The AR-15 is the one of the top selling rifles in the U.S. One of the reasons for it’s popularity is the almost limitless number of parts and configurations available from manufacturers.
You can literally customize your AR-15 exactly to your personal specifications. This includes the stock, magazines, sights, barrel, and more.
In this article I’m going to cover some of the most popular configurations from some of the best AR-15 brands in the world. Each has a specific purpose in mind.
11 Best AR-15 Rifle Reviews
| Name of Product | Weight | Barrel Length | Capacity | Chambered Cartridge | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sig Sauer M400 | 6.5 lbs | 16 inch | 30+1 | .223 Rem/5.56 Nato | $$$$ |
| Aero Precision | 6.25 lbs | 16 inch | 30+1 | 5.56 Nato | $$$ |
| Daniel Defense DDM4 | 6.25 lbs | 14.5 inch | 30+1 | .223 Rem/5.56 Nato | $$$$ |
| Colt LE6920 | 6.3 lbs | 16.1 inch | 30+1 | .223 Rem/5.56 Nato | $$$ |
| Anderson .300 Blackout | 6.2 lbs | 16 inch | 30+1 | 300 AAC Blackout | $$$ |
| Bravo Recce | 6.3 lbs | 14.5 inch | 30+1 | 5.56 Nato | $$$$ |
| Smith & Wesson 6.5 Creedmoor | 9.05 lbs | 20 inch | 10+1 | 6.5 Creedmoor | $$$$ |
| LWRC SPC Patriot | 7.25 lbs | 16 inch | 30+1 | 6.8mm Special | $$$$ |
| LWRC DI | 6.7 lbs | 16.1 inch | 30+1 | 5.56 Nato | $$$$ |
| DPMS Oracle Firearms | 6.4 lbs | 16 inch | 30+1 | 5.56 Nato | $$$ |
| Smith & Wesson 308 Winchester | 7.71 lbs | 18 inch | 20 | 308 Winchester | $$$$ |
Sig Sauer M400 Tactical Rifle Review
First and foremost, the popular Sig Sauer M400 is engineered and machined to meet the requirements set by the military and law enforcement. If you’re wondering, the Sig Sauer firearm is very well-known for its tight tolerances in which the upper and lower receiver are properly aligned and tightly fitted against each other (very little to no gap indeed) to provide you with the optimal shooting performance.
Moreover, it is equipped with a 16 inch barrel meanwhile the overall length measures in between 32.5 to 35.75 inches (the overall length varies since the stock is adjustable). Speaking about the barrel, it is nitride treated with a 1:7 twist rate rifling for enhanced accuracy due to the tighter twisting.
For your information, the twist rate refers to rate of spin of the barrel and functions to stabilize the bullets. So, the 1:7 twist rate means that the rifling will rotate one revolution in 7 inches. Also, the solid 16 inch barrel is chrome lined as well as phosphate coated which comes in handy to improve the corrosion resistance, therefore increasing the durability of the barrel, in the long run.
There is a free-floating sling attachment so you get to pin/clip your sling onto it, for easier transportation and simple portability. In fact, I usually put the sling around my shoulder before firing the shot for better grip and security. Its 4 grip design on the other hand allows the addition of rails not forgetting, accessories such as flashlights. Meanwhile, the flat rail on the top enables you to attach an optic or red dot sight.
In addition to that, this product is available in 2 options. The first (ECP) includes the black flip-up polymer Magpul MOE forend, grip, collapsible stock as well as rear sight whereas the second (ECP-FDE) consists of a matte black hard-coat anodized lower and upper receiver, together with a Magpul MOE FDE handguard, flip-up rear sight, grip and telescoping stock. Also, it includes the 30 round Magpul PMAG magazine.
The M400 has a flash suppressor (also known as flash hider) which plays an important role to disperse the burning gases emitted from the barrel, therefore limiting the amount of flash viewed by the user, when the rifle is fired. On top of that, it is rather lightweight compared to other rifles, with light recoil. It has a rubber butt pad behind the stock but since the recoil is minimum, there won’t be much difference.
Furthermore, the AR-15 lower receiver is forged and is constructed from the solid 7075-T6 aircraft grade aluminium material. Just so you know, the 7075-T6 is a stronger version of the 6061-T6 aluminum. Moving on, this AR-15 firearm holds your scope well, thereby providing you with accurate shots with tighter groups.
You can replace the trigger if you want for a better and smoother trigger pull, for added convenience. All in all, it consists of the direct impingement gas-operating system that comes with a rotating locking bolt.
Suitable for :
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- Nitride treated barrel (16 inch)
- Direct impingement action
- Flash suppressor
- 4 grip design
- 7075-T6 forged lower receiver
Aero Precision Mid-Length Firearm
This Aero-Precision weapon is known as the budget friendly AR-15. Why is that so? It is mainly because you need to do some assembly work yourself. In other words, you are given the core components for you to get started on the assembly. All you need to do is simply install the rear sight or optic, grab the existing magazine and you’re good to go.
It chambers the 5.56 Nato cartridge. Before beginning, you should know that the AR-15 is divided into the upper and lower receiver. For the upper receiver, it consists of a mid-length gas and barrel system. For your information, the length of the gas system is the length between the gas port and receiver. And since it is mid-length, the barrel is shorter, so you are granted a short dwell time.
That being said, the barrel measures 16 inches in total (overall length is 32 inch) and has a barrel twist rate of 1:7, with the M4 feed ramp. The M4 feed ramp consists of the modification of two feed ramps that functions to guide the casing and bullet nose into the breach of chamber. The barrel on the other hand is machined from the 4150 chromemoly vanadium steel, then treated with the QPQ corrosion-resistant finish, which improves its durability.
The barrel thread pitch (sharp, corkscrew section at the end of the barrel) measures ½ -28 inch and includes an A2 flash suppressor which functions to cool and disperse the burning gas from barrel to provide you with better and clearer sight, since the flash is reduced.
Besides that, the carrier group features the 8620 steel carrier that includes the phosphate finish as well as chrome lining, to provide excellent corrosion resistance. It is also paired with the solid and properly-stacked gas key. Meanwhile, the bolt is high pressure tested as well as magnetic particle inspected not forgetting, machined from the Carpenter 158 material, leading to its solid and durable construction.
Not only that, the standard carbine polymer handguards are included with this AR-15 upper receiver. Moving on to the lower receiver, it is forged from the solid and tough 7075-T6 aluminum material. By forged I mean that the hot aluminum is hammered into its designated shape then heat treated for improved durability.
Furthermore, it comes with a flared magazine well and a solid upper tension screw. The flared magazine ensures easier insertion of the mag at all times, which especially provides assistance during low light conditions. The upper tension screw on the other hand holds the upper and lower receiver tightly with no space in between for optimum performance.
All in all, this AR-15 firearm has an A2 flash suppressor at the muzzle, A2 sight tower gas block, flat top receiver for optics/sights, M4 style basic butt-stock and solid pistol grip, similar to that of a military weapon.
Suitable for :
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- Flared magazine well
- Mid-length barrel and gas system
- A2 flash hider
- Standard carbine polymer hand-guards
Daniel Defense DDM4
Weighing 6.25 pounds, the Daniel Defense DDM4 is a solid AR-15 rifle that is very well worth your investment. In terms of finish, it is equipped with a matte black hard coat anodized finish which comes in handy to ensure its ultimate resistance to corrosion, when in contact with rain or moisture in the atmosphere. So, what makes it special?
First things first, its pistol grip comes with a solid rubber over-molding, with a nice and textured feel to ensure that you have a solid grip on it when firing your shot. Apart from that, it incorporates a beveled trigger guard so you are able to shoot with your gloves on, according to your preference. It has tight tolerances as well, in which there is only very little to no gap between the top rail and the upper receiver itself.
Furthermore, there is a rear QD sling swivel attachment point; one at the front and back with limited rotation so the sling doesn’t get twisted easily when you change your holding positions. Meanwhile, the free-float rail system comes in handy so you are able to attach any Picatinny rails or additional items such as flashlight.
