LaRue, PWS, KAC etc, What Are We Really Paying For?

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GunfighterAlpha

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So for the past few months I've been considering selling my 18inch AR build and moving in a different direction. Now my current build cost me quite a but not as much as some of these top tier manufacturers rifles even tho my build runs just as well. I'm looking at moving to a 12-14.5 inch platform and considering buying a top tier brand BUT, are you really paying for quality? how much of it is brand name?

We know these companies got their names through reliability and or contracts with PMCs etc. We also know we are paying a premium for a brand name, but they're undoubtedly good rifles. Are they REALLY worth the money though?

Looking forward to the inevitable conflict in the comments to come lol.
 
Isn't really what something is worth "subjective", for companies like LaRue and KAC, HK, your paying for the engineering and the material, QC etc. I guess at the end of the day, it depends on your taste & pocket book.
 
At a certain point you are paying for diminishing returns, there is only so much you can do to an AR to make it better. The rest is just paying for name.

If your paying in the thousands you are most likely paying more on the name side of the scale.

Shawn
 
Well I guess you could purchase a "clone" however are you "really"getting the same product? I suppose you have to ask yourself that? for a "recreational" end user that may be enough, but for someone who depends on it day in and day out, it may not be the case.
 
mildot said:
Well I guess you could purchase a "clone" however are you "really"getting the same product? I suppose you have to ask yourself that? for a "recreational" end user that may be enough, but for someone who depends on it day in and day out, it may not be the case.
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that's what I'm getting at. At what point do those tighter tolerances come into affect? what separates that "clone" from the real deal aside from a name stamped into aluminum? les not bring 500 dollar or sub par parts into the equation either.
 
GunfighterAlpha said:
that's what I'm getting at. At what point do those tighter tolerances come into affect? what separates that "clone" from the real deal aside from a name stamped into aluminum? les not bring 500 dollar or sub par parts into the equation either.
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So for instance if your buying from Colt and your a GOV agency, your getting all the support warranty etc, if your purchasing the same from Norinco? then maybe the same? maybe not? If its a "range" gun then I guess it doesn't matter, unless you want to own a KAC or Colt or HK. I've held both a Colt and a Norinco rifle, and the fit & finish is certainly better on the Colt, however they both went "bang".
 
84wh1 said:
Like anything really expensive, at some point your paying for the name and the "prestige" of owning said rifle. I really think anything made by DD, Colt or Sig will last just as long as any of the "premium" brands like KAC, lwrc and h&k
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None of those guns will last longer than HK rifle.
 
Stoner99 said:
None of those guns will last longer than HK rifle.
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mk23.jpg
 
Your 2010 Corolla will get you there, but a brand new Ferrari gets you there in style!

As others have said, a good quality rifle by Colt, BCM, Stag, DD or the like will serve a weekend commando like me just fine. Even the "budget" quality rifles like Spikes, CORE, Windham and DPMS will suffice and do a good job at it.

If I'm in the shyte and my life depends on it daily I might look to spend the extra on true "top-shelf" rifles like KAC, H&K or LWRC.
 
84wh1 said:
Ok maybe h&k. They are pretty high end, saying that if the seals and other SF units didn't use them, would you feel the same way?
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IMO Colt,KAC, and HK earned the position they hold, not to say that Wilson Combat or Seekins don't make as good of a rifle, but Colt, HK, KAC "cut there teeth" in the war zone, that resonates with me.
 
mildot said:
IMO Colt,KAC, and HK earned the position they hold, not to say that Wilson Combat or Seekins don't make as good of a rifle, but HK, KAC "cut there teeth" in the war zone, that resonates with me.
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no other manufacturer of ar15 has cut its teeth on the battlefield more than colt. Millions of rifles on the battlefield.
so why is hk or kac better than colt?
 
84wh1 said:
Ok maybe h&k. They are pretty high end, saying that if the seals and other SF units didn't use them, would you feel the same way?
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It's not that the Seals, Delta, KSK, Grom, France, Etc etc use them it's because I know and most importantly I use them. I'm just kidding around a little. but seriously..

AR's come in 3 main classes for weight like most things with of course many specific requirements and variations of needs.

But to dumb it down.

Light
Medium
Heavy

HK's 416/417 fall into the last 2 groups mostly considering the more popular and main production variants out there. I would say there are different ways of arming your platoon or section, regiment whatever to get to the same result in many ways. But for professionals in many circumstances the HK line just meets the demands where others don't in durability, and usage. Of course this can depend on the variant, barrel length and type. Many bloggers/Interneters make comparisons between various companies and they are comparing guns built for almost identical purposes to the naked eye but within that orgs requirement it makes a difference.

Other thing to keep in mind some companies may make a fantastic rifle but how many can they produce? And then maintain that same quality? Most can't and many of these smaller companies are filling more specific niche which is great, but overall HK line wins.

The engineering on the 416 line really did take the AR to new levels and it's still the best out there for the most part.

If you have the cash I say get one for the history alone it is indeed worth it.
 
mikethebike said:
no other manufacturer of ar15 has cut its teeth on the battlefield more than colt. Millions of rifles on the battlefield.
so why is hk or kac better than colt?
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Testing and performance.

Colts are fine but these guns were developed to take that Colt to a higher level, just like how CC makes a better gun than Colt USA. But I would have no problem using any of them and I do.
 
Que the tier thread :nest:

As others have said, at some price point you start paying for the name but also the reputation behind the name.

KAC - proprietary BCG & tolerances
LaRue - one of the nicest Billet Lowers going and noted accuracy/tolerances
HK - namesake reputation

I guess it's up to the end user if they really want to spend the cash on those or not. Reality is they all go bang whether it's a $500 Norc or a $5k KAC. Good enough for the Canadian Civie market.
 
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