Armalite AR's

[toysoldier]

Anyone have an opinion on Armalite AR's? I just acquired one from a cousin whose husband died recently. It's a like-new M15 with the fixed carry handle, not cataloged by Armalite any more. I gave her $700 for it, probably won't get that when I sell it (not a fan of semi-autos), but I didn't want anyone saying I gouged my widowed cousin, and she can use the money. It came with a soft case and three 30-rd factory mags.

 

[cellar701]

I have one (Armalite, post ban, A2 type), I like it. I like to shoot the battle type sights anyway so it works well for me. I'm not a big fan of the semi-autos either, but like me you may find that you really enjoy shooting that rifle.

A year ago it would have been a good price. Today's market in black guns - probably high on price for that configuration. Sounds like you did it right for you and your cousin.

 

[triggerpull]

Armalites enjoy a very good reputation in the industry and their uppers and lowers are often used as the building blocks of custom guns--and Armalites have a direct lineage to the original Stoner development of the platform. There's a good reason why AR's are the top selling rifles in America today--so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. They are very adaptable to custom work and with the right barrel can rival bolt-actions in most applications short of competitive bench and perhaps long range--though I have a 308 SASS which is so accurate for an AR I can't figure out how it does it given the long throat and jump to lands the bullet must make. Maybe your cousin's husband was a vet with nostalgia for the M 16?

 

[Busterswoodshop]

I have owned several AR's over the years. A couple of them have been Armalite.
I have never had a problem with them.
Being yours has the fixed carry handle it will limit buyers because it seams most want to add some kind of optic to them.
Other than that it should be a good gun.

 

[toysoldier]

Maybe your cousin's husband was a vet with nostalgia for the M 16?

No, he was an obnoxious, know-it-all, in-your-face, born-and-raised-in-California liberal. His wife didn't even know he had the rifle. It was purchased recently, even had some Hornady "Zombie" ammo for it. Kinda wonder what he planned to do with it. He'd had problems with illness/medications that messed him up. Passed away of a heart attack on his sofa.

 

[triggerpull]

Well, no reason to fault him for wanting an AR--the 2nd amendment is one of the truest pillars of equality for all--though maybe not in this case if you seem to think he had potential for going postal. PS--didn't know 30 rd mags were even legal in Kali.

 

[DPris]

ArmaLite products have no direct lineage to Stoner.
Denis

 

[triggerpull]

ArmaLite products have no direct lineage to Stoner.
Denis

Respectfully disagree. Eugene Stoner was the head engineer at Fairchild Armalite when the first AR was developed and his design concepts were key in the revolutionary AR 10--later modified into AR 15/M16. The term "AR" itself is a contraction of "Armalite." http://www.armalite.com/images/Library/History.pdf

 

[DPris]

The current ArmaLite has no relationship whatever to the ArmaLite that Stoner developed his designs with.

The current ArmaLite was originally a relatively obscure maker of ARs named Eagle Arms that later assumed the ArmaLite name.

The original ArmaLite company died years ago.

ArmaLite now has no more right to claim direct lineage to the AR15 than any other maker.
Stoner never had any association whatever with THIS ArmaLite.
Denis

 

[triggerpull]

The current ArmaLite has no relationship whatever to the ArmaLite that Stoner developed his designs with.

The current ArmaLite was originally a relatively obscure maker of ARs named Eagle Arms that later assumed the ArmaLite name.

The original ArmaLite company died years ago.

ArmaLite now has no more right to claim direct lineage to the AR15 than any other maker.
Stoner never had any association whatever with THIS ArmaLite.
Denis

I still disagree. It is true that the original company went through many convolutions and different iterations and ownerships--marketing and timing decisions did not seem to be it's forte. But the core knowledge, management and experience of the original company are retained to some degree even in the modern Eagle Arms incarnation (which itself was widely known for very high quality AR 15 rifles and components). Acquisition and new ownership is very common in the firearms industry. But I'll bow out of this minor discussion in deference to the original poster's request--Armalite's products are generally very highly regarded in the industry today.

 

[DPris]

ArmaLite today built nothing on the old company's "core", any more than Olympic Arms, Stag, DPMS, or any current AR maker did.

No part of Eagle/Armalite derived from the old Fairchild ArmaLite, it was not a lineal descendent in any way, did not carry over employees, plans, equipment, management, or experience.

Colt has much more of a right to claim lineal descent, since it at least bought AR/M16 manufacturing rights from the older company.
Denis

 

[Rumrunner]

Not sure who is correct and not trying to stir the "stick", but isn't Ruger much the same since none of the Ruger family are still with the company?

 

[DPris]

The Ruger operation is entirely different, having been in continuous operation since it was founded, with a continuing lineal business name, presence, and progression.

Ruger has been Ruger since Day One, no parallel to ArmaLite at all.
Denis

 

[toysoldier]

But I'll bow out of this minor discussion in deference to the original poster's request--Armalite's products are generally very highly regarded in the industry today.

Thank you. That's what I wanted to know. I already have two co-workers interested in purchasing.

 

[427mach1]

There used to be a saying about AR's.... Remember your ABCD's when buying an AR-15 - Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, and DPMS. I've had my Armalite for about 2 years and have had zero problems with it.

 

[DPris]

ArmaLite's are decent quality, but I would not rate them higher than Colt.
And NEVER would I rate Bushmaster above Colt.
I've never heard that ABC before. :)
Denis

 

[triggerpull]

Is your bladder empty yet?

 

[DPris]

Nope, still working on it.

None of my comments are intended to be knocking ArmaLite, by the way, just correcting the erroneous connection with the original company that some people assume.

It's kinda like the Henry Repeating Arms Company.
People on the various forums never hesitate to correct posters who believe the current Henry has any linear connection with BT Henry.

Nowhere here did I say anything was wrong with ArmaLite products, or advise against buying any.
Denis

 

[ohiosam]

I have 2 M15A2 National Match Armalites. Both very accurate and zero issues. I'd put Colt, Rock River, and Armalite as pretty equal in quality.

BTW Weston purchased the rights to the name and designs, which makes it a little more legit use of the name than Henry. The original company was more of a design company, they struggled to produce much or turn a profit.