While self-defense is probably the first thing the AR is suitable for it is becoming commonly accepted for hunting and target shooting.

Here in Kansas I frequently have talked to hunters that use the AR for deer. Optics and selecting the right bullet make it a good choice for hunting. The AR is a good choice on hogs and ‘yotes. With the out-of-control wild hog population the rapid fire ability of the AR makes it a great choice when thinning out groups of hogs.

The AR is a fun rifle to use when chasing the same bullet hole on a shooting range.

A AR and 10 loaded 30 round magazines can be easily stored in a zippered nylon rifle case that has five magazine pockets on the outside is a lot of readily firepower whether it is for self-defense, a hunting trip or to the shooting range.

As pointed out just pushing two pins allows to the user to change calibers making a totally different rifle.

I’ve been a victim of the AR-15 curiosity bug for years. I enjoy shooting them from time to time and I’ve always been impressed with their accuracy and “shootability,” if not so much with their power - even with the loads using heavy bullets. An AR-10 might be more to my liking than the 15, but the are not nearly as handy.

I can’t imagine why any serious gun hobbyist wouldn’t want one, but then a lot of people own different guns that I’ve never bothered to purchase. From my perspective, even though I don’t need one in the sense that mine stands around in a rack with magazine loaded, ready to go at a moment’s notice, I enjoy shooting AR-15s and I see no LOGICAL reason at all why .gov should be worried about me owning them. If they are worried, then I wonder just why... ? If they’re just using my God-given rights as a vehicle to grandstand for votes, then a pox on them!

If you can find one at a fair price, sure, go ahead and get it.

No one here knows what the current Administration has in store for us, no one here knows if current ownership of certain guns are being grandfathered in or not.

But the fact that someone from the Admin is asking SCOTUS for forceful confiscations worries me.

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Jorge

Better to buy an AR now you may or may not want, than to not be able to buy one later when you do want one.

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Watch & Pray

Yes. Buy two while you’re at it.

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Pass it on.
Mark

S&W is a big tent, from antique firearms to the latest handguns/rifles/shotguns for collecting, target shooting and self defense. Bottom line the anties hate all firearms no matter what they look like or their purpose. They are going after the low hanging fruit right now but intend to strip the tree of every last firearm everyone of you own, far as they are concerned there are no good guns. You are sadly mistaken if you think they will stop at AR15s/AK47s.

If you want one, better get it NOW!
As Senor Zimmerman sings,
These Times They Are A Changing.
And not for the best!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Bill - Have you ever shot one? Did you like it? If you just plain want one, get one.

But, I think knowing your handgun likes, you might actually enjoy a lever action carbine in .41 or .44 mag. Maybe a nice, polished SS Marlin 1894 to go with your SS rugers and nickel S&W's?

And put me down as another who sees these pistol caliber lever actions as an underrated weapon that flies under the radar.

Me? I own both, simply because I enjoy owning and shooting a variety of guns.

Larry

I have a stripped lower in the safe, just because. Honestly I'm not a big fan of ARs or the 223.
I see a Ruger AR556 pistol with SBA brace was used in the latest "incident" shall we say. Expect the ATF to rule that these are in fact stocks so adios to those unless registered as SBRs.

I have a few semi-auto rifles but no AR-15. I have a 44 Inland and a Mini-14. Never was interested in an AR-15. I bought the Mini because of WA laws that were going into effect about 2 years ago which made it substantially harder to buy a semi-auto rifle.

I've had the 44 Inland for a long time but I consider that a relic and not a SD rifle. I've totally rebuilt it but it's only about 95% reliable.

If I had it to do over I would just buy a lever rifle and skip the semi-auto. There may be a time in the not too distant future that my Mini-14 may become contraband or need to be registered, so what do I do with it if that happens, bury it in the back yard? I'll watch the legislation and if the storm clouds gather I'll sell it.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Why would you give it to government or anyone for 200$ ? Be Safe,

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Even though I have one and enjoy shooting it, it is not my favorite rifle by any means. If I had to say what one IS my favorite, it would likely be my Ruger GSR in 223 or my CZ 527 in the same caliber.

