AA also has tiers of complete rifles, with the GSR ($3190) and GDMR ($2890) using cut-rifles barrels at the top, followed by the 18" fluted Grendel Hunter models ($1920 side charge and $1750 standard) with hydro dip camo, followed by the Grendel Tactical Rifle ($1750 with SSA or AA trigger, Cerakote choice, Manticore handguard), and then the Lightweights and Incursions.
Core15 has billet down to forged Grendels ranging from Left Hand billet Hardcore X4 20" with Leupold Mark 6 and ATLAS bipod for $5599, CORE15® HARDCORE X1 6.5 GRENDEL for $2549, and forged for $1489. The Hardcore X4 and X1 rifles come with Boyt hard cases and cleaning kits.
JP has 5 tiers of rifles as well and a rifle-builder program, with the SCR-11 ($2699), PSC-11 ($2599), CTR-02 ($2499), JP-15 Precision ($1999 base price), and JP-15 Duty ($1509-$2059).
The LaRue Stealth 2.0 is $1999 in FDE with the LaRue in-house CNC-made, nitrided barrel. LaRue also has the Ultimate Upper kit option which includes being able to order a matching billet lower to complete the rifle into a Stealth 2.0 full rifle. The Stealth 2.0 rifle comes with a hard plastic case. An interesting thing about the LaRue Stealth is the $399 add-on TranQuilo suppressor, specifically designed for gas gun use without creating too much back pressure into the system. There is also the LaRue SUURG suppressed upper receiver group with 11.5" barrel, permanent muzzle device that acts as the core for a slip-over and locking TranQulio for it, so you only need one tax stamp for the can.
Precision Firearms has several tiers in the Arion, Aries, and Enterprise series ranging from $1500-$2900 base prices. You get Lilja or Bartlein upgrade options, barrel length, handguard, trigger, furniture, side charger, Cerakote, and muzzle device options.
I personally only have hands-on experience with:
* AA GSR, GDMR, Hunter SC, and Hunter models, as well as some of the Incursions.
* Handled Core 15 at SHOT but have not fired any.
* Many JPs in .224 Wylde, but not Grendel yet. Based on what I know about JP, I have zero reservations about JP products or rifles, and that is from close to 20 years of watching JP carefully, using many of the products he brings to market.
* The LaRue Stealth FDE 2.0 with optics package (Own it).
* Several PF rifles and uppers using Bartlein and Lilja barrels.
There are things I like or would point out unique to each of these manufacturers, but they are all top-end rifles with a lot of features that really do justify the price points for the more discerning customer. The billet/high end barrel/trigger guns are well away from the forged receiver and bare bones barreled options down in the lower price points on the market.
The first thing you will notice about most billet AR15 samples from these manufacturers is how tight and solid they feel in your hands. The next thing is how smooth the actions usually are. All the higher-end rifles come with great triggers, and there are different approaches to attention to detail from each.
All the ones I've sampled or shot have shown extreme precision for an AR15, so that comes as a standard expectation once you get up there in price. For the customers in these price ranges, I would make a list of what's most important to you, and then compare that to these offerings to see what fits you best.
For the working customer who is looking for that next step up from standard forged receivers and roll-the-dice barrels with limited features, many of these upper-tier rifles are now within reach with a little budgeting, with the LaRue Ultimate Upper kit + lower being your lowest price entry point into billet/MBT-2S trigger, smooth action, tight fit, etc. The only limitation currently is the barrel length/profile at 18" medium/heavy contour.
I have really enjoyed what I've experienced with all the offerings I've shot or owned in these samples above, to include shooting them out to at least 700yds. The AA GDMR and GSR rifles on steel swingers at 700yds get boring. The PF rifles shoot bug holes at 100yds, and reach out authoritatively. The AA Hunters are nice and light, smooth action, Kryptek camo pattern.
JPs offer SCS recoil system, adjustable gas, competition brakes, ventilator fin radiators under the handguards, and tuned single-stage triggers.
LaRue has the true free-floating handguard with no contact at all with the barrel nut, extremely solid handguard-to-upper lock-up, MBT-2S trigger, and matching furniture. The RAT stock has these cool little cleaning rod sections that plug into the butt plate to form your cleaning rod and handle. The action is super smooth right out of the gate. I've shot ragged 5rd groups at 100yds, and have taken it out to 1000yds already with only a 6x scope, haven't even put target glass on it yet. I like the TranQuilo brake a lot because it works, but isn't obnoxious like a tank or large gill brake.
All the PF Grendels I've shot or tested were bug-holing at 100yds. The billet receiver set is precision-matched and serial-numbered with each other, very sturdy. The Arion Grendel 18" has Intermediate Length Gas System for better timing of the cyclic rate, much more friendly for suppressed use with a non flow-through can. The barrel-to-upper receiver fit is extremely tight, very solid rifles.
