Introduction
I have to admit, writing about the best high-end AR-15 manufacturers is way more fun than it sounds. You’re telling me I get to shoot rifles that cost more than my monthly house payment and talk to you fine folks about them? Win-win.
No, seriously, AR-15s can be more expensive than you think. So much so that we wrote a whole article just talking about the cost alone.
Luckily, I don’t have to do that. I just get to tell you why they are worth the cost.
Always remember, you get what you pay for. A $600 AR-15 will not give you $3000 AR-15 results. But you don’t have to buy more than you need.
But it always helps to have it and not need it more than the other way around.
Best High-End AR15 Manufacturers
Best Overall – Knights Armament
Knights will always have the top spot for the best high-end AR-15 manufacturers. The reason for that is that they just work. Every time. No matter what. The SR15, for example, won’t need cleaning before you have 20,000 rounds down range.
If that doesn’t speak about how reliable their rifles are, I urge you to go shoot one.
Knights Armament does not skimp on their rifles. They pioneered tech that has been used in many different weapons and is still in use today.
The M110, the military variant of the SR-25, has been used by the U.S. Army in combat theatres worldwide since 2008. Has no one come up with a better semi-automatic sniper rifle yet? Maybe. But Knights still hit it out of the park. The M110 was featured in the U.S. Army’s “Best 10 Inventions of 2007.”
It should be no surprise that many special operators stake their lives on rifles from the Florida-based company. Eugene Stoner did work at Knights Armament, you know.
Best Value – Bravo Company Manufacturing
When you build a rifle that is frequently compared with rifles three times the price tag, you know you have done something right. BCM was founded by a Marine in his garage in 2003, shortly after Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In his garage. Imagine that. I bet Paul Buffoni would have never guessed that his rifle would be in use by multiple organizations and special forces operators when he was toiling away in his garage in Wisconsin.
Now, the reason why they are on this list is due to how much value you get with the price you pay. BCM makes some of the best components you will find in a rifle. Trust me, their Bolt Carrier Groups are amazing. I always like to say that the BCM Recce is the Porsche 911 of the AR-15 world.
I’ve seen experienced shooters compare the Recce to the likes of Knights Armament, Hodge, LMT, and many other rifles that could get you two or three Recces for the price of one of the others.
Radian
Unless you live under a rock, you have heard of Radian and their top tier rifle accessories. Radian makes the best charging handles on the market (I still love you, Geissele), but they recently came out with the Model 1 that made me return to the drawing board before buying my ultimate dream rifle.
While this is an article about manufacturers, I want to be the first to recognize the genius coming from Radian with the Model 1. If they keep up with this pace, they will most definitely dethrone Knights Armament as the king of high-end AR-15 manufacturers.
I know, I know. But don’t say I didn’t tell you so.
They are producing one of the smoothest and most accurate AR-15s on the market. Yes, the Model 1. The recoil impulse of this rifle is superb, and I urge any of the naysayers to go try on out on the range.
Sons of Liberty Gun Works
Hailing from the great state of Texas, Sons of Liberty Gun Works is a new face in the game. You won’t realize that when you shoot one of their rifles, though.
If you want a rifle built for pure combat, SOLGW has a rifle for you. The build quality on the rifles I have seen is always top-notch, and I bet you will start seeing a lot of them being fielded in the military and law enforcement.
Sons of Liberty Gun Works started from the humblest beginnings, and the founder, Mike Mihalski, started the company with $7,000 in his pocket and a dream to build the most robust firearms in the country.
Mike, if you ever read this, mission accomplished. SOLGW went from building just ten rifles in the basement of a lumber factory to producing one of the top three fighting rifles in the world.
If you don’t believe me, try one for yourself.
American Defense Manufacturing
Have you heard of ADM? Probably not. It’s pretty rare when I hear them come up in a conversation.
While their rifles may not be mainstream, the shooting experience you get with their rifles, AR-10 or AR-15, is worth way more than they sell for. With all the features you get, you will feel surprised that you only had to shell out $2,000 for one of their AR-15s.
I consider the UIC Mod 2 one of the finest rifles around, and you won’t disagree when you get your hands on one.
