TexasCHLforum.com

The Annoyed Man wrote:

G192627 wrote:That Colt deal seems even better than the RRA deal... and as you said, the RRA deal is here in Texas so I'd pay even more for sales tax, while for that Colt, it would be the FFL fee only.

Plus, the Colt is likely a slightly better quality rifle, right? I have nothing to base that on other than word of mouth and reputation.

Buy the Colt because you like the name, not because of the quality. I'll stand an RRA rifle up against it's equivalent in a Colt every single time. I really believe that RRA's quality is very, very hard to beat. I certainly don't think Colt's quality is any better. There's nothing wrong with Colt, but for the small aggregate difference between sales tax for a Texas supplier on one hand, and the combined FFL fee and freight on the other hand, I would rather support the Texas supplier. But that's just me.

One other thing i'll add to that is consider the Colt will continue to retain a higher resale value then the Rock River...
I am not a cool aid drinker but you will find this to be true on retaining value.
The Colts i sold during the ban...one i bought new in 1980 for $432 and one a HBAR was $580 new ...sold them both in 1988 for $1200 each (used).

If I'm not mistaken, CDNN is located in Texas as well. So it is still supporting a Texas business...but technically, a sales tax should still be applied. I have never shopped from CDNN though, so I can't be too sure. I was ready to pull a trigger (pun intended) on a firearm purchase from CDNN some months back, but they didn't have any left in stock.

wninja wrote:If I'm not mistaken, CDNN is located in Texas as well. So it is still supporting a Texas business...but technically, a sales tax should still be applied. I have never shopped from CDNN though, so I can't be too sure. I was ready to pull a trigger (pun intended) on a firearm purchase from CDNN some months back, but they didn't have any left in stock.

Yeah CDNN is here in Abilene.He has a huge warehouse on treadaway blvd, no walk in, strictly mail order.If i order anything from him he ships it.
Yes he has to charge sales tax for a sale with in the state of texas.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

G192627 wrote:That Colt deal seems even better than the RRA deal... and as you said, the RRA deal is here in Texas so I'd pay even more for sales tax, while for that Colt, it would be the FFL fee only.

Plus, the Colt is likely a slightly better quality rifle, right? I have nothing to base that on other than word of mouth and reputation.

Buy the Colt because you like the name, not because of the quality. I'll stand an RRA rifle up against it's equivalent in a Colt every single time. I really believe that RRA's quality is very, very hard to beat. I certainly don't think Colt's quality is any better. There's nothing wrong with Colt, but for the small aggregate difference between sales tax for a Texas supplier on one hand, and the combined FFL fee and freight on the other hand, I would rather support the Texas supplier. But that's just me.

Very good point there!! Thank you! You may be annoyed, but you're smart.

Well, I'm back to Rock River. hahaha
Given that the Colt would be sales tax, shipping, AND ffl.

I can drive to pick up the RRA... hold it and deal with them personally. Then I have a local "throat to choke" if I have issues too.

G192627 wrote:Well, I'm back to Rock River. hahaha
Given that the Colt would be sales tax, shipping, AND ffl.

I can drive to pick up the RRA... hold it and deal with them personally. Then I have a local "throat to choke" if I have issues too.

RRA makes a very good rifle. Good choice!

While I'm most defenitly not a cool aid drinker. I went against the grain, with an Olympic Arms K3B M4 2005 carbine, dispite ALL of the negative hype regarding this manufacture.

The carbine has done a supurb job of doing what is expected out of an AR. It will be a year on the 18th of Jan. that I've had this carbine, and I've reached 2760 rounds through it both 5.56nato surplus and .223rem. From 45gr-62gr of various manufactures. I have a few vids on youtube running this gun pretty good. One is in the rain.

Surprising to me, when going with the interweb jive about Oly arms, the carbine has not failed once....not even a magazine issue.

This is my second AR my first was a '08 S&W MP, had problems with it and traded it for something else.

You may want to look at a Spikes Tactical, RRA, Stag, Bushmaster etc.etc. They offer good basic rifles for good prices.

Being an actual owner of an Oly. it isn't a bad AR for the price. I trust it.

Just my 2cents anyways, what do I know right? I'm just a civilian.

Oh.... my next AR purchase will by either another Oly. or a Spikes Tactical in 6.8 cal.

In my opinion, the majority of folks would be very happy with the RRA. They make a very solid middle of the hierarchy rifle and it's been my experience they stand behind their product with good support. I have a RRA (5.56) that I often take to carbine classes and as long as I use good mags, it's never skipped a beat. Keep in mind most of those classes are 800-1,200 rounds in two days...without cleaning.

The colts, in my opinion, are a better rifle. The bolt carrier is of heavier construction, the gas key is properly staked, it's been high pressure tested, and many other things to help improve the reliability of the weapon.

