AR-15 quality
I have been in the market for an AR for some time. I don't have big bucks to invest so I bought a Rock River lower with the intent to buy an upper later. There are some nice NM Bushmasters at 535 (backordered of course) and Rock River varmints at 479. I want the flat top but I'm concerned about the quality of the RR. The local store has a standard A2 and some of it looks downright cheap. The front sight looks like it was made on an anvil. There are so many brands available it's impossible to know which are reputable. Any and all help will be appreciated.
0
-
quote:Originally posted by voodoo doc
I have been in the market for an AR for some time. I don't have big bucks to invest so I bought a Rock River lower with the intent to buy an upper later. There are some nice NM Bushmasters at 535 (backordered of course) and Rock River varmints at 479. I want the flat top but I'm concerned about the quality of the RR. The local store has a standard A2 and some of it looks downright cheap. The front sight looks like it was made on an anvil. There are so many brands available it's impossible to know which are reputable. Any and all help will be appreciated.
Bet bet is to check out http://ar15.com That site has the most comprehensive and complete information on the AR. I'm up to 2 now, and going strong[:D]0 -
its my opinion that you will be o.k with the rr lower as long as you really invest in the upper. it depends on what you will be using it for. varmint hunting?? tactical entry?? plinking?? remember that you will get what you pay for. check out the fulton arms website. 0 -
A lot of people squalk about the Colts (you only pay for the name, they aren't mil-spec, ect) but I have a Match-Target, and it is unsurpassed in quality of fit and finish. And don't leave out Armalite, they make a very good rifle too. 0 -
I bought an Olympic arms heavy barrel Ar and it would never group right. I got a replacement barrel and it would still never group right.
I ordered a complete RR Upper , cost about 500.00, and it gets 1/2 " at 100 yds.on the Olympic lower. Just what I was trying for. It is a great rifle and I love it. I just traded for another rock river, and am trying to decide if I should keep it or not. It is a short barrel version and I haven't gotten to shoot it yet.
Eric
thats'me0 -
Look back at about page #3. Topic: "AR-15 Advice", Author: Marek13.
B-Man308 and some others had suggestions for an upper...this posting is similar to yours.0 -
I like the Armalite and Bushmaster rifles. You can fins the lowers and uppers for sale at gun shows and on this site. My 2 cents
Greg0 -
stay away from olympic firearms there ar15 are basically a throw away gun.rock river,armalit,bushmaster are pretty good quality 0 -
Here I am being picky again, but only Colt made the AR-15, and it was discontinued about 20 years ago. All the others are AR-15-TYPE rifles.
I would suggest buying a pre-ban Colt if you want the best. Next in quality would be current Colts, ArmaLites and Bushmasters. Obviously, you pay more for the better quality rifles. If quality is your main consideration, you need to buy from the "Big Three" mentioned, in approximately the order mentioned.
Is it too much trouble to use some punctuation and capitalization so as to make the posts easier to read?
For anyone who is interested in improving the correctness of his or her writing:
"Their" is the possessive of they (their car).
"There" is a place or point ( I will be there soon. There, that is it!).
"They're" is the contraction of they are (They're going?).
"Your" is the possive of you (your car).
"You're" is the contraction of you are (You're going?).
"Too" means in excessive of (too much) , or also (I am going too).
"To" means toward or on or into, etc. (I am going to town.).
"Its" is the possive of it (Its size is wrong.).
"It's" is the contraction of it is (It's here!).
"Advice" is a noun (I need some advice on what car to buy.).
"Advise" is a verb (What car would you advise me to buy?).
While way off topic, anyone who misuses words like the above examples, or uses incorrect grammar, when writing in support of some pro-gun issue or other position is immediately discounted because of the misuse. While maybe not fair, it is a fact that people do judge you by the words you use, which can overshadow the message of the user in the mind of the listener or reader. This is not intended to offend anyone, and I hope no one will be offended by what is intended to be a helpful suggestion.0 -
quote:Originally posted by JudgeColt
Here I am being picky again, but only Colt made the AR-15, and it was discontinued about 20 years ago. All the others are AR-15-TYPE rifles.
You seem to make this point quite often. As if you're afraid that by the mere reference of someone call their (non-Colt) rifle an 'AR15' it is going to somehow devalue your precious Colt.0 -
I've seen a Rock River w/a 24" barrel...a target/varmit type configuration. Some of the details (small parts) looked a little different than some other makes I am familiar with, but I thought it was a nice reasonably priced rifle. I am wondering what you might face down the road with resale appeal if you decide to sell or trade it. Someone may not share your idea about the combination you have with the upper and lower. I would be more inclined to seek out a 100% Rock River, or Bushmaster...Colt or whatever, but that's just me.
Something else, if my memory serves me correctly...the guy (dealer) with the Rock River he had ordered for a friend, said that the ex-wife of the owner of Armalite started this company after their split! So, for whatever that's worth...I don't have any facts to support that...I consider it like most other things of that nature to be "hear say", and not necessarily factual...but worthy of mentioning perhaps if the source seems credible.0 -
I've had an Olympic PCR for over a year now, I shoot the sh!+ out of it and never have had a problem with it. It groups great, uses all the different mags, and has a lifetime warranty. Throw away gun? Yeah right, if you're throwing one away, throw it my way, I'll take an Oly any day.
