AR 15 Advice

[CM9carry]

Hello Folks. Long time reader first time poster here. I just wanted to thank the forum members for helping me make my decision to purchase a cm9. I bought the cm9 about 6 months ago and it has been absolutely flawless. I let my brother shoot it at the range and he had one 3 days later, his has been flawless as well. That leads me to my question, does anyone have advice, experiences, or thoughts on AR-15s? I'm new to the AR platform and after months of researching I'm still not sold on a certain make or model. I do know I want a .223/5.56 cal and I'd like to stay under $1,200. Hopefully someone can lead me to a great purchase just like the cm9. Thanks in advance.

[Bawanna]

There sure is a mountain of brands and configurations to choose from. I went to Colt school and drank the Colt kool aid and I still am fond of Colts but that being said if I was in the market which I kind of am just cause they are gonna get harder to get depending on how things go I'd be looking at a Windham.

BUT there are a ton of good ones out there. I couldn't strongly suggest one over the other with a good conscious.
I'm sure some more AR guys will be slippin in soon.

[yqtszhj]

Windham Weaponry get's my vote. They are the former Bushmaster folks.

The current bushmasters are made in the same factory as DPMS and some others. they were all bought by I believe it was Freedom group.

I have a ORIGINAL made in Maine Bushmaster w/ A3 upper (removable handle), 20 inch barrel and the fit and finish are hand fitted and everything was smooth as silk from day one.

I bought a M4 type New not made in Maine with the same A3 upper and the fit is not the same. It's like a generic. I haven't had any issues but it's not the same build quality.

I hear Windham Weaponry made by the original Bushmaster folks are like the old original hand fitted quality.

Oh, and get the all metal ones, not the carbon fiber ones. And the removable handle then you can use Iron sights or a scope. Just my opinion.

I'm thinking about taking the M4 one and doing some mods to it. I would not touch the first one because it will shoot the butt off a gnat at 100 yards.

[ripley16]

I agree on on the Colt. A nice 6920 is hard to beat. Stag makes a fine AR as well. There are so many to choose from.

I have gone over to the piston camp though and I'd recommend you hunt for a piston driven AR. It will be more difficult to stay under the price limit, but it's doable.

[itsthelaw]

Daniel Defense if you don't mind used would be a great option at $1000-$1200. While I was looking for a DD M4 V5, I ended up with a DD M4 V1 with some extras for $1000. I was told and believe that the barrel is key and the DD barrels are great. So far, I have absolutely no regrets. IMHO, you cannot go wrong with DD. You will find a lot of guns for $1000 new, but they don't have the quality of my DD. If you can find a middie for $1200, you hit the jackpot. Take your time and ask a lot of question. You're off to a great start!

[yqtszhj]

I was told and believe that the barrel is key and the DD barrels are great.

I agree. Exactly on target with the barrel. My first one has a competition barrel and it's top notch.

[chrish]

On this subject, what do you guys think of the Smith M&P 15 sport? I read/watched a review of it 6+ months back where they put it thru the ringer out in the desert and in spite of having no dust cover or forward assist, it never missed a beat. I know that a $1200 weapon would be nice, but at half that price (nearly), I have been seriously considering this as an AR so that I can still afford to pick up another rifle of some kind. The option of 2 weapons for the price of 1 is pretty appealing. If it were unreliable, then spend more, but reviews of it seem to be generally good.

Thoughts?

[knkali]

On this subject, what do you guys think of the Smith M&P 15 sport? I read/watched a review of it 6+ months back where they put it thru the ringer out in the desert and in spite of having no dust cover or forward assist, it never missed a beat. I know that a $1200 weapon would be nice, but at half that price (nearly), I have been seriously considering this as an AR so that I can still afford to pick up another rifle of some kind. The option of 2 weapons for the price of 1 is pretty appealing. If it were unreliable, then spend more, but reviews of it seem to be generally good.

Thoughts?

I bought the M&P 15 OR model and beat the snot out of it during drills and never missed a beat ( that is until I removed the POS bolt release lever from Tactical Link and the got rid of the POS Pmags) yet. The OR (optics ready) is about 900 and add a red dot you are a little over 1300. The MP 15 Sport is around 600. Both chambered in 5.56. Hell there are a lot of good ones out there like everyone said. I am a SW fan though. Love the MP9 from them too. I like the OR though because the barrel can accept a grenage launcher where the sport cannot.

[hardluk1]

I guess I look at AR like some of us look at kahr pistols. I did not buy the high dollar version but the basic models CW and CM. For a AR I bought a M&P sport and have been more than pleased with it. Payed 595 + tax and have a rifle that will shoot sub moa with a few match grade ammos and under 1-1/2" with several 55 gr fmj rounds. Like others the reviews from guys that do run them hard have been great. Only S&W product I care to own. Buy one of these and have enough money for decent optics and some ammo too.

[xb12s]

...I bought a M&P sport and have been more than pleased with it. Payed 595 + tax and have a rifle that will shoot sub moa with a few match grade ammos and under 1-1/2" with several 55 gr fmj rounds...

That's a good deal. I would have taken that too. I only see them for about $695+, $750ish at LGS.

Lots of other good advice that I agree with here. I agree with the Wyndham and Daniel Defense suggestions. I think the M&P, Wyndham, and DD give you three price ranges to pick from. I'd go Wyndham probably myself but that's more based on what I feel I could afford.

Good luck

[melissa5]

I've got DD's, but for $595 I'd give the M&P Sport a chance.

[ruf45]

+1 on the M&P

[gm412]

Windham Weaponry get's my vote. They are the former Bushmaster folks.

The current bushmasters are made in the same factory as DPMS and some others. they were all bought by I believe it was Freedom group.

I have a ORIGINAL made in Maine Bushmaster w/ A3 upper (removable handle), 20 inch barrel and the fit and finish are hand fitted and everything was smooth as silk from day one.

I bought a M4 type New not made in Maine with the same A3 upper and the fit is not the same. It's like a generic. I haven't had any issues but it's not the same build quality.

I hear Windham Weaponry made by the original Bushmaster folks are like the old original hand fitted quality.

Oh, and get the all metal ones, not the carbon fiber ones. And the removable handle then you can use Iron sights or a scope. Just my opinion.

I'm thinking about taking the M4 one and doing some mods to it. I would not touch the first one because it will shoot the butt off a gnat at 100 yards.

I got one of these about 4-5 months ago. Excellent rifle. Love it. And for the price cannot be beat. You will like one if you choose it.

[Double3]

Colt 6920 can be had in your price range.

You wont be disappointed.

[les strat]

You have a bunch of options at that price range.

You could pony (no pun intended, LOL) up all the $ and get a Colt or DD, etc. Then you are left with, "Hmmm. Now I need an optic," which most people put Eotechs, Aimpoints, Trijicons, etc on as they are tried and true optics used by LEO's and the military.

Or, you could buy something like a Windham, which are terrific rifles, and use the leftover money on the optic, upgrades, ammo, etc. Check out the article and review on one of the more milspec Windham's in the newest American Riflemen. The M&P is pretty good too.

It's a win win if you ask me!

That said, my AR is a Colt 6920. I absolutely love it.