Core 15 M-4

[thatguy]

Hey everybody,

This is my first time posting on this forum so I hope it's in the right place, I apologize if its not.

I have been researching and reviewing AR-15s for about 2 months now and I have finally decided on a choice. Im going with the Core 15 M-4 rifle. The main thing I wanted in an AR was .223/5.56 capabilities, chrome lined barrel and m4 feed ramps. The Core offers those options and much more. For the price and everything that is on the rifle I think it's a good deal. I have read reviews on this rifle and they are good. The MSRP of the rifle is $899 but my local dealer has them for $710..$758 out the door. What do you think about the rifle and the price? Is it good? Any info is appreciated

Here is a link to the webpage of the rifle- http://www.core15rifles.com/core15-m4-rifle-100278.html

[Xfire68]

Welcome to the forum and this should be in Semi auto rifle forum just a heads up.

I don't have any experience with the Core 15 but it looks to be a good buy with great specs.

Your going to be hard pressed these days to find a AR 15 with a .223 only camber so that part of your requirements is not hard to fill.

Chrome lined barrels are not a must for normal sport shooters but, I don't frown on them either if your getting it at these prices.

If I were in the market for a new AR 15 I would most certainly be considering a Core 15 as a option.

[Sport45]

Welcome to the forum!

The rifle looks good. Keep in mind the 1:7 twist may or may not shoot the widely available 55gr FMJ ammo well. The 62gr and heavier stuff should work fine.

[No_Use_]

I have one of these... the Core15 M4 MOE version with all the black Magpul goodies on it.

Love it so far!

Clean and lube it well at first before the 1st use.

Can't go wrong with the Core

[Mrgunsngear]

All reports of these rifles I've seen so far seem pretty positive. For the money they seem like a good choice.

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

I handled my first Core 15 rifle last week. I was impressed. It seemed like a very well built rifle. I have yet to shoot one, but added it to my list of "rifles I want to shoot". Let us know if you get one, and how it does for you.

[thatguy]

Thanks for all the responses,

I can't wait to pick it up wednesday. After I get it and shoot it I'll get back on here and let everyone know how it went. Im excited

[BillyJack3]

Nice rifle and on my short list. the 1:7 twist will shoot 55 grain all day long. It's all I shoot out of mine and very accurate.

[Osanagokoro]

I'm irate with my Core 15. If I could, I'd return it and get my money back. It's been a problem since I got it and Core 15 is blissfully unavailable to honor their warranty.

I bought my Core 15 a month ago. Chrome barrel, 1:9 twist, basic general AR-15. It was my first AR-15. Tempted to say it will be my last AR-15. Finally took it to the range on Tuesday and the gun wouldn't chamber at first. When I did get it to chamber, the bolt would not slide all the way forward. After that, the round wouldn't come out of the barrel and had to have the range marshal observe as I took apart the rifle to pull out the unfired round. Imagine my humiliation as, after putting the rifle back together, with the range marshal supervising to make sure it was done proper, the rifle still didn't chamber. Their gunsmith happened to be kind enough to lend me a few rounds of another brand of ammo (was shooting Federal .223 and he lent me some PMC) to see if it was a bad magazine or bad ammo. Rifle still didn't work. Their gunsmith was even kind enough to look the gun over to see if it was oiled properly or if a screw was backwards someplace.

I got home from the range and called Core 15. This was Tuesday. I understand this is the holidays and all, but their shop was open. I got their voice mail, left a message. No response. Called back next day- voicemail twice, got a secretary once who told me the person I had to talk to was out to lunch and she'd be sure he got my message. No response. Thursday, tried sending an email and calling. Friday, get up and find an email saying my email to Core 15 bounced. I called again, get some-one else's secretary who transfers me to the GTO store (sports store evidently associated with Core15), and THEY tried to send me to some-one else but when I called back, got voice mail.

I'd suggest getting another brand if you haven't already bought it. Being a fellow craftsman, I'm always for supporting a small business, but this isn't how you retain happy customers. Maybe they should put more time into looking at the rifle they're putting in the box rather than the Core 15 Bumper Stickers and dog tags. Also in the box, a warranty card reminding me to register my Kobalt Tools Socket Set but... I guess that is how you know it is hand made. I don't know. You can just see it in the picture beneath the Core 15 manual.

