Hurley's Gold

Bushmaster v. Colt v. DPMS v. R-15

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Partychief67

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 6, 2009
    147
    1
    Fannin County, Texas
    Throw some opinions at me please...

    I am about to buy my first ever AR type rifle.

    So what do I go with? I am leaning towards Bushmaster just because a cop buddy of mine (who has shot and handled many AR variants) says they are the best of the type but I am a Colt fan from way back.

    So between Bushmaster, Colt, DPMS, Remington R-15 and all the rest, which is the best?

    I know that Remington, Bushmaster and DPMS are all owned by the same parent holding company so I am assuming that one between the three brands is the bargain basement version.
     

    Bullseye Shooter

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 28, 2008
    510
    1
    Texas Panhandle
    Most of the guys I shoot NRA High Power with have either a Rock River NM A2 or something from White Oak or something they had built by a local AR guy. I have the RR NM A2 and it does a pretty good job out at 600 yards.

    I guess it depends on what you plan on doing with it. Most of the mfgs are pretty much the same. You might want to go with the regular stock rather than the collapsible type since I think they're a little more comfortable when you're shooting the rifle.

    Most common barrels are the 1 in 8" twist which will handle bullets up to 80 grains with no problem. The 1 in 7 will handle 90 grain bullets but does not do well with the lighter ones, e.g. 55 grain.
     

    Partychief67

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 6, 2009
    147
    1
    Fannin County, Texas
    Thanks Bullseye...

    Sounds like I need the 1 in 7 barrel. I am not doing any competitive shooting. We have a pretty good population of feral pigs in my neck of the woods so that is sort of what I had in mind. 50 to 80 pound pig popping...

    Also, I am a tightwad and buy lots of Bear steel cas .223 for a Mini 14 I have and my son's Rossi. Those Bear loads are 55 grain I think.
     

    ConnRadd

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Aug 10, 2009
    424
    11
    Angleton, Tx
    Oh boy, this could lead to a long thread... (there's been some history here on what AR to buy).

    Just as Bullseye said.. What is your plans for the rifle?
    Something that play with at the range, do some varmit hunting etc? Pretty much any of them will work. But, if you are planning to invade another country and want to make sure you have a tank of an AR, then plan to spend some $$...
     

    ConnRadd

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Aug 10, 2009
    424
    11
    Angleton, Tx
    Sounds like I need the 1 in 7 barrel. I am not doing any competitive shooting. We have a pretty good population of feral pigs in my neck of the woods so that is sort of what I had in mind. 50 to 80 pound pig popping...

    Also, I am a tightwad and buy lots of Bear steel cas .223 for a Mini 14 I have and my son's Rossi. Those Bear loads are 55 grain I think.

    With the cheap ammo like that, it can cause some problems. I would make sure the barrel is stamped for a 5.56 vs just .223. I've heard a few people mentioned the 5.56 can handle the laquor coated casings better...
     

    40Arpent

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Jul 16, 2008
    7,061
    31
    Houston
    I second the 1:7 twist rate. I have two Colts in 5.56, a Colt/RRA in 7.62x39, and an LMT/AR Performance in 6.8spc. I am a huge fan of Colt, but if you want one of the best AR's on the market for the money, check out Bravo Company Mfg. In head to head comparisons with the top-shelf brands like Colt, LMT, LWRC, Noveske, Knight's Armament, etc., BCM has all the features....chrome lined bores, 1:7 twist, M4 feed ramps, MPI/shot peened bolts, pressure tested bolts and barrels, properly staked gas keys, etc., etc.

    [url]http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/[/URL]
     

    Dawico

    Uncoiled
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Oct 15, 2009
    38,007
    96
    Lampasas, Texas
    I am going to get flamed big time, but they are all pretty much the same when it comes to name brand. Find some that have the features you want, then compare price. I love my RRA, but I chose it because for the price it had the features I wanted.
     

    1rightguy

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Mar 25, 2009
    510
    1
    I think Bushmaster is the best buy. You get the quality of the more expensive guns and you can pick one up at Acadamy for under $1000.00.
     

    40Arpent

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    5   0   0
    Jul 16, 2008
    7,061
    31
    Houston
    Bushmaster...You get the quality of the more expensive guns

    I am not saying that Bushmaster is not a good gun, as it will certainly serve most of us recreational shooters very well, but here's a good comparison chart that shows how the different brands stack up against each other. If nothing else, at least you'll know what you have/are getting. You may need to create a Google account to view it...

    [url]http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pwswheghNQsEuEhjFwPrgTA&single=true&gid=5&output=html[/URL]
     

    Partychief67

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 6, 2009
    147
    1
    Fannin County, Texas
    Thank you guys for all the info...

    And an extra nod to TXSUT for that spreadsheet... That is an excellent piece of information right there. I am gonna pass that along to my buddy that recommended the bushmaster.

    I am pretty surprised at how Bushmaster fares in some of the features. Colt (my personal favorite of all of them) looks as good as I figured it would but I am surprised again by the fact that they are only offering up a one year warranty. And I really figured that Smith & Wesson ain't hanging right in there with Colt.

