What's the consensus on Windham Weaponry ARs today?

[BehindBlueI's]

What's the consensus on the quality of Windham AR's these days? We're probably going to stop participating in the DRMO program at some point (maybe next year) and I'll have to turn in my rifle and optic and replace it with a personal one to stay in the rifle program. I've got a PSA and an older Bushmaster currently, but will need a 3rd one for trunk duty. I'm looking at this: https://gun.deals/product/windham-weaponry-mpc-r16m4a4t-m4-556-mm-16%E2%80%B3-549 For $550.

Round count will be low. Figure 500 rounds to verify function, 600 a year or so in quals and in-service, the rest of the time it will just ride in the trunk. I'll continue to use the PSA for training to keep the miles off my "real" one.

I'm open to other suggestions as well. I'd like to stay under $1k for rifle, optic, and BUIS.

[MistWolf]

Save yourself some heartache and just get a Colt 6920r Trooper

[farscott]

CDNN has the LE6920 with the "F"-marked front sight base and the rear BUIS for $800. That price will likely be lowered even further during one of their email specials. You can also get a M4 Expanse with the BUIS from CDNN for $600.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms.html#brand=AR&manufacturer=COLT

CDNN also has the S&W M&P Sport II with the A2 front post and Magpul BUIS for $500. That is a pretty good deal. Below is a link to everything AR that CDNN is currently selling.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/firearms.html#sort=salepriceasc&brand=AR&mpp=60

[rob_s]

IIRC Windham is the new company of the Bushmaster founder after he sold Bushmaster to Cerberus, no?

[Jay Cunningham]

They're shit.

Relatively speaking.

[ASH556]

Yeah, not great really. Problems:
Oversized gas port
Too light buffer
Incorrect bolt carrier
Poorly staked carrier key screws
Wrong carrier key screws
Un-staked castle nut
Wrong receiver extension

Some of that is fixable with some tools and new parts, but a 6920 would be significantly better for not much more money. It'd be like buying a Taurus Millennium instead of a Glock to save $200. Not on a duty weapon.

[ASH556]

IIRC Windham is the new company of the Bushmaster founder after he sold Bushmaster to Cerberus, no?

Yes.

[PearTree]

Windham is junk, definitely not a rifle I would stake my life on. I'm struggling to think of any weapon I would trust my life on for under 1k with optics and buis included.

The closest I can think of would be the Colt le6920r trooper, but that is in the $750 area right now and doesn't leave room for buis and optic to stay under 1k.

[scw2]

BBI not sure if these are in stock still but would be a tad over 700 and only require an optic. https://www.gundeals.com/colt-le6920-magpul-mexico-marked-5-56-nato

If they're OoS can keep my eyes open for deals that pop up.

[Rick62]

I'll add to the pile of "nope". One of the guys at work picked one up to serve in the same capacity as what you intend: low round count, spend most of the time riding in the patrol car. This sample came with an improperly assembled/out of spec mag release assembly. Once replaced, I put some rounds through it. Based on ejection pattern, I'd say it was over gassed (certainly could be other factors in play there). Staking on the carrier was over zealous, to the point of probably damaging the bolt heads.
As other have said, there's better options for not much more money. If we're talking about a range toy, I'd say buy whatever you want. On a gun that you may be doing work with- no way. We get short changed enough at work, I hate to see guys do it to themselves.


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[Beat Trash]

Don't bother for duty usage.

The Colt 6920 Trooper is hard to beat. I've seen the Trooper go for as low as $712.95 on line. I have no issue using the MagPul MBUS on a duty rifle. Look for a sale on an Aimpoint PRO. YOu're finished rifle might be a bit over $1,000.00. But you'll be close. And you'll have a Patrol Rifle that you can trust...

[WobblyPossum]

Our state Fish & Wildlife Game Wardens were issued Windham Weaponry rifles. I've heard only negative things so far from the guys I'm friends with. Mostly the stuff Ash already listed.


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[rob_s]

Don't bother for duty usage.

The Colt 6920 Trooper is hard to beat. I've seen the Trooper go for as low as $712.95 on line. I have no issue using the MagPul MBUS on a duty rifle. Look for a sale on an Aimpoint PRO. YOu're finished rifle might be a bit over $1,000.00. But you'll be close. And you'll have a Patrol Rifle that you can trust...

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/098289020604?upc_only=1

[holmes168]

I'm pretty loyal to the Colt LE6920. Never had an issue in Iraq or the range over here. IMO you simply can't beat a Colt for value.

[Bigghoss]

If you are looking for a ~$500 AR15. S&W M&P Sport II is the one to get. Pretty much every other one out there has something that makes it a non-starter for anything other than a plinker. Now if someone only wanted a range toy AR than pretty much anything is fine but even then there's no reason not to get the S&W. I've seen them on sale lately under $500 so not only are they better quality than rifles in that price range, they're often less expensive too. The handguards don't have heat shields though so you're going to want to upgrade those first thing. Magpul handguards are about $30 and give you mounting options for accessories.

[BehindBlueI's]

So the consensus is they are good to go and not to spend any more money on useless over-buying? Awesome, thanks for confirming that for me. :D

Ok, ok, Windham is out. Our range armorer said that he's been seeing issues on the S&W M&P II lately with poor quality barrels leading to keyholing.



BBI not sure if these are in stock still but would be a tad over 700 and only require an optic. https://www.gundeals.com/colt-le6920-magpul-mexico-marked-5-56-nato

If they're OoS can keep my eyes open for deals that pop up.

AH, yeah, I remember when Tom posted some of those were on gunbroker not too long ago. Assuming I'm fine with a fixed front sight post (and I am...is there any reason to not be) and I like that style grip (and I do) is there any compelling reason NOT to buy that one over the Trooper?

[41magfan]

Smith & Wesson M&P Sport II for $430 w/free shipping

http://www.combatarmory.com/smith-and-wesson-m-p15-sport-2-ii-556-223-nato-16-30rd-blk-free-shipping/

[David S.]

Disregard

[scw2]

is there any compelling reason NOT to buy that one over the Trooper?

Based on a quick google search, the most obvious difference is the (free float?) mlok handguard, which could be a plus or minus for you. If the Trooper version comes with BUIS so that would be an added expense for you.

[Beat Trash]

So the consensus is they are good to go and not to spend any more money on useless over-buying? Awesome, thanks for confirming that for me. :D

Ok, ok, Windham is out. Our range armorer said that he's been seeing issues on the S&W M&P II lately with poor quality barrels leading to keyholing.




AH, yeah, I remember when Tom posted some of those were on gunbroker not too long ago. Assuming I'm fine with a fixed front sight post (and I am...is there any reason to not be) and I like that style grip (and I do) is there any compelling reason NOT to buy that one over the Trooper?

Short answer, No.

Buy this, add a light and a RDS and you're set.

[scw2]

6920 LE trade in for $600 https://www.kingsfirearmsonline.com/products/semi-automatic-colt-colt-m4-carbine

[HCM]

Nope on the Windham.

Do a YouTube search - they had a video up of their factory assemblers barreling uppers -lots of short cuts, one guy is using a torque wrench on the barrel nuts the other is just. Browning them on and eyeballing it, loc- titing castle nuts instead of staking etc - also notorious for marking guns 5.56 but actually having .223 chambers.

For a work gun, Colt all the way, especially at current prices. The OEM, Trooper or a regular 6920 - dealers choice.