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Let's be careful out there

I've had a few.....

This is the one I shoot the most.



///

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I got into the AR as my competitive rifle competitions evolved: M1903A3, M1MkII, M1A, then the AR. I earned my Master classification with it. Then I became disabled, and my trusted gunsmith passed.

I have been able to build a 26" upper match rifle that I use for mid-range F class matches. I have also built an upper in 224 Valkyrie which I hope to use for 1000 yard F class matches.

My rationale has been:
1. The cost per round to load match grade 223s is about half the cost (if not more) than loading 308 or 30-06 match ammo.
2. With the musculoskeletal injuries, the felt recoil of an AR is significantly less than my service and bolt rifles.
3. With an almost useless arm, the AR platform can be maneuvered more readily.
4. One of my long remembered lessons from ROTC covered the Militia and the expectation that when called, it is supposed to appear with arms of military style and caliber.
5. One of the other remembered lessons from ROTC was when behind enemy lines, utilize their weapons and/or supplies!

For me, the AR platform is just that much more adaptable!

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Judge control not gun control!

If you want one, buy one.

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution are called the "Bill of Rights," not the "Bill of Needs."

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Bill

Let's say the nightmare scenario comes true and assault-style weapons are banned and possibly even confiscated. You now have a lot a grief to go through and monetary loss to deal with all for a gun you never liked, needed or wanted in the first place.

Go get something you want - and enjoy it!

Never felt a need or want for an AR since I have enough other things that do the same, only differently.

It was actually SWMBO that thought we should pick one up, private party, so no paper trail.

I now have more than one purchased the same way and while I hope and pray I never need to use it as intended, there is a bit of a comfort level knowing should I ever need it, I have it.

Each person is the only judge of what they need or want and the reasons behind it, so I wouldn't say anyone should or shouldn't but if you think you do, do it while you can and the less paper involved, the better.

+1. I wish more people felt this way.

I'll go along with a "buy-out" (can't buy something you never owned) on one condition. .Gov authorizes $300 Trillion to buy the 30 million rifles in American hands. Lots of "freedom of choice" at $10 million per. That would keep "them" shut-up for a few years or so. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

It took me a long time to warm up to the AR. The Army takes the fun out of everything, and I decieded my personal time with a 223 was better spent with a Mini-14. I eventually got a full length A2 because of the 94 ban and was happy with. I later wanted an M4 style AR because my unit was switching to M4 and deployment was imminant. I wanted to get more acquainted with the platform. I went from indifferent to it being my favorite. For me, they were like rabbits. So many configurations and caliber choices.

The wife has laid claim to my MP 15-22.

If it's not your thing, it's not you thing. On the other hand, one more gun never hurts.

I'd get one.

If you are asking, you're at least interested. Prices are up a bit, but you can still find one under $600.

Consider what happened back in the past with the HK-91, the Saiga and Molot VEPR rifles, the Norinco AKs etc. You could get them, they were reasonably priced, and now they're just about worth their weight in gold. If you're on the fence for an AR, you might as well say "well, I want xxxx features, and I would pay up to xxxx dollars", and go ahead and get it.

Nice feature about ARs is like someone else mentioned, you put a different upper on it, you shoot a different caliber. I've got a 223/556, I've done a little mental figuring and have decided to add a 7.62x39 upper and mags to the mix. Price wasn't 2019, but still pretty reasonable compared to other options.

I like the idea of saying that nobody "needs" one - but everyone's needs are different. Same thing with wants. My gut reaction is nobody needs an AR or similar rifle but EVERYONE needs a rifle and a handgun and probably a shotgun, too. Except for laws debarring someone from purchasing such a gun of any of those three, typical types I live in a world of if you don't have a gun what are you waiting for? Political climate aside, color me paranoid, but how do you sleep peacefully at night without a home defense weapon of some kind being available, and I don't mean a machete or a baseball bat.

Technically speaking, that is only half true. ARs have become widely accepted for various types of hunting, AR now really stands for "America's Rifle", not Armalite, but the rifle was never intended as a self defense weapon. Armies don't carry self defense rifles, they carry offensive weapons that, obviously, can be used defensively. Call me anti in this category but I think ARs as personal defense weapons, especially in the home, are improperly deployed. Handguns and shotguns are suitable to defend hearth and home; rifles are incorrect EXCEPT and unless you live in a remote location, farm, ranch, or similar. YMMV

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Come and take it!!

That was my feeling the week before the 2016 election. Then I bought 5 more.

Interestingly, up until today as far as I could see, AR’s were the only readily available firearms in most of the gun stores I had been in the past 6 months or so.
Will that hold up? Probably not with all the political posturing.

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Sure you did

I have one, my son just bought one. I made sure to buy him four 30 round magazines. I think they're more in jeopardy than the AR's. After a career in law enforcement I've decided if it comes down to it I'll just be a criminal.

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Support Israel!

I read your first post, and skipped to the end......

Hell Yes........

Before the canoe incident...
I own, I meant owned (past tense) one because it's .....er....was a great gun that I enjoy...ummmm....enjoyed shooting.

I got one about 6 years ago (built it myself) without really knowing if I had any real reason to. Like others, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get one in the future.

What I have found it that I have more fun shooting it than any other gun I own.

I just can't see a full blown confiscation . Severe restrictions on sales is very possible . Use your imagination there . Just before that happens the prices will go through the roof . That's why I have a new in the box , unfired AR sitting in my safe . Somebody is going to want an AR really bad and I'm going to turn a nice profit on that bad boy . If everything turns out ok and the ban doesn't come to pass then I'll leave it to one of the grandsons .

Lets see,, the OP said the choice is between an AR and a pistol,,,

Easy answer

Get an AR pistol,, in 30 caliber,, ,

All you really need is one lower and... pull two pins and you can have anything from a .17HMR to .50 Beowulf and even up to .50 BMG as a single shot.

There is no game in North America that cannot be hunted with an AR15.

Plinking, long range matches, self defense and a great teaching platform (easy to use, low recoil, easy manual of arms).

In self defense situations a light weight weight, light jacketed bullet, is less over-penetrating than most handgun bullets and buckshot.

It is the most versatile rifle ever made.

I always wanted the marlin 1895CB 26” barrel 45/70.

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Plant garlic in the fall

I used to think I don't need one but if I got one it would be an AK. Then I bought a LMT in 224 val and now it's AR all day. Got a 6.8 spc barrel. It can be easily converted to 556. Up until then my "military" rifle was a Mini 14 which of course is basically the same exact type without the CA "evil" look.

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9tenz

I'm getting soo tired of people telling me what I need or don't need. So the last time someone said "people don't need an AR" I said "You are right, we don't need AR's. We need helicopters and miniguns!"

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Jorge

Because you can.

Coming of age in the mid 60s I've always had a bias against the M16 (dead GIs with jammed M16s from lack of cleaning kits), and the 5.56 rounds at that time. Way more of a .30 cal fan.

It was a "spare parts" thread that drifted some to 'if you were dropped into a jungle with just a rifle&ammo, no spare parts and no chance of getting any, which rifle would you choose?'

The most thought out responses were, "A QUALITY AK47". I already had a M1A at that point (a pre ban 5 line SAI, all GI parts). Love it dearly and still have it.

Once I got over the 'commie cartridge' bias and really researching AKs, I settled on a milled Bulgarian SLR 95 that weren't cheap even way back then. It has been flawless. I've also never even considered one in 5.56.

Been very happy with both my 7.62 rifles.

Rob

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Strange days have found us

I have no interest in ARs (or for that matter SKS or AK platforms) for my personal use. I don’t feel deprived by not owning one.

If they give you a warm feeling, have at it.

Check the game laws!

In Colorado, you can’t hunt big game with a 5.56, (thankfully) nor can you hunt big game with a rifle with more than a 5 round magazine.

I hunt big game with a 300BLK, and AR’s are not limited to a 223 round. There’s 308 for one, 6.8, etc.

