AR questions: Spikes vs Stag vs RRA vs LMT vs S&W

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milk

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I am in need of AR expert advice again.

Which of the following similarly priced ARs would you recommend for a newbie to the AR world? I'm down to these available choices in Canada and needing advice on accuracy, quality, modularity, etc. I would be fine if I do not compete, but I'm just interested in something that is good for shooting and reasonably compact. I may want to upgrade the barrel later. I'm just learning about the flat top receivers, floating tube, bull barrel, etc. Lot to learn...

How would you vote for the first AR of these:

1. LMT Defender 2000 with SOPMOD 10.5 in chrome lined chromoly barrel, mil spec proof tested, 2 stage trigger, in stock in Canada

2. Stag 223 Model 6: stainless 24 inch bull barrel, flat top, floating hand guard, 2 stage trigger, ready for bipod, in town, in stock in Canada

3. Spikes ST-15: forged phosphate chromoly barrel, flat top, bunch of stuff that I do not understand such as forged lower, stainless springs, etc. special order only

4. RRA Entryop 2: Chromoly 16 inch barrel, hi rise scope mount, 2 stage trigger, looks like in stock in Canada

5. S&W M&P15: 16 inch barrel, 1:9 twist, in stock in Canada


Q: I am also wondering what your thoughts would be on the difference the 1:7 or 1:9 twist makes to the ARs. Is it just for better feed of certain grade of ammo, or is there other performance reasons for the twist?

Q: Is there any reason why I wouldnt want to get the 10.5 inch barrel ARs versus the 16 or even 24 inch barrels. I like the shorter barrels better , but would any competition groups frown upon them... if I decide to enter service rifle comp?


Thanks for the advice...
 
I like Spike's also...but if you're not adverse to it (and can wait)...how about the Spike's lower ($390) and Questar's complete upper ($1079). You can pick 11.5" or 14.5". That would be a fine rifle indeed.
 
Brordo said:
I like Spike's also...but if you're not adverse to it (and can wait)...how about the Spike's lower ($390) and Questar's complete upper ($1079). You can pick 11.5" or 14.5". That would be a fine rifle indeed.
Click to expand...

I have that exact set up with a 11.5 barel:)
Couldnt be more happier with the quality of the questar uppers.
I did notice that Blueline has the 10.5 LMTs on for 1499.00:eek:
I would buy one of those if i did not already have a awesome set up.
 
Out of all the ones you listed, pick the one that you like and that feels good in your hand. All are milspec I believe and all can be added on to, AR's are like the old mechano sets or tinker toys, always lots of ways to build, no real right way, to each his own. I myself would like to get an S&W and a Spikes (the one with the nifty heavy duty upper and lower set looks great).
 
Upper & Lwer

Brordo said:
I like Spike's also...but if you're not adverse to it (and can wait)...how about the Spike's lower ($390) and Questar's complete upper ($1079). You can pick 11.5" or 14.5". That would be a fine rifle indeed.
Click to expand...

Q: What is involved in putting together uppers & lowers. Do I need specialized tools.. I have some experience fixing cars, building houses, electronics, guitars & other Ikea-esque stuff. I do not want to kill myself by attempting something I know nothing about.
 
Feel

Prestwich said:
Out of all the ones you listed, pick the one that you like and that feels good in your hand. All are milspec I believe and all can be added on to, AR's are like the old mechano sets or tinker toys, always lots of ways to build, no real right way, to each his own. I myself would like to get an S&W and a Spikes (the one with the nifty heavy duty upper and lower set looks great).
Click to expand...

I agree, feel is important. The trouble is I do not know enough to know the difference between one and another. Being a musician, I know the parts and the craftsmanship can make a huge difference when putting together an axe. Frankly I tried Stag, S&W, and another one(twice the $$$, cant remember the name) and they all felt about the same.

Is there a Cadillac, Pinto and BMW labels one can put on these manufacturers... help.
 
At what distance will you be spending the most time shooting? The quality is going to negligable between these brands.

It comes down to where YOU will be shooting
 
putting an upper on a lower is as easy as pushing two pins. As long as the upper and lower are compatible with eachother (ie the holes line up) then you're golden. Drop the upper on and push the pins home. all done.
 
milk said:
Q: What is involved in putting together uppers & lowers. Do I need specialized tools.. I have some experience fixing cars, building houses, electronics, guitars & other Ikea-esque stuff. I do not want to kill myself by attempting something I know nothing about.
Click to expand...

As others have said...with the complete uppers & lowers it's just a matter of putting the halves together and pushing the 2 pins in...you only need special tools when assembling AR's completely from scratch (barrels, parts kits, etc.) and even then some enterprising individuals still do it without. Actually right now I'm in the process of a build and am just waiting on the Spikes billet upper/lower set from Questar (pricey...but very nice!)
 
I have two S&W and there great. one has the stock 16.5 barrel which is going to get changed for a 16.5 RRA barrel and the other is getting a 10.5 RRA barrel.
 
