AR15's - One good one or many ok ones?

[Member 34319]

Lots of good points made.

Hard to really portray my thoughts. Most here are jumping to a conclusions on age and budget and such.

I think My thoughts are based on age and experience, combined with politics.

My AR15 journey started at the end of the Clinton AWB by buying a lower. I went high end components at that time, which was a complete Adams Arms piston upper. Which has since come down in price over the years. Spending good money on the upper and lower receiver components including a nice EOtech, which again, at the time was kind of the best and pricey.

The market is so much different then it was back then. I think my opinions on ARs has changed a lot too.

Just adding some more perspective to the mix.

 

[Member 34319]

My home built ARs are exactly what I want. I didn't compromise on parts. I guess I don't see how factory high end beats custom high end. Then again, a particular homebrew ar of mine crossed 1k pretty handily, But it has a nice scope, bipod and such. I homebuild because I get exactly what I want the first time. I have my ARs set up quite different.

I don't think there is too much difference. If one, it would be that some higher end companies do a lot of hand fitting. When you buy your components you don't get to hand select them from a batch, you get what you get.

 

[Koda]

I don't think there is too much difference. If one, it would be that some higher end companies do a lot of hand fitting. When you buy your components you don't get to hand select them from a batch, you get what you get.

I actually think its the opposite, and they get to hide a lot of things too that the customer can easily return upon inspection.

theres a lot of nice high end rifles out there but I don't think they are the end-all measure of quality.

I'm just curious, how much hand fitting goes into building an AR15?

 

[Boboclown]

Most guns I adore are from the early 1800s to the Cold War. Most guns made past that I don't care for. Mostly because that's when most of the innovations in firearms was. Nowadays, new rifles don't really interest me. Until plasma rifles (which I doubt would happen), nothing new under the sun IMHO.

I'm just curious, how much hand fitting goes into building an AR15?

I don't know how much, but I would guess to the point that the lower and upper don't rattle? Even though that rattles doesn't really mean anything.

 

[Member 34319]

I'm just curious, how much hand fitting goes into building an AR15?

Definitely not a lot.

I'm referring to companies that go the extra mile to fit the upper, lower, handguard to each other, then cerakote them together for a uniform finish. Match a bolt to a barrel. That kind of stuff.

Similar to how high end 1911 manufactures build their pistols.

 

[Koda]

Definitely not a lot.

I'm referring to companies that go the extra mile to fit the upper, lower, handguard to each other, then cerakote them together for a uniform finish. Match a bolt to a barrel. That kind of stuff.

Similar to how high end 1911 manufactures build their pistols.

I dont know... I could be wrong but most everything on a high end 1911 is hand fitted including the action and timing. AR15s I think need the upper receiver faced square to the barrel.. not certain, I think everything else is plug and play.

I think if your wanting an AR with a uniform finish and matching color then a high end company is the way to go. I think there are some reputable companies out there that make a great high end rifle and the fit and finish will show it. I do like a lot of the high end custom builds I see people building but I think it wouldn't be cost effective to custom build and try to match colors or finish like custom matching cerakote upper and lower and handguard....

 

[Member 34319]

Ya Daniel Defense is definitely on my radar. I really like the custom blue they cerakote their rifles in.

 

[Member 34319]

This guy is looking pretty good too. Checks all the right boxes on the list.

 

[Kruel J]

Ya Daniel Defense is definitely on my radar. I really like the custom blue they cerakote their rifles in.
View attachment 419132

Then you just have an expensive rifle that's too pretty to actually shoot.

 

[Member 34319]

Then you just have an expensive rifle that's too pretty to actually shoot.

I'd still shoot the snot out of it though.

 

[Stomper]

If memory serves I believe it was just the HANDLE that was made by (and marked 'Mattel') creating the belief the rifle was MADE by Mattel - but the mark was later removed.

FINALLY someone caught it!! LOL!! My point in including it was, IMHO roll marks don't mean a whole lot if one is staying MILSPEC.

 

[Sgt Nambu]

Ya just gotta get what makes your w***er tingle!

 

[Tony617]

This guy is looking pretty good too. Checks all the right boxes on the list.

View attachment 419133

That is an SA Saint not a Daniel Defense.

 

[Caveman Jim]

Some ARs are more expensive by virtue of being a piston AR (smaller market), some because of accuracy, some because of quality, and some because of name.

Not in the AR game anymore but that's what it was like when I did like ARs anyways.

I have two builds planned & both will be piston driven. That's like having a robot to clean your gunz...

 

[Mygrainman]

The only reason to buy a factory rifle imo would be resale. A home build, no matter how nice will not hold value like a rifle backed by a large manufacturer. And companies like Colt and Arimilite, DD, Knights Armament will probably hold up(value wise) better than most because of thier Gov ties.
As a collector there are several older colts and special service variants that I would love to have.. A Colt Deta Hbar, and a MK12 Mod0 being tops... But for new production the KAC SR15 mod2 is the only factory AR15 that Id consider shelling out for... this torture test is very convincing advertisement... 20,000 rds, no cleaning, and only 1 "malfunction" that was later confirmed to be an ammo issue.KAC SR-15 Mod 2

 

[Member 34319]

The only reason to buy a factory rifle imo would be resale. A home build, no matter how nice will not hold value like a rifle backed by a large manufacturer. And companies like Colt and Arimilite, DD, Knights Armament will probably hold up(value wise) better than most because of thier Gov ties.
As a collector there are several older colts and special service variants that I would love to have.. A Colt Deta Hbar, and a MK12 Mod0 being tops... But for new production the KAC SR15 mod3 is the only factory AR15 that Id consider shelling out for... this torture test is very convincing advertisement... 20,000 rds, no cleaning, and only 1 "malfunction" that was later confirmed to be an ammo issue.KAC SR-15 Mod 2

Good read on that knights armament.

 

[Mygrainman]

Good read on that knights armament.

I'm pretty sure it's the bolt design. The lugs are rounded giving the soot, and other detritus room to be moved out of the way, The SRC reliabolt is a similar design that could yield the same results on a home build. I know lots of guys that swear by them. Jon at NWCustomFA told me it's all he uses.

 

[Member 34319]

I'm pretty sure it's the bolt design. The lugs are rounded giving the soot, and other detritus room to be moved out of the way, The SRC reliabolt is a similar design that could yield the same results on a home build. I know lots of guys that swear by them. Jon at NWCustomFA told me it's all he uses.

Ya, I've got a similar one on one of my current builds. A Surplus Ammo bolt. I haven't tortured tested it like that article, but seems to be okay running dirty. (That last part will likely end up in another thread).

 

[Mygrainman]

Ya, I've got a similar one on one of my current builds. A Surplus Ammo bolt. I haven't tortured tested it like that article, but seems to be okay running dirty. (That last part will likely end up in another thread).
View attachment 419156

Interesting... I'll have to look into those.
I'll leave that last part alone. I can't promise @Stomper will show the same restraint though....

 

[Mygrainman]

Ya, I've got a similar one on one of my current builds. A Surplus Ammo bolt. I haven't tortured tested it like that article, but seems to be okay running dirty. (That last part will likely end up in another thread).
View attachment 419156

Actually it appears to be identical to the sharps bolt... same material (s7 tool steel) and quality control testing as well... and $100 for a complete NIB coated BCG?! Think I might have to get one.