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Sure you did

I have an AR now and over the years I've owned several others. I bought them for the same reason I once owned a M1 Carbine and I own several .22s. They're cheap to feed. I bought the M1 Carbine because there was plenty of cheap surplus ammo. It made for great centerfire plinking on a budget. When the .30 Carbine ammo supply dried up; the M1 went down the road.

I bought my first AR for the same reason. The rifle was inexpensive and cheap ammo was plentiful (boy that reason has now gone out the window). My grandkids could spend a day at the range shooting a centerfire without emptying grampa's wallet. They found the ARs really cool. A .22 rifle is fun but an AR is even funner according to one of my grandsons.

The AR and the AK are solid platforms, good tools for many firearms jobs, reasonable accurate, easy to maintain and cheap to feed (well maybe not today). What's not to love. I suspect right now ARs and Aks and their magazines might be a great investment. I'm laying in a good supply of magazines when I can find them at last years prices.

One of my granddaughters shooting a Rock River Ar I use to own.



My current plinker.

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Bill Bates

Yes, get one if you WANT one. I too resisted and didn't think I wanted one until after I saw several show up at LGS several years after the 2012 run on them. It was a Rock River that spent it's life in it's case under a bed, owned by a doctor who bought several at that time.

Anyone can learn to run one, they are lightweight, adjustable, have little recoil, and easy to reload. They are so multi-purpose and can be configured any way you want.

I also lent it to my SIL who is a LEO when he didn't yet have one of his own. He was able to qualify with it and have it at the ready with him just in case and until he was able to save up for one of his own. When that one came back, it became my dedicated coyote-gun.

If you do get one, find a good defensive carbine class. It is amazing how well you can run one under stress if you ever need to. If you add an optic or red dot, you'll need to learn about the mechanical offset difference when using it at close range too, like inside your home.

Late last year, I convinced my son that HE should get his own too. He got a nice PSA lower then waited for the right PSA upper and is sure glad he made the decision then!

So, if you want one, go get one...but hopefully you can find enough ammo and mags to practice. But be careful, they are fun!

Just because it's an AR doesn't mean it's strictly a 5.56/.223, or, have a magazine that accepts an excess of 5 rounds.... There are plenty of .30 cal (and larger) AR platforms that can be used for hunting. As well as 5 round maximum capacity magazines for each specific caliber.

I've owned, bought and sold, probably 8-10 AR's over the years. Heavy Barrel, Carbines, SP1's. Colt, Rock River, Bushmaster, Stag Arms, Daniel Defense....

I had AR's when AR's weren't cool (or not so cool depending on which side of the fence you're on). I've always had an AR of one type or another since I was probably around 21 years old. I'm 63 now, and still have 2. And I ALWAYS WILL!! (and the same goes for the rest of my firearms, too!)

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SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

Yes, Yes you should

hello to all for me the AR15 is the typical American rifle, here in my country Belgium we love the black ar 15 and ar10 rifles there because when we shoot in our club it is a bit of your great country that resonates in our hearts,

You need 3 AR-15s:

1 to keep at your house.

1 to keep at your sister's house, in the basement, hidden under a pile of old clothes.

1 to keep at your uncle's house, in the attic, hidden under a pile of "trash."

Hopefully, when the gun-grabbers come, they will only find one of them.


----------------

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So very Politically Incorrect

What's "need" got to do with it?...You either want one (or several), or you don't......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

This is your decision. But remember, if the dems "ban" them -- you will not have one -- and they will. Also, the AR-15 is a "modular" rifle .. you can change it to a number of different calibers. But you have to have one first. Additionally, if you only have a handgun for self defense -- what is you Long Gun?

I would buy a couple, just in case you like the first one

You really should have bought one last year. Prices I've been seeing are about double now.

Bought mine years ago. One on the left has a 16" barrel.

when I was running around South east Asia, we captured an AK 47.. We had 2 magazines and 3 of us took turns firing it.... Wow!.My responses I would only want one if I could shoot it a lot...Just to have one lying around isn't my idea of the enjoyment of owning a weapon.