Chris F said:
I have an LMT Defender 200 with 16inch barrel. Love it.
All the others quality doesn't come close to LMT.
Click to expand...

Your first post is an important one, you'd be best to think first, speak second.:jerkit:...


As for the ARs, they're all good set ups, but I noticed a wide variation on the types you'd referenced; 10.5 to 24 inch barrels is a good example. A good start would be to evaluate just what you're interest is and then investigate within that area. Is your interest 3-gun, service rifle long or short range, punching paper or even practice for work.

Extra cash does not alway equate to extra value in ARs. There are companies out there that are willing to take as much as you're willing to spend.

If you like the variety of barrel lengths there are options for that as well, such as an LMT - I think its the MRP but others could tell you for sure (only expensive if you can't afford it, or so they say).

I tend to lean toward supporting our Canadian manufacturers and you'd be hard pressed to find a better lower than ATR in Calgary. I run one of Questar's CMMG 11.5" piston upper on an Dlask Anniversary lower and couldn't be happier and it came in a hell of a lot less for what you could spend on an POF, LMT or Spikes platform.

Just a suggestion but it may be more entertaining as a sense of pride to piece it together from scatch. It's not that hard and you'll get exactly the components you want instead of what someone else thinks looks good together. And when it's done it will be unique as you are. I've never seen another like mine but there's a swack of stock LMT's out there.

It's really not that difficult with all the resources on CGN and other sites. Plus you're not paying for a bunch of parts you'll likely swap out when upgrading later like rail, grips, stocks etc.

But that's the fun with ARs, when you get bored you just swap lego pieces for more fun... my wife should be so accomodating :D.
 
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Just looking at the Spec:

Spike - DD CHF barrel - spec looks good - but the stock is of Asian origin, by the look of the picture.

LMT -LMT 2 stage trigger and SOPMOD stock are expensive add-ons: good deal at 1500 bucks. The lack of parkerization under FSB is the only down side. LMT is ISO 9001 certified

RRA - 4140 steel barrel - This has more consumer grade "features", but "lighter" on militry type testing and specific materials.

S&W - the rifle itself is good - like RRA, it gets a more consumer grade barrel. S&W is ISO 9001 cerrtified.

STAG - it is an orange compared to the others ( apples). It is a totally different rifle for a different purpose.
 
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I'd like to chip in a question here. Pretend I was inclined to order this $1500 LMT that was mentioned, which is one of the AR manufacturers I have read many times is great and very high quality.

Now, looking at their picture, the rifle has an a-frame front sight and no rear sight. Personally I would like to use the Troy Industries BUIS with the curved front sight guard, HK style. Now... how can you use something like that on this rifle and still get a quality sight radius? I feel like there should be no a-frame front sight on this gun and it should be some kind of alternative gas block or something with a rail there instead of that sight, so you can attach the front part of the BUIS there and your optics in the middle. That, or a monolithic design which (any opinions welcome) seems far and away the best configuration for an AR.

Please fill me in with any wisdom you feel pertinent, I admittedly am not anywhere near an expert on the vast field of AR parts and assembly. I would also like anyone willing to comment to discuss the barrel length. At 10.5" this is a CQB gun and I'm wondering how something with a short barrel like this will perform at range, say 200-300 yards or beyond. Are there clear positives and negatives to a short barrel config?

Thanks very much in advance. I'm working up to a purchase but there is so much to learn about these rifles its kind of daunting..
 
incorrigible said:
Your first post is an important one, you'd be best to think first, speak second.:jerkit:...


As for the ARs, they're all good set ups, but I noticed a wide variation on the types you'd referenced; 10.5 to 24 inch barrels is a good example. A good start would be to evaluate just what you're interest is and then investigate within that area. Is your interest 3-gun, service rifle long or short range, punching paper or even practice for work.

Extra cash does not alway equate to extra value in ARs. There are companies out there that are willing to take as much as you're willing to spend.

If you like the variety of barrel lengths there are options for that as well, such as an LMT - I think its the MRP but others could tell you for sure (only expensive if you can't afford it, or so they say).

I tend to lean toward supporting our Canadian manufacturers and you'd be hard pressed to find a better lower than ATR in Calgary. I run one of Questar's CMMG 11.5" piston upper on an Dlask Anniversary lower and couldn't be happier and it came in a hell of a lot less for what you could spend on an POF, LMT or Spikes platform.

Just a suggestion but it may be more entertaining as a sense of pride to piece it together from scatch. It's not that hard and you'll get exactly the components you want instead of what someone else thinks looks good together. And when it's done it will be unique as you are. I've never seen another like mine but there's a swack of stock LMT's out there.

It's really not that difficult with all the resources on CGN and other sites. Plus you're not paying for a bunch of parts you'll likely swap out when upgrading later like rail, grips, stocks etc.

But that's the fun with ARs, when you get bored you just swap lego pieces for more fun... my wife should be so accomodating :D.
Click to expand...

I've thought enough and posted what I feel like. I don't think I need you telling me what to do :jerkit:
 
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