Armalite's quality

[JWR075]

It seems that Armalite's AR 10 (DEF10 model) is becoming a very good option in the entry .308 AR realm, so has Armalite stepped up their quality on all guns including the M 15 series or is this just a rare fluke for a company that has a questionable (in terms of product quality) past.

[HelloLarry]

I think it is mostly just product development. The AR-10 has been out for about 20 years now and they have made improvements to it along the way.

[sinister]

I've rarely run into a bad Armalite, legacy or under post-Westrom (SAC) ownership.

[TheNegativeOne]

The "AR" in ar15 stands for armalite. I would think they know a thing or two about the rifles.

[B52U]

I recall Armalite doing the research that resulted in the development of the mid-length gas system.

[crusader377]

I think Armalite is a good brand but I think there are better options out there for a similar price points like colt. That said, I don't think I have seen an Armalite AR15 on store shelves for several years now.

[skp]

The "AR" in ar15 stands for armalite. I would think they know a thing or two about the rifles.
Armalite sold the AR-15 design to Colt in the late 50s or early 60s and Eugene Stoner went to Colt in 1961. They also basically ceased operations for a couple of decades. Whatever knowledge about the AR-15 remained in the original company is long gone.

[MegademiC]

Armalite sold the AR-15 design to Colt in the late 50s or early 60s and Eugene Stoner went to Colt in 1961. They also basically ceased operations for a couple of decades. Whatever knowledge about the AR-15 remained in the original company is long gone.

How I understand it, the current company I'd armalite in name only.

That said, they seem to make a solid gun, I've hear MD few complaints, and the ones I've seen seemed well built, but as said, a better gun can be had for similar price.

[joeyjoe]

yeah, this isn't the same Armalite that stoner worked for in the late 50's.

[JC5188]

I have an AR10, the quality of fit and finish is as good or better than my other rifles (LWRC, Colt), and has been a shooter.

You hear a lot of anti DPMS/Bushy, etc comments, but other than largely arbitrary columns on an old chart, I don't hear much negative about ArmaLite.

As far as their AR15 variants, if you're hung up on things like "TDP" and "Milspec", then maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a nicely done civi grade rifle I think they are fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TheNegativeOne]

I have an AR10, the quality of fit and finish is as good or better than my other rifles (LWRC, Colt), and has been a shooter.

You hear a lot of anti DPMS/Bushy, etc comments, but other than largely arbitrary columns on an old chart, I don't hear much negative about ArmaLite.

As far as their AR15 variants, if you're hung up on things like "TDP" and "Milspec", then maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a nicely done civi grade rifle I think they are fine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ive heard a lot of claims, never seen any proof to all the talk.

[Benito]

I've had good experiences with their AR-10A's, albeit I have not gone to war or faced zombies with it, just range shooting and plinking (is it still called plinking when using a .308??).

I think they have a real niche winner with their AR-10A, but for an AR-15, they face a much more competitive field (I'm looking at you, BCM).

[Firefly]

No time on an AR-10A, but I have an Armalite AR15 lower for a rainy day.

It looks okay. I haven't decided on an A2 or a Carbine upper for it. But everything appears dimensionally sound.

Just needs stock and upper. If I have an issue with the FCG, I'll just replace it with Colt FCG.

ETA. I had an AR-10B and it wasn't very good. The mags were picky. Retrofitted M-14 mags. I would've sooner lived with 10 round AR-10 Waffle style mags done right during any ban than those. When it would cycle, it was just junk.

No real time behind their complete M15 rifles but I don't mind having one of their lowers. Really wouldn't trust their barrels or their BCGs.

[Iraqgunz]

The 5.56 guns I have seen are mediocre and fall into the Bushmaster, Stag, Windham Crapponry category.

[Leonidas24]

The 5.56 guns I have seen are mediocre and fall into the Bushmaster, Stag, Windham Crapponry category.

Double check the Defender15 series. A lot of Armalite's newer rifles (2015-current) are at least on the surface TDP compliant as far as they can be. The bolts and barrels are marked HPT/MPI, the RE's are mil-spec and 7075-T6, M4 feed ramps, 4150 CMV (unknown if it's certified), chrome lined etc. I've sold several of these guns and have seen them run in classes on a couple of occasions. They're way out ahead of Bushmaster et. al that are firmly entrenched in the commercial spec of AR's.

[Livefreeordie92]

Double check the Defender15 series. A lot of Armalite's newer rifles (2015-current) are at least on the surface TDP compliant as far as they can be. The bolts and barrels are marked HPT/MPI, the RE's are mil-spec and 7075-T6, M4 feed ramps, 4150 CMV (unknown if it's certified), chrome lined etc. I've sold several of these guns and have seen them run in classes on a couple of occasions. They're way out ahead of Bushmaster et. al that are firmly entrenched in the commercial spec of AR's.
How are other key areas? Gas key staking, castle nut staking, f marked FSB, gas port size, what kind of buffer ships in it? Believe me, I'd love to see a legit quality rifle for around $700 but that's not really the case lately.

[Leonidas24]

How are other key areas? Gas key staking, castle nut staking, f marked FSB, gas port size, what kind of buffer ships in it? Believe me, I'd love to see a legit quality rifle for around $700 but that's not really the case lately.
Ill try to get photos of it when Im off lunch.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[JasonB1]

Armalite sold the AR-15 design to Colt in the late 50s or early 60s and Eugene Stoner went to Colt in 1961. They also basically ceased operations for a couple of decades. Whatever knowledge about the AR-15 remained in the original company is long gone.


http://www.ocweekly.com/news/mysteries-of-costa-mesa-armalite-and-the-creator-of-the-m16-a-walking-tour-6482230

[HCM]

The current Armalite company based in IL is not the same Armalite which Stoner worked for, the original was a subsidiary of Fairchild - republic aircraft (same guys who designed and built the A-10).

Eagle arms owned the Armalite name for many years. In 1994, Mark Westrom purchased the Armalite name from Eagle Arms. They started making AR-15s and AR10-B's. Due to the 1994 federal Assault Weapons ban they decided to adapt the AR-10 to use modified M-14 magazines since there were significant stocks of "pre ban" M-14 mags.

Westrom is a retired U.S Army Ordnance officer (retired as Colonel ) and a high power rifle competitor on the all Army team. My understanding is Armalite under Westrom did the original work on mid length gas systems and like KAC developed an enhanced bolt for the AR system.

Here is an interesting interview with Col. Westrom:http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=394

I believe Armalite subsequently bought Eagle arms with eagle being their budget/no frills line.

QC on the Armalite branded rifles I've seen is good but they are priced equals to or above Colts.

Westrom sold Armalite to SAC, which owns surgeon rifles and AWC back in 2013 but is stil involved with the company.

I have two 1990s/ AWB ban era Armalites, an AR10B and an AR-15T. Both have been reliable and accurate.

Re the AR-10B - Armalite has learn a bit over 20 years building these guns. For those who own older AR10B's the newer gen 2 mags run better than the old M-14 conversions. Armalite also offers an upgrade package for the older guns bringing them to current specs for about $150 - it's money well spent.

[scooter22]

The current Armalite company based in IL is not the same Armalite which Stoner worked for, the original was a subsidiary of Fairchild - republic aircraft (same guys who designed and built the A-10).

Eagle arms owned the Armalite name for many years. In 1994, Mark Westrom purchased the Armalite name from Eagle Arms. They started making AR-15s and AR10-B's. Due to the 1994 federal Assault Weapons ban they decided to adapt the AR-10 to use modified M-14 magazines since there were significant stocks of "pre ban" M-14 mags.

Westrom is a retired U.S Army Ordnance officer (retired as Colonel ) and a high power rifle competitor on the all Army team. My understanding is Armalite under Westrom did the original work on mid length gas systems and like KAC developed an enhanced bolt for the AR system.