You just have to pick what's important to you, go down the list, and select that set of options. Can't really go wrong with the upper tiers though.
Core15 has billet down to forged Grendels ranging from Left Hand billet Hardcore X4 20" with Leupold Mark 6 and ATLAS bipod for $5599, CORE15® HARDCORE X1 6.5 GRENDEL for $2549, and forged for $1489. The Hardcore X4 and X1 rifles come with Boyt hard cases and cleaning kits.
JP has 5 tiers of rifles as well and a rifle-builder program, with the SCR-11 ($2699), PSC-11 ($2599), CTR-02 ($2499), JP-15 Precision ($1999 base price), and JP-15 Duty ($1509-$2059).
The LaRue Stealth 2.0 is $1999 in FDE with the LaRue in-house CNC-made, nitrided barrel. LaRue also has the Ultimate Upper kit option which includes being able to order a matching billet lower to complete the rifle into a Stealth 2.0 full rifle. The Stealth 2.0 rifle comes with a hard plastic case. An interesting thing about the LaRue Stealth is the $399 add-on TranQuilo suppressor, specifically designed for gas gun use without creating too much back pressure into the system. There is also the LaRue SUURG suppressed upper receiver group with 11.5" barrel, permanent muzzle device that acts as the core for a slip-over and locking TranQulio for it, so you only need one tax stamp for the can.
Precision Firearms has several tiers in the Arion, Aries, and Enterprise series ranging from $1500-$2900 base prices. You get Lilja or Bartlein upgrade options, barrel length, handguard, trigger, furniture, side charger, Cerakote, and muzzle device options.
I personally only have hands-on experience with:
* AA GSR, GDMR, Hunter SC, and Hunter models, as well as some of the Incursions.
* Handled Core 15 at SHOT but have not fired any.
* Many JPs in .224 Wylde, but not Grendel yet. Based on what I know about JP, I have zero reservations about JP products or rifles, and that is from close to 20 years of watching JP carefully, using many of the products he brings to market.
* The LaRue Stealth FDE 2.0 with optics package (Own it).
* Several PF rifles and uppers using Bartlein and Lilja barrels.
There are things I like or would point out unique to each of these manufacturers, but they are all top-end rifles with a lot of features that really do justify the price points for the more discerning customer. The billet/high end barrel/trigger guns are well away from the forged receiver and bare bones barreled options down in the lower price points on the market.
The first thing you will notice about most billet AR15 samples from these manufacturers is how tight and solid they feel in your hands. The next thing is how smooth the actions usually are. All the higher-end rifles come with great triggers, and there are different approaches to attention to detail from each.
All the ones I've sampled or shot have shown extreme precision for an AR15, so that comes as a standard expectation once you get up there in price. For the customers in these price ranges, I would make a list of what's most important to you, and then compare that to these offerings to see what fits you best.
For the working customer who is looking for that next step up from standard forged receivers and roll-the-dice barrels with limited features, many of these upper-tier rifles are now within reach with a little budgeting, with the LaRue Ultimate Upper kit + lower being your lowest price entry point into billet/MBT-2S trigger, smooth action, tight fit, etc. The only limitation currently is the barrel length/profile at 18" medium/heavy contour.
I have really enjoyed what I've experienced with all the offerings I've shot or owned in these samples above, to include shooting them out to at least 700yds. The AA GDMR and GSR rifles on steel swingers at 700yds get boring. The PF rifles shoot bug holes at 100yds, and reach out authoritatively. The AA Hunters are nice and light, smooth action, Kryptek camo pattern.
JPs offer SCS recoil system, adjustable gas, competition brakes, ventilator fin radiators under the handguards, and tuned single-stage triggers.
LaRue has the true free-floating handguard with no contact at all with the barrel nut, extremely solid handguard-to-upper lock-up, MBT-2S trigger, and matching furniture. The RAT stock has these cool little cleaning rod sections that plug into the butt plate to form your cleaning rod and handle. The action is super smooth right out of the gate. I've shot ragged 5rd groups at 100yds, and have taken it out to 1000yds already with only a 6x scope, haven't even put target glass on it yet. I like the TranQuilo brake a lot because it works, but isn't obnoxious like a tank or large gill brake.
All the PF Grendels I've shot or tested were bug-holing at 100yds. The billet receiver set is precision-matched and serial-numbered with each other, very sturdy. The Arion Grendel 18" has Intermediate Length Gas System for better timing of the cyclic rate, much more friendly for suppressed use with a non flow-through can. The barrel-to-upper receiver fit is extremely tight, very solid rifles.
You just have to pick what's important to you, go down the list, and select that set of options. Can't really go wrong with the upper tiers though.
NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO
CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor
6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:
www.AR15buildbox.com
CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor
6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:
www.AR15buildbox.com