I’m about to purchase a new AR-15 and was wanting some feedback as to your top 3 brands and maybe a short reply as to why. I haven’t shot one since I was in the military years ago and was wanting to get reacquainted with them. Thanks in advance.

Budget?

I got BCM for the money

Knights Armament
LMT
Sionics

What’s it for and how hard are you going to run it?

BCM
Daniel Defense
LMT
Noveske
KAC

I'll add POF and Black Rain.

ARs have so much variety it’s hard to say...really depends on what you want (range plinker, competition, shtf, etc)

In terms of all around quality I think larue ultimate upper is hard to beat. About 1k, above average barrel and great machining.
Would also look at bcm in that vain


In terms of higher end jp and noveske are good.

It would be used for some light hunting and range time. I was leaning toward Colt. But wanted opinions. I have about $1000 budget. Thanks for all the responses.

Colt 6920 trooper

Assuming a decent to good budget, I feel like people underestimate the fn made civilian version of their .ktary contracted m4, but obviously no multi shot ability. The same specs including the knights rail.

If I were going to kick in doors and trust my life to my gun I would buy BCM, but would have no issues with a Colt either. I have run a lot of rounds through a Colt 6920 and the thing is unstoppable. I just think the BCM is a better buy but not necessarily a better weapon. I would rank them equal in quality but the Colt has better name recognition and will probably cost you more just because of that.

For a third choice LMT would be in the mix as well. Probably as good as the BCM and Colt I just don't have near as much experience with them.

Wilson Combat

HK

In that price range, probably Colt.

If you could add more cash,
Daniel Defense
LMT
Novenske
Knights Armament

I had both FN and colt issued to me. I’d take the colt any day.
If you really had money to burn, I’d go HK. I hear those take you straight to operater status.

Per your price range, $1,000 or less (in no particular order)

Colt
Stag
DPMS
Sig
Black Rain Ordinance

There are a lot of great ones in between $1,000 - $2,000.

Double that price, $2,000 up and then you will find the

KAC
Noveske
Larue
LMT
HK
Etc etc.

If you woul build one you could get a better gun for the money.

Why has nobody mentioned Rock River? I had one and it was fantastic. Much nicer than the Colts and DPMSs that I have shot.

Sorry
Missed the 1k budget
You can build a nice one for that or a bit more

Don't buy an 800.onr and then do a bunch of upgrades..
Paying for it all twice..

Receiver set doesn't really matter
Freefloat handguard, barrel and trigger are the most important thing for accuracy.


For general use a 16" with a midlength gas system is a good setup.

They don’t seem to be all that popular with the tactical minded crowd, and I certainly can’t speak to RRA rifles being suitable for any type of hard or duty use. But for an accurate out of the box AR, especially for sporting type use I like them. I’ve had couple and they both shot well, the 20” predator pursuit upper I had was the most accurate AR I’ve shot out of several factory guns and builds. In the past RRA has been behind the times with their heavy handguards, carbine gassed 16” models etc. But looks like their current models have some lighter mlok rails

DPMS seem to be pretty much entry level, though I’m mildly interested in their Gen 2 308 models.

Colts seem to be highly regarded as reasonably priced rifles suitable for serious duty

Absolutely nothing wrong with RRA. They make very nice rifles. I love their triggers, especially at their price point.

If you want to buy a complete name brand rifle in your budget the Colt 6920 is probably a good purchase for you. But definite upgrades will be needed to that Colt especially the trigger.

But if you really want to stretch that $1000 then you would be better off building your own rifle. And I would also think about not getting a 556 if this is going to be a hunting rifle. Dont be like a lot of us who made that mistake and ended up spending more time and money to sell the 556 and get a hunting like caliber like a 6.8 or 6.5. Start looking in to those calibers. Both of them are great hunting rounds for your AR!

If you are starting from scratch then I would pick either the 6.8SPC or the 6.5 Grendel and build that AR. Or buy an upper from the classifieds and build your lower.

Unless you are a coyote hunter the 556 is just not an adequate round for hunting in Texas especially when those 2 other rounds are easily acquired.

My Windham has never had a hiccup in the 7 years I’ve had it. A very well put together weapon. P_102

Rock river in that money. If you wanna spend more:

JP
JP
JP

Daniel Defense
LWRC.


I had a Ruger 556 that shot just as good.