Here is an interesting interview with Col. Westrom:http://www.sadefensejournal.com/wp/?p=394

I believe Armalite subsequently bought Eagle arms with eagle being their budget/no frills line.

QC on the Armalite branded rifles I've seen is good but they are priced equals to or above Colts.

Westrom sold Armalite to SAC, which owns surgeon rifles and AWC back in 2013 but is stil involved with the company.

I have two 1990s/ AWB ban era Armalites, an AR10B and an AR-15T. Both have been reliable and accurate.

Re the AR-10B - Armalite has learn a bit over 20 years building these guns. For those who own older AR10B's the newer gen 2 mags run better than the old M-14 conversions. Armalite also offers an upgrade package for the older guns bringing them to current specs for about $150 - it's money well spent.



Would that require a new lower?

[ABNAK]

I had an AR-10 "Infantry Rifle" maybe 13 (or more) years ago. It was the 20", fixed carry handle model. Wouldn't cycle for shit. Sent it back to Armalite and eventually talked to one of their armorers. He said the gun was designed to run exclusively with 168gr Match ammo! I was like "WTF?" So I'm supposed to buy high-end 168gr OTM ammo for this thing just for range plinking? I don't think so. Should be able to cycle 147gr FMJ fodder (not crappy steel-cased stuff, but Port surplus or Winnie White Box). Finally ended up putting an M-16 rifle spring in it instead of the AR-10 one and it ran fine. Go figure. I never fully trusted it after that and traded it in for another rifle.

[HCM]

Would that require a new lower?

The upgrade package still uses the steel AR10 B style mags - the improvements are internal.

AR10B uppers and AR10A (KAC/PMAG) style uppers mad lowers are not interchangeable.

The Gen 2 mags are purpose built steel mags for the existing AR10B - different follower and possibly slightly different feed lips.

Gen 1 mags were M-14 mags converted by cutting a hole for the AR style mag catch and cutting off the tab at the rear of e mag for the M-14 mag catch.

[Falar]

How I understand it, the current company I'd armalite in name only.

That said, they seem to make a solid gun, I've hear MD few complaints, and the ones I've seen seemed well built, but as said, a better gun can be had for similar price.

Correct, just like Springfield Armory someone just bought the name.

Their 5.56 rifles are a lot better now. I haven't seen how well staked teh carrier key is but I see they even have 1/7 on the DEF model and lots of other things they didn't use to have or advertise. With 6920s so widely available now and affordable I just don't bother with any other 16" guns generally (though I did pick up an FN for a comparison). Funny, I remember when only a few dealers would have 6920s and they could be anywhere from 1299 to 1599. Ashamedly I think I even paid 1599 at the eight of the '08 panic once.

[deputyG23]

A local dealer was selling the Defender models for $449. I bought two - one front sight base model (that is F marked),and a slick top model. He was selling AR 10s for $750.
I put a borrowed carry handle sight on the front sight model, cleaned and lubed per the manual, and shot the recommended 200 round break in with no issues that I can blame the gun on. Two failures to pick up a round from the mag - one my fault for not seating the magazine and the other is from a GI mag that I need to mark and keep an eye on.
A Vortex SPARC AR is en route as a free promotional gift for buying the first rifle. It will go on the gas block rifle.
A class or two with each rifle will let me know how I did. The owner’s manual states that the rifles are “mil spec. So far, I am very pleased.

[masakari]

https://preview.ibb.co/dXjzBR/IMAG0403.jpg (https://ibb.co/hcv6rR)
https://preview.ibb.co/iZC85m/IMAG0401.jpg (https://ibb.co/bzxKBR)
My AR10B is a blast to shoot. No problems, very reliable, plenty accurate, properly assembled. Sent it in for regular service a while back, and they did a great job.

[terraMODA]

Now that’s a real Armalite!

[Fordtough25]

I have a newer SPR Mod 1 marker m4 clone Armalite, it's the defender model. So far it's ran great but I just stated shooting it much. It's the center carbine,

52489