What's the difference

[IMR]

Between the Colt and Bushmaster's,DPMS ? , and which do you prefer. I do believe at this point I need a flat-top for some form of optic.

[ACEarcher]

Well to be honest they are all the same. Their is a difference in quaility. Many people (especially Nam guys) only get Colt's cause they came out with the M16 and M4 models. Colt is the original creature of the Black rifle. Everybody else is just a clone. Bushmaster and DPMS are some of the higher quality clones. Olympic is a lil less, it all depends on what you want to spend. If you want a flat top where the picnney rail is exposed then either get just the flat top or one that has the removable handle. You will pay a lil more for that but they are more veristile and more fun.

[IMR]

That's kinda what I thought. I know DPMS is bigger $$$, and the Bushmaster is a good rifle. I'll look into the Cols, especially if there is a configuation for a rail. Thanks

[Houndog]

Armalite is the first company to produce the AR15 which became the M16.

[ACEarcher]

It was designed by Eugene Stoner for the Armalite Company and was produced by Colt. Sorry "produced" by colt. "Developed" by armalite.

[Houndog]

Armalite built the first guns in 1956. Colt was licensed to start to build them in 1959. There all good, Bushmaster quality has fallen off a bit in the past, but they all work. Just depends on if you need to drive tacks with the thing or not.