I've owned 12 AR15s over the past 15 years, but they were all relatively similar. Only a S&W has really given me problems. I'm down to 2 ARs right now. I'd really like to have at least 3, because I believe in having enough of one type of gun to last a lifetime of hard shooting schedules. There are several times a year where I shoot over 1k rounds in one weekend at a class or training, and between those I try to shoot at least 250 rounds a week.
I'd asked about the reliability of 14.5" carbine length gas systems, and something that user scottryan said made me have a couple of questions. I tried to PM him with them, but his mailbox was full. I'd also like to hear everyone else's answers.
1. It's been said several times in many threads here that most 16" midlength gas guns have their ports opened so wide that they aren't more reliable than a properly gassed 14.5" or 16" carbine length gas AR. Who are some manufacturer's who create a properly gassed midlength, and will they reliably cycle weaker ammo as well in harsh conditions including freezing cold weather and a cruddy environment?
2. Two of the ARs I'm considering next are a BCM 14.5" pinned/welded SOCOM profile barrel, and a Colt LE620 SOCOM. They're the same set-up, but it seems hard to decipher which is of higher quality. There's a lot of talk about the Colts of today being not as high of quality as they used to be, whether from outsourcing or other factors. However, it seems generally accepted that the Colt's barrel is incredibly accurate compared to the BCM. Accuracy is far down on my list of priorities compared to reliability and durability, but it makes it harder to decide. Between a Colt and a BCM 14.5" SOCOM, what would be the better rifle in terms of reliability, durability, and longevity?
3. Besides the KAC, what is generally regarded as the most reliable and durable AR money can buy? There may be more than one, but some that come to mind that seem to be regarded as such include LMT, BCM, and SOLGW. LMT in particular seems well regarded across the board, but what holds me back on the LMT is their use of standard weight buffers, semi-auto bolt carriers, and straight-pinned gas blocks rather than the proper taper pins (according to some authorities, taper pins are more durable and less likely to walk out than straight pins). Do the guns they sell to the gov't have straight pins or taper pins? I was under the impression they all had to have taper pins.
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