AR-15 choice struggle

[KellyB]

Hello all!
I've been shooting for fun and have been bitten by the shooting sports bug. The 3 gun and Steel challenge have my interest. I have a couple training events coming up and want to upgrade gear. I'm looking to get a new AR-15, something competition ready or close to it. I could really use input from those who are more experienced.

These are what appear to be the better choices of off the shelf ready and info I think I know about them:
Stag Arms 3G. Pros: many recommendations and widely used. Cons: Most that recommend it say upgrades are needed before competition ready, like trigger, ambi charging handle, etc. I'm a little concerned buying a firearm from a company that may or may not be able to stand behind its gear with their current status.

Armalite M-15 18" 3-gun. Pros: single stage trigger (told that would be better for me), ambi-charging handle. Cons: just don't know much about them.

I've looked at JP, I can't see what it has to offer other than higher price. Adams Arms 3G COR has a nice Hiperfire trigger but online review seemed fluffed with color combinations and not quality of gun. Rock River LAR-15 and Colt Comp Pro seem to have mixed reviews. Haven't seen any others that stood out. Wish it was like buying a car where one could take for a test run before buying.

Tell me all you know, share your experience - help guide my purchase. Please and Thank you.

Current Gear: Glock, Benelli M2, M&P15OR

 

[Matt1911]

Your M&P could easily fill the role for 3 gun.
Most guys build their own so they can get exactly what they want from the start instead of swapping parts here and there.
I would suggest you use your M&P for a few matches and talk to some of the guys out there if they would let you give their rifles a good looksie to better decide what parts you do and don't like.

 

[jtischauser]

I'd buy the Armalite if you want a starter gun. You can add adjustable gas and low mass BCG as you progress. or a JP15 or ctr-02 if you want it all now.

Stag as a company is going to be fine. They just have a few hoops to jump through this year to keep the ball rolling. They're 3G is a decent gun but the comp is elephant dung. The trigger is above average but not my idea of a good match trigger.

 

[Wall]

welcome aboard

 

[racnsoonr]

Rhino has a pretty nice 3 gun ready AR for the money
Maybe JT can expand on that and possibly have a discount code for it?

 

[jtischauser]

Rhino has a pretty nice 3 gun ready AR for the money
Maybe JT can expand on that and possibly have a discount code for it?

I wouldn't recommend Rhino Arms right now. They are going through some management and organization issues right now. I think everything is out of stock online. They do/did make a great rifle!

 

[charger arms]

There might be some awesome deals in the Boomershooter BST threads.

 

[Wall]

http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/topic/19640-wts-18-ar-carbine/#entry223443

 

[KellyB]

Thanks for your input, it's much appreciated.

 

[Burk Cornelius]

That link that Tony Wall posted above is a ready to go package at a great price

 

[Wall]

That link that Tony Wall posted above is a ready to go package at a great price

Right? ??? I keep having to convince myself that I don't need it.

 

[racnsoonr]

I wouldn't recommend Rhino Arms right now. They are going through some management and organization issues right now. I think everything is out of stock online. They do/did make a great rifle!

Ahhh..learn something new everyday..
retention is another thing

 

[irons_shooter]

Right? ??? I keep having to convince myself that I don't need it.

Feel the same way. Smokin deal

 

[Tuflehundon]

Really like the Armalite M15 3gun. If I was getting into the sport and didn't already have a gun that I built. I would get that one. I shoot with the UF 3gun team a lot and they use that gun. Timney single stage trigger, tunable comp, adjastible gas block, Luth AR stock. It is ready out of the box.

And if you are worried about the company, the "AR" in AR15 stands for Armalite Rifle.

 

[jtischauser]

Really like the Armalite M15 3gun. If I was getting into the sport and didn't already have a gun that I built. I would get that one. I shoot with the UF 3gun team a lot and they use that gun. Timney single stage trigger, tunable comp, adjastible gas block, Luth AR stock. It is ready out of the box.

And if you are worried about the company, the "AR" in AR15 stands for Armalite Rifle.

I don't think they have adjustable gas blocks out of the box. I remember tommy saying he and Greg don't use low mass BCGs or tunable gas because of the reduced reliability with tuning those systems. It does however come with an $80 raptor ambi handle which is surprising at that price point.

 

[Tuflehundon]

Here is the description from Armalite's website:

The M153GN’s are Armalite’s flagship competition rifles that are built to win. This carbine is compact, light, and ultra-fast. The low profile handguard covers a free-floating 18-in. barrel with Armalite’s own tunable muzzle brake. An adjustable gas block also allows the rifle to be individually set for optimal performance.

Link: https://armalite.com/shop/m-15-3-gun-rifle-18/

Talking to the UF 3gun team guys, it seems that took a lot of input from the shooters they were sponsoring. All of the competitors wanted adjustable gas, so they did it. I do believe that the 3gun rifles are the only one's that come stock with adjustable gas.

 

[slemmo]

The M15 3 gun rifle sold in Norway have adjustable gas, I would assume the same goes for the ones sold in the US. Looks like a really nice rifle for getting into competition shooting.

 

[jtischauser]

I stand corrected. We were discussing low mass carriers and I thought adjustable gas too. I just remember Tommy saying it's not needed because he and Greg don't use them. I'm guessing it was just the low mass carriers. Good thing they used adj gas blocks especially in the 13.5" with the pinned comp. no changing that once you buy it. All that rifle needs is a Boomfab Titane Carrier and a set of offset sights and it's as good as it can get.

Either way that M15 is cheap! We tried to get that Rhino RA-15 3GR cheap enough and still have some cool features so that it would be a better buy then the Stag 3G which was previously the best bang for the buck 3G on the market. The M15 blew the Stag, Rhino and everything else out of the water IMHO. Although I don't know personally how accurate the barrel is I guess as long as it shoots MOA it will be just fine.

I still think the entry level market needs a bare bones $900-1000 3G AR for the beginners with their M3000 and G17's. It could have a standard M4 adj stock, tuned 4lb mil spec trigger, 16-18" barrel capable of shooting MOA and 13-15" Handguard.

 

[Tuflehundon]

I've only shot the M15 out to 220 yards. The UF guys said they have taken them out to 500, and were plaeased with the results. One of them is talking about going to Manatee range (local 1000 yard range) with me and taking his out to 600. If we do that, I'll post the results. We'll see how his stacks up to mine. (he has the 18" version)

 

[jtischauser]

Heck you can hit 3 gun size targets with a rack grade M4 at 500 5/10 times. After shooting 1/2-3/4 MOA with the rhino and JP barrels I have I really like the assurance of knowing its me that's missing not the barrel.