Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 26

Thread: Why is one AR better....

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    South La.
    Posts
    1,892
    Feedback Score
    9 (100%)

    Why is one AR better....

    .


    This is “info” that I have been accumulating over the years to answer, “Why one AR is better than another One”.

    I’m sure “The Chart” was the resource that started my list but, as you can tell, I've added a “few” more points.

    Obviously, I cannot answer, “Why one AR is better than another One”…but maybe give someone information to
    research before they make a poor decision.

    Hopefully, this is halfway accurate and maybe a little useful.
    Perhaps it will answer (or at least generate concerns) to the “Why...” question.


    Things to consider about an AR’s:
    1 Action Spring (SS, CS, Pneumatic, other)
    2 Barrel Chamber 5.56 NATO (Yes/No)
    3 Barrel Chamber ID'd (5.56N, .223, None, etc.)
    4 Barrel Lands/Grooves (#)
    5 Barrel Lining (None, Chrome, Melonite, etc.)
    6 Barrel Extension M4 Feed Ramp (Yes/No)
    7 Barrel finished beneath FSB/Gas Block (Parkerized, etc., not)
    8 Barrel Material (CMV-(Chrome Moly Vanadium), Plastic, 4150, SS, etc.)
    9 Barrel Rifling Twist (1-7, 1-8, 1-9, etc.)
    10 Barrel Tested (Yes/No)
    11 Barrel Tests (MPI, HPT, etc.)
    12 Barrel Test Proof Markings (MPI, HPT, etc.)
    13 Bolt Carrier (Auto or Semi)
    14 Bolt Carrier Group Tested (Yes/No)
    15 Bolt Carrier Group Testings (Each, Batch, etc.)
    16 Bolt Carrier Group Tests (MPI, HPT, etc.)
    17 Bolt Carrier Lining (CL, Nickel, none, etc.)
    18 Bolt Shot Peened (Yes/No)
    19 Bolt Tested (Yes/No)
    20 Bolt Tests (MPI, HP, etc.)
    21 Buffer Tube (Mil Spec or Commercial)
    22 Buffer Weight (Stamping: Standard, H, H2, etc.)
    23 Castle Nut Stake ‘able (Yes/No)
    24 Castle Nut Staked (Yes/No)
    25 Extractor Spring Coils (4, 5, etc.)
    26 Extractor Spring Insert (Yes/No)
    27 Extractor Spring Insert Color (Blue, Black, etc.)
    28 Extractor Spring O-Ring (Yes/No)
    29 Firing Pin Material (USGI, SS, Titanium, etc.)
    30 Flared Mag Well (Yes/No)
    31 Flash Hider (Suppressor, Compensator, etc.) (Yes/No)
    32 Flash Hider Attachment (Perm, Removable)
    33 Flash Hider Attachment Technique (Pin, weld, none, etc)
    34 Flash Hider Make (USGI, Knight, Vortex, etc.)
    34a Flash Hider Properly Timed (Yes/No)
    35 Fore-End Heat Shields (Yes/No)
    36 Front Sight (Yes/No)
    37 Front Sight "F" stamped (Yes/No)
    38 Front Sight Overall Height (BM or USGI)
    39 Front Sight Base/Gas Block Tapered Pins (Yes/No)
    40 Lower Construction (Billet, Cast, CNC, Forged, etc.)
    41 Lower ID Marking (Yes/No)
    42 Lower ID Markings (Colt, BCM, etc.)
    43 Lower Material (7075, Plastic, 6061, etc.)
    44 Lower-USGI Mags Drop-Free (Yes/No)
    45 Threaded Fasteners Stake ‘able & Staked (Yes/No)
    46 Trigger Pins (USGI, KNS, etc.)
    47 Upper Construction (Billet, CNC, Forged, Cast, etc.)
    48 Upper Forge Mark (Square, Keyhole, etc.)
    49 Upper ID Marking (Yes/No)
    50 Upper ID Markings (BCM, Colt, etc.)
    51 Upper Material (7075, 6061, Plastic, etc.)
    52 Are parts proprietary (Yes/No)

    Options that contribute to AR’s but do little to significantly improve it:
    53 Action Length (Carbine, Mid, Inter, Rifle, etc.)
    54 Adjustable stock lock lever (Yes/No)
    55 Ambidextrous Bolt Catch ? (Yes/No)
    56 Ambidextrous Bolt Catch Maker (Troy, B.A.D., etc.)
    57 Ambidextrous Mag Release (Yes/No)
    58 Ambidextrous Mag Release Maker (Troy, B.A.D., etc.)
    59 Barrel Finish (Parkerized, Melonite, Stellite, etc.)
    60 Barrel Length
    61 Barrel Maker Markings (Yes/No)
    62 Barrel Maker Marks (Colt, DD, LMT, etc.)
    63 Barrel Rifling Twist Markings (1-7, 1-8, 1-9, etc.)
    64 Barrel Marks (Colt, MPI, 1-7, etc.)
    65 Barrel Profile (M4, A1, A2, Socom, Straight, Pencil, etc.)
    66 Bayonet Lug (Yes/No)
    67 Bolt Carrier ID ’d (Yes/No)
    68 Bolt Carrier ID Markings (BCM, Colt, etc.)
    69 Buffer Tube Adjustments (4, 5, etc.)
    70 Buffer Tube marked (Yes/No)
    71 Charging Handle ID’d
    72 Charging Handle Mark (Yes/No)
    73 Finish Color (Black, Gray, FDE, etc.)
    74 Front Sight Adjustment (4 point, 5 point, etc.)
    75 Front Sight Sight Pin Height (BM or USGI)
    76 Front Sight Type (folding, fixed, removable, etc.)
    77 Grip Make (USGI, Tango, Magpul, etc.)
    78 Lower Carry Handle (Yes/No)
    79 Lower Fit Adjustments (Yes/No)
    80 Pistol Grip (USGI, Magpul, etc.)
    81 Pistol Grip Storage Area
    82 Quick Detach Swivel Points(s) (Yes/No)
    83 Rear Sight (Yes/No)
    84 Rear Sight Type (folding, fixed, removable, etc.)
    85 Recoil Pad (Yes/No)
    86 Trigger (Single or 2-Stage)
    87 Trigger (straight or curved)
    88 Trigger Guard (pinned, built in)
    89 Trigger Guard Make (USGI, Magpul, etc.)
    90 Trigger Guard Shape (USGI, Winter, etc.)
    91 Trigger Make (USGI, Geissele, etc.)
    92 Upper Picatinny Slots Numbered (Yes/No)
    93 ???

