I want an AR...Which is best?

[micdude]

What no one said a thing about   BCM    WOW there are only the best below colt. I think you can run a full auto BCG in your AR without a FFL you only need a FFL for the lower receiver.

Here is there sight http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/

Read this about BCM    http://www.bravocompanymfg.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/filthy14_oct10.pdf

[micdude]

From best to not-so-best;

Colt
BCM
Daniel Defense
Noveske
LMT
S&W
Sabre Defense
Armalite
CMMG
Stag
Bushmaster
Rock River Arms
Olympic
DPMS

This is the "list" I was directed too when I got into AR's. I also think Spikes is up there with BCM and LMT

[Schwag173]

I want an AR that I can use for coyotes but would be a gun I would choose first in an "End of the World" Scenario as well. Reliablity is key, as is accuracy. I wouldn't be against the idea of building my own if I learned how to do it.

I kind of built my own but went high-end:  Larue Tactical Stealth upper group http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=100, Colt Model 6920 lower group (Gunbroker.com), JP Enterprises Trigger group http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPFC-2, and a few more toys to accessorize.  What did I get for spending the extra money?  Check out the attached image.  And this is a 16" barrel, folks. 

[FALFire]

Halflife,

if you are just looking for a plinker and home protection then most anything will do, I would recommend a 16" barrel with a 4 position collapsible stock and flat top A3 upper. A 9 twist will do just fine the 8 would be better if you wanted to shoot the 75 grain bullets but for plinking and your needs a 9 twist is plenty adequate.

However, an 18" mid length barrel port barrel may give you a little smoother functioning rifle with just a tad better reliability among ammo brands. It all has to do with dwell timing in the barrel for the gases etc.

A Wild Chamber is a chamber that is cut to allow the safe use of both commercial 223 and military surplus 5.56 ammo. It is just a slight adjustment in the chamber lead/throat area for pressure and by some, it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. To those of us that have discharged thousands of rounds in a standard 5.56 cut chamber it's really a moot point. But then again there are those out there  

If you plan on using it for hunting coyotes or ground squirrels then a 20" barrel may be a better setup. It will help get the sound just a little farther away and the balance can be better depending on stock configuration and your physical build.

Flash hiders are not necessary but a muzzle brake can be a benefit to reduce muzzle lift and you seeing your hits on target, they also tend to make follow up shots more accurate. The big downside of a brake is the noise, they can make your ears bleed  

White Oak makes some really nice stuff, their barrels are reported to give very good accuracy.

Chrome lined barrels are required for the military and not really needed for a good shooter/plinker. Accuracy can be somewhat sacrificed with chrome lining as it depends on the chroming performed I prefer, the non chrome lined barrels but I do have a couple that are chrome lined but it is what it is.

[CastleRocker]

Build you own!  I firmly believe that if a person can read a book or maybe even follow along on a DVD, and has the mechanical ability to lace and tie one's work boots, you can build your own.  There is even directions on proper assembly on the web.  Look at the "everything AR" thread (sticky) on Predator Masters Forum.

If you don't want to build one, buy an upper from a custom builder, or if you are on a tight budget, look at CMMG's "bargin bin".  I purchased one from there that was cheaper than I could build it, and it shot very very well.

Remember, the inherent accuracy of an AR is in the upper.  So pick components that work well together.  All the lower does for accuracy is house that fine feeling trigger group that allows you to shoot just a little better.

Also, one word of advice; once you buy your first one, you will likely be hooked!  I think it's the most addicting, and easily modified firearm platform made.

From best to not-so-best;

Colt
BCM
Daniel Defense
Noveske
LMT
S&W
Sabre Defense
Armalite
CMMG
Stag
Bushmaster
Rock River Arms
Olympic
DPMS

This is the "list" I was directed too when I got into AR's. I also think Spikes is up there with BCM and LMT

With all due respect, whoever made that list for you needs to actually have some trigger time behind some of those.  The order would definately change.  Also, in regards to a fully automatic carrier group...don't even think it in this state, unless you want to live for quite a while in Walla-walla, in a concrete house and have a big room mate named Bubba, or Leroy, or something like that.  

[calawahsteelie]

Wow! This is a good thread during the right time. Here I was all swelled up on a Remington R-15. I have posted a couple of threads over the last couple of months kind of fishing for information on them. Chrisb sent me a PM and basically said "why don't you just build your own"? But I was lured to that HD camo. After looking at prices and reading this thread I'm thinking that HD camo ain't so nice. Hell I used to be able to strip a M16-A2 in total darkness, while I slept, in under 30 seconds. Why couldn't I just buy the parts and build my own? Please keep this thread going. I'm sure there are several people like me just sponging up the information.

[micdude]

I think you mean "the chart."Here is were it came from, very experienced AR guys.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=6642

As to full auto BCG are/are not legal I would read this from the ATF:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=492867

Heavier weight makes it cycle better

[CastleRocker]

Well, if you want to risk owning a fully automatic firearm in Washington state, that's your business I suppose.  I'm not going to look up the actual RCW for you right now, but trust me on this one... it's very illegal.

Just a side note if you are considering building one yourself; Black Hole Weaponry is turning out some of the most accurate barrels out there right now, and best of all, they are located right in the middle of our state...Moses Hole (aka Moses Lake).

Also, the Olympic Arms Stainles Ultra Match barrels are getting great reviews.  The guy that built my custom upper in 25 WSSM (Mike Milli at DTech), uses either Oly, or Shilen match barrels, and told me on the phone that Oly barrels are just as good or better, without the name and price.  Mine is a one hole rifle when I don't drink too much coffee.

In my opinion, everyone should have an upper in 5.56 just because.  Then start looking at all the "other" calibers!  I'm collecting parts for a 20 Practical (not Tactical) build now.  

