Black Rifles

CrimsonArrow

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
857
363
Minnesota
I'm thinking about purchasing an AR type weapon, and am leaning towards something in .223. Other than that, I have no clue as to which make/model I should look at. It would be used for some varmint hunting, but mostly just to have around. Any input? Thanks.
 

buckbull

Veteran member
Jun 20, 2011
2,166
1,351
I know alot of guys think highly of the Rock River Arms. I personally have an Olympic Arms and I'm very satisfied with it.
 

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
Just about all of the major makers are putting out a good product. The good, reasonably priced makes are Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, and DPMS. I have used all three and they will all do the job reliably.
 

Tenmilestyle

New Member
Jan 9, 2012
20
0
Winston,Oregon
It is unreal how many companies make Ar's or components anymore,it is easy to get overwelmed. I have had guns from colt,olympic,bushmaster. Shot some from DPMS,Smith&wesson,Rock river and some others. The only one i would not recomend is the colt. The best bet when buying one is to stick with the big makers IMO like bushmaster or DPMS. Like buck said above everyone loves the RR and they are a good gun with tight tolerences. As far as varmit guns go i have a factory bushmaster special varmiter. This is the most accurate AR i have owned. With good handloads it will easily shot 1/2 moa or less. I have taken ground squirles at 450 yards on the regular with this gun.
 

T43

Active Member
I have to go the other way. We have run a ton of rounds through our Colts with no issues but I have seen several problems with Bushmasters over the years. I also have an Olympic 12" that runs well and so far the S&W and Rock Rivers haven't had any major issues.
 

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
I have to go the other way. We have run a ton of rounds through our Colts with no issues but I have seen several problems with Bushmasters over the years. I also have an Olympic 12" that runs well and so far the S&W and Rock Rivers haven't had any major issues.
i agree about the Colts: haven't had any issues with them, but they are quite a bit more expensive. Bushys have been fine for me. I forgot to mention S&W. Some of the first couple year's production runs were hit-and-miss, but the modern S&W ARs have been really good.
 

Bobby Swaggs

Moderator
Feb 21, 2011
7
0
I have had my Stag Arms AR for 4 years now and it has been 100% reliable. I bought it because it was a little cheaper than the other manufacturers and being just out of college money was tight. They have a lifetime warranty and offer every model in both right and left handed versions.
 

bigshot

Very Active Member
Apr 14, 2011
538
1
Crestline, CA.
I have the new Colt model 6940, with the one piece upper and love it. I mounted a Leupold VXIII 2.5x8.... and shoot five shot one inch groups with factory Winchester ammo at 100 yards.
 

wolftalonID

Very Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
679
0
Idaho
I bought a S&W M&P in 556. I love it. I bought the MagPul Edition with the desert tan accessories. I also own a rifle in 223. I shoot only 223 ammo through both, and so far my AR is the rifle I lean to on most outings.
One thing I did notice is its sooooo easy to get carried away on buying toys for these buggers!!!
 

SDbowhunter

Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
163
0
Winner, SD
I have a RRA that I have had for several years now and it works well, I do think you have to play around with different ammo to see what they like to shot the best. My RR will shoot good black hills and hornady well, but when I run cheaper ammo through it the accuracy is very sub par, I also purchased mine before they got their gov't contract and I have heard through various sources that since then the quality has diminished some. I have shot a bushmaster, and a colt and several DPMS'. I'm gonna say that ultimately its up the the puchaser what AR you want and YES there is a ton of stuff you can put on them if you want. As soon as I get the funds I'm gonna upgrade to a LaRue Tactical, my opinion is that they have a lot of good stuff going for them, and for only $400 more than what my RRA was. I have also read a lot of good reviews on Noveski's.
 

CrimsonArrow

Very Active Member
Feb 21, 2011
857
363
Minnesota
I kept it simple and bought the DPMS Oracle in 5.56. Put a Cabelas Alpha series scope 3-12x40 with EXT reticle. Have only shot at 100 yards so far, but grouping with Hornady ammo was in the 1" bullseye. The trigger pull is long and rough, but I knew that going into it, but otherwise, am liking the gun. I'm already thinking about getting another one in .308.
 

Drhorsepower

Veteran member
May 19, 2011
2,225
0
Reno, Nevada, United States
My first ar!
Finally came in.
Bcm 16" midlength
Vltor stock.
I put 100 rounds through it yesterday, I'm hooked. If weather would have cooperated and I had not been in land of liberals(ca, 10 rd mag cap)






Looking for optic now. Any suggestions?
 

In God We Trust

Very Active Member
Mar 10, 2011
805
0
Colorado
I bought a Stag 2T a couple of weeks ago with the quad rail. I love it. I researched reviews for months before I bought it. As far as sights it depends on your price range. If you want to spend 500 or more look at Acogg or Eotech. I am saving up for an Acogg so I ordered a Vortex Strikefire red dot to hold me over for now. I have seen a lot of good reviews on them and they run 150-160 bucks. If you go with the Vortex order the red dot not red/ green. Everyone says the option with just red is a lot brighter and easier to see on bright sunny days.
 

Drhorsepower

Veteran member
May 19, 2011
2,225
0
Reno, Nevada, United States
I bought a Stag 2T a couple of weeks ago with the quad rail. I love it. I researched reviews for months before I bought it. As far as sights it depends on your price range. If you want to spend 500 or more look at Acogg or Eotech. I am saving up for an Acogg so I ordered a Vortex Strikefire red dot to hold me over for now. I have seen a lot of good reviews on them and they run 150-160 bucks. If you go with the Vortex order the red dot not red/ green. Everyone says the option with just red is a lot brighter and easier to see on bright sunny days.
Thanks igwt
I'm really looking at the aimpoint pro. Ie been reading tons of reviews online, and lookin at other models.

Come on bb, I know you have an opinion. Quit holding out one me!
 

Bitterroot Bulls

Veteran member
Apr 25, 2011
2,326
0
Montana
Come on bb, I know you have an opinion. Quit holding out one me!
Haha, sorry Dr.H.

For the parallax free 1x CQC optic, I like the Aimpoint Micro and Eotech.

Acogs are nice too, but I really prefer the Micro.

For a do-all optic a well designed 1-4 or 1-6 FFP reticle scope is the way to go:

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-MRAD-Scopes-C4225.aspx

http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-MRAD-Scopes-C4225.aspx

If you go this route, get the cattail for the magnification adjustment to get quickly from 1x to top end and back.

This type of scope is the way AR optics are going. At the low end it is like a red dot. At the high end, it is a nice magnified scope. Best of both worlds, and the only price to pay is size and weight.