I've built dozens of AR's for my personal collection as well as family members, I've been collecting for over 17 years and shooting since I was 6 years old/competitively since I was 10. When I was on active duty I think I had or handled an M16 from every manufacturer that ever existed, even ones which I didn't even know made M16's. I've also worked in the manufacturing industry for about 6 years.
That being said, your welcome to your opinion as well as everyone esle. So if you want a Colt or any number of other brand name, then just go for it. More often then not you're buying a weapon which was made from parts from the same 3rd party forgery/manufacturer and then simply shipped to the company which distributes them (i.e. Colt, RRA,etc) These companies then make some final touches by engraving their own name on it, drilling a couple holes, and putting the finish on them in their own fashion. Just like the "einstein brothers bagel restaraunts", they advertise that they are made fresh in their stores, but I can tell you from experience that they are not. The hire a 3rd party to make them, and ship them frozen to the stores. Just like most things in this country today.
Basically, what I'm saying is they are all the same and you will ultimately just be paying the price for a name depending on which you go with. The only true difference you will find in MOST is the quality of the anodized finish which can easily scratch on cheaper models. Just make sure whatever you get is "mil-spec" and you shouldn't have to worry about the finish so much.
Some people will have a bad experience with one brand and then swear it off forever. Learn from your own experience. As per mine, I build my own AR's and have for a long time because it is considerably cheaper if you know how and where to shop. I was a "brand" guy many years ago too, but learned that it is all advertising hype and not worth it. If I ever had a problem with a gun which I bought, I fixed it rather than discard it as "a junk AR". You'll be surprised how many "junk AR's" are actually good AR's with "junk magazines" or a couple other faulty assembly issues.
My entire point is, dont overexert yourself trying to pick the "best AR brand"...it's pointless and in any case strictly a matter of opinion, which you must form for yourself
That being said, your welcome to your opinion as well as everyone esle. So if you want a Colt or any number of other brand name, then just go for it. More often then not you're buying a weapon which was made from parts from the same 3rd party forgery/manufacturer and then simply shipped to the company which distributes them (i.e. Colt, RRA,etc) These companies then make some final touches by engraving their own name on it, drilling a couple holes, and putting the finish on them in their own fashion. Just like the "einstein brothers bagel restaraunts", they advertise that they are made fresh in their stores, but I can tell you from experience that they are not. The hire a 3rd party to make them, and ship them frozen to the stores. Just like most things in this country today.
Basically, what I'm saying is they are all the same and you will ultimately just be paying the price for a name depending on which you go with. The only true difference you will find in MOST is the quality of the anodized finish which can easily scratch on cheaper models. Just make sure whatever you get is "mil-spec" and you shouldn't have to worry about the finish so much.
Some people will have a bad experience with one brand and then swear it off forever. Learn from your own experience. As per mine, I build my own AR's and have for a long time because it is considerably cheaper if you know how and where to shop. I was a "brand" guy many years ago too, but learned that it is all advertising hype and not worth it. If I ever had a problem with a gun which I bought, I fixed it rather than discard it as "a junk AR". You'll be surprised how many "junk AR's" are actually good AR's with "junk magazines" or a couple other faulty assembly issues.
My entire point is, dont overexert yourself trying to pick the "best AR brand"...it's pointless and in any case strictly a matter of opinion, which you must form for yourself