Need help with first AR

[W30]

My choices are:

A3 Tactical Carbine (AR6721)
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2f9_ar15_a3tact.html

OR

Law Enforcement Carbine (LE6920)
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2f10_carbine0.html

Are the above 2 pretty much the same other than the step cut barrel of the 6920? I like the A2 Gov't Carbine as well but prefer a detatchable carrying handle. Main use will just be target and perhaps competition although not likely, and jus general fun. I am also in Canada and not a LEO, and am told there is at least a 8 to 10 month waiting period. I have looked at Armalite and Bushmaster and the only other I might consider is the LEM15A2 from Armalite in 14.5" bbl, although I still prefer a detatchable carrying handle. Thx.

[DJ Niner]

Top one is more than a pound heavier. IMO, a .223 should be short, light, and handy, so I'd choose the lighter one. On the other hand, a heavier gun kicks/bounces less when fired.

Ya pays yer money and ya makes yer choice...

[WalterGA]

Since you've already discounted the best of your possible choices (Bushmaster), I suppose the best thing you can do is just close your eyes and pick one. BTW, be sure and load up on 30 rd. mags! Hardehardeharharhar! An AR isn't an AR if it's only fed 5-rd. mags!

[Menehune]

You can do better than the Colt. I know, a lot of people will claim it is the end-all be-all of rifles. But, you can get a better rifle at a better price.

www.bushmaster.com

www.rockriverarms.com

I'm not sure exactly whats available in the great white north, but I think you can get either of the above. Bothe are excellent rifles, available in many variations.

[gcmj45acp]

Originally posted by W30
My choices are:

A3 Tactical Carbine (AR6721)
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2f9_ar15_a3tact.html

OR

Law Enforcement Carbine (LE6920)
http://www.colt.com/colt/html/a2f10_carbine0.html

Are the above 2 pretty much the same other than the step cut barrel of the 6920? I like the A2 Gov't Carbine as well but prefer a detatchable carrying handle. Main use will just be target and perhaps competition although not likely, and jus general fun. I am also in Canada and not a LEO, and am told there is at least a 8 to 10 month waiting period. I have looked at Armalite and Bushmaster and the only other I might consider is the LEM15A2 from Armalite in 14.5" bbl, although I still prefer a detatchable carrying handle. Thx.

If you're an LEO these rifles in the pictured form are an option but for most of us, they ain't unless you are willing to pony up $1000+ for a preban. The only difference between the two you describe is the profile of the barrel and therefore, the weight of the entire rifle. Bushmaster makes rifles identical to this with the exception of the fact that they are not likely to have stupid sear blocks normally found on Colts, will accept milspec parts(trigger group), and will normally cost $100-200 less. Unless Armalite has fixed the confusion about which chambers they use in their rifles, I'd stick to Bushy or Colt.

Personally, since I have no use for a barrel that could accept an M203(I'm not military or LEO) then I'll take the slightly heavier barrel that deals with heat better anyway. If this is intended as a target and fun rifle as you have said, you might be better off with standard, fixed A2 stock. Telestocks can and do break far more often than standard stocks. I only bothered with the telestock on my SHTF preban carbine and even then, I did it only because that allows me to carry it in an inconspicuous tennis racket bag. If you don't need a collapsible stock, stay away from them if you can. If it's what you want, it's what you want but the standard stocks last longer, the guns run better with them because of the longer buffer tube, and they are generally more comfortable.

[gcmj45acp]

Forgot to mention that even if you are an LEO and buy this on department letterhead, the rifle technically belongs to your agency and must stay with them, be transferred to another officer of that agency or transferred your new agency when you leave. The excise tax on the weapon has also not been paid if the rifle is purchased on PD letterhead so the bottomline is that legally, the rifle isn't yours if you buy it on PD letterhead.

[gdnctr]

Here's a pic of my Bushy AR-15 A3, Leupold CQT/4 3x Gold Dot Sight and 40rnd mag (25 of 'em, 20x30rnd mags as back-up):

PS Notice how I use the 10rnd mag as a butt-prop in the pic; it's "worthless as teats on a bull" for anything else... FYI.

[duncan]

Menehune speaks da truf!

Scrap that Colt talk. They just dropped production of their 9mm ARs because LE isn't buying from them.

Go Bushmaster or RRA.

Love my Bush A3 flattop.

