Best AR15 in today's market

[pastorp]

I have gotten a desire for another AR15. So yesterday I went shopping and boy there are a lot of choices out there. I've owned 2 bushmasters in the past & liked them. But now Remington makes them and the company that used to make them produces some under the name windham arms. I'm wondering if the new windham arms are the same quality as the old bushmasters.

I liked the looks of the S&W, M&P line too.

I want a flat top, optics ready, carbine without any sights. Just a simple carbine. No other rails to hang stuff on. I'll mount a EOteck sight and a sling and that's it. I do want the forward assist & dust cover. What's brands are good in your experience & why?

[drdougrx]

Hi Byron,

Here's my 2 cents.  I currently have 2 bushys (a natl match in 223 and a varmint lower with a Bison Armory upper in 6.8SPC), a SW ORC and an LMT in 300AACBLK.  I have owned 7-8 colts in my lifetime as well.  I believe the SW or bushy is quite fine for what you are looking for without breaking the bank.  I should say that IMO any mass produced AR on the market is as good as another.

[wormbobskey]

I have a DPMS lo-pro flat top with no dust cover or forward assist. Mine has the 16" heavy barrel. I went ahead and bought the flip up removable front and rear sights and keep them stashed in the butt-stock compartment. IMHO it is a very well made rifle and should suit your needs to the T.
P.S. Just reread your post and saw that you want the dust cover and forward assist. DPMS is still a good rifle and can be had with the options you want.

[Bugflipper]

Best is really subjective. At work we have noveske. Supposed to be the best one. I don't need the best when it comes to my money for personal use. Just the average that any run of the mill company puts out is fine for my use at home. If you are looking for a good mass produced one at a lower price then stag, saber defense, bushmaster, dpms and so on will do. Colt may be a step above these days and Daniel Defense from there.

[cjclemens]

Im not sure if there is a "best" AR on the market.  I think most of your major manufacturers make pretty good quality rifles and parts.  You just gotta find one that's built and configured the way you like it.  I will say that some of the top tier rifle makers do put a little more effort into fit & finish.  However, I don't think you'll see a huge difference in terms of rifle performance.  As far as the Bushmaster/Windham Arms, I'm sure the new company is just using the same factory/tooling as the old Bushmasters.  As long as they have some experienced people there, I'd be willing to bet the quality is on par with the old Bushmasters.  I would look for some online reviews - if others say the quality is there, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

[OldSchoolRanger]

I know this is going to sound like a wiseacre remark, but the "best" rifle on the market is the one you build to your specs (taste).  I would recommend that you get a good lower receiver like the LRB or as the other posters point out, any Mil-Spec receiver.  Why? To guarantee you a certain quality to the parts. 
Then pick out whatever other parts you need to make the gun the way you want it.

[Bugflipper]

Im not sure if there is a "best" AR on the market.  I think most of your major manufacturers make pretty good quality rifles and parts.  You just gotta find one that's built and configured the way you like it.  I will say that some of the top tier rifle makers do put a little more effort into fit & finish.  However, I don't think you'll see a huge difference in terms of rifle performance.  As far as the Bushmaster/Windham Arms, I'm sure the new company is just using the same factory/tooling as the old Bushmasters.  As long as they have some experienced people there, I'd be willing to bet the quality is on par with the old Bushmasters.  I would look for some online reviews - if others say the quality is there, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

From my understanding when Rem shut the old BM plant down they pretty well said piss on you to about everyone. The years of service to the brand had no merit. I think Windham gave the people a very well deserved shot at putting food on the table. I do not own any but would definitely buy one over BM that I do own, just for them stepping up and helping the BM families out when they were left high and dry.

[cjclemens]

From my understanding when Rem shut the old BM plant down they pretty well said piss on you to about everyone. The years of service to the brand had no merit. I think Windham gave the people a very well deserved shot at putting food on the table. I do not own any but would definitely buy one over BM that I do own, just for them stepping up and helping the BM families out when they were left high and dry.

That actually does sound like a great reason to buy Windham built rifles/parts, as opposed to supporting those corporate sellouts at BM.  Lets not forget that big green was the first company to start making some of their product lines cheaper, to appease Wal-Mart's corporate philosophy. OK, I'm done with my anti-big business rant now.

[Chupathingy]

For a "Rack grade" AR, I really like the Windham Weaponry. I also like the fully transferable lifetime warranty as well, hard to beat that.

Now, all that being said. It's already been mentioned, build one yourself and you can have EXACTLY what you want and it will be the best for you.


Chupa

[Swampman]

Colt M4 at Walmart

[cjclemens]

Colt M4 at Walmart

Oh boy...Here we go again...

[theratdog]

build your own the way you like it save some cash and learn more about your  weapon.

[pastorp]

Well I made my choice today & bought a windham weaponry, flat top, optics ready model, carbine. I always liked the bushmasters I've had in the past and these are made by the same folks that used to make them.

My second choice was a M&P model S&W same configuration. But I decided to try this one partly because it was in stock & 100$ less.

[Graybeard]

Let's bring this one back up and see if folks might want to talk more about it.