Moving on to the barrel, it is made from the cold hammer forged construction. The barrel length measures 16 inch with 1:7 twist rate, meanwhile the overall length ranges from 31.5 to 34.75 inches. Speaking about the twist rate, the barrel will spin the bullet one revolution in 10 inches. The theory is rather straightforward where the lower the number of twist, the faster the twist rate (faster bullet spin).
That being said, fast twist barrels are mostly used for longer bullets. In addition to that, the barrel is chrome lined and constructed with chrome-moly vanadium steel government profile to improve its corrosion resistance. The Daniel Defense flash suppressor functions to keep the muzzle clear in a jiffy, from the burning gases, therefore providing you a clear sight with minimal flash.
My favorite part about the Daniel Defense rifle is that it is equipped with the unique DDM4 rail that offers maximum attachment options. In other words, you are able to attach multiple Picatinny rail continuously at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock attachment, according to your preference. The handrail on the other hand is rather solid and durable as it is CNC-machined using 6061-T6 aluminum metal.
Apart from that, the single-pinned low profile gas block is taper-reamed, drilled and press-fitted in order for the barrel assembly to be attached. The mid-length gas system on the other hand allows for quick and precise shots.
A Magpul PMAG 30 round magazine is also included upon the purchase of this product. The butt-stock, pistol grip and vertical grip is rather comfortable and durable. The cheek weld on the butt-stock is very smooth and comfy to place your face at, when you’re shooting.
Suitable for :
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- DDM4 rail
- Cold hammer forged & chrome lined barrel
- Beveled trigger guard
- Single-pinned low profile gas block
Colt LE6920 Semi-Auto
The Colt LE6920 is pretty much the civilian counterpart of the combat-proven M4 rifle because they have so many similarities. In fact, the M4 name is stamped onto the lower receiver of this product, beside its serial number. That being said, the only major difference between this product and the fully military and combat-style rifle is that, this semi-automatic rifle has a longer barrel.
Apart from that, its barrel is chrome-lined and constructed with the combination of vanadium and steel metal, therefore contributing to its corrosion-free characteristic and further ensuring that it is durable at all times. Based on specifications, the barrel measures 16.1 inches in length and has a twist rate of 1:7.
The overall rifle has a matte black hard coat anodized finish with manganese phosphate coating. The stock on the other hand consists of the matte black Magpul M4 4-position stock. Since it’s 4-position, this collapsible stock is adjustable hence why the overall length varies between 32 to 35.5 inches. Also, it chambers both the 5.56 Nato and .223 Remington cartridges.
Moreover, the presence of the muzzle compensator lowers the muzzle rise, therefore keeping you accurate during rapid fire. This is because the compensator is a muzzle device that is designed to counter the barrel’s vertical movement by venting some of the gases vertically. Moving on to the feeding system, it consists of a PMAG 30 round box magazine.
The QD swing swivel attachments on the rifle also allows for the usage of slings, for convenient transportation and simple portability. In addition to that, it has a fixed front sight post where you can adjust the elevation and the rear flip-up sight in which you are able to adjust the windage, for an accurate and highly consistent shot. Also, it has bayonet lug (standard feature on most military firearms) that allows you to attach the bayonet, a thrusting knife.
The double heat shield M4 hand-guard and the A2 flash hider is a sleek addition to this product. The hand-guard is solid and provides good grip meanwhile the flash hider, similar to the flash suppressor functions to disperse the burning gases once the rifle is fired, to ensure a clear view without flash.
Not only that, the action consists of a direct-gas system that includes a locking bolt to quickly, yet reliably feed the shells. In other words, it is of the direct impingement action in which the gas is directed from the fired cartridge directly into the slide assembly or bolt carrier in order to cycle the action.
Suitable for :
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- Bayonet lug and A2 flash hider included
- Direct impingement action
- Collapsible stock adjustable with 4 position
- Flip-up rear sight
- Chrome lined barrels with 1:7 twist rate
Anderson .300 Blackout M4-Style Firearm
Weighing 6.2 pounds, the Anderson M4-style firearm features solid chrome line barrel. Based on specifications, the barrel measures 16 inch long meanwhile the overall length is 36.18 inches. In terms of construction, it is made from the 4140 chrome-moly steel M4 profile, which contributes to the longer life of the barrel, hence its durability.
Furthermore, the barrel has a twist rate of 1:8 (represented in inch per turn) in which it the rifling will cause the bullet to rotate one revolution in 8 inches. Unlike the standard AR-15 firearms that chambers the 5.56 Nato or the .223 Remington, this product is rather different because it chambers in the .300 Blackout cartridge.
What is special about this cartridge? Compared to the 5.56 Nato, this cartridge suppresses reliably, operating with short barrels with the direct impingement system action. In addition to that, the .300 AAC Blackout was designed to provide the M4 platform with enhanced penetration and power on intermediate barriers, though with minimal recoil. All this while retaining the 30-round mag capacity.
The upper and lower receiver of this product are constructed and forged using the 7075-T6 aluminum metal. Due to its solid construction and toughness, it is a durable host for the M16 bolt carrier group as well as the mil-spec buffer tube assembly, therefore ensuring an excellent shooting performance in the long run.
Apart from that, the A2 flash hider feature provides excellent flash reduction which comes in handy especially once the bullet is fired because then, the burning gases will disperse and give you a clear view. The flat top upper receiver on the other hand allows for optic, scope and sight installation, according to your preference.
Moving on to the action, this semi-automatic rifle consists of the direct impingement system in which basically directs gas from the projectile that is just fired directly into the bolt carrier assembly to cycle the action. Firearms that feature this action are usually lighter and shorter but also dirtier due to the exposure of the propellant gases.
The magazine provided is removable and comes with a capacity of 1×30 rounds. In addition to that, it includes a full length Picatinny tail, not forgetting an open iron front sight as well as an adjustable rear sight to make simple and convenient windage and elevation adjustments. Lastly, it includes a standard M4 polymer furniture that has a 6-position butt-stock so you can make adjustments according to your preference.
Suitable for :
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- 7075 forged lower and upper receiver
- A2 muzzle flash hider
- Full length picatinny rail & adjustable rear sight
- Chromed line barrel
- Chambered in .300 Blackout
Bravo Recce Rifle
Back to its history, the Reece rifle is originally designed and developed by the SEAL team to produce a lightweight and modular carbine with enhanced ballistic performance which comes in handy for military purposes. It consists of the direct impingement action that features the gas being directed from the fired projectile directly into the slide assembly, for the action to be cycled.
It is a cheaper and simpler gas-operated action, however it is rather dirty compared to the gas piston system because of the exposure of the internal moving parts to fouling from the burning gases from the cartridge. So, you need to clean and properly maintain them often (more information on AR-15 cleaning kits), to ensure a reliable and excellent shooting performance.
Furthermore, the bolt carrier group is of high quality not forgetting, it is proof tested to prevent stress fractures therefore it’s safe to say, that the bolt carrier is built to last. The muzzle on the other hand includes a flash suppressor which functions to reduce the flash when the AR-15 rifle is fired therefore, producing a clear view for you in a matter of minutes, after firing.
The BCM (Bravo Company Manufacturing) Gunfighter series consists of a durable stock assembly. The stock is smooth and solid and not forgetting, adjustable to 6 varying positions, according to your preference. On top of that, the BCM pistol grip is rather unique because it has an interesting angle (varying from the standard Magpul ones). Though it takes a little of getting used to, I guarantee you that it is comfortable.
In addition to that, the magazine well is beveled which allows for convenient and easier magazine insertion, especially during low light conditions. At the back of the receiver extension, there is a QD attachment point for sling attachment. Not only that, the gas block is very low profile. In fact, it is located underneath the hand-guard and held in place with 2 solid set screws.
Apart from that, the hand-guard is free-floating meanwhile below the hand-guard, there is a vertical pistol grip that is extremely comfortable. The trigger is nickel-boron coated to give it a smooth and shiny finish. It is also equipped with an oversized trigger guard and hammer so you have ample space to pull the trigger, which especially comes in handy when you’re wearing shooting gloves. In terms of construction, the receivers are machined and forged from the 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum metal for long-lasting durability.
