I have a bushmaster myself..spend alot of time with it on the range, use it for work, used it during my PSD training, and have used it for hog hunting. Never any problems...just like in the Army though, keep it clean and it will never let you down.

Be careful paying for names though.

GTS197 says ...

I think you picked the wrong time to shop for an M4 type rifle.

Ever since the election, the public at large has had a knee jerk reaction to the tune of 'Obama's going to ban the guns'. Everybody, and I do mean EVERYBODY has been scrambling to buy anything that looks 'evil', to include the AR type rifles. Prices have soared and supply has dwindled. Your manufacturers are quoting 12-16 weeks for production and if you can find any floating around at neighborhood gun shows, plan on almost double the MSRP. It is truly a sellers' market right now...

To answer your original question, any of the three will serve you just fine. Don't be afraid to check out some other noteworthy companies, such as Rock River Arms, Stag, DPMS, etc...

GTS said it best...I own a bushy (Bushmaster) but my next AR-15 will be a mut made with a Del-Ton lower and a STAG upper in 6.8 SPC...

I agree with Chris that DIY is a cheaper way to go, however even stripped lowers have close to doubled in price in the past two months and availability is still a problem.

If you are serious about getting one, order it now and suck up the waiting period. I've never been one to speculate and play the market, but there's no telling how much these things are going to cost 6 months from now. Although any type of 'ban' is a ways off, people are panicky and driving up demand.

Here's more free advice: Stock up on magazines and ammunition!

For what its worth, We waited a year for our Colt RO933's and they came out of the Canada plant. For duty, I carry a Colt. Its true Mil-Spec. Only FN (military contract) and I believe Sabre Defense have that claim. I've owned or shot most of what is out there and I would say if you just want a reliable shooter, build it yourself. That way you can pick and choose your components.

Search says ...

If I'm remember right a civilian can't get a Mil-Spec rifle that is a true Mil-Spec.

Colt, S&W, and Bushmaster all produce very very good rifles as stated above.

I scanned but I didn't see anyone bring up the gas-system vs. piston-system.

If you decide to buy one look into a piston-system. Google it. They are 100x more dependable than the gas-systems. Reviews state that people are putting a thousand rounds through the rifle and there being very very little carbon buildup with virtually no malfunctions.

 

 --------------------------------------------

Until their piston gets stuck beside the bolt key during its operation and then you need a gunsmith or Very good armorer to fix that.

 

there are a number of posts in the G&E forum about that topic, also check AR15.com for more info.

I knew you were a wise man.. If it aint broke, dont fix it! Just clean and oil it!

catm2005 says ...

I knew you were a wise man.. If it aint broke, dont fix it! Just clean and oil it!

...and reload it ;)

trubullitt says ...

 

GTS197 says ...

I think you picked the wrong time to shop for an M4 type rifle.

Ever since the election, the public at large has had a knee jerk reaction to the tune of 'Obama's going to ban the guns'. Everybody, and I do mean EVERYBODY has been scrambling to buy anything that looks 'evil', to include the AR type rifles. Prices have soared and supply has dwindled. Your manufacturers are quoting 12-16 weeks for production and if you can find any floating around at neighborhood gun shows, plan on almost double the MSRP. It is truly a sellers' market right now...

To answer your original question, any of the three will serve you just fine. Don't be afraid to check out some other noteworthy companies, such as Rock River Arms, Stag, DPMS, etc...

Some gunshops are selling the S&W mp15 223. to leos only for 800. They keep them in the back just have to ask.

 I think that's awesome...wish they all would do that.

For the range, all of these will serve you just fine. I have a Rock River Arms, chose it for a few different reasons. a) in a situation where your life my depend on the rifle, you want reliability. I read too many times about bushmaster bolts having improperly staked gas keys and causing loads of problems. Of course this was a few years ago - I hear they fixed that issue. b) the DEA wanted a new AR15 style rifle about two years ago, and conducted a torture test with a bunch of different ar15's - bushmaster, stag, rockriver, DPMS, all of 'em. For reliability, the least amount of FTF's (Failures to Fire), and best accuracy (The Rock River's come with a very nice, smooth two-stage trigger) the RRA came on top. The DEA now has a contract with RRA.

I've never heard anyone complain about their RRA. Same with Stag. Can't say that about Olympic Arms, DPMS, or Bushmaster. Sure, 98% of those complaints were likely due to user error/lack of proper maintenance, but if its tough enough for the DEA, sounds good to me.

Just my .02