AR 15: Colt vs. Ruger vs. S&W vs. Etc.?

[jmscon]

 I've been thinking about getting an AR 15 and I was wondering what you find are pros and cons to each brand and which brand would you spend a little extra to go with? There are enough choices between brand and barrel length to make your head spin. 16" Colt seems to be the most common, what about Bushmaster, RRA. 18", 20", 24"?

[BullMagnet76]

Do not buy a rifle, go to Rainier arms in Auburn and build one yourself.  Building is cheaper, you can customize to what you want and get better parts than what a rifle company is gonna stick you with

[jmscon]

I've seen Colts NIB for $599, are you saying that it would be less expensive than that or I'd spend a little more and have a more custom rifle or a rifle with a lot better quality or both?

[jay.sharkbait]

The Colt would be the only big name production rifle I would buy.

No other reason than nostalgia I guess.

You could go full custom, but that's about 1,200.00 in parts.

You could go cheapo build it yourself for just under 500.00

Or you could buy the Colt and get rid of the parts you don't like and upgrade.

I'd buy the Colt and upgrade.

[C-Money]

The Rugers look like a great buy at $599. Reviews say they are hard to beat.

[jasnt]

I went with the cheapo built it my self and am upgrading as I can.  Sofar I love it but I hate the trigger. I did a diy polish job on the mill-spec trigger and it did help a lot but it's still not quite how I like. There are other upgrades I'm planning aswell and I wish I had went free float.
I recommend building your own just for the expirence of how it all goes together and works. All my parts came from psa and was <$500. Once I found the right load it shoots right at 1"@100.  I think with a better trigger and free floating the barrel I may squeeze a little better groups than that
There are so many options out there that it can be over whelming. But that's the beauty of an ar. You can build it to fit your needs.  I just wanted a varmint gun and a plinker (243 is spendy for whistle pigs).

[Thefisherman83]

Check out the PSA build kits.  I saw one this morning for $329, just add a lower receiver. 

[Bean Counter]

This company? http://palmettostatearmory.com/ar-15-05/rifle-kits.html

Not seeing one for $329

[jasnt]

I see 389

http://palmettostatearmory.com/ptac-16-1-7-m4-rifle-kit.html?trk_msg=EATQVEJK1P64N1C0KENP36GCE4&trk_contact=3LO6BA17I5P96IRFMEI1URFS94&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fpalmettostatearmory.com%2fptac-16-1-7-m4-rifle-kit.html&utm_campaign=Daily+Deals+Email&utm_content=12%3a00+Email

[Thefisherman83]

That must have been what I saw, I'm on their email list and saw it while scrolling.  They aren't bad, I've built a few for friends.  They go bang every time after a little break in. 

[Bean Counter]

Cool thanks.

[Thefisherman83]

CDNN sports has some good prices on rifle kits as well, never touched one though.