[W30]

Below is the configuration I would like. Can Bushmaster offer this type of configuration? I am in Canada so it should be legal, although 'restricted'.

- 14.5" or 16" Barrel w/1:9 twist
- A3 removable upper
- A2 flash supressor w/bayonet lug
- Retractable stock

[Shady]

Here's your rifle!

http://www.bushmaster.com/le/weapons/bushmaster_xm15e2s_shorty.htm

Bushy does very nice work, and has a good customer service reputation.

[W30]

Thanks, I do like that model.

What about the M4A3 Carbine at http://www.bushmaster.com/le/weapons/bushmaster_xm15_e2s_m4a2_carbine.htm ? I want a semi-auto, but am confused cuz at the top it says "either safe/semi-auto/full-auto or safe/semi-auto/three-shot burst configurations" then further down it says "Mode of Operation:
Semi-Auto Only/Full Automatic or Semi Auto/3 Shot Burst" which is the same for the Shorty A3.

[scromer]

http://www.rockriverarms.com/m4_entry_tactical.htm

[RenegadeGlocker]

.

[FAL shootist]

Personally, I like the Colt carbine. Its just what the rifle was designed to be, reliable, accurate and light. The skinny barrel works just fine for me. I have an AR because I like what it does in a compact and light package.

The heavy barrel is weight you don't need. What you do need is a barrel the a chrome lined bore and chamber, made of 4150 steel, and chambered for 5.56 and not 233. This pretty much means Colt. Don't let anyone BS you, these barrels will outlast and out shoot most of the others unless you are using the gun for long range competition

The others either don't chrome line the bore or make the barrels out of 4140 steel or have .223 sammi chambers. These barrels can be very accurate if properly made, but won't be as reliable or last as long as a chrome lined harder 4150 barrel.

That said, Armalite, bushmaster and my second favorite AR maker Rock River make excellent guns and should be able to accomidate you. Rock River is and outstanding product and at the price its nothing short of a bargin.

[trakker45]

So what did you end up buying? Bushmaster, RRA, or Colt?

[W30]

I picked up the LE6920 shortly afterwards since it was in stock.

BTW, I posted this over 2 years ago, but thanks for asking :)

[trakker45]

I honestly didn't even look at the date... I found the thread while looking for info on LE6920s. I have two of them on the way as we speak- picking up the first one tonight. How do you like yours? Is there a lot of recoil due to the light weight? I ask only because I don't intend to hang a lot of crap on mine- just an Eotech and a BUIS. These guns are extremely hard to come by right now, so you chose wisely if you ever consider selling it. I am going to hang on to mine, though. I want to shoot one and let the other appreciate in value.

[W30]

I like mine and don't find much recoil with it... but I have not shot any other AR's to compare it with. It is a plain jane 6920 with no extras at all on it.

I don't shoot it that much though. Only been out to the range 3 times with it in the past 2 years which is really pathetic. I definitely need to get out more. :)

I would say many here and at other sites like ar15.com just do not like Colt period. Their Customer Service for civilians interested in AR's at least DOES suck though, and I can vouch for that much about Colt. But I still like my 6920 no matter what others say.

I think you will enjoy the 6920's. A LE6921 with the 14.5" bbl would be even nicer.

[trakker45]

I agree, a 6921 would be even sweeter- more forbidden. It's the same as the 6920 except for the barrel length, right?

Yes, I agree that most folks dislike Colt. I attribute this to three things: 1) poor customer service; 2) higher price; and 3) Colt readily agreed to stop making AR-15's for civilian use when the 1994 crime bill went into effect. A lot of gun owners dislike it when gun companies give in to political pressure- witness the nasty attacks on Bushmaster after they agreed to settle the Washington D.C. sniper case. Some guys were saying that people should boycott Bushmaster!

I also recently purchased a Colt 9mm carbine which I am going to chop down and register as a SBR, just for the hell of it. Then I am going to suppress it! Lord knows where I am going to hide that one from my fiance...

[W30]

Yes, I believe it just the shorter barrel length that is diff on the 6921. They are legal here in Can, just could never find one, new or used. I heard that 'M4 LE Carbine' is stamped on the lower but not certain, as I have never even seen one.

Also, 'Colt Mfg' is stampled on my lower as well. When you get yours though, they might say 'Colt Defense'. I got mine just before Colt split. http://www.colt.com/law/news.asp