Why do so many love and/or want the AR-15?

[Kopis]

Because you can walk into any gun show and buy one with no paperwork and easily convert it into a machine gun at home with basic hand tools.

Source: Internet.

why do that when you can just order one on the internet machine and have it delivered to your house without a background check?



Seriously though, like others have said, it's a simple, easy to use platform, you can build so many different styles, colors, calibers etc. You can have one lower and tons of different uppers to cover you from varmint hunting/long range shooting, 300 blackout for home defense, 223 for plinking, 7.62 etc. They're just so versatile, what's not to love?

 

[acmariner99]

An upper for 50BMG? And how do you get the cartridges into the chamber with an AR-15 lower? The 50BMG projectile as about as long as a complete 5.56NATO round. The basic AR weighs about 6 pounds, the basic shoulder-fired (prone) 50BMG weighs anywhere from 18 pounds to almost 30 pounds. Why? RECOIL! You are right about the versatility (personalization) of the AR platform though. Pax...

Check this out: http://www.tactilite.com/Uppers-50-BMG-416-Barrett-338-Lapua-s/1814.htm I was surprised to learn that you could set up a measly AR-15 to fire 50 BMG too, but sure enough, just get a barrel assembly and you're good to go. I would be very curious to see how this setup would work.

 

[golddigger14s]

Civilian AR-15: Assault Rile
Police AR-15: Patrol rifle
Anyway that is the media interpretation. I did 21 years in the Army, and HATE the AR/M-15/16/4 platform. DI system is a pita to clean. I love my AK, and have a Sig 556 "Russian" piston on order. In WA you have to have a 6mm or larger to hunt, so I like the versatility.

 

[jfrey123]

In WA you have to have a 6mm or larger to hunt, so I like the versatility.

6.5 grendel or 6.8 SPC in piston upper for the AR-15 would address all your concerns.

 

[davidmcbeth]

My boy says "it shoots things" ... thats why he likes it ....

 

[golddigger14s]

6.5 grendel or 6.8 SPC in piston upper for the AR-15 would address all your concerns.

I already have an AK, with lots of ammo, and mags. I want to keep my calibers to a minimum, especially the stuff I can get cheap. I get 7.62 for less than $5 a box. The Sig should give me AR accuracy, best of both worlds. The 6.5, and 6.8 goes for $25 ouch. Also it has a folding stock, the buffer tube is another item I don't like. My 2 cents.

 

[georg jetson]

I already have an AK, with lots of ammo, and mags. I want to keep my calibers to a minimum, especially the stuff I can get cheap. I get 7.62 for less than $5 a box. The Sig should give me AR accuracy, best of both worlds. The 6.5, and 6.8 goes for $25 ouch. Also it has a folding stock, the buffer tube is another item I don't like. My 2 cents.

Understandable for people with limited resources like myself. I've been collecting ak type stuff for decades. However, in recent years, the cost of an ak has risen to near ar levels. So, I had to get one.

My favorite thing about an ar may be shared by others with aging vision. Im handicapped with iron sites and trying to equip an ak with optics has always proved awkward at best. Comparatively, the flat top ar is optic mounting heaven.

 

[acmariner99]

I've always found a way to burn my hand on the forward hand guard on an ak. I love the versatility of the AR platform and for now in my area at least, I can shoot the AR for less than I can shoot my 45 or 357.