    Well that’s it.

    I'm sure, there is a lot of clarification needed and points to add, if so add ‘em.

    Remember, this is mostly based on my limited ability to accumulate knowledge
    from shooting, reading, tinkering, talking, making mistakes, etc.


    But…maybe it just me?
    .
    Last edited by ucrt; 10-07-13 at 20:47. Reason: Clarification/Reducing text & numbering/Adding

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    NorthWest USA
    Posts
    704
    Feedback Score
    0
    Well that's quite a list, no doubt that took some time! Thanks for posting it.

    Seems like five or six years ago a guy put about 21 or so of those specs in a nice spreadsheet!
    US Army 1966-69, VFW Life Member, Retired Geek

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Posts
    207
    Feedback Score
    0
    this guy?


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    36
    Feedback Score
    0
    It's a lot easier to simply buy one of the following:

    KAC
    Colt
    Larue
    Noveske
    Daniel Defense
    BCM
    Spikes

    Any of the above will work.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    4,275
    Feedback Score
    10 (92%)
    Quote Originally Posted by LowSpeedHighDrag View Post
    It's a lot easier to simply buy one of the following:

    KAC
    Colt
    Larue
    Noveske
    Daniel Defense
    BCM
    Spikes

    Any of the above will work.
    And a number of other ones not mentioned. GH

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Mississippi
    Posts
    3,996
    Feedback Score
    50 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by LowSpeedHighDrag View Post
    It's a lot easier to simply buy one of the following:

    KAC
    Colt
    Larue
    Noveske
    Daniel Defense
    BCM
    Spikes

    Any of the above will work.
    Yes and I think ucrt's reasoning for his post is to show what to look for in a rifle.

    Quality brands like you mentioned not withstanding, ucrt's list gives a list of things to look for in a rifle. Consequently that list will lead one to quality makers like DD, Noveske, etc.

    You can tell people to buy LMT over a Bushmaster but to give the why as well makes a world of difference.

    -Jax
    Last edited by jaxman7; 07-04-13 at 21:52.


    "Despite what your mamma told you, violence does solve problems."
    -Ryan Job



    Quote Originally Posted by Army Chief View Post
    "Elite" designations come from the things that you DO in life, and not from the things that you buy along the way. AC

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    South La.
    Posts
    1,892
    Feedback Score
    9 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by jaxman7 View Post
    Yes and I think ucrt's reasoning for his post is to show what to look for in a rifle.

    Quality brands like you mentioned not withstanding, ucrt's list gives a list of things to look for in a rifle. Consequently that list will lead one to quality makers like DD, Noveske, etc.

    You can tell people to buy LMT over a Bushmaster but to give the why as well makes a world of difference.

    -Jax
    ============================

    Thank you, Jaxman.

    IMO, the part of the Chart posted previously is the "lazy" part. Probably, one of the reasons Rob_S gave up keeping it current. I bet most of the people that claim the Chart have never read the 1300+ postings of the thread.

    By far, the most valuable part of the Chart is the Explanation section.
    "M4 Comparison Chart and Explanation of Desirable Features ".

    I've found that guys hopping to the end of the Chart and broadcasting the "antique" incomplete list of high scoring "winners" of the rating portion of the Chart, as their "knowledge", really don't have a clue.

    But maybe it's just me...

    Thanks again, Jaxman7.

    .
    Last edited by ucrt; 07-04-13 at 23:10. Reason: Added an "s" to "posting". :)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Posts
    1,395
    Feedback Score
    114 (100%)
    Exactly. Sometimes it takes laying the differences out in front of somebody to get the point across.

    Quote Originally Posted by jaxman7 View Post
    Yes and I think ucrt's reasoning for his post is to show what to look for in a rifle.

    Quality brands like you mentioned not withstanding, ucrt's list gives a list of things to look for in a rifle. Consequently that list will lead one to quality makers like DD, Noveske, etc.

    You can tell people to buy LMT over a Bushmaster but to give the why as well makes a world of difference.

    -Jax

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    1
    Feedback Score
    0

    Question The Better AR

    Hey UCRT how many of these are on a RRA M4 ? I may buy one. I like the list.Is the Rock River worth looking at??

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Northern UT
    Posts
    4,023
    Feedback Score
    66 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by submoa77 View Post
    Hey UCRT how many of these are on a RRA M4 ? I may buy one. I like the list.Is the Rock River worth looking at??
    No. RRA has never scored well and is well documented to be a substandard rifle, especially when Colt and BCM are in the same price range.
    I paint spaceship parts.

    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    Stippled Glocks are like used underwear; previous owner makes all the difference in value.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •