Which AR-15's are the most reliable weapon systems? (excluding COLT)

W

Warden70

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Guys, this is a shout out to all LE/Military members on the CGN forum. In your professional opinion (ie: based on your experience and operations), what are the best manufactuers for a AR-15/Patrol Carbine (excluding Colt because we all know it's awesome...lol) that you would bet your life on and where would I get them in Canada?

Examples: Stag, Daniel Defense, Sig, LMT etc. Thanks
 
I bought a short barrel Norinco first and have shot thousands of rounds through it of cheap ammo with zero issues, however I now also have a BCM which is my go to AR. I'm thinking they are all pretty good, just how fancy you want to get or weight issues.
 
Lots of great AR manufacturers
Lots of sh!t manufacturers

Problem is if I list the OBVIOUS sh!t manufacturers people on cgn get mad and the thread gets locked.

So here are the good brands:
BCM
KAC
Colt
SIG
Noveske
Vltor
FN
Daniel Defense
Stag
LMT
PWS
HK
Core15
Bushmaster ( is just barely on the list )
BRO
RRA
WW
Spikes parts are ok

no no no no no no the other two brands that start with N will never ever be on the list of good brands NO
 
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Norinco makes the operator enjoy a better annihilating firepower within 460 meters, go with Norinco.
 
If my life depended on it I would have no reservations being armed with a Colt Canada, Colt Defense, KAC, HK, LMT, Noveske, Daniel Defense. There are others that I would have almost as much confidence in such as BCM, STAG Arms, RRA, etc...I avoid crap like Olympic Arms like the plague.

I also make a deliberate choice to avoid using potentially negative or "loaded" terms/terminology that gun control advocates so gleefully exploit in the media such as not calling my firearm a "weapon" or not talking about "hi-cap" mags instead of "full" or "standard" capacity magazines. The NSSF in the States and the NFA here in Canada have been promoting the adoption of the term "modern sporting rifle" to refer to civilian versions of military-style black/green rifles like the AR.
 
X-man said:
If my life depended on it I would have no reservations being armed with a Colt Canada, Colt Defense, KAC, HK, LMT, Noveske, Daniel Defense. There are others that I would have almost as much confidence in such as BCM, STAG Arms, RRA, etc...I avoid crap like Olympic Arms like the plague.I also make a deliberate choice to avoid using potentially negative or "loaded" terms/terminology that gun control advocates so gleefully exploit in the media such as not calling my firearm a "weapon" or not talking about "hi-cap" mags instead of "full" or "standard" capacity magazines. The NSSF in the States and the NFA here in Canada have been promoting the adoption of the term "modern sporting rifle" to refer to civilian versions of military-style black/green rifles like the AR.
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I Agree with you on the correct terminology aspect of the modern sporting rifle, he'll most peop don't even know where the term AR originated from.
 
mikethebike has it covered. Just remember that you have four other things you have to spend money on. Good optics, good training, magazines and ammo.


Lots and lots of ammo... :D

-S.
 
X-man said:
If my life depended on it I would have no reservations being armed with a Colt Canada, Colt Defense, KAC, HK, LMT, Noveske, Daniel Defense. There are others that I would have almost as much confidence in such as BCM, STAG Arms, RRA, etc...I avoid crap like Olympic Arms like the plague.

I also make a deliberate choice to avoid using potentially negative or "loaded" terms/terminology that gun control advocates so gleefully exploit in the media such as not calling my firearm a "weapon" or not talking about "hi-cap" mags instead of "full" or "standard" capacity magazines. The NSSF in the States and the NFA here in Canada have been promoting the adoption of the term "modern sporting rifle" to refer to civilian versions of military-style black/green rifles like the AR.
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I prefer the term "patrol carbine". If the police use it to protect us, it can't be bad, can it?

-S.
 
Maybe a bit off topic but be aware if you get ARs for the 7.62x39 ammo. You need to be sure the firing pin is long enough or has enough power to pop those tough surplus primers.
Other than that, run your AR wet. My VLTOR had issues with FTF, short stroking until I lubed it well. Now it runs amazingly!
 
Still alive said:
Maybe a bit off topic but be aware if you get ARs for the 7.62x39 ammo. You need to be sure the firing pin is long enough or has enough power to pop those tough surplus primers.
Other than that, run your AR wet. My VLTOR had issues with FTF, short stroking until I lubed it well. Now it runs amazingly!
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did you try grease instead of oil in your vltor?
that did the trick for my vltor, the tolerances seem to be very tight on vltor and oil was not cutting it, lubed it with grease, no issues, have been running grease instead of oil in all my ars now.
 
I have tried Sig, Colt, Noveske and others... owned or own Norinco, DPMS, and a few more... I am now running CORE15 as the "go to" Armalite Rifle Modern Sporting Firearm of choice. CORE15, maintained lightly, operates the closest to flawless as any other I have tried, even for much more money.
 
I used the C7 (first version) for a decade in field service and many thousands of rounds (10k??). The CF tested the crap out of the early prototypes.The British special forces use the Canadian made C8 as their standard issue weapon. They tested the crap out of it before they bought it. A large number of police tactical teams in Canada use the C8 too, probably in part because they are reliable. The barrels on these are probably the longest lasting for ANY 5.56mm assault rifle of any brand. To me, if long term reliability and high mileage is among your primary concerns, we can't go wrong with Colt Canada/Diemaco rifles and carbines. To the civilian that means SA20, SA15.7, and maybe an IUR upper on their lowers.

Others may equal it, a few may have fancier features (say like ambi bolt release, or freefloat, or pistons), but I would seriously question any claims that this or that brand are "better" than these.

Some feel the HK416 is fantastic. I handled one, seemed heavy for a carbine. I have not shot one of these, but those who have done so feel its quite good. But... in Canada they are super expensive IF you can find the civie version ($4500 for the one I handled five years ago).

Many others provide great performance at reasonable prices.

I would NOT depend on a Norinco AR-15/m4. To me those are just "range toys" for students and people on very tight budgets who will only shoot a little bit. A "starter AR" to see if you like AR's, until you can afford better. Put
It another way, its like a plinker that resembles an AR. Or like a Chinese made motorbike: it looks good, but its no Harley or Kawasaki.
 
mikethebike said:
did you try grease instead of oil in your vltor?
that did the trick for my vltor, the tolerances seem to be very tight on vltor and oil was not cutting it, lubed it with grease, no issues, have been running grease instead of oil in all my ars now.
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I use a liberal ( there I said Liberal!!!) spray of G96 on the bolt and BCG before I shoot it and it works well. I lube it with 96 after I finish cleaning then a bit more, esp. before a match. Not dripping wet but shiny.
Love my VLTOR as they are not that common around here!
 
Aniest said:
I have tried Sig, Colt, Noveske and others... owned or own Norinco, DPMS, and a few more... I am now running CORE15 as the "go to" Armalite Rifle Modern Sporting Firearm of choice. CORE15, maintained lightly, operates the closest to flawless as any other I have tried, even for much more money.
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I have heard good reviews on the CORE too. Currently looking for a 16" AR and the CORE or DD are my first choices.
 
Call em whatever makes you feel better but I refuse to call them by some politically correct term just to satisfy some nancy. I own a norinco and for my super awesome back flip 360 shooting it has never let me down. I live in canada not syria so I dont need to bet my life on any of my guns and neither do 99% of you. the rest are issued government property. Stop pretending you are rambo or ready for ze germans or surviving the zombies. Guns are toys or hunting tools. Stop with the childish fantasies.
 
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