Seriona
Regular Member
This has been a question for me for a long time.
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Why do so many love and/or want the AR-15?
- Thread starter Seriona
- Start date
davidmcbeth
Banned
Its not the greatest thing since sliced bread (and who determines how thick I want my bread :cuss
but its a good weapon system that one can easily customize or home build. Numerous calibers are available .. many with just a swap of the upper.
Also, in the 80s-90s police started getting them to replace shotguns ... of course, once this happened it started an arms race between gov't and private citizens.
And the cost is low for one .. you can build one for 500 bucks if you get lucky and are patient to find good buys of components.
I think that the customization options are the #1 reason today... who played COD4 for hours just to get the next shiny new upgrade?
but its a good weapon system that one can easily customize or home build. Numerous calibers are available .. many with just a swap of the upper.Also, in the 80s-90s police started getting them to replace shotguns ... of course, once this happened it started an arms race between gov't and private citizens.
And the cost is low for one .. you can build one for 500 bucks if you get lucky and are patient to find good buys of components.
I think that the customization options are the #1 reason today... who played COD4 for hours just to get the next shiny new upgrade?
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Seriona
Regular Member
I was curious. For the longest of time, I was all about the AK-47 and wanted one. But I decided that a battle rifle should be wiser, why should I waste all that ammo when I could do it with one shot? So I now wish to get a M-14 or specifically the M1A. But I was curious to know why every one gets a AR-15, I thought it was something to do with it being cheap.
Lord Sega
Regular Member
I've heard good and bad about both AR-15 vs AK-47.
I don't (yet) own either type.
I have shot M-16 & M-4 in the ANG.
So because of the training & familiarity I do want a AR-15 in the M-4 variant style (shorter heavier barrel, adjustable stock, etc.).
Not that it's better or worse, just that I already know the AR-15 style, quirks, adjustments, and break-down / cleaning.
I don't (yet) own either type.
I have shot M-16 & M-4 in the ANG.
So because of the training & familiarity I do want a AR-15 in the M-4 variant style (shorter heavier barrel, adjustable stock, etc.).
Not that it's better or worse, just that I already know the AR-15 style, quirks, adjustments, and break-down / cleaning.
Seriona
Regular Member
The AR-15 vs AK-47 will always be a debate because it was the first assault rifles from the two cold war nations but it comes down to cheap vs reliable.
Rusty Young Man
Regular Member
Its not the greatest thing since sliced bread (and who determines how thick I want my bread :cuss
Also, in the 80s-90s police started getting them to replace shotguns ... of course, once this happened it started an arms race between gov't and private citizens.
And the cost is low for one .. you can build one for 500 bucks if you get lucky and are patient to find good buys of components.
I think that the customization options are the #1 reason today... who played COD4 for hours just to get the next shiny new upgrade?
Another one of those rare posts in which you provide highly meaningful, relevant content (and I agree with you).
@Seriona: Ease of use, accuracy, relatively high precision, low recoil, modularity, and the ability to customize it to your heart's content have made the AR-15 ubiquitous in the shooting sports.
If I may borrow from the Rifleman's Creed:
"This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine... My rifle and I know that what counts in war is not the rounds we fire, the noise of our burst, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit..."
We could get into a debate about how reliability is sacrificed in exchange for accuracy and precision (compared to the "hell and back" reliability of the AK-47), but that is a different matter, and one that likely wouldn't be encountered by the pastime shooter or hunter.
Personally, I share a fondness for older, battle and time-proven designs such as the SKS, M1 Garand, 1903 Springfield, and even the Mosin Nagant line (say what you will, but it is pretty hard to beat in terms of reliability).
The only exception would be the IWI Tavor bullpup rifle, which I must say does seem to aim quite naturally, and has great ergonomics (disclaimer: I've only HELD one, but have yet to shoot one).
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FMJ 911
Regular Member
Rifles of the First World War are my forte. Give me a ole' SMLE #1 Mark 3 with some .303 Mark 7 Ball and I'm golden.
