Which AR Rifle Would You Buy

dhawkins01 · November 16, 2012, 01:12 PM

Sig M400 Carbine or Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3

I appreciate your opinions.

chadio · November 16, 2012, 01:45 PM

I'd suggest doing a little homework on reliability, customer service, and personally handling both rifles. Good luck, and I hope you have a good experience with an AR15. Whenever my friends / co-workers get a chance to shoot mine, they end up wanting one of some sort.

Wyosmith · November 16, 2012, 02:06 PM

I'd "buy" one of my own building.

Dr Big Bird PhD · November 16, 2012, 02:45 PM

I'll echo wyosmith. While i'm not completely building my own, I'm building a lower and then buying a completed upper. It'll feel a lot more like my /own/ weapon than just buying one off a shelf.

Edit: That being said I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on SigSauer ARs and mostly negative on Bushmaster.

CharlieDeltaJuliet · November 16, 2012, 02:52 PM

They are both good companies. I have shot many Bushmasters and liked them all. They are the number one provider of civilian AR's. on the other hand I really like the Sig. I have shot a buddies quite a bit. It seemed like a very good rifle. So much that I even though about picking one up at WalMart on Black Friday. You would be fine with either one. The key is to find the one that suits you the best.

Crow Hunter · November 16, 2012, 03:02 PM

Personally, neither.

I would go with a S&W M&P 15 over either in that price range if possible. (Or Spikes if available)

Or I would save up a little more and get a Colt 6920. ($1,099 at my local Wal-mart)

But, given the choice between the 2 you have listed, I would go with the Sig. Just because I have had so much bad luck with the Bushmasters in the past, even before they got bought out by Cerberus. (when the quality was supposed to be better)

9mm1033 · November 16, 2012, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Edit: That being said I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on SigSauer ARs and mostly negative on Bushmaster.

I must be a lucky guy, my Bushmaster M4A2 Carbine eats steel and brass and has never failed me.

I've never built and AR, but have read enough to realize, it can be a costly build, or an unsafe cheap build. Lots of AR stuff out there, do your research and don't believe everything you see on YouTube.

ripnbst · November 16, 2012, 03:07 PM

Of those two buy Sig.

GLK · November 16, 2012, 03:32 PM

I have no experience with the Sig M400 but with my past personal experience with Bushmaster

I would gamble on the Sig before ever going with Bushmaster again. Just out of curiosity why are you limited to those two choices?

CharlieDeltaJuliet · November 16, 2012, 03:37 PM

I have had nothing but great luck from Bushmaster and their support and company. I too though would pick a S&W M&P15 over either, simply because they are my favorite mass produced AR on the market.

plouffedaddy · November 16, 2012, 03:50 PM

If I had to pick one of those I'd get the Bushmaster but I wouldn't buy either.

Quentin2 · November 16, 2012, 07:03 PM

I wouldn't buy either one, there are better choices in the $900-1000 range. If you held my feet to the fire, then the SIG.

I've never bought a complete AR because it's so hard to find one configured exactly like you want. It can be done but odds are you need more than just two companies. I have built four nice ARs at that price point and have been pleased with each one. Quality parts were used for each.

DCunniff · November 23, 2012, 02:56 PM

Bushmaster and Sig are at my local Dunham's sporting goods store, may be same reason they were listed by dhawkins01. I had looked at the ones at Dunham recently.

I am going to a local gun shop at some point to see what he carries.

sam colt · November 23, 2012, 03:29 PM

Colt

Coltman 77 · November 23, 2012, 05:10 PM

Another vote for Colt here. The 6920 is currently selling for approximately $1150 at my LGS.

Colt has been making ARs for the military since 1963 and are the standard by which all other ARs are judged.

Good luck.

Sweet Shooter · November 23, 2012, 08:10 PM

The SIG M400 is my choice... there are too many good things about it. And that's why I have it over the others mentioned in this thread. It is very well finished etc and shoots MOA shockingly easily. Good use of chrome throughout the gun and it is immaculate.

The progressive 5R twist on the M&P comes close second for me. The Bushmasters I handled did not feel right. The SIG really is aimed at Military and Law Enforcement. That speaks volumes.

-SS-

madcratebuilder · November 24, 2012, 06:39 AM

Look at the Windham rifles, made by the same folks the produced to old Bushmasters.

http://www.windhamweaponry.com/

DCunniff · December 31, 2012, 08:45 PM

I grabbed a DPMS 16" optics-ready carbine recently.

As Dhawkins01 mentioned, he asked on Sig and Bushmaster. They were both in my local Dunhams. Did not go back lately to them, looks like Dunhams pulled guns from their flyers.

A few weeks ago there were more choices at LGS. Picked the DPMS from smaller pickings a couple weeks ago. Since then, the choices have been none to a couple each day.

dhawkins01 · December 31, 2012, 08:48 PM

I ended up with the Sig.

plouffedaddy · January 1, 2013, 12:16 AM

Thanks for the update. How does it shoot?

dhawkins01 · January 1, 2013, 12:21 AM

Bought it on Black Friday and unfortunately I haven't made it to the range yet.

Doc41 · January 1, 2013, 01:32 AM

No one has mentioned this rifle, but I bought a Ruger SR-556E and I've been very pleased with it. I can drive nails at 100 yards with it and it's functioned flawlessly. I really like it.

Marquezj16 · January 1, 2013, 04:40 AM

Quote:

I can drive nails at 100 yards with it

Challenge accepted!

ak2323 · January 1, 2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Edit: That being said I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on SigSauer ARs and mostly negative on Bushmaster.

Sigs are fine and Bushmaster is probably the most popular 'reasonably priced' AR supplier in the US. I've owned a couple of Bushies and shot several more and there was absolutely nothing wrong with them.

But they are ARs and a lot of people with zero clue have bought and continue to buy them. They then get their internet keyboard warrior armor on and say "Bushmaster sux, so happy I now have a Noevske'. Yawn.

November 16, 2012, 01:12 PM	#1
dhawkins01 Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Posts: 10	Which AR Rifle Would You Buy Sig M400 Carbine or Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3 I appreciate your opinions.

November 16, 2012, 01:45 PM	#2
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 621	I'd suggest doing a little homework on reliability, customer service, and personally handling both rifles. Good luck, and I hope you have a good experience with an AR15. Whenever my friends / co-workers get a chance to shoot mine, they end up wanting one of some sort. __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2 "No matter what you do with a striker gun, it still feels like a power stapler." - Gats Italian

November 16, 2012, 02:45 PM	#4
Dr Big Bird PhD Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 675	I'll echo wyosmith. While i'm not completely building my own, I'm building a lower and then buying a completed upper. It'll feel a lot more like my /own/ weapon than just buying one off a shelf. Edit: That being said I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on SigSauer ARs and mostly negative on Bushmaster. __________________ I told the new me, "Meet me at the bus station and hold a sign that reads: 'Today is the first day of the rest of your life.'" But the old me met me with a sign that read: "Welcome back." Who you are is not a function of where you are. -Off Minor

November 16, 2012, 02:52 PM	#5
CharlieDeltaJuliet Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2012 Posts: 425	They are both good companies. I have shot many Bushmasters and liked them all. They are the number one provider of civilian AR's. on the other hand I really like the Sig. I have shot a buddies quite a bit. It seemed like a very good rifle. So much that I even though about picking one up at WalMart on Black Friday. You would be fine with either one. The key is to find the one that suits you the best. __________________ " The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government...." - Thomas Jefferson

November 16, 2012, 03:02 PM	#6
Crow Hunter Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2012 Posts: 1,078	Personally, neither. I would go with a S&W M&P 15 over either in that price range if possible. (Or Spikes if available) Or I would save up a little more and get a Colt 6920. ($1,099 at my local Wal-mart) But, given the choice between the 2 you have listed, I would go with the Sig. Just because I have had so much bad luck with the Bushmasters in the past, even before they got bought out by Cerberus. (when the quality was supposed to be better) __________________ I am no longer participating in gun forums. Good luck.

November 16, 2012, 02:06 PM	#3
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 600	I'd "buy" one of my own building.

November 16, 2012, 03:07 PM	#8
ripnbst Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,038	Of those two buy Sig.

November 16, 2012, 03:32 PM	#9
GLK Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2000 Location: Brandon FL USA Posts: 435	I have no experience with the Sig M400 but with my past personal experience with Bushmaster I would gamble on the Sig before ever going with Bushmaster again. Just out of curiosity why are you limited to those two choices? __________________ Married to my hero and best friend and the proud father of two beautiful adult children

November 16, 2012, 03:37 PM	#10
CharlieDeltaJuliet Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2012 Posts: 425	I have had nothing but great luck from Bushmaster and their support and company. I too though would pick a S&W M&P15 over either, simply because they are my favorite mass produced AR on the market. __________________ " The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in Government...." - Thomas Jefferson

November 16, 2012, 03:50 PM	#11
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,962	If I had to pick one of those I'd get the Bushmaster but I wouldn't buy either. __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

November 16, 2012, 07:03 PM	#12
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,243	I wouldn't buy either one, there are better choices in the $900-1000 range. If you held my feet to the fire, then the SIG. I've never bought a complete AR because it's so hard to find one configured exactly like you want. It can be done but odds are you need more than just two companies. I have built four nice ARs at that price point and have been pleased with each one. Quality parts were used for each.

November 23, 2012, 02:56 PM	#13
DCunniff Member Join Date: March 24, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 24	Bushmaster and Sig are at my local Dunham's sporting goods store, may be same reason they were listed by dhawkins01. I had looked at the ones at Dunham recently. I am going to a local gun shop at some point to see what he carries.

November 23, 2012, 03:29 PM	#14
sam colt Member Join Date: February 12, 2012 Location: nc Posts: 88	Colt

November 23, 2012, 05:10 PM	#15
Coltman 77 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,224	Another vote for Colt here. The 6920 is currently selling for approximately $1150 at my LGS. Colt has been making ARs for the military since 1963 and are the standard by which all other ARs are judged. Good luck. __________________ "A man can be destroyed but not defeated". Ernest Hemingway Protect our 2nd Amendment Rights -- Join the NRA

November 23, 2012, 08:10 PM	#16
Sweet Shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2011 Posts: 391	The SIG M400 is my choice... there are too many good things about it. And that's why I have it over the others mentioned in this thread. It is very well finished etc and shoots MOA shockingly easily. Good use of chrome throughout the gun and it is immaculate. The progressive 5R twist on the M&P comes close second for me. The Bushmasters I handled did not feel right. The SIG really is aimed at Military and Law Enforcement. That speaks volumes. -SS-

November 24, 2012, 06:39 AM	#17
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,867	Look at the Windham rifles, made by the same folks the produced to old Bushmasters. http://www.windhamweaponry.com/

December 31, 2012, 08:45 PM	#18
DCunniff Member Join Date: March 24, 2007 Location: WI Posts: 24	I grabbed a DPMS 16" optics-ready carbine recently. As Dhawkins01 mentioned, he asked on Sig and Bushmaster. They were both in my local Dunhams. Did not go back lately to them, looks like Dunhams pulled guns from their flyers. A few weeks ago there were more choices at LGS. Picked the DPMS from smaller pickings a couple weeks ago. Since then, the choices have been none to a couple each day.

December 31, 2012, 08:48 PM	#19
dhawkins01 Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Posts: 10	I ended up with the Sig.

January 1, 2013, 12:16 AM	#20
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,962	Thanks for the update. How does it shoot? __________________ Mrgunsngear's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

January 1, 2013, 12:21 AM	#21
dhawkins01 Junior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Posts: 10	Bought it on Black Friday and unfortunately I haven't made it to the range yet.

January 1, 2013, 01:32 AM	#22
Doc41 Junior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Aurora, Colorado Posts: 10	Ruger SR-556E No one has mentioned this rifle, but I bought a Ruger SR-556E and I've been very pleased with it. I can drive nails at 100 yards with it and it's functioned flawlessly. I really like it.