Suitable for :
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- Flash suppressor on muzzle
- Oversized trigger guard and hammer
- Beveled mag well
- BCM Gunfighter stock assembly
Smith & Wesson 6.5 Creedmoor
All in all, the Smith & Wesson AR-15 rifle is versatile, easily accessorized as well as suitable for a variety of professional and recreational shooting applications. For your information, the Smith & Wesson is a rather popular and widely sought-out brand in the shooting industry. Unlike most of the rifles above, this product chambers the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge compared to the usual 5.56 Nato and 223 Remington ammunition.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is an overall solid cartridge. It is powerful and mainly used for long distance shooting since it is able to shoot targets over 100 yards. Impressive, isn’t it? Not only that, it has more energy than the 308 Winchester ammunition. The controls such as the safety, bolt release and mag release on the other hand are totally ambidextrous so it can be used by both left and right handed shooters.
Apart from that, the muzzle comes with a flash hider that reduces the flash caused by the burning gases when the shot is fired. The magazine is removable however unlike the usual 30-round mag capacity, this product only has 10 magazine rounds altogether. Also, it comes with a full length top rail so you are able to mount optics and sights.
Weighing 9.05 pounds, this rifle is a little on the heavy side. It is equipped with a two-stage match trigger. The benefit of having this trigger type is you get to know precisely when the trigger is going to break therefore causing the rifle to fire. It basically has a stop or break wall which separates the first and second stage. Also, this product comes with a solid 20 inch barrel.
In terms of action, it is of the DI gas-operated system. The gas operated system consists of the gas being directed from the fired cartridge directly into the bolt carrier for the action to be cycled. In addition to that, the forged upper and lower receiver has tight tolerances hence, they are tightly fitted together for better performance.
My favorite part of this product is that it features the 5R rifling and a 20 inch slim profile barrel, with 1:10 twist rate, for a powerful yet accurate shot. That being said, the 5R rifling is an upgrade over the standard rifling which reduces the projectile deformation when it passes through the bore. The barrel will also be rather easy to clean since the transition is sloped to the groove.
Moreover, this product include the 5/8 inch-24 muzzle threads with protector as well as the Magpul MOE rifle stock and pistol grip for a smooth and comfortable shooting experience. Lastly, it features the 15 inch free floating Troy M-Lok hand-guard, together with the 2 inch aluminum M-Lok accessory panel.
Suitable for :
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- Free floating Troy M-Lok hand-guard
- Two-stage match trigger
- Ambidextrous controls
- Gas operated action
- Features 5R rifling
LWRC SIX8-A5 SPC Patriot Gun
First and foremost, the SIX8 series firearms are short-stroke and gas piston operated (action-type), unlike most of the other rifles that feature the direct impingement action. For the gas piston system, the propellant gas is bled through the small hole in the barrel which is then channeled through a small tube to directly contact the bolt carrier assembly. The gas is then pushed to the end of the firearm meanwhile the spent case is extracted and ejected.
Moreover, this semi-automatic firearm is fully optimized to chamber the 6.8x43mm SPC II cartridge, also known as the 6.8mm Special round. The 6.8mm Special cartridge is slightly larger than the usual AR-15 rounds (223 and 5.56 ammo), hence why you need a slightly bigger magazine because the AR-15 standard magazine would be too small to accommodate this cartridge.
Hence why, a new production magazine, especially designed for the 6.8mm round is introduced. But then, you need a totally different lower receiver. But it’s all worth it because the 6.8mm Special cartridge has better kinetic energy downrange, with a little more range to it. All in all, it is a great hunting round.
It has rather user-friendly because this product is equipped with fully ambidextrous controls which includes the selector, magazine release, bolt latch and charging handle. This AR-15 rifle is designed and engineered to exceed the needs of shooters who want an adjustable gas block as well as longer SPR style rail system. You can shoot it with or without a suppressor, according to your preference.