As a company, they have vowed to produce rifles that will best serve anyone in the law enforcement and military communities as well as anyone who wants the best from the rifle they own.
All of their rifles come fully ambidextrous and are ready for whatever you want to throw at them.
How We Chose our Top Picks
When choosing the top picks, I went for rifles that I had the best experiences with when shooting. I wanted to present only the best rifles pioneered in the AR-15 world.
Of course, other manufacturers should be up here, but I wanted to make this list as short and sweet as possible. Just in case you came here to look for a rifle you want to buy.
Buyer’s Guide – How To Decide Which High-End AR-15 Manufacturer To Use
What are you going to be using this rifle for? That’s the first question you should ask yourself when looking at one of the rifles above.
Even if you have the money to splurge on a rifle from Knights Armament, you can definitely get away with one from BCM. Buying magazines, ammo, and attachments that will aid in your training to become a great gunfighter are more important than the rifle you use.
What Are You Using the Rifle For?
While many individuals in the law enforcement and special operations fields use the BCM Recce and SR-15 for their rifle of choice, you may have needs that can’t be met by one or the other.
For example, if you are a left-handed shooter or frequently change shoulders, you may want something with ambidextrous features. On the other hand, if you don’t want an ambi rifle for any reason, the BCM line of rifles will have your back.
How Much Do You Have to Spend?
Obviously, the cost comes into play when picking out a rifle. We all would love to go in, pick out a top-tier rifle, and walk out the door with it in hand. The only limiting factors are money and the ATF (Thanks, ATF. Not really).
BCM rifles are half, if not lower, the cost of a rifle from Knights. So what do you want to spend? Remember, none of these rifles come with iron sights. So you must spend money on irons, a sling, and ammo just to get started.
If you want to buy a quality rifle and still have money for the other necessities, the BCM Recce is your best option. It frequents our lists when it comes to talking about the best AR-15s.
What Barrel Length is Best For You?
Both of these rifles come in various barrel lengths. In my experience, Knights knows just how to use a shorter barrel and still get the most out of the 5.56. This is important depending on what job you have. If you are constantly entering buildings and other confined structures, or if you shoot long-range, you must weigh out which barrel length is the best for you.
Where to Buy?
If you’re curious about pricing and how to place an order online, don’t hesitate to check out our recommendations on where to purchase for the best prices.
Best Ammo For Your AR-15
Our guide on the best AR-15 ammo discusses the importance of selecting the right ammunition for your AR-15, emphasizing that the choice depends on your preferences and your rifle’s characteristics.
When choosing ammunition for your AR-15, it’s essential to match the ammo with your rifle’s specifications, such as barrel length, twist rate, and gas system, as these can significantly affect performance.
It’s also important to balance cost and performance, ensuring you get reliable ammunition that suits your budget.
Experimenting with different types of ammunition is key, as each rifle may have its own preference, impacting accuracy and overall shooting experience. Testing various options will help you determine the best choice for your specific AR-15.
For a comprehensive understanding and specific recommendations, read our full article on selecting the best AR-15 ammo.
FAQs
FAQ #1 What brand of AR-15 does the military use?
The military uses Colt M4s and M16s. But there are specific jobs in the military where they get to choose which brand they want to use. For example, special operators get to select their kit more than anyone else.
FAQ #2 What is the most reliable high-end AR-15 manufacturer?
Knights Armament. 20,000 plus rounds without a clean? What’s not to love?
FAQ #3 How much does a high-end AR-15 cost?
Before adding optics and other attachments, some rifles, like some we see from JP Enterprises, can run you $4000+ for a basic build.
It gets expensive.
Conclusion
That’s it already? Sure there is more to be said. This is just a list of who I believe are the best high-end AR-15 manufacturers. Some may disagree, and some may not.
Be sure to look at my list of the best high-end AR-15 rifles on the market so you can catch one of your favorite rifles on the list. Until someone comes to dethrone the king, Knights Armament will always have the number one spot on any list.
Like the great Jerry Springer says, “Till next time, take care of yourself and each other.”
