Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

I understand that Colt is the top quality maker of AR15's, but they are overpriced because other makers also produce quality rifles.

1) How do you experts rank manufacturers of AR15s in regard to qualiity of rifle: functional dependability and accuracy (i.e. #1, #2, #3, etc.). And

2) How much accuracy does a guy give up shooting (say) a 100 meters with a shorter barreled carbine over a longer barreled rifle...not considering the heavy target barrels? Thanks ahead of time.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

You have seen "the chart"? http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642

I had a colt pre-brady band 20" HBAR rifle. Got rid of it recently, and I am keeping my two Noveske Low Profile 14.5" Barrel Carbines. I didn't see any real accuracy differences at 100 yards. The rifles were great, me, not always great.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

I like the Noveske 16" mid gas rifle.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?k...jFwPrgTA&gid=5

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

2) How much accuracy does a guy give up shooting (say) a 100 meters with a shorter barreled carbine over a longer barreled rifle...not considering the heavy target barrels? Thanks ahead of time.


I have a Colt National Match carbine, pre ban. You won't see any difference in accuracy at that range unless you measure with a micrometer.
We have hit prarie dogs at 350-400 yards with a spotter calling the shots and the short heavy barrel, so don't worry about it.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

It's not the accuracy per se that suffers with shorter barrels but projectile velocity. This has two immediate effects. First slower bullets have greater drop and wind effects. At 100 yards probably negligible. Second is terminal ballistics. For instance, the range at which impact velocity is sufficient to result in bullet fragmentation is further out with longer barrels. It might not make much difference with prairie dogs but bigger game it will.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

I like LMT more than Colt.

Barrel length isn't very important for accuracy. What is important is ammunition, barrel quality, if the barrel is free-floated. There are more factors, but those are some of the big ones.

Barrel length is important for velocity. Imagine blowing a spit-ball through a straw. If the straw is too short, the ball will not have the time to absorb the energy of you breath and won't travel as far. If it the straw is long enough to absorb all the energy and not be so long that there's a drag (would a 6' straw matter?) then max velocity is attained.

Velocity is important only if range is unknown or left to guess-work. the higher the velocity, the flatter the trajectory. The flatter it is, the better chance you can hit an unknown range of a target.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

LWRC, LMT, RRA and Noveske are all top notch rifles but then they are also all in the same price range as Colt. The LWRC piston guns are the shizzle. You can't go wrong with any of them. Bx3

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

for me it would be LMT or YHM

Lewis Machine and tool or Yankee Hill Machine


http://www.lewismachine.net/


http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Yankee Hill has some outstanding suppressors. They are running joint designs with Mark White from Sound Tech. I spent a few afternoons with Mark many years ago. He is a to notch guy and his designs regularly beat the competition in performance and price. Bx3

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Prarie dog shooting with an accurized AR. Just had to add these! :RockOn:

Attachment 87634

Attachment 87635

Attachment 87636

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

I'm surprised more damage wasn't done to the dog. What load were you using?

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Colt and Armalite may be the "best", but as far as I'm concerned I'll take a DPMS or Rock River as a much better value any day. It's kinda hard to make a bad AR -- most stuff out there will work fine... but I've heard bad things about Olympic.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

From another forum, these comments are from the guy who made "the chart":

http://www.tacticalyellowvisor.net/8343/16001.html

"Oh No! I Bought a BM/RRA/Stag Before I Knew Better!"

I get contacted from time to time by people that are new to the AR in general, or new to this site in particular, that are starting to educate themselves and are feeling a bit of buyer's remorse. The "damn, I bought a $900 Bushmaster when I could have had an LMT for $1k" feeling is nothing new as people begin to educate themselves, and is not unique to the firearms enthusiast.

First of all, it's important to note that the below only really applies to guns intended for defensive, or offensive, purposes. If you really only ever intended your rifle as a plinker there isn't much need to do any of the below because the worst thing that will ever happen if your rifle fails to function will be that it will end your day at the range and several coke-cans will be spared that day. If, however, you envision ever needing to use this rifle for any kind of so called "hard use", then you owe it to yourself to at least do the following.

I believe that "The Chart" is having a negative impact in this regard. People are coming here and finding out that the gun they bought is sitting on the middle-to-right-side of the chart and are wondering if they made a bad choice. The answer is "probably not".

I have noticed quite a few threads in which Bushmaster, Rock River, Stag, etc. owners are starting to ask what they should do to their rifle to try to improve it's standing on the chart. Some are even asking if they need to scrap their rifle entirely and buy a new one with more "Xs" on the chart. The answer is "probably not".

Whether you have had the carbine for years with thousands of "trouble free" rounds through it (real-world rounds, not internet rounds) or you just bought the rifle, have hardly fired it, but are already starting to feel that buyer's remorse, don't fret. There are some very basic things you can do to improve your carbine and ensure better reliability.

1) Check the carrier key for proper staking. How do you know if it's properly staked? Go here and educate yourself. If yours doesn't look right, follow the instructions to correct it or send it out to have someone else correct it.

2) Check the extractor spring and insert to insure that the insert is black. Go here to learn about extractor inserts, springs, and O-rings. This is something anyone can install themselves.

3) Check the receiver extension end-plate for proper staking. How do you know if it's properly staked? Go here and educate yourself. If yours doesn't look right, follow the instructions to correct it or send it out to have someone else correct it.

4) Buy an "H" buffer if your carbine doesn't have it. Go here to learn why. Go here to see the different kinds of buffers. This is something anyone can install themselves.

5) Buy a properly tested, staked, constructed bolt carrier group (BCG) with the proper extractor insert. The bolt itself should be Magnetic Particle Inspected (MPI), Shot Peened, and Proof Fired. You can buy a top quality BCG from Bravo Company, G&R Tactical or Lewis Machine & Tool for around $130. You can either change out to this BCG right away, or use the one that came with your rifle until it breaks and then switch it out. The choice is yours. Buying a complete replacement BCG will negate the need for items 1 and 2 above, but those items should still be done to the original equipment if you're going to keep it as a spare.

Hopefully the above is helpful. Obviously, if you have that "thousands of trouble free rounds" DPMS, you may feel perfectly comfortable with leaving it alone. At the end of the day, that's what it's all about, how secure YOU feel in the thought that you may use this carbine for self, family, or society defense.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Barrel is where it matters.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

55 grain boat tails, nothing fancy. We get it from JACS in Fort Collins. Pretty consistant for bulk .223

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Oh... I miss JAX. Always enjoyed browsing their military surplus.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Oops, you're right it's JAX! Heck I was close.:applause_

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

I guess there just isn't enough meat on a varmint's neck to maximize the visual effect but it clearly performed its intended task.

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Yeah, I doubt I wounded him!:wink:

Re: Hierarchy of quality of AR15 by different mfr's
 

Combine this-

http://www.sigsauer.com/CustomerService/556rebate.aspx

With this-

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/50924


I'm a fan and owner of AR's, but this deal is too good to pass up for a very nice rifle. I'd certainly pay under a grand for this Sig before I'd pay $1200ish for a Colt.