Purchasing my first AR, need help on a decision

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Hey guys, Ive been looking at buying an AR for about a month now, and in two weeks time Ill be throwing down the money to purchase my first AR.

I familiar with AR's, I was in the army for awhile, and I loved my C7, so I figured Id pick up a rifle for my own use.

Its come down to two specific rifles.

First is the bushmaster A3 Flat Top 16" M4 "Patrolman's" Carbine. I know bushmaster is an excellent company and have been selling rifles for quite sometime. Theres one thing about the rifle that I dont like, and Im sure this isnt a major problem. Its the handguards, why do they look so small? I know on the other m-16 varients Ive fired, the handguards were much bulkier. Does anyone have an answer as to why they chose to go with such skinny hand guards? I know I can buy others, im just curious as to why it shipped with those.
Here is the rifle Im talking about
http://www.questar.ca/deals/Bushmaster.htm

The second rifle I'm looking at is from STAG, the ArmsEast supplier, this rifle is slightly cheaper than the bushmaster. http://www.armseast.com/righthandrifles.html
Im looking at getting the model IR. Has anyone ever had any experience with STAG and could they tell me the quality of their rifles?

Thanks alot
 
esquif said:
get a stag 2R
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+1

The 2R is a better value because when you plunk an optic on top of it, you can keep the ARMS 40 mounted for LCF, while the carry handle winds up in the safe.

The ARMS 40 is also worth about $175-$200, and that package is worth $50 less from Arms east? Much better deal.

As far as handguards, from the pics it looks like the Bushy has standard round ones and the Stag has M4 oval profile. Pfft whatever, put a quad rail on and smile! Seriously, I found handling a few that the M4 profile feels a little too clunky whereas the round ones are pretty nice.
 
Well if you have your heart set on a complete gun then disregard this. I would, if I had to do it again get a lower with a 2 stage trigger and work up from there. They only thing stock on my Colt is the lower. You could get yourself something with a 20" bull barrel just in case the AR becomes non restricted again. You can still shoot it, and work on getting a 10.5" or 16" upper with all the "bells and whistles".
 
KyleM said:
As far as handguards, from the pics it looks like the Bushy has standard round ones and the Stag has M4 oval profile. Pfft whatever, put a quad rail on and smile! Seriously, I found handling a few that the M4 profile feels a little too clunky whereas the round ones are pretty nice.
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Also,, the pic of the Bushmaster is of a standard carbine gas system. In other words the front site block is at the distance for a 14.5" barrel and not a 16" barrel. It makes the bayonet lug redundant because you can't really put a bayonent on it.

A better config in my opinion is the 16" barrel with the mid length gas system. Everything looks correct in perspective and the bayonet lug is useable. A carbine length gas system with a 14.5" barrel is the other option worth looking at . This is my opinion,, others with have different views on the matter.

Most of the big AR manufacturers have mid length gas system 16" barrelled rifles now.
 
Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine handsdown, Wrenchgod just got a new one and it is awesome, if a guy who fixes and builds them all day everyday picked that one, it's good enough for me...
 
Get the one that makes you lie awake at night thinking about it. Get the one that fits YOUR budget. Snag the model that fits your game (tactical, IPSC, 3 Gun, Service Conditions Match 1-12) and also your needs.

And finally, you must consider LCV (Look Cool Value). LOL Enjoy the addiction...
 
Stag Arms is awesome.... but so is the bushmaster... either one will serve you well.

buy a factory rifle for your first one... keep it and cherish it for the rest of your life and then start building other AR15's, because you know you can't own just one :)
 
Westicle said:
Stag Arms is awesome.... but so is the bushmaster... either one will serve you well.

buy a factory rifle for your first one... keep it and cherish it for the rest of your life and then start building other AR15's, because you know you can't own just one :)
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LoL so true. I ordered Stag 4L and now I'm in the process of getting the 2L model.
 
Westicle said:
because you know you can't own just one :)
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That is so painfully true... I have two complete ones now, one 16" middy and a 11.5 zombie shooter, and I am already planning for a rifle length 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel, and a DOE style 9mm based on the new RRA pistols. I'll have another glass of that nice Koolaid, please!
 
Thanks alot for the help guys, it seems that both rifles are of equal quality so I guess Ill have to make my decision at the last moment.
 
I just got a Standard A4 from Rock River Arms through Questar. The rifle is excellent. Fit, finish and quality is as advertised, the best value I think currently available. The only thing I would seek in another rifle is an A2 Government profile barrel instead of the current HBAR, which makes the rifle slightly front-heavy. But I like my toys heavy :D BTW RRA insists on offering HBAR barrels to assure their guaranteed factory accuracy of 1 MOA.
 
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