What are the top branded AR15's

SoTex

Amateur
We currently run Colt Commandos with adjustable blocks and H3 buffers full time suppressed and have only good things to say about them. Going on 12 years old and being replaced this year. Looking at KAC SR15 CQB and the HK 416 11' and leaning towards the SR15.
 

Mark Smith

Newbie
I'm extremely surprised to not see Sons of Liberty Gunworks on this thread. They are newer but have already gotten reputation on par with BCM & DD. I have a lower from them and plan on purchasing an upper to round it out. Their Owner, Mike M. has been featured on multiple P&S Modcasts if you need any further proof.
 

tylerw02

Regular Member
I have had nothing but bad luck with BCM barrels (sample of 5 personally owned and numerous students) over the last five years. I know they have a good reputation from trusted sources but there are also a number of other trusted sources with experiences similar to mine.

The vast majority of parts on my guns are DD.

I should add that BCM was receptive to my problems and offered to replace barrels, but after playing that game a few times and still having 4moa guns or extensions that wouldn't fit receivers (even their receivers) I decided to move on.



A good buddy of mine had a BCM upper that wouldn't break 2 MOA, and 3 MOA was more normal. It was a 410SS 18" spr of some variety. He sent it back on his dime. They evaluated it and sent it back to him and said it was "to spec". I felt terrible as the one that had recommended it to him. After several hundred rounds it's starting to settle in, but I'm distraught that 3 MOA is to spec for a precision upper according to BCM.

I recently purchased a BCM barrel, upper, gas block, etc. I didn't want the BCM rail, so I assembled it myself with a geissele. The barrel was 3-4 MOA with match ammo. I gave it 600 rounds and it never improved, so I traded it. I didn't want to play that game again.

Maybe it's just our luck but the last few BCMs we've had between us just weren't impressive compared to the ones of past. Meanwhile, DDs are still rocking, albeit a little over-gassed. I'm kind of looking for a go-to barrel maker at this point. I recently built an upper with a criterion and it shoots great, but it's over-gassed as hell.


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I'm extremely surprised to not see Sons of Liberty Gunworks on this thread. They are newer but have already gotten reputation on par with BCM & DD. I have a lower from them and plan on purchasing an upper to round it out. Their Owner, Mike M. has been featured on multiple P&S Modcasts if you need any further proof.

I think they're just getting rolling and the sample size is too small.

I'm shopping for a 11.5 and they're on my short list based on their rep with P&S
 

HopsCop17

Amateur
I also recommend Sons Of Liberty Gun Works. Absolutely some of the best customer service I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. I have bought one complete rifle from them as well a second upper (One is 14.5, and a 16"). After having the "you get what you pay for" conversation with my dad and my uncle who is former LEO, and I explained to them the importance of proper staking, MPI/HPT testing etc, they purchased rifles for themselves during SOLGW's Black Friday Sale last year. All of the products I have seen from them have been great performers. Quality control is on point, no corners were cut, and I have no doubt their products will last a long time. The good guy discount they offer is pretty good too. As a side note if you are thinking about buying a SOLGW rifle, the Liberty Fighting Trigger that comes standard in some of their guns is nothing to shake a stick at. I actually prefer it over my ALG ACT.
 

Low_Speed_Notper8or

Regular Member
A good buddy of mine had a BCM upper that wouldn't break 2 MOA, and 3 MOA was more normal. It was a 410SS 18" spr of some variety. He sent it back on his dime. They evaluated it and sent it back to him and said it was "to spec". I felt terrible as the one that had recommended it to him. After several hundred rounds it's starting to settle in, but I'm distraught that 3 MOA is to spec for a precision upper according to BCM.

I recently purchased a BCM barrel, upper, gas block, etc. I didn't want the BCM rail, so I assembled it myself with a geissele. The barrel was 3-4 MOA with match ammo. I gave it 600 rounds and it never improved, so I traded it. I didn't want to play that game again.

Maybe it's just our luck but the last few BCMs we've had between us just weren't impressive compared to the ones of past. Meanwhile, DDs are still rocking, albeit a little over-gassed. I'm kind of looking for a go-to barrel maker at this point. I recently built an upper with a criterion and it shoots great, but it's over-gassed as hell.


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I have a BCM upper that does about that with m193 ball, but I never had a problem with it reliability wise. Hmmm I will get some match ammo and do some tests on my gun
 

hile

Amateur
Most of my rifles are BCM these days, but I also have a Daniel Defense and Colt. I don't have experience with other brands.
 

Slim

Jerk Ingredients Off
Staff member
Moderator
After 3 years on my OG Hodge mod 1 with the DD barrel I'm still impressed beyond reason by Jim's work. Unfortunately I did not log rounds on it but its in the several thousand without a single weapon related malf. Just keep it lubed and use good mags and it runs. Been cleaned once just to inspect critical points. Haven't shot it suppressed yet, and it's super flat compared to other rifles. Ammo has consisted of wolf all the way up to TAP and 77gr.

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RustyM92

Amateur
FN and SOLGW are my top choices. Of course, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a Hodge Defense either. ;)
Any other AR I'd want to change too much that it wouldn't be worth it to me. Just personal preference.
 

CoThG

Newbie
I have two Specialized Armament-Colt 6933s that were built by Ken Elmore. They both started off as LE6933CK factory upper receiver assemblies that I sent to Ken to be built along with my supplied Colt SBR'd stripped lowers and all Colt parts as supplied by SAW. They both have all of the SAW mods. Ken's and SAW's reputation as THE leader in all things Colt AR is well established and well earned. These two rifles have been used extensively with zero failures. I trust them with my life and the lives of my loved ones without question. That's the highest compliment you can give a firearm.
 

Sunshine_Shooter

Established
I have two Specialized Armament-Colt 6933s that were built by Ken Elmore. They both started off as LE6933CK factory upper receiver assemblies that I sent to Ken to be built along with my supplied Colt SBR'd stripped lowers and all Colt parts as supplied by SAW. They both have all of the SAW mods. Ken's and SAW's reputation as THE leader in all things Colt AR is well established and well earned. These two rifles have been used extensively with zero failures. I trust them with my life and the lives of my loved ones without question. That's the highest compliment you can give a firearm.

You should post pics in the rifle/carbine show off thread. I'd like to get a look at those guns.
 

Dpvaz56

Member
My pistol and 14.5” carbine are both BCM uppers and ive had no issues with either. BCM is who I always recommend to someone looking to get into ARs as a company where you get the most bang for your buck. Hodge, LaRue, and Knight’s would definitely rank at the top in my book.

That being said, Arsenal Democracy (Freeport, FL) has my interest for a high end build (now that they’re actually filling orders again) with their AD-16 platform.
 
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