But if you are not going to be running the rifle hard, or ultra-reliability isn't required, it's questionable you need those improvements...now if you can get it for the same price, why not

Which weapon you choose has a lot to do with what you plan to use it for. Safe Queens just have to look good, they don't have to be reliable or accurate.
Typically, a varmint rifle needs to be very accurate and can give up some on the reliability...longer barrel, better trigger group, improved chambers, etc.
But for a home defensive weapon, reliability reigns supreme. It needs to go bang every time you pull the trigger. It doesn't have to be able to fire 1k rounds at a single outing, but it may have to fire a mag or two without a failure. Generally, it will have a shorter barrel then the varmint and a collapsible stock (more maneuverable in the confines of a house). 3 MOA wouldn't be a problem since most shots are at relatively close range (for a rifle). Rail mounts for things like red dot sights and flashlights/lasers are typically included in the build.

If you are concerned about the Zombie Apocalypse, then ultra reliability trumps everything else. It needs to be able to put out thousands of rounds without a hiccup

No matter whether you buy mid or top end, it's been my experience the mags are the number one determiner of reliability. This is one area not to get cheap on. Buy good reliable mags with the proper followers and you will be a lot happier with your rifle. Buy cheap and you maximize your chances of experiencing Failure To Feed, Double Feed, bolt not locking back on last round, mag not dropping free, etc.

By the way, I have two Zombie Apocalypse rifles, one is RRA and the other is a Colt. The Colt is well past 10,000 rounds and the RRA is approaching 10,000. Other than regular maintenance and periodic cleaning, I have not had to do anything to either to keep it running.

TX Rancher wrote:By the way, I have two Zombie Apocalypse rifles, one is RRA and the other is a Colt. The Colt is well past 10,000 rounds and the RRA is approaching 10,000. Other than regular maintenance and periodic cleaning, I have not had to do anything to either to keep it running.

I haven't decided if my Zombie Apocalypse rifle is my AR carbine, or my scoped M1A Loaded. I suppose it would depend on what range the zombie horde is at. Inside of 300 yards, I'll take the AR. Outside of 400 yards, or beyond 300 yards on a really windy day, I'll take the M1A.

At danger close range, I'll take something in .22 LR, since all you have to do is get a piece of lead to rattle around inside their brain pan to destroy them. But given that some of the more recent zombie documentation seems to indicate that some of them can be fast movers, I'd rather shoot from a standoff distance if at all possible. Seeing Skippr's post about zombie birds, perhaps that new Kel-Tech bullpup shotgun that everyone is drooling over might be in order.

I'm just sayin'....

TX Rancher wrote:no matter whether you buy mid or top end, it's been my experience the mags are the number one determiner of reliability. This is one area not to get cheap on. Buy good reliable mags with the proper followers and you will be a lot happier with your rifle. Buy cheap and you maximize your chances of experiencing Failure To Feed, Double Feed, bolt not locking back on last round, mag not dropping free, etc.

This right here. In 12 years in the service, 95% of the failures I have seen out of an M4 (and 99.9% of M9 failures) are bad magazines. Most of the rest are either due to improper lubrication (often overlubricating) or other user error, such as losing the extractor spring.

As far as the optics go, I think that is a place where you see a far larger quality gap between price levels than you do with an M4 rifle. Many of the cheaper scopes and optics were not built to stand up to the repetitive recoil of a centerfire rifle. You'll see (no pun intended) a bigger value increase by going with a higher end optics maker than you will with spending more on the rifle itself. Of course, there are manufacturers whose quality exceeds their relative price. And again, you have to consider your needs. While I am sure most of use would love to have a $1500 Night Force scope, is it really that much better than a $400 Leupold for what you are doing?

G192627 wrote:Well, I'm back to Rock River. hahaha
Given that the Colt would be sales tax, shipping, AND ffl.

I can drive to pick up the RRA... hold it and deal with them personally. Then I have a local "throat to choke" if I have issues too.

So which model of the RRA are ya looking at....They are great rifles.I have two RRA's one the Entry Tactical and one a Predator Pursuit
and i built a SBR with a RRA stripped lower too.Here's what my Pred Pursuit can do...

I'm considering one of these RRA rifles:

http://www.class3weapons.com/Rock_River ... _s/122.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or

This Colt:

http://site.cdnninvestments.com/CDNN2010-6/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Look at the M4 Carbine on Page 6 for $1099.99.

Mine is a Colt LEO in 9mm with a 10.5" barrel. I love this gun. It shoot great and is very easy to maneuver. The magazines are smaller and the recoil almost non-existent. Cheap to feed, too.

I finally caved in and bought my first AR yesterday. I got a Colt AR6520.

I have wanted an M-16 since basic training in 1972. This is probably as close as I will get.

I had actually planned to get a S&W, but this was the same price and came with the sights I wanted.

maverick2076 wrote:

This right here. In 12 years in the service, 95% of the failures I have seen out of an M4 (and 99.9% of M9 failures) are bad magazines. Most of the rest are either due to improper lubrication (often overlubricating) or other user error, such as losing the extractor spring.

Buy P-Mags. I very rarely only support one particular product over all the others in the same category, but I have been extremely happy with P-mags, and the only problem I have ever had is the catch dug through the follower of one of my mags, not exactly sure how that happened. I've tried all different types of steel magazines and other polymer magazines, but I will never buy and will not trust my life to anything other than p-mags.