Considering one of two carbines

[shadowspirit]

I'm considering the two below ARs. The S&W Volunteer XV or the FN15 Basic Carbine. The S&W has a nicer buttstock and handguard, and has the 1:8 twist barrel with 5R rifling. The S&W barrel is supposedly accurate or very accurate but I read a review that showed only mediocre accuracy. Maybe that specific one was off.

The FN15 Basic Carbine is the same as the newer FN Patrol Carbine except the Patrol Carbine has nicer furniture. This is according to FN.

I've seen the S&W for as low as $650 to $675 and the FN for as low as $800 to $825. The S&W may use the same lower parts as their M&P Sport, which may partly be MIM. One seemingly knowledgeable person said the Sport model's lower parts looks like it is from a .22 rimfire. That was years ago. OTOH, the latest S&W ARs, including the Sport model have good reputations for reliability and their barrel did well in some torture test.

Let's say I don't mind the extra $150 for the FN. Which should I get? I'm mostly interested in durability and accuracy.


https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperst....cfm/ID/302756

https://www.familyfirearms.com/produ...ne-556-30rd-16

[SteyrAUG]

Ok, I'll be that guy.

Is there a reason you aren't buying a Colt 6920 for not much more money?

[HKGuns]

What SAUG said......Get a 6920 or even an OEM1 or OEM2 (which ever floats your boat) 6920 and put the furniture of your choice on it.

Colt OEM2

[kerplode]

Even if you're just shooting dirt clods on the weekend, there really isn't any reason to not spend the small premium for the Colt. Its a better rifle and it will always be worth more money than a Smiff and Western or FN.

If you plan to use this rifle for anything serious, then there is DEFINITELY no reason to not get the Colt over the other two. Eat ramen for a couple weeks if you have to.

[202]

I agree with these guys. Spend a bit more for a Colt 6920 rifle.

[titsonritz]

What SAUG said......Get a 6920 or even an OEM1 or OEM2 (which ever floats your boat) 6920 and put the furniture of your choice on it.

Colt OEM2

This plus a Centurion C4 and stock of choice, done…I’d go OEM1 with a C4 FSP pic and a B5 Bravo.

https://centurionarms.com/rail-systems/

[Screwball]

I’m a huge 1:8” fan, even more so with 5R rifling… but I’d say Colt.

I picked up a 6920 “Carbine,” but recently sold it when I got a slightly older L/E surplus 6920 that I liked better.

Both were good to go, but couldn’t justify having one sit in the safe. Also used the money to get into a P7M8.

[HKGuns]

This plus a Centurion C4 and stock of choice, done…I’d go OEM1 with a C4 FSP pic and a B5 Bravo.

https://centurionarms.com/rail-systems/

Excellent taste and great advice.

[Wake27]

Oh look, another M4C thread where OP wants something in the $700 range and all of the responses are pushing towards “spending just a little more” with recommendations that will end up nearly doubling the OP’s price tag. Good job guys.


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[shadowspirit]

Thanks for the posts thus far. Most recommend Colt. It is about $150 more and I thought the FN was every bit as good. Also, there's a lot of Colts out there for sale, which gives me the impression resale value will go down in the future. Also, they may go down further in price from what they are now due to how many Colt seems to be pumping out. The FN Basic Carbine was discontinued and the Patrol Carbine was brought to market, so I doubt they will go further down in price.