Best AR15 manufacturer & why?

[Sugarbug]

I disagree with Bosco, there is a Best. Not what that "Best" is... I don't know. And there is certainly a "Best" for your requirements.

I believe Daniel Defense builds the best carbine around. First and foremost they are a manufacturer, it wouldnt matter if they were building guns or turbine engines, they have expensive equipment, trained employees, and a process that is second to none for quality control and sustainable manufacturability.

I would say a list of the top brands include DD, LMT, BCM, and Noveske.

Of course not all of these manufacturers "Build" everything. For instance, Noveske does not manufacture barrels, FN does for them. Where as DD owns a cold hammer forge. But may not make some of the other components of the carbine.

You will be happy with any top name brand.

Talk to Jason at Pelican Firearms, he has ridiculously low prices and a broad selection.

+1 on DD. I have the DD M4V7. It's also the only AR I have so I am both ignorant and inexperience on anything else. I love it so far though.

Goteron, what is your opinion of LWRC? Namely, their personal carbine? There was a spread on it in AR15 magazine a few months back. Due to no time/spare income I'm in dream mode and really like the look of it on paper. Do you have any experience with the brand or that particular model?

 

[chad]

I think a great rifle for a good price is the Spikes LE mil-spec M4.

 

[762NATO]

Nice.

 

[Rie2183]

I think a great rifle for a good price is the Spikes LE mil-spec M4.

That's what I bought in Feb. I didn't get it in until May bc of the company being so back logged but I feel like I made a good choice. So far I've got approx. 250 rounds through it and to problems.

 

[chad]

Nice.

I fixed it for him.

 

[chad]

That's what I bought in Feb. I didn't get it in until May bc of the company being so back logged but I feel like I made a good choice. So far I've got approx. 250 rounds through it and to problems.

Yep I love mine. I think BCM/DD/LWRC are on a higher level but Spike's are definitely reliable great milspec guns!

 

[Hitman]

Nice Chad!

 

[dfsutton]

Yep I love mine. I think BCM/DD/LWRC are on a higher level but Spike's are definitely reliable great milspec guns!

Does LWRC only make piston ARs?

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society."
- Jiddu Krishnamurti

 

[poor_shot]

DD is one of the very few that build everything in house, so as a manufacturer instead of an "assembler" i guess they would be the best. i've had several DD rifles, but ended up selling them.

Noveske has great barrels, but as noted their chrome-lined carbon steel barrels are sourced from FN but they have their proprietary chamber. the stainless steel barrels i believe are sourced from Pac Nor. either way, i am a huge fan of their barrels for accuracy and reliability. their E-series lowers hate DD Lite rails. the front pivot needs to be cut down a bit, i think they fixed that in the H-series.

Spike's has just as many suppliers as anyone other manufacturer and i've had to send a lot of their stuff back, so as far as the QC, i would say it's so-so, but their customer service is TOPS, they always send me out a new part right away.

LWRC makes a nice piston AR. very accurate as well and i like the fact that there are adjustable gas setting for when i'm shooting suppressed. it was definitely nice not getting sprayed in the face when i sent a round downrange.

PWS has a sweet piston AR setup as well. you can keep it very flat and it's very reliable.

but that's just my 2 cents on some AR's i've had experience with.

 

[hdfinder47]

I have a Noveske so that is obviously the best choice for everyone.

 

[chad]

Nice Chad!

Sorry I got an iPad last week so I've been having fun with it..

 

[jasonj5313]

Depends on the money available.

DD, BCM, LMT imo is the best.

Noveske is great, but dd is cheaper and I believe they make the better product. (They actually make some of their parts)

Colt makes good rifles, but their price is not justifiable to me. (My opinion only)

Spikes is good, but I don't agree with their business model. Yes, their fit and finish is great, but i'll save the $250+ and buy a psa rifle.

The main reason I push psa is the bang for the buck. Their fit and finish at times is borderline, but the reality is its a tool. The gun will go bang, and is made from A+ products.
If you go spec to spec, psa is pretty close to the top tier rifles at half the cost.
Their customer service is IMO the best in the business.

These are just my opinions.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[Vanilla Gorilla]

Daniel Defense.

 

[headspace]

I gotta agree with Jason on PSA. And bang for the buck is where it's at.
Where it's not at is when **** breaks or just repeatedly malfunctions. And I have seen that in (get ready for the meltdown) bushmaster and S&W rifles. And I'm leaving it at that.
My personal favorites are my colts (mostly preban, 70's and 80's) and my Olympic arms everyday rifle, which has never given me any issues. I believe that Olympic arms does make all their own parts and may be the only manufacturer of AR rifles that still does for all I know. The rest of the AR rifles I own don't know who their daddy is. They a healthy mix of some decent manufacturers though.
Like has been said before, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Until they throw them all in a ring and let them fight it out til one emerges the victor, the best one is whichever you think is best.

 

[headspace]

Ssoorryy,, ddoouubbllee ppoosstt

wwttff??

 

[bravo3]

For a complete out of the box rifle, you can't beat a Daniel Defense.

 

[BrandonLSU]

Obviously, everyone has forgotten about this little gem:

 

[JWG223]

 

[JWG223]

Me personally?

I like Noveske. They are high quality, and they are the only company listed so far in this thread that I am aware of that you can pick up the phone and call and that will build it "your way" within reason. That, and they offer options that noone else does. LWRC does the same in a piston format, but I don't like pistons, or LWRC's business practice history.

 

[JWG223]

Depends on the money available.

DD, BCM, LMT imo is the best.

Noveske is great, but dd is cheaper and I believe they make the better product. (They actually make some of their parts)
Noveske does, as well. I am curious how you can quantify "better product" between the two? Of course, I drink the Noveske kool-aid

Colt makes good rifles, but their price is not justifiable to me. (My opinion only)
They are about the same as DD rifles, now, aren't they?

Spikes is good, but I don't agree with their business model. Yes, their fit and finish is great, but i'll save the $250+ and buy a psa rifle.
I have heard of PSA having a bit of issues in the assembly department, did they get that fixed or was it a very "one time" type deal? I hear their CS kicks arse.

The main reason I push psa is the bang for the buck. Their fit and finish at times is borderline, but the reality is its a tool. The gun will go bang, and is made from A+ products.
If you go spec to spec, psa is pretty close to the top tier rifles at half the cost.
Their customer service is IMO the best in the business.
I said the above before reading this. They use a LOT OF GOOD PARTS! Below is a list of their suppliers.
These are just my opinions.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2

http://palmettostatearmory.com/

Bolt/Carriers: Tool Craft (military contracted) Confirmed by PSA (http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.ht...f=301&t=193464) http://www.toolcraftinc.com/

Lower parts kits: L.W. Schneider (military contracted) http://www.lwschneider.com/
See post 16: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/a.../t-566740.html
LPK info originally from here: http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=71064
Hammer forged 4150 1/7 barrels: FN (military contracted) (confirmed by PSA): http://www.fnmfg.com/capabilities/Gun Barrels/

Chrome moly 4150 1/7 barrels: Wilson Arms (confirmed by Roushstage2 see post #7 this thread) http://www.wilsonarms.com/index.htm
Definitely not DPMS confirmed by PSA post #16 lol http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=586274

Forged lowers: Forging? machined by Aero Precision Inc sorry no web site

Forged Uppers: Anchor Harvey Aluminum Forging/splintered A (used by Colt etc) more than likely machined by Aero Precision http://www.anchorharvey.com/?gclid=C...FQxshwodCUrq1A
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=8794141