Alternative to the 6920/6720 Recommendation

[birdkiller]

Title kinda sums it up, but longer version:

I know the standard from this forum when recommending a more affordable, no frills AR to a new person is either a Colt 6920 or a 6720. Grant has the 6720 listed at $800, and a few other places hover around there as well, so it is sure a tempting option to learn the platform, and modify it as you want/feel the need to down the road. So that's what I recommended to a friend who is switching over to the AR from the AK, but I started thinking that maybe I'm missing something. I personally prefer mid-length gas systems, so even if I get a 6720 then throw a KMR, BCM furniture, Aimpoint, etc. on it, I'm still going to be wishing it wasn't a carbine gas system. I figure he and lots of other are the same way.

Summary of question: Besides the 6920/6720, are there any affordable/reliable entry level ARs that I (we as a community) should be looking at to recommend, preferably in a mid-length gas system?

Thanks for any help,
BK

[Firefly]

In a word, not really.

Colt, LMT, KAC, and BCM get nods for a reason.

You could always get a Colt lower and a BCM mid length upper.

Me personally, I like rifle length gas. If I were starting from zero the first Colt I'd get would be the A4. But that is me and I like a longer rifle as I have longer arms.

That said, I've shot a carbine for a long time and it never bothered me.

[lahunter57]

I had a buddy not too long ago that I talked into buying his first AR. I initially had him set on a 6720 but after I showed him what he could have for not much more (midlength gas, upgrade in furniture, and a comp) he purchased a blem BCM lower from Grant and a BCM 16" midlength upper with MOE handguards from BCM.

I believe it came in right around $1000. I believe that BCM blem lowers and a midlength upper of your choice from BCM or another reputable manufacturer blows the Colt out of the water. Not in quality or reliability but in cost and out of the box performance.




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[SilverBullet432]

6940 J/K

This:

http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin...on&key=LWR-BCM

Plus this:

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-B...d-16%20bfh.htm

And a magpul mid handguard:

https://www.magpul.com/products/moe®...#8211;-ar15-m4


put you right around $1015 before taxes, transfers and shipping. Very good IMO.


-OR-

You could make the mistake of buying a windham/DPMS/CMMG/RRA, fire 100 round and have it jam. "Lifetime warranty" you claim? Don't bet your life in the middle of the night on your lifetime warranty....

[opngrnd]

While I certainly like my Colt 6920, I've become increasingly happy with rifles I've built with barrels from Sionics Weapon Systems and now use my 6920 for iron sight practice. The option of the A5 system straight from the shop is also a huge plus in my book. Here's my recommendation:

http://sionicsweaponsystems.com/stor...id_product=103

[Alpha-17]

Not sure what the going rate for them is any more, but anything Daniel Defense is a good place to start.

[birdkiller]

Thanks for the responses. I started looking around at BCM's basic uppers and the Blem lowers, and I think that's definitely a good direction to start recommending. I'll let my buddy know about that option, and hopefully he'll go with that route, I'm wishing I did for my first AR.

SilverBullet:
Hahah forgot about the 6940. Don't worry, I'm not going to let him buy one of those craptastic rifles. His brother got a Del-Ton before I could stop him, but I'm not gonna let that happen this time.

Once again, thanks for steering me in a good direction guys.

[Iraqgunz]

SIONICS is a great value and solid choice with great CS. I am biased.

[birdkiller]

SIONICS is a great value and solid choice with great CS. I am biased.

I'll definitely be suggesting the Patrol Rifle Zero as an option as well. I don't have any first hand experience (probably going to pick up one of your lowers next month if they're in stock) but I have pointed people your way in the past. Thanks

[wildcard600]

For someone that dosen't want to mess with building a stripped lower (i assume) a good complete lower and a BCM midlength or SIONICS upper. There are other good options out there but are quite a bit more spendy.

I've built a number of rifles with BCM uppers/parts with locally sourced lowers and have been very satisfied for around the $800 range.