    I don't even see the Remington R-15 on the chart. Is the R-15 just a green camo Bushmaster?
     

    ftw13

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Sep 7, 2009
    924
    31
    Fort Worth
    Bushmaster has a one year warranty...nuff said. Go with BCM,LMT,Colt,CMMG,RRA,Stag or Noveske and you won't be sorry
     

    hkusp1

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 25, 2009
    7,552
    21
    DALLAS, TX
    If I remember correctly Remington bought dpms so they are pretty much the same guns just different upper styles. I've been hearing good things about the ruger 5.56. I have a dpms light 16 with a 1/9 barrel it's chews up and spits out anything I feed it from 55 gr wolf to mark 262 mod 0 with great accuracy.
     

    SC-Texas

    TGT Addict
    Lifetime Member
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Feb 7, 2009
    6,040
    96
    Houston, TX
    What are you going to do with it?

    I prefer bushmaster myself, but for a frankengun I would start with a DPMS lower and a great trigger/Barrel combo.
     

    frijolero817

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 17, 2009
    161
    1
    Fort Worth
    I think Mate used that chart to show which brands were up to snuff on the milspec categories also, and it's a pretty good one. I'm sure that it might be an anomaly, but the RRA that I have has the M4 Feed ramps; even though the chart says they don't. It might be an extra that they don't all come with but mine and my brother's rifle did too. I've enjoyed my RRA alot, and with the way I have it set up I don't miss much on the tactical course we have set up. I've also used 5.56 and .223 with it with no feed problems in the three or four times it has been shot within the past four weeks(each time I shot 200-400 rounds). With all that said, the 1:7 twist rate with a chrome lined bore would be nice if you're using the lacquered russian stuff, also make sure you have a good bolt carrier group with that, good cleaning helps too. Let us know what you choose!
     

    Partychief67

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 6, 2009
    147
    1
    Fannin County, Texas
    Thanks for all the input... I am going with a Colt.

    Went to the Gander Mountain in Sherman this afternoon to look them over. They had a couple of different, really nice rifles in the rack. The one that grabbed my attention was a Colt Law Enforcement Carbine model. Payday is tomorrow and I am bringin that one home with me. That $1,350 price tag sort of did a number on my blood pressure though! Maybe when I start to reach for my wallet the S&W may begin to look a little better...
     

    Mate

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jul 19, 2009
    155
    1
    Houston
    Oh boy, this could lead to a long thread... (there's been some history here on what AR to buy).

    Just as Bullseye said.. What is your plans for the rifle?
    Something that play with at the range, do some varmit hunting etc? Pretty much any of them will work. But, if you are planning to invade another country and want to make sure you have a tank of an AR, then plan to spend some $$...

    Couldnt have said it better myself. The only thing I'll add is that the higher end guns really arent that much more, money wise.

    http://shop.peachstateguns.com/product.sc?productId=652&categoryId=133

    Daniel Defense has the same specs as a Colt, and they have this awesome deal going right now where you get a $250 gift card with the purchase of a gun.

    ....And, I'm going to stop there.

    ;)
     

    Partychief67

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 6, 2009
    147
    1
    Fannin County, Texas
    Thanks Mate...

    That doesn't look like a bad deal at all... But it's worth the extra money to me to just buy local and avoid all the shipping hassles.

    And my clerk at Gander Mtn. has been babysitting me in front of that rack of black rifles for a good month now. I don't know if Gander Mountain's gun clerks can earn a commision or not, but, if so, he's put in enough hours to have honestly earned one from me on this sale.

    That's one of the few things I like about gander. At this one particular store anyway. The firearms counter guys are also seasoned shooters. You can tell for sure in the first 5 minutes of visiting with them.
     

    Okierifleman

    Active Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 14, 2009
    831
    21
    Houston
    I dont have a problem buying locally, I try to do it whenever possible. I would much rather spend a little extra and buy from a "mom and pop" store, rather than a big chain. But, in my experience, Gander is higher than jeep parts and maybe the store you shop at is different, but the two stores I have been to in Houston, the guys were rude and didnt know a black rifle from a brush hog. I guess my point it, buying online and shipping a firearm isnt that big of a deal if you have a good FFL, and you can usually save some $$$$$$
     

    ConnRadd

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Aug 10, 2009
    424
    11
    Angleton, Tx
    You tend to spend more at GM and like Okie, I never really had much luck with the sales guys with the ones in Houston. But, different store managers that have the right people working for them can make a huge difference...
    For your plans, Colt or S&W will be fine. Once you get the bug, it's hard to fight off. More often than not, you'll end up with another one of some sort.
    So, if you do find one that you really like; (I perosnally) might see if Academy has the exact same one and get it cheaper. I prefer supporting Texas company over a larger out of state company when the sales support are even. But, if a "Mom or Pop" store can offer competitive pricing with better service; you bet I'm buying there...

    So, get you one now. Plan on spending money for Goodies and Upgrades, then plan to buy another one...
     

    TexasRoadDawg

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 29, 2009
    57
    1
    Stuck in n.y.
    I've seen that chart before, and realistically, most of that stuff is just for shooting range dick measuring. Its all nice to have, but you really don't need all those amazing features unless you are air assaulting into the mountains of Afghanistan. Figure out what you NEED, then buy the cheapest (price wise) gun with those features. Use the money you save to buy ammo and practice practice practice.
     
    Top Bottom