[JimmyHoffa]

A guy I know recently acquired an AR from PlumCrazy.  I don't know enough about the manufacturer to really compare it to many others.  The gun was M4 variant with collapsible stock, flat top, hollow quad picatinny handguard.  Not sure if it was pieced together or came as a pre-build, but the thing was extremely light--probably half the weight of mine.  I couldn't get over how light it was...it really did feel like a child's toy.  The company makes composite lowers that can be bought separately.  So there are SOOOOOOOOOOO many options, you should have fun building Franken-gun.

[micdude]

Not everything has to be Tacticool for sure I’m thinking of replacing my Rem 700 with a 6.8spc upper. I like everything that there coming out with lately.

[FALFire]

Last I read about the laws about owning full auto weapons or parts for one in Washington State is exactly what CastleRocker stated, it's illegal. Now for that chart, that is a joke and certainly an opinionated one.

As far as the 6.8SPC to replace you Remington 700.......what caliber is your 700 and why the 6.8SPC when there are superior calibers available? The 6.8 is fine in shorter barreled rifles in which it was designed for but the 6mm options are superior in every way. I've been reloading and shooting the 6.8 for a few years now and it is simply not nearly as good beyond 300 yards as some of those guys would like you to believe. The ammo is much to expensive for it to be a plinker when compared to the 223/5.56 round and it's no were near as accurate as the 6mm wildcat offerings. There have been times when brass has been difficult to get, maybe now that Silver State Armory has relocated in Packwood Wa. and up to full manufacturing speed, that brass and ammo may not be hard to get.

If you reload, the options are darn near endless for available calibers for the AR15 platform and then you can step into the AR10 308 based platform for even more options. Mike Milli from Dedicated Technologies is a great guy and very, very knowledgeable about how to properly build a rifle, he has been doing it most of his life. You can find him on Predator Masters website.

[thinkingman]

Build you own!  I firmly believe that if a person can read a book or maybe even follow along on a DVD, and has the mechanical ability to lace and tie one's work boots, you can build your own.  There is even directions on proper assembly on the web.  Look at the "everything AR" thread (sticky) on Predator Masters Forum.

If you don't want to build one, buy an upper from a custom builder, or if you are on a tight budget, look at CMMG's "bargin bin".  I purchased one from there that was cheaper than I could build it, and it shot very very well.

Remember, the inherent accuracy of an AR is in the upper.  So pick components that work well together.  All the lower does for accuracy is house that fine feeling trigger group that allows you to shoot just a little better.

Also, one word of advice; once you buy your first one, you will likely be hooked!  I think it's the most addicting, and easily modified firearm platform made.

From best to not-so-best;

Colt
BCM
Daniel Defense
Noveske
LMT
S&W
Sabre Defense
Armalite
CMMG
Stag
Bushmaster
Rock River Arms
Olympic
DPMS

This is the "list" I was directed too when I got into AR's. I also think Spikes is up there with BCM and LMT

With all due respect, whoever made that list for you needs to actually have some trigger time behind some of those.  The order would definately change.  Also, in regards to a fully automatic carrier group...don't even think it in this state, unless you want to live for quite a while in Walla-walla, in a concrete house and have a big room mate named Bubba, or Leroy, or something like that.  

I would agree with this post.
Buy a RockRiver complete upper, they were including a chromed bolt carrier as  a free upgrade...and build your own lower.
A member on here connected me with Pete at Legaltransfers....great deal on an excellent upper.
Micdude...thanks for trying but that's a fail.

[micdude]

I'm not saying RRA's are bad guns at all but rather they are considered commercial grade and not top tear guns.

Written by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), Chief of the Firearms Technology Branch
...M16 bolt carriers are not designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun and are not any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled.  Further, an M16 bolt carrier is not a firearm as defined in the GCA or a machinegun as defined in the NFA.  An M16 bolt carrier is simply a machinegun part and as such its domestic sale and possession is unregulated under the Federal firearms laws.  It is not unlawful to utilize a M16 machinegun bolt carrier in a semiautomatic AR15 type rifle.

It is legal. What you need an NFA stamp for is the Auto/Burst Fire FCG.

The difference between the different types of BCGs is the design and weight. FA (Full auto) vs. M16 vs. SA (Semi auto) differ in design (slightly) and weight. What makes FAs so reliable is that they are heavier, allowing for a more consistent cycling motion (from my understanding)... hopefully leading to less FTF/FTEs.

[mebco09]

It is legal. What you need an NFA stamp for is the Auto/Burst Fire FCG.

In addition to the stamp, you also need to live in a state that allows FA firearms.  Washington is not one of them.  Also, if you happen to live in such a state, don't put your "stamped" Auto/Burst FCG into a modified AR-15.  That is manufacturing a FA firearm.  Big no-no.

As far as the BCG, there are a lot of rifles out there that have parts that work in both semi-auto and full-auto applications (I am thinking m1 carbine specifically).  These parts are identical in both applications.

I wouldn't use any FA parts in any rifle I own.  It MIGHT be legal, but it also might cost you your rifle (for a while) if a LEO decides to get technical on you.  The ATF rules are deliberately vague, I wouldn't be surprised that there is a ruling out there that contradicts the above referenced letter.  You get to hire a lawyer to get your property back (if it wasn't destroyed first).  Just my  

[FC]

*sigh* that list you are touting was just a price organized price list....It had nothing to do with quality.

Don't just guzzle that tired old kool-aid, spend your money on barrel +bolt, bolt carrier and trigger if you are building an AR. Many of the better barrels include a bolt. As has been already said by FALfire, all the other parts are pretty much just stuff you hang on it.

As for the heavier bolt carrier? The reason it has more mass is so that it will hold together under sustained full auto firing with a 0% failure rate.