Friend just got an Armalite. Are they any good?

Balbino · Mar 23, 2007

I know Armalite were the original designers of the AR. But when compared to the current manufacturers of AR where do they rank? By his description I think he has this one: http://www.armalite.com/sales/catalog/rifles/m15a4_carbine.htm
How do they compare to, say DPMS? I feel I have to one-up him with this:
http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/223/bull_24.aspx
OR
http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/308/base.aspx
a Panther LR308
I need opinions or other suggestions for aroung $1000.

Toxin · Mar 23, 2007

If you want a one up, go with the LR308. I just got mine last week. It's well built, a joy to shoot, and very little felt recoil. Save some $$$ for some nice glass though...

techwrtr2 · Mar 23, 2007

When I think Armalite, I always think AR-180.

Motorhead · Mar 23, 2007

Armalite is good enough to make a well respected 50 cal rifle thats surprisingly really accurate.

For what its worth ... Otherwise, no idea.

I too vote for the 308. I was just this past week thinking about one of the new LAR 308 or ... something like that, might be the same rifle I'm thinkin of.

Looks like an AR, but its a 308. (Sorry, I hate 5.56 caliber, its poopy in my opinion.)

Adler · Mar 24, 2007

Armalite now is not Armalite that designed the gun really. That Armalite was a division of Fairchild Aricraft in Costa Mesa California, the same one that went out of the gun MAKING (they still put out some designs) business in 59(SoldAR desin to COLT) before being ressurected again later....not Geneso IL. It's about like comparing Sprignfield Armory of now to the Springfield Armory of pre 67. They have teh designs but its a whole new animal with an old name. They do make alot of good products though. I would say that for ARs you can go wrong with the ABCD rule. Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, and DPMS. Into that I would say that Doublestar and Stag make some fine guns as well. Doublestar is a sister company of JT Distributing and Stag used to be a parts maker for other AR makers.

Gun-Nut · Mar 24, 2007

Adler said:
Armalite now is not Armalite that designed the gun really. That Armalite was a division of Fairchild Aricraft in Costa Mesa California, the same one that went out of the gun MAKING (they still put out some designs) business in 59(SoldAR desin to COLT) before being ressurected again later....not Geneso IL. It's about like comparing Sprignfield Armory of now to the Springfield Armory of pre 67. They have teh designs but its a whole new animal with an old name. They do make alot of good products though. I would say that for ARs you can go wrong with the ABCD rule. Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, and DPMS. Into that I would say that Doublestar and Stag make some fine guns as well. Doublestar is a sister company of JT Distributing and Stag used to be a parts maker for other AR makers.

No love for Rock River Arms?

ORCA · Mar 25, 2007

Yes Ad is right on with how Armalite has e(de)volved over the years.

I've also heard the same "Armalite isn't the same as before" grumblings from the peeps who work directly with Armalite and Classic Army of all places.

You wanna make your friend jealous? Go where Stoner went. Knight's Armamanet

Get yourself an SR-25 or better yet the new 6x35mm PDW (You'll win the first kid on the block game with that 1);P

Balbino · Mar 25, 2007

ORCA said:
Yes Ad is right on with how Armalite has e(de)volved over the years.

I've also heard the same "Armalite isn't the same as before" grumblings from the peeps who work directly with Armalite and Classic Army of all places.

You wanna make your friend jealous? Go where Stoner went. Knight's Armamanet Get yourself an SR-25 or better yet the new 6x35mm PDW (You'll win the first kid on the block game with that 1);P

Its funny you mention the SR-25 because the guy I was talking to, who has a shooting range on his property, was telling me I should get one of those and he has one. I think that one may be out of my price range. Which is how I got around to the LR-308. The gun show is next weekend (Mar 31) I'll bring my checkbook. I may sway to the 223 if thier is no 308 there. Ammo is cheaper anyway.

einzelherz · Mar 26, 2007

ORCA said:
Yes Ad is right on with how Armalite has e(de)volved over the years.

I've also heard the same "Armalite isn't the same as before" grumblings from the peeps who work directly with Armalite and Classic Army of all places.

You wanna make your friend jealous? Go where Stoner went. Knight's Armamanet Get yourself an SR-25 or better yet the new 6x35mm PDW (You'll win the first kid on the block game with that 1);P

there are no new SR-25 civvie sales, and the PDW will probably never make it to market.

brucelee · Mar 26, 2007

Gun-Nut said:
No love for Rock River Arms?

You said it before I could.

I'll take Rock River Arms over bushmaster anyday. I have both!

Adler · Mar 27, 2007

I took my Colt out the other day........over 10 feeding problems in 80 rounds. Hoping its a mag issue. Going to try out a new mag on thursday. Sad thing is my upper is an M16A1 upper.....poor bastards had to use this shit in war!?!?!

fatcat · Mar 27, 2007

Im telling you... Try a D-fender...

http://www.mgimilitary.com/store/in...s_id=4&zenid=de59ac0cc4021af0df327ca6530f5240

12 bucks for something that will make you happy as hell shooting your AR.

and yes, Armalites AR's are good.

brucelee · Mar 27, 2007

Too bad the troops in Nam didn't have the D-fender. :-/

fatcat · Mar 27, 2007

Yep, my dad was always talking about how they never touched the M-16's because they where so bad.

They where on boats and had twin 50's and fully automatic honeywell grenade launchers.

brucelee · Mar 27, 2007

I wish I had a honeywell launcher with an endless supply of grenades... *sigh*

*grabs tissue and lotion*

Adler · Mar 27, 2007

I have never had an extraction problem yet.....just a multitude of feeding issues.

brucelee · Mar 27, 2007

Yeah, feeding issues are the worst with the ARs... A lot of the time its magazine related... I can't stand it.

einzelherz · Mar 28, 2007

brucelee said:
Yeah, feeding issues are the worst with the ARs... A lot of the time its magazine related... I can't stand it.

that's what happens when you use garbage magazines and a rediculously steep feed angle.

brucelee · Mar 28, 2007

einzelherz said:
that's what happens when you use garbage magazines and a rediculously steep feed angle.

Funny, all the "GREAT" USGI" 30rnd mags with green followers seem to SUCK ASS... The 40 round steel mags that I use work GREAT. Never had a single issue.... Drum mags too... Never had an issue.

einzelherz · Apr 2, 2007

brucelee said:
Funny, all the "GREAT" USGI" 30rnd mags with green followers seem to SUCK ASS... The 40 round steel mags that I use work GREAT. Never had a single issue.... Drum mags too... Never had an issue.

depends on the drum. the military hate the beta mag cause in full auto it has jam issues. the new HK mags work because they have a proper follower in them. It's sad all the companies making parts for the AR can't make a good follower, and when one does, they charge rediculous money for it (the mag)

green followers are better than the originals though, kinda sad, huh?

Friend just got an Armalite. Are they any good?

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