Ultra Reliable Complete Rifle?

Luckbad

Luckbad

Active Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2023
Messages
65
Location
Holly Springs, NC
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
I've only ever built AR-15s and have never bought a complete rifle.

I'm considering getting a complete rifle with the intent that it's ultra reliable, excellent quality, has good customer service, and is worth spending the bucks to SBR it.

What are some current favorites?

Is BCM still a good option here? Geissele Super Duty? Daniel Defense? CMMG?

Ideally we're talking something I don't have to change anything on, and that has me leaning toward Geissele.

Price range: Preferably under $2k
 
Barnes Precision Machine! Made in NC (in Apex next to Jordan Lake). They aren’t a big name but Andrew and crew make a great AR.

If you have any problems after you SBR it (you can even buy the parts from them) you likely can call and arrange for them to help you first hand.
 
Last edited:
I have had Barnes. I wouldn't buy again. The stripped lower I bought from them was badly out of spec and won't fit quality uppers(I regret SBRing it), and the complete rifle I bought from them had a terribly machined safety that didn't work properly, and also out of spec receivers that cause buffer damage. The "customer service" I received was Andrew Barnes denying that there was a problem and insisting that, since my BPM lower fit some uppers, my other uppers must be the problem, despite all my other legal combinations of uppers and lowers fitting nicely. They don't make quality products, and don't have good customer service. Or really any customer service, since they don't even fix their defects.

A family member got a lower 1 serial number off from my stripped lower, also received an out of spec lower. Barnes was rude and refused to fix their defects with his lower too.

More Barnes experiences and images of my Barnes can be seen in this thread. Some more negative accounts, some positive.
 
Last edited:
I have an Aero Precision M4E1 enhanced setup as well as a Ballistic Advantage that was a pain to get all of the roll marks for (also Aero Precision, but with a lower, upper, Geissele charging handle, handguard, etc. with the spade logo).

They're great and so far have been 100% reliable.

I just have that itch to get something complete that I didn't have a hand in building for whatever reason.
 
I have an LMT something and a Geissele super duty, but am holding off on firing them until the S&W M&P15x fails. It’s been a few years.

But I admit that I am not hard on my rifles, too old and broken for the run and gun games.
 
Out of the options listed, I'd opt for the Geissele, but the IWI Zion and their 18" SPR offer ridiculous value. I'm pretty certain I'm ending up with the Zion, swapping triggers, and calling it a day,
 
There's an ongoing debate about whether home-built ARs, given higher quality parts, are less reliable than factory models.
 
The only fully factory AR I've ever had was a S&W M&P15. Darn thing ran and got me through classes in terrible conditions. It was heavy at 9 pounds with the Aimpoint Pro, and over-gassed, but it never choked.
That said, my builds always worked too. I don't think it's so much because of me doing the building. I think it's a design that's been perfected, and anyone who can read and comprehend directions can do it.
 
I was in a similar boat about 1.5yr ago, wanted to simply buy a high quality AR that I could grab and know it would work without having to make any mods.

I narrowed things down to BCM and DD, and ended up buying a BCM BFH ELW 16” mid for around $1300 which was $500 less than the DD I had in mind. I would throw Geissele and LMT into that same category, just depends who makes a rifle setup like you want.

The Aero comment is a little ironic to me because I also priced out building the rifle I wanted with Aero M4E1 receivers but a top tier CHF barrel and the price difference for an apples to apples build was less than $200, and that wasn’t worth it for me.
 
If you don’t mind a heavy battle rifle find a ruger SR556 (not ar556). Built to beat people with, piston operated, adjustable gas block, chrome lined bore. Most people could not wear out that barrel and after a range day you simply wipe off the bcg with a paper towel. I have found the barrel easy to clean too.
 
Last edited:
Jerzsubbie said:
The Aero comment is a little ironic to me because I also priced out building the rifle I wanted with Aero M4E1 receivers but a top tier CHF barrel and the price difference for an apples to apples build was less than $200, and that wasn’t worth it for me.
Click to expand...

Don’t see the irony. The M4E1 is nicer in every way, imo, and as you mention it’s cheaper.

If you are happy, that’s great.
 
NKD said:
Don’t see the irony. The M4E1 is nicer in every way, imo, and as you mention it’s cheaper.

If you are happy, that’s great.
Click to expand...
Ironic that I went down that same thought path. But yes I’m very happy with a factory built rifle for this specific one.
 
Knights Armament.

Edit: nvm. Glossed over the budget.
 
Last edited:
Rainier Arms pro rifle
www.rainierarms.com

Rainier Arms RUC PRO 5.56 Nato DI Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping. Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

Not a DI rifle; PWS
www.rainierarms.com

Primary Weapons Systems MK1 Mod 1-M .223 Wylde Rifle - 14.5\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping.Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

Seekins
www.rainierarms.com

Seekins Precision | NX15 .223 Wylde Rifle - 16\

Shop Seeking Precisoin NX15 .223 Wylde AR15 rifle. Featuring an upgraded Timney trigger, NX15 skeletonized upper/lower receiver set and NOX handguard.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

LMT (good rifles but expensive now for what you get. Prices were better 3-4 years ago)
www.rainierarms.com

Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) Defender L 5.56 NATO Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping.Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

www.rainierarms.com

Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) SPM16 Standard Patrol Model 5.56 NATO Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping. Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com
 
beeleafs said:
I think at the below 2k price point, LWRCI should be in the mix. My 16" runs and shoots great and I am a huge fan of full ambi controls.
Click to expand...
I can here to say this. If I were in the market for a factory AR, I'd be buying a LWRCI based on my limited experience with @beeleafs 's.

Very nice quality, completely ambi, their special barrel mount system, etc. You get a ton of bang for the buck.
 
beeleafs said:
I think at the below 2k price point, LWRCI should be in the mix. My 16" runs and shoots great and I am a huge fan of full ambi controls.
Click to expand...
Love my LWRC, my only worry is the proprietary ambi parts. Which reminds me, that I need to order some just to have on hand in case something breaks.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I'm probably going to jinx myself, but pretty much all of my ARs have been ridiculously reliable, including frankenbuilds.
Click to expand...
Yeah, both my Ruger and my PSA have yet to have any issues. I think nowadays reliability isn't all that much of an issue.
 
Well I have Daniel D and like them. I hear great things about the LWRC rifles as well. They have proven reliable for the 5.56 caliber platform. If the platform you seek would be in 9MM, I would suggest the Sig Sauer MPX. Those thing will run to hell and gone without issues.
 
I've had the best luck customer service wise with CMMG. From my experience, they are second to NONE
 
11B CIB said:
Rainier Arms pro rifle
www.rainierarms.com

Rainier Arms RUC PRO 5.56 Nato DI Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping. Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

Not a DI rifle; PWS
www.rainierarms.com

Primary Weapons Systems MK1 Mod 1-M .223 Wylde Rifle - 14.5\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping.Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

Seekins
www.rainierarms.com

Seekins Precision | NX15 .223 Wylde Rifle - 16\

Shop Seeking Precisoin NX15 .223 Wylde AR15 rifle. Featuring an upgraded Timney trigger, NX15 skeletonized upper/lower receiver set and NOX handguard.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

LMT (good rifles but expensive now for what you get. Prices were better 3-4 years ago)
www.rainierarms.com

Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) Defender L 5.56 NATO Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping.Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com

www.rainierarms.com

Lewis Machine & Tool (LMT) SPM16 Standard Patrol Model 5.56 NATO Rifle - 16\\\

FFL Required Before Shipping. Please have your dealer email a copy of their FFL to [email protected] or fax it to 253-218-2998, referencing your name and order number.
www.rainierarms.com www.rainierarms.com
Click to expand...
It's nice to see Seekins getting some love.
Also don't know the current opinions on stag but an older 3g model has been great. Not exactly Gucci level brands but solid mid tier that i have gained confidence in. If I were buying right now, I would seriously be considering centurion(limited experience) compared to these mid/upper level recommendations.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NKD
milehighman1 said:
It's nice to see Seekins getting some love.
Also don't know the current opinions on stag but an older 3g model has been great. Not exactly Gucci level brands but solid mid tier that i have gained confidence in. If I were buying right now, I would seriously be considering centurion(limited experience) compared to these mid/upper level recommendations.
Click to expand...

Just did a Centurion build with a 13.9” barrel. It’s very nice and I’d build another
 
With regard to SBR'ing, I came to the opposite conclusion -- better to not SBR a high-end factory gun, because once you engrave it, the resale value drops considerably.
 
I was considering a Ruger piston 556 also, but hear bad things about their reliability. Did I hear wrong? I know my local shop has the 7.62 x 51 version that belonged to the shop owner and wouldn't run most ammo. Was sent back to Ruger twice and was/is not better. Currently for sale in the shop. My buddy runs it and when I asked him about it he shook his head and said "don't". He said the 556 wasn't any better.

Back on topic. I've only ever shot budget/Frankenguns. Anderson/PSA and now an Aero lower with Luthar upper. Want to buy the used Black Rain at the local shop or Colt 20", but I can't justify spending the money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom