Colt vs BCM

DoctorDeath · November 12, 2015, 01:42 AM

If you could only have one AR, which company would you go with if price isn't a factor?

Xfire68 · November 12, 2015, 04:18 AM

There are so many great AR companies these days.Your list is too short.

Either one of those is a fine choice. I like the option of building my own.

Model12Win · November 12, 2015, 12:59 PM

Colt.

There can be only one. If it isn't a Colt, it is an imitation. If it doesn't wear the Pony, it's not worth you time. Same for M1911s.

stagpanther · November 12, 2015, 01:01 PM

My favorite is the one that goes "bang" when you pull the trigger.

DoctorDeath · November 12, 2015, 02:00 PM

I'm sure I'll rustle some feathers with this, but... I was planning on buying a Colt but I keep hearing about quality control issues. Most of them are cosmetic, but I'm with the "if I'm spending $1,000+ I want it to look nice also" group.

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 02:38 PM

I would not get either of these. I have a Colt 6920LE "Law Enforcement Carbine" which i picked up around 2006-2007. It is a great rifle. I put a rail on it changed out the stock, grip and the rear sight. It has had many different scopes on it at one time or another. Eotech, ACOG, Tri-power & now a Aim Point Pro all of which had their strengths and weakness. I would not trade it but if I was buying today I would not get a Colt 9620. If I was going to buy an inexpensive AR15, under $1000, There are so many good rifles it is almost impossible to pick a bad one. Colt 6920 current model should be a $850 OTD IMHO. You can get the naked one for about $700.

There are rifles with better setups right out of the box these days. If I were going to buy a Colt I would but a naked Colt and put what I want on it. If money is not an issue I would get a LWRC. Piston driven with a 14.5, with pinned flash hider, or 16" barrel to stay under SBR regs. It is a better rifle in just about every aspect. IHMO You can get them for about $1700. Almost double the Colt but a better gun if you are only going to own one.

DoctorDeath · November 12, 2015, 02:44 PM

Well, money is an issue lol. I just said that because I want people to choose between them based on quality, not on price. What is the best AR that I can get for around $1,000? I don't mind buying uppers and lowers, but I don't want to assemble anything.

rickyrick · November 12, 2015, 02:49 PM

I'd like to add a "build your own" write in vote as well.

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoctorDeath

Well, money is an issue lol. I just said that because I want people to choose between them based on quality, not on price. What is the best AR that I can get for around $1,000? I don't mind buying uppers and lowers, but I don't want to assemble anything.

Answering a few questions might help us help you.

-What are you going to do with the rifle? Just plinking? 3 gun? Home defense?

-Also what ranges are you going to be shooting it at? under 100 yards. 100- 300 yards?

-Do you enjoy cleaning your guns. DI will run much dirtier than a piston.

-Do you want a classic look or do you want a tricked out tactical cool look?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickyrick

I'd like to add a "build your own" write in vote as well.

OP does not want to build a rifle.

Quentin2 · November 12, 2015, 03:14 PM

I'm in the build your own, exactly to your specs, camp. But either Colt or BCM would be excellent choices for a complete factory AR. If limited to just the two poll choices I'd go with BCM.

Still, I'd love to have a Colt M4 lower with a BCM 16" midlength upper!

chadio · November 12, 2015, 03:23 PM

... vs. Noveske vs. LaRue vs. LMT vs. RRA...

Colt is absolutely not the only rifle manufacturer who builds a great fighting and recreational rifle ... it's the Harley Davidson mentality, and I'm thankful that I don't have it. There is nothing wrong with a Colt, it's the attitude that is defective

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 03:31 PM

Quote:

... vs. Noveske vs. LaRue vs. LMT vs. RRA...

Great names an great rifles but not going to get OTD under or even at $1000.

DoctorDeath · November 12, 2015, 03:33 PM

@WVsig - I want it to be a multi purpose rifle. Unfortunately I don't have thousands laying around that I can buy 2 or 3 nice ARs with, so this will be my one and only. I don't care how it looks. As far as DI vs piston, I want DI. I don't mind it being dirty, and that's the way that Stoner made them. The pistons are probably pretty cool, but that's just my preference.

Eazyeach · November 12, 2015, 04:16 PM

I must abstain from voting. I have a colt m4 and a BCM middie upper on a S&W lower. Got about $900 in each setup. No complaints about either. You literally can't go wrong. As to the Colt quality issues, fuhgetaboutit!! I've never had any problems with any pony I've ever owned.

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 05:37 PM

At the sub $1000 range for an all around rifle between the BCM and the Colt it is a toss up. 99% probability you are going to get a great rifle.

It comes down to configuration. Which one do you like better. Look at what is attached to the rifle from each company and pick the one which has the accessories you like best.

Also don't forget about budgeting for a nice optic.

rickyrick · November 12, 2015, 05:38 PM

Quote:

OP does not want to build a rifle

Yes, unfortunately I wrote that when the post first appeared, then I had my electronics freeze, and the post didn't show up until quite sometime later... I saw that the OP didn't want to build but it was too late.

I did vote BCM

Assembling a rifle is incredibly easy and fun... As long as shipping don't get you over budget.
If I had a choice I'd go BCM

turtlehead · November 12, 2015, 06:07 PM

BCM all day long.

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 07:12 PM

I would also check out the LMT which can be had for $1149.

http://www.rainierarms.com/rifle-lmt...odel-std-stock

Another thing to consider is that a BCM or a LMT is going to cost you more than $850 the Colt will cost you. With the difference you could get a sight like a Aim Point or an Eotech.

OP said price does not matter but it really does. So for basically the same money as the BCM or LMT you can have the Colt with a capable sight.

I know we all want the "best" but honestly so few of us push our gear to the limit where the rifle at this price point is the failure point. If you are not kicking in doors with this rifle I think the Colt will serve you well. Even if you do I think it would serve you well and right now they are as cheap as they will ever be. IMHO YMMV

G.barnes · November 12, 2015, 07:15 PM

Bcm with a midlength gas system. Unless your going less than a 16 inch barrel. Colt is a fine rifle but, it doesn't mean there isn't better.

marine6680 · November 12, 2015, 09:49 PM

I prefer mid gas, so I don't go for Colts... good rifles though. They do seem to come banged up cosmetically more often than other brands with their lower priced options anyway... the more expensive builds seem better in that area. So if that matters to you then inspect the rifle well before buying.

BCM makes an excellent rifle. You don't have to build a BCM ground up to save money... buy their complete lower, then order one of their complete uppers online. Two push pins later and you get a good rifle for less than a complete one would cost. You can even get a basic setup without free float and total cost would be around $1000. Free float will add $150+.

And technically, FN has access to the technical package, so they are producing true milspec stuff now too.

WVsig · November 12, 2015, 10:03 PM

Quote:

And technically, FN has access to the technical package, so they are producing true milspec stuff now too.

The FNs are also now being sold to the commerical market. They can be had for about $850. I think the current Colt 6920 is a better setup because of the Magpul stuff that comes on the rifle.

Xfire68 · November 12, 2015, 10:17 PM

Daniel Defense, LMT, Spikes Tactical, S&W, Rock River, Del-Ton and a number of others all make good and even great quality AR's.

It comes down to budget and features you are interested in. Basic plinker's are as cheap as $650 to a high end AR running at $4500.

I picked up my S&W M&P 15 For $600 and then got a $100 rebate from S&W for being a vet. The others I built with high quality parts.

Dirty_Harry · November 12, 2015, 10:29 PM

BCM has better options, so I would lean that direction.

It's a toss up for the most part though.

Tomas · November 13, 2015, 08:31 AM

I carried a Colt in the Marines...and it saved my bacon - if there is a better reason to buy something else I haven't heard it yet.

BCM is a jarhead owned company, and I love that. Still, I'm loyal to fault, I guess. I own a Colt.

mxsailor803 · November 13, 2015, 08:37 AM

Neither. Build your own. Configure it the way YOU want it and not what some company thinks others want.

November 12, 2015, 01:42 AM	#1
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	Colt vs BCM If you could only have one AR, which company would you go with if price isn't a factor?

November 12, 2015, 04:18 AM	#2
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	There are so many great AR companies these days.Your list is too short. Either one of those is a fine choice. I like the option of building my own. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

November 12, 2015, 12:59 PM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	It has to have the Pony Colt. There can be only one. If it isn't a Colt, it is an imitation. If it doesn't wear the Pony, it's not worth you time. Same for M1911s.

November 12, 2015, 01:01 PM	#4
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,786	My favorite is the one that goes "bang" when you pull the trigger. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

November 12, 2015, 02:38 PM	#6
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	I would not get either of these. I have a Colt 6920LE "Law Enforcement Carbine" which i picked up around 2006-2007. It is a great rifle. I put a rail on it changed out the stock, grip and the rear sight. It has had many different scopes on it at one time or another. Eotech, ACOG, Tri-power & now a Aim Point Pro all of which had their strengths and weakness. I would not trade it but if I was buying today I would not get a Colt 9620. If I was going to buy an inexpensive AR15, under $1000, There are so many good rifles it is almost impossible to pick a bad one. Colt 6920 current model should be a $850 OTD IMHO. You can get the naked one for about $700. There are rifles with better setups right out of the box these days. If I were going to buy a Colt I would but a naked Colt and put what I want on it. If money is not an issue I would get a LWRC. Piston driven with a 14.5, with pinned flash hider, or 16" barrel to stay under SBR regs. It is a better rifle in just about every aspect. IHMO You can get them for about $1700. Almost double the Colt but a better gun if you are only going to own one. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

View Poll Results: Colt vs BCM
Colt	33	51.56%
BCM	31	48.44%
Voters: 64. You may not vote on this poll

November 12, 2015, 02:00 PM	#5
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	I'm sure I'll rustle some feathers with this, but... I was planning on buying a Colt but I keep hearing about quality control issues. Most of them are cosmetic, but I'm with the "if I'm spending $1,000+ I want it to look nice also" group.

