Newtonian 453 Posted June 22, 2016 My very well-armed son in law, who lives in a free state, commented over the weekend that he's catching the AR bug. "Everybody seems to want one." I couldn't explain why. I myself have a very nice collection, quite appropriate for home defense, including low-recoil semi-auto 7.62 x 39s. He's even better equipped than me, with 30-round mags but in smaller calibers. What is the attraction to military-style rifles? This is a genuine question as I've only shot them a couple of times and have not been impressed to the point of spending double what I normally spend on a long gun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krdshrk 3,871 Posted June 22, 2016 Easy to assemble, easy to maintain, accurate, and accessorizable like barbie dolls. You don't have to spend a lot to have a great AR. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,365 Posted June 22, 2016 Whatever has been the military rifle since the 1873 Springfield has always had a following in the civilian world. Krag, 03 Springfield, Garand, M1 Carbine, M14 (M1A1) and the AR. We have used the AR in the military for over 50 years. Longer than any other rifle. The following grows with both vets and non vets. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,119 Posted June 22, 2016 Modularity and ease of modification as my needs evolve. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,634 Posted June 22, 2016 You can protect, provide, plink, compete, teach, learn, and do a hundred other things with an AR platform rifle. They are easy to assemble, easy to repair, easy to maintain, and easy to troubleshoot. Parts and accessories are plentiful, relatively affordable, and there are multiple companies making quality parts out there. They are ergonomic, pleasant to shoot, have low recoil, and are reliable, comfortable, durable, and accurate at useful distances. Ammunition is plentiful and relatively cheap with different types designed for a multitude of disciplines. Thousands of men and women retire from our Armed Forces every year all with experience on this platform. That makes it a natural "go to" firearm for all of them. There's probably not another firearm out there that checks as many boxes as an AR. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bully 749 Posted June 22, 2016 This article pretty much sums it up: https://medium.com/@jonst0kes/why-i-need-an-ar-15-832e05ae801c#.ttu4jcmld Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M1152 713 Posted June 22, 2016 after 3000 post and you're asking now? Simply answer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimB1 554 Posted June 22, 2016 You know, I am not into the AR either. I've tried a few and they just don't do anything for me... -Jim Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSD1026 48 Posted June 22, 2016 You can protect, provide, plink, compete, teach, learn, and do a hundred other things with an AR platform rifle. They are easy to assemble, easy to repair, easy to maintain, and easy to troubleshoot. Parts and accessories are plentiful, relatively affordable, and there are multiple companies making them. They are ergonomic, easy to shoot, low recoil, reliable, durable, and accurate. Ammunition is plentiful and relatively cheap and accurate. Thousands of men and women retire from our Armed Forces every year all of experience on this platform. That makes it a natural "go to "firearm for all of them. There's probably not another firearm out there that checks as many boxes as an AR. This. I dont think I have found a better answer. Pretty much sums it up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted June 22, 2016 To add to modularity, all you need is another barrel and sometimes a new bolt and you can have dozens and dozens of calibers. I have a 6.5 Grendel and I'm looking at the less known 30 American. You can have a short light weapon or a heavier very accurate long range weapon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Newtonian 453 Posted June 22, 2016 You know, I am not into the AR either. I've tried a few and they just don't do anything for me... -Jim You must be a communist if after 68 posts you don't know Thanks for the info, guys. I will pass this info on to "Mark" and consider the possibility myself. BTW I love the idea of modularity although I have newcaliberphobia (I already have 8). What are some common calibers you can use with an AR by switching the barrels? Seems that 7.62 x 39 would be about the upper limit to maintain the low recall and weight benefits. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot 358 Posted June 22, 2016 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted June 22, 2016 If you like big there is 458 Socom. 7.62x39 can be a little tricky without a special lower. 6.8 SPC and 300 AAC are two popular calibers. Although the main advantage of the blackout is how well it runs suppressed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Baron 10 Posted June 22, 2016 I just may have to rethink this Eugene Stoner design, maybe replace my Mauser, Browning and Garand designed weapons...okay I thought about it...Nah. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T Bill 649 Posted June 22, 2016 I just may have to rethink this Eugene Stoner design, maybe replace my Mauser, Browning and Garand designed weapons...okay I thought about it...Nah. All 'assault' weapons of their time. So what's your point. It's a ergonomic semi auto that's all. and a libtards wet dream. Without them, libtards have no purpose in life, Sick of all this Bravo Sierra crap. What will they do when they run out of other people's money? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pine Baron 10 Posted June 22, 2016 No point, T Bill, just tongue in cheek. Bows and arrows were "assault" weapons of THEIR time also. I have no use for ignorant Liberal arguments either. My personal preference is anything that goes boom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted June 22, 2016 Why not? Because its there. (same reason people climb mountains) Keeping up with the Jones's Because I can A better question is why do so many people try so hard to justify this or any purchase Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted June 22, 2016 Because we need to practice saying it smoothly when we explain the new purchase to the wife ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,119 Posted June 22, 2016 I just may have to rethink this Eugene Stoner design, maybe replace my Mauser, Browning and Garand designed weapons...okay I thought about it...Nah. No, no no....definitely, get rid of those old antiques. PM me, I'll take em off your hands . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fishnut 2,358 Posted June 22, 2016 Because we need to practice saying it smoothly when we explain the new purchase to the wife ...speek for your self! As far as the wife knows I haven't purchased a new gun in 10 years. I don't count her purses and shoes and she dosent count my guns or fishing rods. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
n4p226r 105 Posted June 23, 2016 Although the main advantage of the blackout is how well it runs suppressed. Which isn't much of an advantage when you realize that makes it valid tally equivalent to a pistol caliber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
njpilot 671 Posted June 23, 2016 You know, I am not into the AR either. I've tried a few and they just don't do anything for me... -Jim I guess you haven't shot a 9" 300 Blk suppressed, with subsonic rounds. Pretty damn fun. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,634 Posted June 23, 2016 I guess you haven't shot a 9" 300 Blk suppressed, with subsonic rounds. Pretty damn fun. I hate you (jealously) with the fire of a thousand burning suns... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SJ ED 0 Posted June 23, 2016 Great topic - After owning and shooting pumps, levers, semi's and single shots all my life I bought a slightly used AR 5 years ago and "built" another a couple years ago. Just an extension of my shooting and tinkering interests for me plus they're just plain fun to shoot! And, because of its inherent reliability, lightness, compactness and acceptable accuracy and ballistics, It's a great run and gun rig if you ever need one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted June 23, 2016 Which isn't much of an advantage when you realize that makes it valid tally equivalent to a pistol caliber I'm going to run the numbers through a ballistic calculator because I don't know them offhand, but the simple difference in case capacity and the difference in range makes that hard to believe. I don't know anything about it, I'm just saying it's interesting. I'll post the results when I get around to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
High Exposure 5,634 Posted June 23, 2016 .300 Blackout subsonic loads are between 180 and 220 grains and are subsonic. Out of a 10.5" SBR with mounted suppressor it delivers about 380-500 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards. http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ultimate-300-aac-blackout-ammo-test/ That's nothing to sneeze at. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,365 Posted June 23, 2016 300 blackout subsonic with a 220 gr bullet is going about 1000 fps giving you about 500 ft lbs of energy. You can do that with a 357 mag and still be subsonic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Schrödinger's cat 87 Posted June 23, 2016 At 100 yards ? Also I'm not aware of the ability to build a .357 Mag SBR or carbine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Patrick 638 Posted June 23, 2016 At 100 yards ? Also I'm not aware of the ability to build a .357 Mag SBR or carbine. Lever gun Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites