Quality AR Suggestions

Willieno59

Willieno59

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Ok, so I have the bug to buy an AR. I don't know alot about them. Who makes the better quality rifles. I am looking for something fairly short (14.5" barrel), collapsable stock, good sights, and of couse a quad rail for the tacti-:cool: look. The only one I have had a good look at was the S&W M&P. I was told that the receivers are made by Bushmaster, and it looked decent, but the fit and finnish of the rest of the rifle was not what I would expect on a 1500 dollar rifle. I will likley have to order this new aquisition from one of our sponsors, and I don't want to be dissapointed. I don't mind paying top dollar for quality, but I do expect it when I'm paying for it. Any suggestions gents? Pics or links would be great too.
 
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I just bought an LMT 10.5 from Blueline last week. Great service, price and outstanding AR. LMT are on par with Colt and Sabre Defence. I have owned most major brand AR`s and currently will only buy Sabre and LMT. Colt are ridiculously priced due to their relative unavailability. If you want a 14.5, you will have to wait for Wolverine to bring in the Sabres from the UK later this summer....hopefully? I had ordered a 14.5" upper from LMT but cancelled as the wait was over 1 year (found this out today via call to LMT to enquire about order). Up here in Canada we will not likely see any more short barreled (14.5, 11.5, 10.5) US made AR`s as the state dept will no longer allow export. That is the reason Wolverine will bring their Sabres in from the UK.

If you want to get a top end quad rail go for Knights Armament. They are the sole supplier to the US military/socom and are by far the best. These are all I use on all my AR`s. If you decide to go with Knights and want brand new PM me when you are ready and if I have a spare at that time I can hook you up.
 
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Armalite and Bushmaster are good rifles. They are on par with RRA and such. I do not class them with Sabre, LMT and Colt though. It was mentioned about "fit and finish" earlier in the post. Fit and finish on "military" grade weapons like Colt, Sabre and LMT is not what you will find in high end sporting rifles of the same price range. Military weapons have one purpose only.....and being pretty aint` it.......Don`t expect the finish to be like Noveske or some of the other boutique AR`s out there. You pay top dollars for a rifle that you can bet your life on...if need be. Not a lovely, shiny safe queen to ooooh and aaaah over with your range buddies........
 
Grizzlypeg said:
What features of an AR contribute to long range accuracy? Heavy barrel? Barrel quality? Free float handguard? Other factors?
Click to expand...

Three things for good accuracy. Good firearm/optics, good ammunition, good marksmanship (practice), lots and lots.

Good barrel, good twist for the bullets your shooting. I use a 1/7 twist as I shoot 75gr and up BTHP's most of the time. These bullets will provide exceptional accuracy.

Ability to reload to tailor loads to your particuliar system, can play with all the variables in the ammo.

A good free float system so the barrel doesn't touch anything is a must as well, I use a DD 7.0 Lite Rail and love it, it has really shrunk my groups compared to the standard handguard.

Good optics. ACOG or something similiar for longer range, even a scope. I've had good luck with a 4x ACOG.

I shoot a 14.5" M4 and get pretty exceptional groups when I do my part.
 
Are receivers specifically made, or are they adapted, to support the free float handguard? Ie, can it be interchanged? How light of bullets can you run through a fast twist barrel, are you limited now to a minimum number of grains bullet, or can you still shoot a light varmint bullet?
 
Depends on the free-float handguard,

Some are "drop in" e.g. DD Omega rail. Others require removal of the front sight block and cutting the delta ring on the upper receiver. In general, all upper receivers "can" accept the free-floats, although if it's not DD Omega, it will need modification.

1/7 twist is generally for heavier rounds. 1/9 is popular as it can accommodate lighter rounds (e.g. 55 gr). 1/8 is a compromise, but very popular in SPR/stainless barrels.

If you're going for very light exotic rounds you may need to custom order an AR barrel, or see if you can dig up an old Colt with a suitably fast twist (e.g. 1/12, but I'm not sure about this).
 
I notice the reasonably priced 50rd Varmint Packs that Cabella's carries are 55gr and not the 45gr that Walmart used to carry. I was just curious what happens if you shoot a 45gr bullet out of faster twist barrel. Any mayhem from the added velocity? No real need to shoot 45gr, just wondering about compatibility.
 
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A couple of packages were waiting for me after work today. Thanks to my wife being home to sign for them :)

Excuse the crappy pics.

IMG_6374.JPG


So the top one with the "el cheapo" scope is an LMT Defender 16" CQB MRP. Ok the iron sights that came with it will be going on until I can figure out a proper setup.
This LMT is a compliant version (Fixed stock and no flash hider) I kinda like the look and probably would never use it with the the stock in the collapsed position.
The upside is that it is solid and has no play.

The bottom is the RRA LAR-15 .223 Pistol with a 7.5" barrel. (with the Bushnell Holosight) Added the 6 position stock as a dealer option. (well made also)

The finer quality of the LMT is evident. The MRP is nice, but certainly is a noticable weight increase. Wouldn't want to carry that all day for a living.
It looks and feels all business.

Certainly from a fit and finish point of view the RRA is no slouch. I would have been happy with just a full length RRA if the devil hadn't kept me awake at night.

I also got a CMMG .22lr conversion (mainly for the RRA) but we'll see.

I'll post some range impressions as soon as that nasty LT ATT comes in.

It's going to be a fun summer.

A Big, um make that a HUGE thanks to Mark and Selena at Questar who made this a very pleasant transaction. Those folks exceeded my service expectations my a mile.

So back to the OP. For a Quality AR my vote is for the LMT. (available at Questar of course). and it won't be my last black rifle.

M.
 
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