November 12, 2015, 02:44 PM	#7
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	Well, money is an issue lol. I just said that because I want people to choose between them based on quality, not on price. What is the best AR that I can get for around $1,000? I don't mind buying uppers and lowers, but I don't want to assemble anything.

November 12, 2015, 02:49 PM	#8
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	I'd like to add a "build your own" write in vote as well. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 12, 2015, 03:14 PM	#10
Quentin2 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Location: NorthWest USA Posts: 1,996	I'm in the build your own, exactly to your specs, camp. But either Colt or BCM would be excellent choices for a complete factory AR. If limited to just the two poll choices I'd go with BCM. Still, I'd love to have a Colt M4 lower with a BCM 16" midlength upper!

November 12, 2015, 03:23 PM	#11
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	... vs. Noveske vs. LaRue vs. LMT vs. RRA... Colt is absolutely not the only rifle manufacturer who builds a great fighting and recreational rifle ... it's the Harley Davidson mentality, and I'm thankful that I don't have it. There is nothing wrong with a Colt, it's the attitude that is defective __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

November 12, 2015, 03:33 PM	#13
DoctorDeath Member Join Date: May 30, 2015 Posts: 55	@WVsig - I want it to be a multi purpose rifle. Unfortunately I don't have thousands laying around that I can buy 2 or 3 nice ARs with, so this will be my one and only. I don't care how it looks. As far as DI vs piston, I want DI. I don't mind it being dirty, and that's the way that Stoner made them. The pistons are probably pretty cool, but that's just my preference.

November 12, 2015, 04:16 PM	#14
Eazyeach Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2014 Posts: 706	I must abstain from voting. I have a colt m4 and a BCM middie upper on a S&W lower. Got about $900 in each setup. No complaints about either. You literally can't go wrong. As to the Colt quality issues, fuhgetaboutit!! I've never had any problems with any pony I've ever owned.

November 12, 2015, 05:37 PM	#15
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	At the sub $1000 range for an all around rifle between the BCM and the Colt it is a toss up. 99% probability you are going to get a great rifle. It comes down to configuration. Which one do you like better. Look at what is attached to the rifle from each company and pick the one which has the accessories you like best. Also don't forget about budgeting for a nice optic. __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

November 12, 2015, 06:07 PM	#17
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	BCM all day long.

November 12, 2015, 07:12 PM	#18
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	I would also check out the LMT which can be had for $1149. http://www.rainierarms.com/rifle-lmt...odel-std-stock Another thing to consider is that a BCM or a LMT is going to cost you more than $850 the Colt will cost you. With the difference you could get a sight like a Aim Point or an Eotech. OP said price does not matter but it really does. So for basically the same money as the BCM or LMT you can have the Colt with a capable sight. I know we all want the "best" but honestly so few of us push our gear to the limit where the rifle at this price point is the failure point. If you are not kicking in doors with this rifle I think the Colt will serve you well. Even if you do I think it would serve you well and right now they are as cheap as they will ever be. IMHO YMMV __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle Last edited by WVsig; November 12, 2015 at 07:20 PM.

November 12, 2015, 07:15 PM	#19
G.barnes Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2011 Posts: 182	Bcm with a midlength gas system. Unless your going less than a 16 inch barrel. Colt is a fine rifle but, it doesn't mean there isn't better.

November 12, 2015, 09:49 PM	#20
marine6680 Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2012 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 4,594	I prefer mid gas, so I don't go for Colts... good rifles though. They do seem to come banged up cosmetically more often than other brands with their lower priced options anyway... the more expensive builds seem better in that area. So if that matters to you then inspect the rifle well before buying. BCM makes an excellent rifle. You don't have to build a BCM ground up to save money... buy their complete lower, then order one of their complete uppers online. Two push pins later and you get a good rifle for less than a complete one would cost. You can even get a basic setup without free float and total cost would be around $1000. Free float will add $150+. And technically, FN has access to the technical package, so they are producing true milspec stuff now too.

November 12, 2015, 10:17 PM	#22
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,562	Daniel Defense, LMT, Spikes Tactical, S&W, Rock River, Del-Ton and a number of others all make good and even great quality AR's. It comes down to budget and features you are interested in. Basic plinker's are as cheap as $650 to a high end AR running at $4500. I picked up my S&W M&P 15 For $600 and then got a $100 rebate from S&W for being a vet. The others I built with high quality parts. __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

November 12, 2015, 10:29 PM	#23
Dirty_Harry Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2006 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,484	BCM has better options, so I would lean that direction. It's a toss up for the most part though. __________________ "The only purpose for a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you never should have laid down." "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." -John Wayne

November 13, 2015, 08:31 AM	#24
Tomas Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 1999 Location: Blue State Posts: 441	I carried a Colt in the Marines...and it saved my bacon - if there is a better reason to buy something else I haven't heard it yet. BCM is a jarhead owned company, and I love that. Still, I'm loyal to fault, I guess. I own a Colt.

November 13, 2015, 08:37 AM	#25
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	Neither. Build your own. Configure it the way YOU want it and not what some company thinks others want.