Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I have been looking into AR-15 rifles. I would like to add one to my collection just for the sheer fun of shooting it and for coyote hunting. It sounds like the varmint barrels are producing very nice accuracy. The question I have concerns the manufacturers. Colt, Rock River, Bushmaster, and Olympic Arms to name a few. I really wouldn't know how to rate these company's quality and/or accuracy wise. Does anyone here have any experience with the companies mentioned, good or bad. I would appreciate hearing your experience and/or comments. Thanks.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I have dealt with Bushmaster and have found their Customer Service to be superb. Their products are some of if not the best out there. I have not however purchased or fired one of their AR's. I owned one of their M-17S Bullpups in .223. An excellent firearm and a blast to shoot.
The only reason I got rid of that rifle was to enable me to pick up my CETME in 7.62 NATO. Bigger round, greater power and longer effective range. If you want a .223 though I would highly recommend Bushmaster.



“He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice." -Albert Einstein

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I have a DPMS Panther and really like it. I would rate it right up there with any other AR. I have also handled and shot both bushmasters and Rock River Arms. My DPMS is a 24" heavy barrel with 6-24x40 scope and will shoot as good as any bolt gun out there. Sub inch groups at 200 yards are common. With heavier bullets I have had good luck all the way out to 400 years. I have shot several really tight groups at that range. I would like to get a second ar to fill the light short range niche since my DPMS is a heavy varmint style. I have been looking a lot at the RRA Elite Tacticle UTE lately. I think it would be a great rifle also. I would rank the ARs at DPMS/Bushmaster, RRA, and Olympic arms. In that order

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Thanks for the help. Another manufacturer that has been thrown in the mix is Armalite. I have heard good things about them.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I own a Colt AR15-A2 H-BAR. Awesome accuracy. I have shot 200 yd sub one inch groups with peep site. Just incredible. Have not had any problems with it. I have heard good stuff about Armalite, adn Bushmaster as well. I think most manfacturers of the AR15 do a pretty good job. You cannot go wrong with any that have been memtioned in this post.

**NRA Life Member since 1991**

Why am I sittin here on this stupid PC when I could be huntin'

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I read an article in "Guns" magazine about the new Les Baer (I think that's how they spell his name) AR 15. They raved about it. All in house manufacturing. Super accurate. Reasonably priced (under 2 grand). If I was in the market for an AR I'd definitely look into that.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

....under 1" groups at 200 yds with the factory sights?
................ that's .. ahem... good shooting.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness..those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Santayana

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

This is my DPMS Panther. My dad and I have both had DPMS ARs and the quality was outstanding. My panther is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot and continually amazes me. It will shoot almost anything into an inch at 100 yards and will do better than half that with several loads. I have a few loads for it that will shoot sub inch out to 200 yards consistantly, depending on wind. My all time best 400 yard group was with a 68gr MHP at 2850fps and was just over 1.25" 5 shot group. I have shot enough 2-3" groups to make them common but my average at 400 is usually closer to 3" though, and a little wind can open that up quite a bit.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Josh,

Thanks for the info and the pic. What a beauty!

Is that a 24" barrel? Did you have any work done on your trigger?

I haven' t been able to locate any DPMSs.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Antler eater-
Yes it is a 24" barrel. I got the target trigger that DPMS sells but am thinking about getting a jard trigger for it. From what I have heard the jard triggers are super nice, very adjustable, single stage triggers. My DPMS has a light trigger at just over 3lbs but it is a very long trigger pull and I think I would like the shorter single stage jard trigger better. It is one of those things I will probably get to this summer when I have more money to play with. You can find DPMS around several places if you look. There are always several on gunbroker and I know that you can have pretty much any gun dealer order you one directly through DPMS. Below is a link to thier website.
http://www.dpmsinc.com

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Josh,

Am I right in assuming that is a bull barrel your shooting? Do you know the weight of your rifle?

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Antler Eater, yes it is the bull barrel. I weighed just under 13lbs with a different scope on it and this one is a little heavier scope than the one that was on it so I would guess right around 14lbs. Its still light enough to shoot offhand and not to bad to carry around especially if you have a sling on it. Here is another angle of it.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

It took many a load to shoot that sub inch at 200. I havent shot seriously in about 5 years. Cant recall the load although I do know I used 55g hp. Ill look up the data next time I go over to my fathers where we reload. I' s put $100 that I cannot shoot that good now, lol.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I have a Bushmaster M-4gery.
For a 14 1/2" barreled gun it is incredibly accurate!
They use forged aluminum recievers (not castings) and are very durable.
The barrels are chrome lined and have a twist rate of 1:9 so they work well with bullets up to 68-70gr. weight.
I would reccommend it.
I also really like the Rock River rifles.
They are a " blast" to shoot!!!

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

I really don' t think you' ll be dissappointed with any of the manufacturers you listed. Armalite is interesting, because they carry the AR in larger calibers. With the type of shooting you are doing, you' ll probably want to get a flat top receiver. A lot of people really like the Bushmaster right now. I have a Colt Competition and am happy with it. I think the next AR I get will be a Bushmaster shorty. You have so many options with an AR.

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

mlaubner, could you put a number on your description of the accuracy of your AR-15.

Thanks :)

RE: Any experience with AR-15 manufacturers?
 

Hi AE,
Sure, I am getting 1.5-2 moa with 62 gr. Wolf, 1.5 moa with Winchester white box 55 gr fmj and with Federal premium 55gr sp...1moa ! Pretty good for a 14.5" bbl " right out of the box" Don' t you think?

REmlaubner
 

I certainly do.

Thanks again