best ar15 for under $1300

BlackWatch said:
Just curious... I'd DD considered better than Colt?
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the dd finish might be a tad better and the dd models offered require less customizing to your liking since they offer them with rails, low pro gas block, etc, aside from that I would say they are the same. Colt has been in the game longer and is the standard for mil spec and has the military history badge.

I modified my 6920 colt, so now its hard to compare since I have to remember what my factory stock and my factory trigger were like. My colt finish was pristine, but it just felt like the dd finish was better, not sure if thats factual maybe just a " grass is better on the other side " feeling on my part.

Some say dd barrels are better, I dont think so at all, hard to define "better", surely not accuracy wise, both are not match barrels and dont pretend to be, durability I wouldnt say so either. Cold hammer forged, bah, I stopped believing in Camelot and Merlin a long time ago... They have been running millions of colt barrels on full auto for decades, if there was a durability issue it would have come up by now.
 
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Easier said than done... They are not easy to find.

as for the OP the incoming Bushmaster for 880$ is as good a deal as it gets


mikethebike said:
get a colt or dd, wait for the sale or wait to save enough to buy it.

THEN buy some of these! More important than ammo IMO!
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mikethebike said:
the dd finish might be a tad better and the dd models offered require less customizing to your liking since they offer them with rails, low pro gas block, etc, aside from that I would say they are the same. Colt has been in the game longer and is the standard for mil spec and has the military history badge.

I modified my 6920 colt, so now its hard to compare since I have to remember what my factory stock and my factory trigger were like. My colt finish was pristine, but it just felt like the dd finish was better, not sure if thats factual maybe just a " grass is better on the other side " feeling on my part.

Some say dd barrels are better, I dont think so at all, hard to define "better", surely not accuracy wise, both are not match barrels and dont pretend to be, durability I wouldnt say so either. Cold hammer forged, bah, I stopped believing in Camelot and Merlin a long time ago... They have been running millions of colt barrels on full auto for decades, if there was a durability issue it would have come up by now.
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I ordered a SA20 and a 15.7 IUR to go with it. I had a Sporter 2 before and loved it I was wondering if that money would have been better spent on a DD but having that nice maple leaf on the side is worth a couple of hundred to me :)
I started off with a $1500 budget now I've blown that all to hell lol.
 
mikethebike said:
irunguns colt 6920 for about 1500 all done
or wait for a dd special from wolverines
I wouldnt touch anything else but thats just me, I'm a snob. But someone will talk about norincos in about 37 seconds.
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I have two Norincos and both shoot better than your 3k+ Christensen Arms AR15 rifle ever did.

Being an AR snob will only get you so far...
 
If you're looking for a great deal, look at the Stag 0R - proper specs for $1090, all the correct stuff ticks every box on the list and comes with a lifetime warranty in Canada. If you want a great deal on a big name gun (no one can question this brand) Arms East (the Stag importer) also sells a BCM rifle for $1325.
 
Still alive said:
I was at the CA booth at SHOT this year. Wanted to see what the fuss was about. The rifles handle nice but then again, we weren't shooting them. I was sorely tempted to mention your issues but didn't want to start an international incident!
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Maybe mine was a singular incident, most probably not, they didnt sound too shocked or surprised when I was talking to them on the phone about my issues last year.
 
thanks for everyones input. i guess there are a lot of ways to go! theres a couple DD rifles on the EE that are interesting. i traded a guy yesterday for a vortex spitfire to put on the rifle when i buy it lol. is there a round count i want to stay under? is 1000 rounds a big deal at all? that still seems low to me.
 
slippey pete said:
thanks for everyones input. i guess there are a lot of ways to go! theres a couple DD rifles on the EE that are interesting. i traded a guy yesterday for a vortex spitfire to put on the rifle when i buy it lol. is there a round count i want to stay under? is 1000 rounds a big deal at all? that still seems low to me.
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Any AR of any stripe or manufacture, irregardless of type of ammo shot (bi-metal being the hardest on a bore) or range abuse (full cap mag dumps etc), should be able to digest at least 6000 rounds before any major components require replacement. Springs and extractors notwithstanding. We all know that steel cased ammo is hard on extractors. Recoil springs generally only have a service life of 5K. But a spring kit (replaces every spring in an AR) is going to run you under $60.

A reasonably cared for AR is defiantly able to chew through 10,000 rounds with-out major repairs.

1000 rounds is considered "barely broken in" by many.

My $.02
 
Anyone got more info on the bushmaster. I am getting into AR game so well and the price is good. How are they for quality and such
 
I have Norinco , NEA, Armalite and Colt. No issues with either except needed to slow the 10.5"NEA down a little, so they've all been good to me with minimum use I quess.

If I were going to spend $1300 right now on a quality AR, I look hard at the Stag Arms 1R Carbine at Arms East for $1186.00. I'd prefer the 14.5" bbl, but the 16 like the Armalite M15 is a more versatile performer.

I've never owned the Stag, but have handled and heard nothing contrary from anyone. Seems a well built US rifle for the money. It wasn't very long ago these would cost you 1500 used on the EE. The only stag item I have in my possession is a BCG. I've been so impressed with that, I've ordered another bolt from AE for my Colt bolt carrier.

Good luck, there are lots of options out there inside your budget. Don't worry about too many dodads right away. Shoot lot's of fmj's, learn the rifle over irons and whatever your game is, your rifle can adapt to it from CQA to Service conditions.
 
I would throw in the STI line of AR's. They have everything you need ( great JP trigger ) and a good barrel, and nuthin you don't. They may not be as common as a DD but they show up now and again in the EE for around $1300.00 and are well worth the $$ for what you get.
 
 
Remember the taxes...

If you have the $1500 for a Colt or DD go for it. If not, I'm a big fan of CORE for budget AR. $1000 for solid mil-spec rifle with nothing you don't need. IRONCLAD lifetime warranty, even if sold to another person.
 
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