AR-15 Plastic or metal?

[glbedd53]

My neighbor is looking at a plastic Bushmaster because it's cheap. I was trying to steer him toward a Colt LE 6920. I guess all I need to know is if there a lot of problems with the plastic ARs or any other reason to stay away from them. He has the money for the Colt but his idea is to save enough on the rifle to pay for the scope he wants for it.

[C-dub]

When I was still looking for mine I thought Bushmasters were lower to middle of the road ARs. However, when I first saw their prices in CTD I asked one of the sales people why they were so high and he said because they're pretty good guns.

For the same setup I was looking for the bushy was about $300 more than the Colt. Maybe they are a good rifle, but if he's looking at one that is cheaper I'd say check the details. There might be something inferior about it that justifies the lower price.

[OldCannon]

By "plastic" do you mean "polymer"? (hint: plastic is generally a monomer, so it's akin to saying that a strand of thread is like a rope).

Polymer lowers work very nicely. They're strong and heat resistant. You can use them in upper receivers as well, although I'm not entirely convinced it's ideal, particularly if you're mounting optics on it (which your friend is wanting to do, so...) - they're heat resistant, but my fear is that there would be more pronounced heat effects on the upper receiver. Since I haven't test-fired a build with a polymer upper personally, I must reserve judgement (but I likely never will either).

One thing I tell people about a Colt 6920 - you won't get buyer's remorse and it will hold its value well over time, because it's a Colt.

That being said, you can get a New Frontier Armory lower for $110 and an inexpensive upper from JSE Surplus for about $400. Not sure what kind of scope he wants or what he's planning on spending on the mount, so I'm at a loss to suggest further.

[puma guy]

I don't the Bushmaster receivers you refer to as plastic are plastic. They are Carbon Composite. I saw Bud's had Bushmaster CAR AR w/a red dot for $699.99

[glbedd53]

Yeah, Bushmaster Carbon-15 is the one he was looking at but something has changed his mind. Alvin Walmart has a Sig, Colt, DPMS, and somethin else but I haven't been there to look at them yet and don't know what Model the Colt is.

[gigag04]

Bushmasters are not top tier guns for sure.

The Colt LE6920 is one of the best values in ARs right now. Amazing resale value too.

[Mike1951]

Bushmasters are not top tier guns for sure.

The Colt LE6920 is one of the best values in ARs right now. Amazing resale value too.

As long as you didn't buy one just before Obama took office.

You might have paid $1400-$1500 back then.

[RSJ]

Bushmasters are not top tier guns for sure.

The Colt LE6920 is one of the best values in ARs right now. Amazing resale value too.

Agreed. the 6720 is also pretty cool

[smoothoperator]

I would buy New Frontier over Bushmaster if I was looking for a polymer lower for a lightweight AR.

[OldCannon]

I would buy New Frontier over Bushmaster if I was looking for a polymer lower for a lightweight AR.

And speaking of that... viewtopic.php?f=23&t=56975" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[glbedd53]

The Colt Walmart has is a LE6920 for $1097. Sig with a Sig 4x ACOG lookin scope for $897.

[dleiwig]

I have a Bushmaster Carbon AR-15 and have put 800+ rounds through it. I received it as a gift, and was apprehensive at first. The only difference I have noticed between it and aluminum receivers is that it is much lighter...that's it. I have never had any issues with it--minus 2 FTEs, but they were due to steel cased ammo. I switched to brass and haven't had another problem. I have an EOTech on it, as well as back up sights, and both have been accurate sine they were originally sighted in. It is a very solid rifle, but folks are inclined to be skeptical of new products, myself included. Anyone ever hear of Glocks? They've been using polycarbonates for years with zero issues. Just my two cents...

Shoot what you like, just do it safely and often!

[JeepGuy79]

The 6920 is a nice gun for a low price. Rock River makes great guns in that price range too. You are doing your buddy a favor steering him away from the bushmaster.

[Blindref757]

I can get a Del-ton for $699. No sense in getting a poly unless it is significantly less.

[MadMonkey]

I wouldn't get a Carbon-15 mainly because of the number of proprietary parts in it. Go with what 99% of other people use for interchangeability...