurgical standards and meets milspecs that are over 20 years old. But to out and out say that a Colt is better built I take offense to. I have seen Colts I have shot Colts they arent as accurate and the fit and finsh isnt there either. You are lucky in being hooked up with Noveske's, and how a Sheriffs department can afford them is beyond me. I do agree that Noveske makes a really nice barrel. But to out and out say that a Colt is better built. They couldnt even keep the military contract for AR's. You have been reading the "chart" too long. And around here you can buy Police trade in Colts for $600 all day long but they charge $675 for the Bushy's.
TangoFoxtrot
US Veteran
TangoFoxtrot
US Veteran
Grover, I also own a Colt 6920 and it is no better than my S&W sport. As a matter of fact I actually perfer the S&W over my Colt.
Stebo
Member
Are you active/retired military/reserve? There's a $100 rebate on M&P's, excluding the Sport. Convinced me to go for the ORC since I knew I would be adding an optic anyway
crofoot629..I apologize for my outburst but to say that a Colt is better built than a Smith & Wesson is very subjective. And when you dont even own one it becomes less subjective and more opinion with no factual basis.
mg357
Absent Comrade
the s&w m&p15 rifle is the best imho. In fact the model that they sell that has the carry handle on it is my favorite one.
stavman11
Member
Yup Im gunna go there too
M&P 15 Sport....
I also researched a lot after purchasing my M&P 15-22... did get a good deal on my buddies Bushmaster carbon 15... then got the Sport...
Sport is hands down the better of the two...
get a Sport
...
M&P 15 Sport....
I also researched a lot after purchasing my M&P 15-22... did get a good deal on my buddies Bushmaster carbon 15... then got the Sport...
Sport is hands down the better of the two...
get a Sport
...
I own both a Noveske and S&W. Both go "bang". The main differences, to me, is that the factory trigger & fit and finish, on the Noveske, is better than the S&W.
Is the Noveske worth the premium over an S&W? I'm not using them for anything other than paper punching, so probably not until you consider resale value. I know that the Noveske will hold its value much more than the S&W.
It's your money and your business, so buy what you want.
Is the Noveske worth the premium over an S&W? I'm not using them for anything other than paper punching, so probably not until you consider resale value. I know that the Noveske will hold its value much more than the S&W.
It's your money and your business, so buy what you want.
MPDC
Member
In all fairness, a Noveske is a "boutique gun" with alot of custom fitting and high grade parts. That said, it doesn't necessarily shoot more accurately than a Smith. I would put mine WITH my Geissele trigger up against almost anything as far as fit, finish AND trigger feel is concerned.
The colt is a fairer comparison being a production gun. The Colt name may bring more in resale but maybe not.
I can afford any AR I choose to buy. I bought S&W out of my preference for the pistols I have carried as duty weapons AND excellent experience with their folks over the years. Given equally optioned Colts and S&Ws, I would choose the S&W.
IF you are just looking for a carbine for range use, the new 5R Melonite bbl. alone, touted here by many, many owners as dead on accurate and easier to clean, is IMHO enough reason alone to go with a Sport or one of the new T or MOE models from S&W.
I find it funny that someone would knock the entry level S&W on an S&W forum with MILSPEC Colt supposed superiority. The Noveske, maybe from a purely male jewelry POV but Colts ain't special anymore. Not even marginally better, IMHO.
The colt is a fairer comparison being a production gun. The Colt name may bring more in resale but maybe not.
I can afford any AR I choose to buy. I bought S&W out of my preference for the pistols I have carried as duty weapons AND excellent experience with their folks over the years. Given equally optioned Colts and S&Ws, I would choose the S&W.
IF you are just looking for a carbine for range use, the new 5R Melonite bbl. alone, touted here by many, many owners as dead on accurate and easier to clean, is IMHO enough reason alone to go with a Sport or one of the new T or MOE models from S&W.
I find it funny that someone would knock the entry level S&W on an S&W forum with MILSPEC Colt supposed superiority. The Noveske, maybe from a purely male jewelry POV but Colts ain't special anymore. Not even marginally better, IMHO.
cyphertext
US Veteran
I keep hearing the resale argument, but I have to ask how people are defining "holding value"? A used Colt should sell for more than a used Sport or M&P 15OR, but they sold for a higher price when new. How do they hold up when the depreciation between new and used is calculated as a percentage?
I don't see any used examples of either on Buds, so can't do a quick comparison.
I don't see any used examples of either on Buds, so can't do a quick comparison.
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