Don't Know much about the Smith. But Charles Daly makes full mil-spec M4's, at a very reasonable price. Take a look at galleryofguns.com or Davidsons. Sometimes they have pretty good deals, and ship to a local dealer. Since you are in AZ, you might be able to take a quick trip to Prescot and check them out in person.

I've got a DM4LE, and have over 700 rounds through it, not one single issue. Check out the review on weaponevolution.com by Stickman, one of this sites contributors as well. He has posted some fantastic pics, along with a great indepth review. He is a LEO, so very much knows what he's talking about.

Good luck, and thanks for your servie to the country.

JeffNM - in New Mexico now, but Arizona born and bred

Welcome to the armory. You already got great advice on which AR, now just go try a few and pick the one you like best. As for California...Ive been a CA LEO for 19 years and had a first row seat to the demise of this horrible state. Check with the USBP and see if they will give you a purchase authorization letter. There is a California exemption to the gun laws, but you need a letter from your agency saying that you will use it in the course of your duties. Now that doesnt mean you have to take it to work with you. It just means that you have a similar use or need at work. So, if your agency uses the AR platform, you can get the exemption authorization letter and buy your own personal AR for "work" use. It's not as bad as it sounds, and makes it nice for us poor CA slobs that can not otherwise get the good stuff. And, once you get your AR, dont forget you need a G & G Tools bolt cleaner to make the cleaning easier.

im going to get a dpms i think cause theyre good quality and low priced. then ill end up modding it.

"im going to get a dpms i think cause theyre good quality and low priced. then ill end up modding it.''

Thats what i did. Bought a Sportical on the cheap and then modded it to my liking. Worked out great.

This post has been edited by coolsteve: November 11th 2009 12:32 AM