IF I ever had to go post 1940's, Type 45 SKS would be my choice over the AKM, although AK's are good shooters.
IF I ever had to go post 1940's, Type 45 SKS would be my choice over the AKM, although AK's are good shooters.
SouthernBoy
Regular Member
They're fun to shoot. They're accurate, light weight, and you can carry lots of ammo. Many reasons to like them, and I'm sure some will add, many reasons not to like them. But the AR-15 is the most popular military styled rifle in our history (corrections are encouraged with this). We buy them up like cereal. It is a very good rifle for most purposes to which you might put it.
kinggabby
Regular Member
Because the "MAN" don't want ordinary people to have them. That's all I got. I want one as well.Just no money for one. But I take donations.
JamesCanby
Activist Member
It is simply one of the most affordable, modifiable, accurate, easy to maintain and comfortable rifles I have ever shot. Ammunition costs are decreasing to a reasonable level and are available in a variety of loads. I can swap out the bolt assembly for one that shoots .22LR, making it more appropriate for my kids to learn on, or I can load the more powerful 5.56 NATO steel-core round for maximum effectiveness.
Why do you ask about this particular rifle?
MSG Laigaie
Campaign Veteran
The AR platform is great. It is the Lego of firearms. You can do quite a bit with these "lego" parts and configure almost any calibre. I have several in a variety of configs, pistol and retros mostly. I just had one of the "surplus" M16A1s sent to me. All parts but lower and barrel for US$350. That will be an inexpensive build and I expect it to be a great shooter.
Try shooting a few in different configs to see what YOU like. They are great fun.
for long range stuff I have a Lee Enfield in 7.62-54. My long range cannon.
Try shooting a few in different configs to see what YOU like. They are great fun.
for long range stuff I have a Lee Enfield in 7.62-54. My long range cannon.
Shovelhead
Regular Member
Because the Pulse Laser Rifle isn't at my LGS yet.........
Gil223
Regular Member
You can get relatively "cheap", just like you can get a Chevy Geo for less than a Chevy Camaro. The low end (where I live anyway) seems to be around $629 on sale and that's for an M&P15 chambered in 5.56NATO. IMNSHO, the 5.56NATO chambering is better than the .223Rem chamber - because you can practice with the slightly less expensive .223 round from a 5.56 chamber, and put in the 5.56 when you need something with a bit more anger behind it. Personally, I've had a Bushmaster 5.56 for several years, and like it A LOT!
Pax...P.S. The AK-47 "ain't no slouch" either!
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Rusty Young Man
Regular Member
"Basic hand tools"? I was led to believe I could simply jam a paperclip in there to get the full-spray, auto-fire, cloud-of-death.:lol:
At this point, it may be best if Seriona shot an AR-15 and a few other guns for comparison of the many points made above (by myself and others). The Chinese proverb "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand" comes to mind.
davidmcbeth
Banned
People write love poems about their ARs....http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=249830
We love them .... can't fully explain why.
And contrary to my gov. malloy, people will not get a divorce from their ARs.
And we are like mormons with them .. must have more than one.
If a tool gave you the 100% ability to shut a politician up, even if you would not use it, you would also not want not to have it. You will be gracious today ...
We love them .... can't fully explain why.
And contrary to my gov. malloy, people will not get a divorce from their ARs.
And we are like mormons with them .. must have more than one.
If a tool gave you the 100% ability to shut a politician up, even if you would not use it, you would also not want not to have it. You will be gracious today ...
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SovereignAxe
Regular Member
I don't even own one and I can tell you why. It's similar as to why everyone wants a Glock.
First off, the AR-15 is one of the lightest, easiest to use rifles you can buy. With the right parts, you can get the weight down to about 7 pounds. You can lift that with your pinky. Try doing that with your Remington 700.
