Rifle Handguard

Posted December 23, 2008 By admin

Rifle Handguard
Best M4 (AR15) for arbout $1000?

Colt's are a little too expensive, landing at about $1500 at most places. I'm eyeing STAG, Bushmaster, and Armalite at the moment.

Here is a link to a specific model. http://www.centurion-tactical-gear.com/S... Ignore the site, I'm just looking for a reliable and accurate model without any major issues.

An A-3 detachable carrying handle is prefered, but as long as it has a flat top, I'm not concerned. I'd also prefer it to have a RIS handguard. .223 of course, and right-handed. If the STAG link posted above isn't suitable, please suggest some better models in the $1000 range. Thanks!

If that wasn't detailed enough, just let me know what needs to be added, I'll add details ASAP.

Oh, let me add that I'm looking for the M4 varient, not the AR15 full sized rifle. I just had to throw in "AR15" because I knew someone would get knit-picky and say you can't busy a "true M4." I'm just using the term "M4" because its a short clear way of saying AR15 carbine.

The ONLY acceptable rifle, off the shelf, other than a Colt or FN, is Bushmaster.

The best option is build your own. It is really easy. You need a grand total of 20 dollars in tools. The total cost, for a top of the line rifle, would be about 850 dollars. The skill required is that of a monkey... it snaps together like a jigsaw puzzle, it only goes together one way, and the pieces just fall right into place.

CMMG makes upper receiver groups... one costs 500 dollars from AIM Surplus. It has a 16 inch barrel, chromed bore and chamber, 5.56NATO cahmber, 1/7 rifling twist, 4150 barrel steel, Manganese phosphate coating under the front sight base, forged "F" marked front sight base, Forged aluminum alloy receiver with 1913 rails. Honestly, I don't work for them, but it is a darn fine product, and for a great price.
Bravo Company has the same quality, so does Lewis Machine and Tool... butt hose two cost more.

Get the lower receiver of your choice, costs 100 bucks about. Get a lower parts kit for about 60.

Put a Bravo Company Mil-Spec collapsing stock on it for about 90.

Toss on a BUIS sight for about 50 bucks.

Get a few PMags from magpul.

This rifle is almost perfectly in military spec.... the only things you are missing are a full auto fire control group (illegal without a class 3 license) and the 14 inch barrel (200 dollar tax stamp would be needed).

Stag, Armalite, DPMS, S&W, Rock River, Olympic Arms, etc. all use inferior components. They don't have the best rifling twist, or the wrong chamber, or the wrong receiver extension... they don't use the best barrel steel. They don't mangphos coat under the front sight base. They don't chrome the interior fo the bolt carrier. You get an improperly staked gas key, which comes unscrewed and jams you up bad. They don't chrome inside the gas key..... let's just say, they do it wrong. BushMaster is not exactly correct either... but for an "off the rack" rifle, they come the closest.

I know, it is a lot to take in, isn't it? If you have any questions, send me a message. I would be glad to give some guidance.

PS. The slang term for what you are wanting is an "M4gery".
It comes from M4, the the word "forgery". Basically, "M4 look-alike".
PSS There are 5 manufacturers that build to the military spec. Colt, FN, Bravo Company, Lewis machine & Tool, and CMMG. Only Colt and FN make complete rifles, as far as I know. The other 3 make the parts, and let you buy them and put together exactly what you want. No other manufacturers build to the spec.
PSSS- Most Colt rifles you find, are not to the spec either. A large number of the rifles made by Colt have been tampered with for political reasons. For example, many have fire control group pin holes that are enlarged, for the supposed reason that you cannot "accidentally" install a full auto fire control group. You wouldn't do that anyway, since it is illegal,and you can tell a full auto control group when you see it. It has the unintended consequence of making it so that no other fire control groups can fit in, except Colt... so you have to go to Colt if you ever want your rifle fixed.. you can't just put in a new group. In addition, some have the take down pins englarged.... so no one else's upper receiver can fit on a Colt lower receiver... so, if your upper is damaged somehow or worn out... you can only use a Colt upper, no one else's. To be honest, I wouldn't own a Colt product... just because they screw with our guns in ways the gun grabbers have not even thought of yet. That is pretty sick, for a gun company.