The muzzle on the other hand comes with a flash suppressor to disperse the burning propellants emitted thereby, limiting the amount of flash viewed by the shooter. Moving on to the barrel, this weapon has a unique fluted barrel, together with a nickel boron bolt carrier. Firstly, fluting refers to the removing of material from a cylindrical surface, which usually results in grooves.
That being said, the sole purpose of fluting is to reduce the barrel weight and ensuring that it is less susceptible to overheating. In other words, the barrel has grooves which makes it rather lightweight and speeds up the cooling process. In fact, I think it is rather cool-looking, in terms of appearance.
Suitable for :
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- Fluted barrel with grooves
- Gas pistol operated
- Flash suppressor muzzle
- Ambidextrous controls
- Non AR-15 lower receiver
LWRC DI Matte Black Weapon
For your information, the LWRC DI AR-15 rifle is the first weapon that utilizes the direct impingement action after a turn of events, because all of the LWRC previous products use the gas piston action system. In fact, the LWRC SIX8 series above uses the gas piston operated system. In other words, this product has many features similar to the gas piston rifle, however with a DI platform. So, what does the direct impingement action refer to?
To answer query, it is a type of gas operation in which the gas from the fired cartridge is directed into the bolt carrier assembly in order to cycle the action. It is a rather cheap and inexpensive method, however it is dirtier compared to the gas piston system. Hence why, you should frequently clean the barrel to prevent fouling.
Moreover, the muzzle is equipped with a flash suppressor which comes in handy to reduce the flash when the shot is fired, hence providing you with a clear field of view in a matter of time. The magazine on the other hand is removable and has a capacity of 1×30 round altogether. There are sling mounts on the stock as well so you are able to attach your sling with added convenience, for simple portability.
Unlike most of the AR-15 rifle, this product has a keyless bolt carrier. That being said, the bolt carrier is of solid construction, coated with nickel-boron coating to ensure that it is fully resistant to corrosion, therefore contributing to its durability. In addition to that, the bolt carrier is smooth as well as easy to clean.
It comes with ambidextrous controls that includes its safety selector switch, mag release, bolt release as well as charging handle, therefore I think it’s really user-friendly. Moving on to the trigger, it consists of the standard stock AR-15 trigger, nothing special about it. Based on my experience, I had a little of getting used to the trigger. It isn’t the best in terms of smoothness of trigger pull, but it would suffice.
Weighing 6.7 pounds, this product is equipped with cold hammer forged barrel (16.1 inches) that is spiral fluted and nickel treated. The barrel quality is excellent and it has 1:7 twist rate. On top of that, the spiral fluted design really makes a difference in terms of barrel weight. It is rather light not to mention, easy to shoulder and handle.
All in all, it has a matte black finish together with a polymer stock. The Magpul pistol grip on the other hand is a sleek addition to this rifle. Moving on, this firearm comes with Picatinny rail pieces as well as a free-floating hand-guard.
There is a total of 10 torque screws at the base of the hand-guard. If you plan to remove and replace the hand-guard, you just need to remove the 10 screws using a torque wrench, slide the new one in and voila, you’re good to go.
Suitable for :
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- Ambidextrous controls
- Direct impingement action
- Keyless bolt carrier
- Spiral fluted barrel
DPMS Oracle Firearms
First things first, the DPMS Oracle is a very basic as well as budget priced rifle. It makes a good choice if you’re an infrequent shooter or a rookie who just want to try out shooting. Since it is basic with a rather low price, you shouldn’t expect excellent features or attractive designs. In fact, this gun is mediocre with working functions.
That being said, the DPMS firearm comes with a mil standard A3 upper receiver, Pardus stock and a lightweight barrel to provide the user with great comfort and advanced capability. In terms of action, it utilizes the direct impingement gas system where the gas is directed from the fired round to the bolt carrier to cycle the action.
Moreover, the muzzle includes a flash suppressor that comes in handy to ensure that the burning gases are dispersed properly, thereby limiting the amount of flash viewed by the shooter. Unlike other products that has a 30 round magazine, the DPMS Oracle has a 10-round magazine that is ideal if you plan to shoot in California.