Completely unrelated to Glock, it shoots one of the most readily available, and easy to shoot rounds. Sure, supply has been spotty over the past year or so, but it's still out there and recoil is minuscule-even in the 7 pound rifles. That means ANYONE can shoot it with ease. Speaking of which, it's available with a collapsing stock, so anyone of any stature can shoot it comfortably.
Accessories are completely ubiquitous. Walk into any gun store or gun show and you will find stacks and stacks of magazines for it. They might not all be pmags, but they'll all work (at least they better if you're paying money for them), and they're relatively cheap. Try doing that with a Ruger Mini-14. You'll also find tons of other accessories that bolt to it, like rails, frontpenis grips, flashlights, lasers, etc.
So yeah, like a Glock they're easy to use, have lots of accessories, and anywhere you go you're going to be able to trade parts with someone and for the most part they'll be totally interchangeable.
First off, the AR-15 is one of the lightest, easiest to use rifles you can buy. With the right parts, you can get the weight down to about 7 pounds. You can lift that with your pinky. Try doing that with your Remington 700.
Completely unrelated to Glock, it shoots one of the most readily available, and easy to shoot rounds. Sure, supply has been spotty over the past year or so, but it's still out there and recoil is minuscule-even in the 7 pound rifles. That means ANYONE can shoot it with ease. Speaking of which, it's available with a collapsing stock, so anyone of any stature can shoot it comfortably.
Accessories are completely ubiquitous. Walk into any gun store or gun show and you will find stacks and stacks of magazines for it. They might not all be pmags, but they'll all work (at least they better if you're paying money for them), and they're relatively cheap. Try doing that with a Ruger Mini-14. You'll also find tons of other accessories that bolt to it, like rails, frontpenis grips, flashlights, lasers, etc.
So yeah, like a Glock they're easy to use, have lots of accessories, and anywhere you go you're going to be able to trade parts with someone and for the most part they'll be totally interchangeable.
Seriona
Regular Member
Just curious because it seems like 9/10 times, people who own rifles are the AR-15.
SFCRetired
Regular Member
I guess I'm the oddball in the group. From the day I fired my first M16, back in 1973, I took a dislike to the weapon. I still remember pulling the trigger and hearing, "Bang! Sproing!" and thinking, "What the Hell is this; a Daisy BB gun?"
Bear in mind that I was, up until that time, far better acquainted with the M1 and the M14. As I used the M16 more, I found that it required far more cleaning and was less reliable than either the M1 or the M14. It also did not have the range of either of the other weapons. I understand that many of the problems with the early M16/AR15 platforms have been corrected but I am still strongly influenced by those early experiences.
Another thing that bothered me back then was that the drill sergeants seemed to be pushing "spray and pray" over aimed, accurate rifle fire. I never could buy into that. Granted, it is not an issue with a semiautomatic rifle like it is with one that is fully automatic, but it added to my bias.
Given my choice of rifles, I'd go with M1, M1A, or M14 in semiautomatic rifles and '03 Springfield, Remington 700, Ruger American All-Weather, or one of the Weatherby series. My preferred calibers are 30-06, .308, 7.62NATO.
Yeah, guys, I know I'm a dinosaur!:lol:
Bear in mind that I was, up until that time, far better acquainted with the M1 and the M14. As I used the M16 more, I found that it required far more cleaning and was less reliable than either the M1 or the M14. It also did not have the range of either of the other weapons. I understand that many of the problems with the early M16/AR15 platforms have been corrected but I am still strongly influenced by those early experiences.
Another thing that bothered me back then was that the drill sergeants seemed to be pushing "spray and pray" over aimed, accurate rifle fire. I never could buy into that. Granted, it is not an issue with a semiautomatic rifle like it is with one that is fully automatic, but it added to my bias.
Given my choice of rifles, I'd go with M1, M1A, or M14 in semiautomatic rifles and '03 Springfield, Remington 700, Ruger American All-Weather, or one of the Weatherby series. My preferred calibers are 30-06, .308, 7.62NATO.
Yeah, guys, I know I'm a dinosaur!:lol: