Give me your top 5 choices for brands of black rifles in order 1 thru 5
Are you asking to rate:
a) Who builds the best AR?
I like the A, B, C adage. Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt. Rock River seems good too. I know nothing of DSA's AR builds... only their FAL - their FAL has a great reputation.
b) What is the best platform? (ie. CETME/HK, FN FAL, AR, AK, M14, etc.)
I like FAL and M14 for battle rifles...
c) Best "black rifles" platform and manufacturer? Would "black rifle" be a battle rifle or assault rifle?
Me? I'd like to have a DSA SA-58 OSW. (Instead, I've got a Bushmaster AR and a inch pattern FAL.)
Are we talking strictly about ARs here? Cuz I have some AKs that are black, too.
My preference will always be to build my own ARs, so I'd have to put "Shooter521 Custom" as the #1 brand. But as far as off-the-rack complete rifles go:
1) Charles Daly - they sought input from end users when planning their AR line, and offer a variety of solid setups at competitive prices
2) LMT - .gov supplier that builds more or less to the TDP, but without the Colt attitude or pricetag. Only downside is lack of variety (if you want something other than an M4 type carbine, look elsewhere)
3) Smith & Wesson - good quality & feature set, willing to listen to user feedback, excellent value for the money
4) Rock River Arms - generally solid, and offer extra features (extended safety/selector, match trigger, Hogue grip) for the same price as equivalent models from other brands
5) Bushmaster - longtime industry leader, product is generally available, competitively priced and a decent value
For #6, and I know I will get grief for this, I'd put in Olympic Arms. They have a crummy reputation in many circles but they are actually one of the ONLY companies that actually makes their own guns. Most companies assemble guns from parts. Many actually buy some of their parts from Oly. Oly is a bargain out in the market, their finish is not as nice as some of the other brands but their guns are better than their reputation and their prices are often lower than other brands. Plus they have the best warranty in the industry. __________________
1...Colt 6920 ( agree with above post "What all others are judged by ")
anyone have experience with cmmg?
The biggest problem I have with Colt, and why they didn't make my list, is that they don't make the 6920 and other "LE" series guns available to the general public. I can't bring myself to support a gunmaker who doesn't support the shooting public. Colt wants to put all its eggs in the .mil/LE basket at the expense of the commercial market - their "civilian" guns are still made with pinned stocks, permanently attached comps, and shaved bayonet lugs, fer cryin' out loud! As with their 1911s, Colt is getting eaten alive by other manufacturers offering more features for less money, with equivalent quality.