There is a flat top rail on the upper receiver which allows for the attachment of iron sights or scopes, according to your preference. The front hand-guards on the other hand consists of the Glacier guard which is a thicker version of the M4 style. Just so you know, the Glacier guards includes 15 internal polymer fins that takes the place of the traditional aluminum heat shields.
Apart from that, the upper and lower receiver have tight tolerances, in which they are tightly fitted together for optimum shooting performance. Meanwhile, the AR-15 trigger group assembly is clean with a mediocrely smooth trigger pull. It isn’t the best but it would suffice/functions fine. Not only that, the bolt carrier group (BCG) has the M16 profile.
In addition to that, the BCG has great machine work. The bolt movement is rather smooth whereas the gas keys is properly stacked which is very essential so the gas operation will work smoothly. Also, the rear stock is adjustable. The appearance unfortunately, isn’t my cup of tea but look on the bright side, it is rather easy to change out the stock.
Suitable for :
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- Removable magazine with 10 round capacity
- Adjustable rear stock
- Flash suppressor
- Gas keys properly stacked
- Glacier guards
- Pardus stock
Smith & Wesson 308 Winchester
My favorite thing about the Smith & Wesson M&P 10 products is that they are engineered with the 5R rifling, therefore is has smoother edges and is rather easy to clean. Rifling refers to the lands and grooves designed to stabilize the bullet. For the 5R rifling, the standard design is improved by using 5 grooves and lands over the even number therefore putting the land opposite of the groove, while the transition from land to groove is sloped.
The sloped transition makes the barrel easy to clean. Since the land opposite to the grooves, it results in uniform projectile which contributes to enhanced accuracy. Equipped with matte black finish, this product uses the direct impingement action where the gas is directed to the bolt carrier for the action to be cycled.
Apart from that, the muzzle includes a flash suppressor which reduces the flash produced when the rifle is fired by dispersing the burning gases well. The wider trigger-well design allows ample space when firing, especially while wearing gloves. The smooth trigger break makes it easy and convenient for you to depress the trigger.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a QD sling mount, fixed front sight post or a rear sight. Instead, it has a case deflector, forward assist, standard A2 style hand-guard and a dust cover to ensure smooth operation of your weapon. The unique thing about this product is that it chambers the 308 Winchester cartridge, instead of the conventional AR-15 rounds, 223 Remington and 5.56 Nato.
The mag is removable and has 1×20 round altogether. In addition to that, the controls of this weapon is totally ambidextrous including the mag release, bolt release as well as safety selector switch, hence it is really user-friendly, in my opinion. Also, the barrel measures 18 inches with 1:10 twist rate and is rather solid and slim.
Moreover, it has a section of Picatinny rail and flat top receiver which is rather essential so that you are able to mount on scopes and sights, according to your preference. Meanwhile, the 6-position telescopic stock is adjustable, hence why the overall length of this semi-automatic firearm varies from 37.6 inch to 40.9 inch.
The pistol grip is smooth and solid meanwhile the cheek weld provided is rather smooth against your face so you wouldn’t mind putting your cheek close against it to view at your scope, for a better shooting performance.
Suitable for :
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- Standard A2 style hand-guard
- 5R rifling feature
- 6-position telescopic buttstock
- Flat top receiver and Picatinny rail
- Wider trigger well
- Flash suppressor muzzle
Barrel
The barrel of the weapon is one of the most important parts on your AR-15 rifle because that’s where the projectile travels through, before leaving the muzzle, when the trigger is pulled. Since discussing about the barrel is a huge topic, we will cover the barrel chamber, length, material and testing. Just so you know, the popular AR-15 rounds include the 223 Remington as well as the 5.56 Nato.
That being said, it is very important to get the ammunition that can be perfectly chambered into the gun’s barrel. For instance, the .223 barrel is only able to fire the .223 ammo. However, the 5.56 barrel is unique because it is able to chamber both the 223 and 5.56 rounds.