Edit- I'm being harsh, yes. I am frustrated at this point. Holidays or not, when I drop a grand on a rifle I expect it to work. I especially hate the idea of that rifle I just spent a grand on, being brand new, is nothing better than a glorified costume prop. Doubly so coming from a company whose sole point of sale is their guarantee.

[Xanith]

I purchased a core15 rifle from a local gunshop as it was one of the only rifles they had left (maybe this should have told me something). All the specs were not included with the rifle so I sent a message asking if they could give me the exact specs based on the model number, etc. This was on Wednesday and I have yet to hear back as well. I'm not even sure if the gun works since I haven't taken it to the range yet but I can attest that they really need to work on their customer service and getting back to customers. Even during the holidays it shouldn't take more than 1-2 days to get back to a customer.

[sailskidrive]

I'm sure you'll get it worked out. Most of the manufacturers/assemblers are totally slammed right now due to the "gold rush" on guns. Additionally, this is also the busiest time of year for retailers; so a lot of these places are experiencing a perfect storm.

All of the specs for your gun on the Core 15 website look like they are using the typical quality parts which for the most part are fungible. Most of the machine shops cranking out these parts having been doing it for quite some time and it's rare that you hear about something being way out of spec.

Did you clean and lube the gun before you took it to the range for the first time?

Your description of the problem seems to point to an issue with either the chamber dimensions or possible an issue with the extractor. Maybe you should post a few pics of the feed ramps and the front of the bolt on here as there are a lot of knowledgeable members who can probably assist.

[Osanagokoro]

Cleaned and oiled it. As I said, had the gunsmith and range master observe my dis-assembly and reassembly when at the range. I'm doing that bit right.

Commented in another thread about finding metal shavings in there when cleaning which left me... concerned... when I first got it. Here's a pic of said metal shavings just so it doesn't seem like I'm doing the 'omg i r hater troll lol' thing. Forgot to mention that because ... well, I forgot.

Mind you, this gun was brand new in box. My gun shop handed the gun to me- still in UPS box- and had to open it to get the serial number for the background check. Between the Kobalt warranty card, the metal shavings and the complete lack of response of their customer service, I'm not happy.

I can excuse 'hey we're busy. Sorry about that' but not 'Um so you have a broken gun brand new out of the box? Let me transfer you to some-one else's voice mail who won't ever call you back.' Call it a perfect storm if you like, but they threw me a lead life vest then rowed off.

Edit- grammar fix

[tomrkba]

What ended up happening with the gun? Did the company fix it?

Tempted to say it will be my last AR-15.

Buy a Bravo Company Manufacturing Mid Length Mod 0 or a Colt 6920.

[Fishbed77]

Keep in mind the 1:7 twist may or may not shoot the widely available 55gr FMJ ammo well.

Pure phooey. A 1:7 twist barrel will shoot 55 grain bullets just fine.

[notinuse]

I read a few good reviews from a while back and bought a Core 15 in 2014 with Magpul furniture. The upper didn't fit well, ridiculously wobbly fit, so I'd say their quality is slipping.

[Jeff2131]

Ive had a core15 for 2 years now, ive put close to 10,000 rounds through, mostly 55gr fmjBT. Ive beat the crap out of that rifle, and its stick kicking like the day i got it. I love that gun, and havent had a single shred of trouble with it. Factory and reloads alike, it chambers and.fires every round. Ive even put 1000 rohnds through it before cleaning and i had not issues. Well built and shoots just fine for my once a week trip to the range.

[bitttorrrent]

Has their customer service improved?

I was thinking of ordering some parts to start an ar build, but not if they will not answer email and the phone.

[thedudeabides]

Has their customer service improved?

I was thinking of ordering some parts to start an ar build, but not if they will not answer email and the phone.

Most of their customer base just drives to their shop in Ocala.

I bought one of their M4's back when the company was just starting up.

It used to be a better deal for the money, but now their prices have normalized with everything else on the market.

Still, if you're in north central Florida, it's a good custom-ish AR shop to have in your back yard.