which AR?

[Springfield fan]

I haven't owned an AR for about 5 years and didn't have it long. It was a Bushmaster and functioned well. I am wondering, what other brands should I consider when looking for a quality rifle? FWIW, my budget is about $1500.

 

[gunman41mag]

DANIEL DEFENSE, ROCK RIVER ARMS, SMITH & WESSON, STAG, & COLT

 

[abnk]

BCM and LMT.

 

[Txlur]

BCM BHF LW midlength upper, MOE furniture, mount n slot sling attachments, aimpoint T-1 (or other minis), and a light. BCM blemished lower. I assembled this rifle with a regular profile barrel and an eotech, and wish I'd opted for lw/aimpoint.

Or you could get a colt and put an aimpoint on it. Whatever you do, think about the lightweight barrel as an option. The accuracy is said to be comparable, and lightening up your rifle is a good thing.

With your budget, I'd avoid all but the tier-1 companies, BCM, LMT, colt, noveske, DD, and knights being a few.

 

[Jeremiah]

what do you want to do with the rifle?

if a bullet hose I'd spend $599 on a Palmetto armory 16" and the rest on ammo.

if target varmint shooting I'd buy a good 20" upper BCM, DD, Colt, LMt a cheap lower, stock of your chosing, Giselle trigger, and a leupold VX-II

 

[Springfield fan]

Sounds like I have some options! I mainly will use it for home defense and a fun range gun but it has to be tough enough for extended use.

 

[Springfield fan]

Is there anything in that price range that has a piston system? Also open to calibers other than .223.

 

[tradertator]

Colt 6920 with an Aimpoint PRO. Thanks me later.

 

[Fordtough25]

I vote Colt as well, all the companies stated make great rifles though. Just something about a Colt.

 

[Reno_Morris]

Get the Colt LE6920 before all the new ones are gone. That's what I did!

 

[chipperej]

You could get a Stag Arms model 3 for about $700 and add some nice optics And be well below budget.
Stag Arms

 

[maxmayhem]

just get a bushmaster...works perfectly...no failures and hundreds of rounds

 

[shavedforbattle]

Buy Colt for $1000. Spend $400 on Aimpoint or Eotech. Spend $100 on ammo. Go shooting.

 

[yotebutcher90]

DPMS, thousands of rounds accurately and reliably!

 

[LPMan59]

Colt 6920 with an Aimpoint PRO. Thanks me later.

I vote Colt as well, all the companies stated make great rifles though. Just something about a Colt.

Get the Colt LE6920 before all the new ones are gone. That's what I did!

Buy Colt for $1000. Spend $400 on Aimpoint or Eotech. Spend $100 on ammo. Go shooting.

 

[Springfield fan]

Thanks everyone. I honestly hadn't even considered Colt. Love the brand but I figured they were out of my budget.

 

[Fordtough25]

Thanks everyone. I honestly hadn't even considered Colt. Love the brand but I figured they were out of my budget.

Yep, AR prices have been up and down for the past few years and now is a good time ot buy from the looks of things.

 

[sgreen3]

If your wanting to spend the money on a high end AR I would get a Colt, But stick with the .223 cheaper to shoot, and greater ammo availability

 

[Springfield fan]

Wow! This is a very rare experience! Usually when prices are good I'm broke!

 

[docbach]

Because prices between brands are so similar, I don't see any reason to go with anything but companies that use the best materials and quality control. Therefore, I recommend Vulcan - they make the machine guns for the special forces.

In all reality, Colt, LMT, BCM, and Daniel Defense all make great ARs at the same price point as other manufacturers like RRA, Bushmaster, DPMS, ect, but with better QA QC. Go with one of those.