Moving on, the common barrel length is around 16 inch (they range between 16-18 inch) including the muzzle regardless if it is attached with a flash hider or not. The longer barrel allows the projectile to travel a longer time through it to exit the muzzle however, they have higher muzzle velocity since there is extra space for the powder to burn. However, take note that the barrel length does not affect its accuracy.
Apart from that, most barrels are made from chrome moly vanadium steel and 4140 metal to ensure that it is corrosion-resistant and built-to last. They are either chrome lined, cold hammer forged or comes with a spiral fluted design, according to your preference. That being said, the chrome lined barrels ensures longer life against moisture and rain meanwhile the spiral fluted design ensures that it is ultra-lightweight for easier handling.
If you have noticed, the barrel will usually have this terms on it such as MP and HP, meaning that it is magnetic particle inspected and high pressure tested. The MP acronym ensures that the rifle has gone through an X-ray to identify any voids and cracks meanwhile the HP acronym ensures the integrity of the gun from the primers to the chamber parameters as well as neck tension.
Gas System
There are two main gas operated system in the AR-15 rifle, the first being the direct impingement (DI) system and the second being the gas piston operated system. The direct impingement system basically consists of the gas being directed from the fired cartridge directly into the slide assembly or bolt carrier in order to cycle the action.
Moving on to the gas piston system, the propellant gas from the burning cartridge is bled through a tiny hole in the barrel, which is further channeled into a very small cylinder-like tube so it is able to directly contact the bolt carrier mechanism. Hence, the only difference is that the gas channeled through the small hole then small tube before getting impinged.
In addition to that, the DI system tend to be shorter and lighter however, dirtier than the gas piston operated system since the dirty gas is exposed to the firearm’s parts, particularly the barrel hence leading to fouling. And if you have noticed, most rifles actually utilizes the DI system.
Hand-guard
First things first, the hand-guard is a guard attached at the front of the AR-15 to hold and grip the weapon in place, from the front. It is also very user-friendly since it functions to protect the user from touching the hot barrel, once the shot have been fired. Just so you know, there is the drop-in as well as the free-floating hand-guard.
The drop-in hand-guards are secured in place due to the pressure exerted by the delta ring assembly and the hand-guard cap. However, they tend to move a little once installed. Conversely, the free-floating type will not budge when installed. In fact, it is fixed securely to the barrel nut, without touching the barrel at all. Generally, the free-floating one is more expensive than the latter.
In terms of weight, the free-floating hand-guard is heavier since it has to support the weight and accessories over their length. Since the drop-in ones are in contact with the barrel, they weigh much less. You are advised not to mount any optics or laser on the drop-in hand-guard due to it not being steady.
However, it won’t be much of a problem because the front sight or gas block is in the front end of the hand-guard. For the free-floating hand-guard, since it isn’t in contact with the barrel and if the front sight is attached to the barrel, the sights will not be affected by the pressure if the hand-guard when accommodating the rifle.
My favorite hand-guard is the Magpul hand-guard because I can attach the Picatinny rails on it. With the Picatinny rails, I am able to attach accessories such as lasers and flashlight on it according to my preference.
Bolt Carrier Group
In lay man terms, the bolt carrier group is referred to as the heart of the AR-15 rifle. When the charging handle is pulled back, it retracts. The working mechanism of the bolt carrier group (BCG) is as follows :
- Once you release the handle, the BCG moves forward and strips a round from the magazine, then release it into the chamber for firing.
- When the trigger is pulled, the hammer will be released resulting in it striking the firing pin and hitting the primer. The gunpowder is then sparked, sending the projectile down the barrel and in contact with the gas system.
To summarize, the bolt carrier basically houses the bolt as well as resets the hammer when it rides back and forth within the upper receiver.
Conclusion
The best AR-15 rifle is one that configured precisely for your needs. This is a magnificent platform overall which usually chambers the 5.56 Nato and the .223 Remington ammunition. This weapon consists of the upper and lower receiver which should be tightly fitted against each other for the best and optimum shooting performance. It is no doubt that the price of these products are rather high, but for the best shooting performance, you should be willing to fork out some extra money.
Therefore, I hope my review assists you in making the right decision and don’t forget to get your very own gun oil.