Opinions needed "Arma lite/Eagle Arms" AR-15

Leland Pate · 01-25-2006, 08:16 PM

I ran across a pretty darn good deal on a Eagle Arms M-15 made by Arma lite. It has the shorter barrel (don't remember the length), the four position collapsible stock, and fitted with a heavy barrel. Fit and finish looked damn near new. The only sign of wear on it was a few brass marks on the brass deflector.

I understand Eagle Arms is a subsidiary of Arma lite and may have used Eagle Arms as the name for their sub-grade Ar-15's?
I've read on a forum that the Eagle Arms rifles were usually cosmetic defects. Also that the Eagle Arms brand were only warrantied for 1 year as opposed to the Arma lite lifetime guarantee.

The guarantee means nothing to me. ...nor do the blemishes for that matter. But I guess I'd like some opinions as far as where the Arma lite brand falls in terms of desirability, quality, and fit and finish compared to Bushmaster, Colt, and the slew of other manufacturers out there.

I know, I know, I'm leaving the country in 6 months, why the hell do I need another gun....
Because I can, damnit!

And it's only $450.

Thoughts?

HardDrive · 01-25-2006, 10:19 PM

I can only comment on Armalite themselves. I think they have an excellent reputation. Their rifles are expensive, and for good reason.

tabs · 01:38 AM

Not real familar with Assualt Weapons in General.

If I'm not mistaken Armalite was the orginal inventor of the AR...Neighbor has an AR10 and I see no real difference in quality between that and a Colt AR.....

The name brand recognition of the Colt can't be beat...the Colt version of the gun you are describing is 3Xs as expensive as what you quoted.

In guns the best axiom I can think of is buy the BEST quality gun you can afford...read that as NAME BRAND...it will have the best resale value down the line.

id10t · 01-26-2006, 05:16 AM

Bushmaster has a great reputation these days. I had an Olympic arms AR-15 with the short barrel and a short fixed stock that was made in '92 and it was fantastic. Not sure of their quality now.

cashflyer · 07:20 AM

Oh, boy... guns again!!

Eugene Stoner invented the design and developed it while working for Armalite. Originally designed as the AR-10 in .308 (7.62x51), later redesigned as the AR-15 in .223 (5.56x45). IIRC, Colt was the only licensee of Armalite. All the clones that are out now are as a result of the original patent expiration.

I have owned the Colt A-1 version and the Bushmaster A-2 version. I loved the Colt. The BM was troublesome. I was told that it just needed to be "broken in." I will admit, the Colt was well worn and the BM was new.

In the past, I have read great reviews about the Olympic Arms versions. No personal experience with them, though.

Whichever you buy, stick with a forged receiver.

As for Eagle...
After the 1983 sale of Armalite to Elisco, the company went into decline and closed in 1987. Eagle Arms, a company started in 1986, bought the rights to the Armalite name in 1995 and reorganized as Armalite with Eagle as a division of the company.

EDIT: edited some nomenclature

VINMAN · 01-26-2006, 07:18 AM

Thats a real good price for that. Its a decent firearm.
I have a Bushmaster Car-15. very happy with that.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Buy it.
It would cost that much for a lower reciever. You can hot-rod one of these as much as your wallet will allow....

Joeaksa · 01-26-2006, 07:52 AM

Very good price and I would jump on it especially if its in good condition.

Most of my experience was with the real Colt versions but the Armalite's are very nice as well.

Joe A

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Leland, James from Ordnance Outsellers on SIGforum is running a sale right now on Rock River AR-15 receivers. Around $215-$250. So this entire gun for $450 sounds like a steal. If you don't want it, please pm me the seller's info.

Tim Hancock · 01-26-2006, 08:38 AM

I built up mid length handgrip, 16" barreled, flat top RockRiverArms Ar-15 recently and had about $600.00 in it including an A2 carry handle.

I looked at Eagle Arms, Bushmaster, Colt, DPM, Olympic, M&A, JTDistributing etc etc.

I found similar pricing from most of the kit supplier type companies once you start comparing similar configurations. Most of the cheaper kits or completed weapons had the A2 style upper receiver (carry handle/sight actually part of the upper receiver). I wanted the flat top picatinny style upper (some companies designate as A4, some as A3) so that in the future, I could add a holo sight or scope etc etc. You can add a scope or holo sight on top off the standard A2 carry handle, but it ends up being higher than optimum. Most of the above named brands all seem to work fine and you will not hear many complaints of jamming or poor quality with any of them.

I have fired about 500 rounds (mostly cheap dirty Wolf ammo) thru my self assembled AR15 thus far without any hiccups whatsoever.

Tons of info and active forums can be found on AR15.com. I spent a couple weeks researching before I settled with Rock River Arms (Rock River Arms FWIW, is known for making match grade AR's and 1911's and they are always at the national matches at Camp Perry to provide assistance to their customers at the event).

FrayAdjacent911 · 01-26-2006, 10:59 AM

For $450, that's not a bad deal.

The only AR I'd shy away from would probably be the Olympic Arms 'Plinker'.

Leland Pate · 01-26-2006, 12:02 PM

Well, I bought it.
It actually makes more sense now. The gun was in the consignment area of this nice little shop in Bozeman, MT. The place is more of a flyfishing/hunting supply. I asked if I could remove the bolt carrier to inspect it (just being nice) and the owners said "Only if you know how to put it back together... I don't know squat about those things."
They just got it along with several other rifles the day before yesterday from an estate where the owner had passed away.

So, yeah, I think I got a good deal.
If it weren't for the fact that it really needs a good cleaning, I'd think it was brand new. No scratches or anything.
It also has the A3 upper w/ forward assist.
I'm happy.

Leland Pate · 01-26-2006, 12:07 PM

Oh, and did I mention I got it for $420?

Here's a pic:

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I hate you.

Tim Hancock · 01-26-2006, 12:19 PM

I would say you stole it for $420!

FrayAdjacent911 · 01-26-2006, 12:29 PM

Yeah. You theif.

Not a bad shootin iron. If it runs well, you did in fact steal that rifle. :P

Joeaksa · 01-26-2006, 12:31 PM

Will you take $440 for it? A quick profit?

Just kidding, glad you got it!

JoeA

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Leland Pate
Oh, and did I mention I got it for $420?

Bastard.
Nice deal.

lendaddy · 01-26-2006, 01:59 PM

Are these legal in Michigan?

Tim Hancock · 01-26-2006, 02:13 PM

I do not know why they wouldn't be Len, a couple years back, the assault ban regulated some configurations of these, but now one can buy these without the flash suppresor and etc type restrictions. I still think barrel lengths may be restricted to about 16" minimum for the general public, but unless Michigan has some kind of state law that I am unaware of (hard to believe an outdoorsman type state like Michigan would have such a law), I do not see a problem. A quick call to a local gun shop should answer your question.