Thanks, Grizztribefans@sssnet.com0 -
Currently, it has been my experience that Hesse produces AR type rifles that tend to be not as good as the other manufacturers out there. I believe they use cast receivers.
On-the-other-hand, Rock River Arms (RRA) uses forged upper and lowers that are milspec. I have also noted that RRA uses high quality barrels to build their uppers. Further, I have not heard any negatives about this company, matter-of-fact just the opposite. I too have been debating about buying one of their uppers to put on one of my Bushy lowers. I don't think one has to worry too much about resale when using two different receivers; especially, if the intent is to use it as a shooter. If so, just separate them when it comes time to sell them.
Lastly, time will only tell if RRA is going to be competitor to be reckoned with by the current "Big Three" (ArmaLite, Bushmaster, or Colt). If what I am hearing about RRA is true, then I think we may start referring to AR manufacturers as the "Big Four" in a few years. Hmmm, I wonder if they are publicly traded? Maybe RRA is a company worth keeping an eye on for investment purposes.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."
NRA Life Member0 -
The following data is copied from the Bushmaster web page. Please note that this is calender year 2000 data.
These recently published Firearms Production Figures are culled from the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Website, and comprise only AR15 type rifles manufactured for the U. S. commercial market during the calendar year 2000.
AR 15 TYPE RIFLES MANUFACTURED - YEAR 2000
# of Rifles
Manufacturer
39,932
BUSHMASTER FIREARMS, INC.
29,950
COLT'S MANUFACTURING CO.
8,475
ARMALITE, INC.
5,869
DPMS ARMS, INC.
3,910
OLYMPIC ARMS, INC.
2,964
PWA, INC.
2,614
PROFESSIONAL ORDNANCE, INC.
967
HESSE, LTD.
191
ROCK RIVER ARMS, INC.
6
ALLAN P. ZITTA
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."
NRA Life Member0 -
quote:Here I am being picky again, but only Colt made the AR-15, and it was discontinued about 20 years ago. Hey JC - Not to be picky, but I have an AR-15 that was made about 14 years ago, or do A2s not count?[;)][:D] BTW, I do agree with you on the grammar issue. Incorrect tense and run-on sentences are also problems that you did not mention.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member0 -
GL, yes, I do make the point that an AR-15 is a Colt quite often. What is wrong with that? This is an "experts" board, and "experts" should be precise in their language usage. If this were a soft drink board, the "experts" would be expected to know the difference between a Coca-Cola and a Pepsi. Both are soft drinks that look very much alike, but are not. An AR-15 and an AR-15 clone are both military-type rifles that look very much alike, but there are important differences, one of which is market value.
I do not believe anything that can be stated on these boards can affect the value of a class of firearms overall, but it might make a particular reader realize there is a significant difference in market value between the "real thing" and a copy. To some, that difference is important and worth the extra money, and to others, it is not, even if they can afford the difference.0 -
Hey Bommer, you posted while I was "composing!" Now surely you do not believe that an AR-15 and an AR-15A2 are the same, do you? Of course not. No one would refer to an AR-15 when what was meant was an AR-15A2, whould he? Of course not. That is not being picky, just precise.
Thank you for the support in my quest to rid the world of AR-15 terminology misuse. I am afraid that if this horrible misuse continues, my precious early first-year AR-15 will be worth nothing and then my dreams of early retirement will be gone. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks to one and all who see this abuse and do what is necessary to eliminate it. The rifle value you save may be your own.0 -
quote:No one would refer to an AR-15 when what was meant was an AR-15A2, whould he? Good point!
Just to change tracks a little. This is going to be a hard one for you. Scenario: Forget about collectability. You have $1,400 to spend on a SA revolver that you are going to use as a shooter. Your choices are between a new Colt SAA Third Generation, or a Freedom Arms 97. Which one would you buy and why?
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member0 -
Boomer, is that a trick question? Do you mean someone besides Colt makes single actions? Do tell!
Really, it depends on what is important to you. Do you want the "real thing" or an improved gun with similar appearance? The chambering choices and barrel length options on the FA are far greater than on a new Colt SAA, and I like stainless because wear and nicks can be touched up with a ScotchBrite pad. Since I already have a Colt, I would choose a FA M97 in 10-inch .22LR. "To use as a shooter," how could you beat that? Does that answer surprise you?
Of course, my favorite Single Action is a 4.75-inch in .45 Colt so I might change my mind in a few minutes, and $1400 is a LOT for a .22..... Is there a better looking gun than a Colt SAA in 4.75-inch? The case colors! The blue! The look! The "C-O-L-T" when you cock it! If future collector value means anything, the choice is clear.0 -
Like you I own several Colt SAAs, even an old SAA Cavalry handed down from my great-great-great granddad. I also own Freedom Arms 83s and 97s. I have to say that given fit, finish, point ability, action tightness, inherent accuracy, and the ability to fire up loaded rounds, I will choose and buy a 5.5 inch, 45 Colt, FA 97 for $1400 any day over a Colt SAA. This may be blaspheming in your eyes, but I believe new Colts SAAs are really only worth about $800 to $900 at most.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed."NRA Life Member0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
19 comments