My son says I need an AR. My question...why?

[lrrifleman]

At MulePacker:

Thank you for being open minded. I will try to keep my contribution as fact based as possible.

I started my high power competition career with an old '03A3 National Match in 1988. That '03A3 taught me a lot. In 1992, I graduated to an M1MkII (308) Garand that was match tuned. This Garand taught me a lot about shooting rapid fire stages. It wasn't until 1998 when I moved up to the "Mouse Gun" that I ever "cleaned" a rapid fire target. I also have an M1A for serious 1000 yard shooting.

I earned my Marksman card with the '03A3. I earned my Sharpshooter and Expert card with the M1MkII. I earned my Master card with my Colt HBAR Match Target. I learned that the AR didn't have as much muzzle jump in rapid fire, and it was much easier to recover the sight picture.

Fast forward about 6 years, and I became disabled due to an inattentive motorist. Due to injuries, I can't shoot sustained fire with a heavy recoiling rifle. I found that I could piece together a long range AR for 1000 yard matches that eventually became my 600 yard F class rifle, and with load development will become an F class 1000 yard rifle.

During this time the inactivity of disability motivated retirement kicked in, and I wanted something to do. I established a new project, to build an M4 type CQB rifle. I learned very quickly that I was able to assemble a working rifle, from parts, that really worked. I also learned that I could do virtually any repair or modification without the services of a gunsmith. My next projects involve:
a. Building a match upper in 6mm Fat Rat for any of my AR receivers.
b. Build an upper or two that will build a reasonable match rifle to introduce my children to the wonderful world of rifle competitions.

Under US Code, the concept of a militia has legal justification. As taught in my many political science classes, history classes, and my ROTC classes, it was taught that under the concept of the militia, that when the militia is called upon, the militia was expected to report with military style rifles of military caliber. Ergo, my government and its laws mandate that I have a "Black Rifle"!

Unlike the traditional rifles, the AR platform is the easiest operator maintained and modified rifle on the market. You can swap uppers in order to:
1. Change caliber and cartridge for specialized needs.
2. Change the upper assembly to meet mission specific functions, such as: develop a carbine, or rifle, establish an iron sight platform or an optic platform.

No other semi automatic rifle on the market (to the best of my knowledge) is as versatile as the AR.

Depending on the caliber/cartridge de jure, an AR can be a:
A target rifle,
A personal defense rifle,
A hunting rifle,
A recreational plinking tool, or, if need be,
A battle rifle.

 

[JayFramer]

I'm not much of an AR fan personally, though I think they are actually quite good defensive or offensive rifles. It's just that I don't enjoy shooting them. I qualify with them once a year, and that's enough for me. I'd much rather be shooting this bad boy:

This is my H&K G3 rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Much better stopping power than any AR-15. Reliability is excellent, just as battle proven as the AR/M16 if not more so, and did I mention it was in 7.62x51mm?

When everybody else is popping away at the range with their mundane AR's, all heads turn to look when I pull this thing out and start blasting. A small crowd typically forms around me about the time I empty the first magazine.

Seriously though, this gun is a big hit at the range and I dearly love it. It's been very reliable for me, is a tough built gun, and if using steel cased ammo and shopping around, isn't much more expensive to shoot than a 5.56x45mm weapon.

It's worth a look OP.

 

[spad124]

If an AR doesn't interest you, look at something else, maybe a SKS. Those are fun to shoot! With a trigger job and a little bedding the SKS is like a soft recoiling semi auto 30-30.

I've had a hard time warming up to ARs. Most of my rifles are wood and blue. I really prefer a nice bolt action or old Marlin lever. Even my milsurps are wood and blue. I've tried to like ARs, but most most of what's available seems to be the same. My first AR was a commercial Vietnam era AR clone. However because it was poorly assembled from surplus parts it was a poor rifle. During the panic I traded it for a Browning 20ga O/U which I still have. Good deal for me.

My second AR was a M&P 15 Sport. It was a quality carbine and accurate. But outside of proving that quality ARs existed I just couldn't warm up to it. I found I don't like the current fashion collapsible stock or the 16" barrel. To me one M4 clone is much like any other. Almost like a McRifle. I had it for 2 years and maybe put 200 rounds through it. I sold it the other week. I don't miss it.

The AR I still have is another Vietnam era clone, triangular hand guards and all, that I assembled from a little used parts kit with a good contract overrun barrel on a very good lower. It's accurate, the parts fit well, and it has character.

 

[Andyd]

I'm not much of an AR fan personally, though I think they are actually quite good defensive or offensive rifles. It's just that I don't enjoy shooting them. I qualify with them once a year, and that's enough for me. I'd much rather be shooting this bad boy:

This is my H&K G3 rifle, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO. Much better stopping power than any AR-15. Reliability is excellent, just as battle proven as the AR/M16 if not more so, and did I mention it was in 7.62x51mm?

When everybody else is popping away at the range with their mundane AR's, all heads turn to look when I pull this thing out and start blasting. A small crowd typically forms around me about the time I empty the first magazine.

Seriously though, this gun is a big hit at the range and I dearly love it. It's been very reliable for me, is a tough built gun, and if using steel cased ammo and shopping around, isn't much more expensive to shoot than a 5.56x45mm weapon.

It's worth a look OP.

An interesting opinion. I was issued HK G3's and had one with the 4x24 Hensoldt as an issued sniper rifle. I shot many, many G3's and have not been overly impressed with them but the 7.62x51 is giving more long distance reach than the 5.56x45.

I also shot a few G36'es and have to say that I am happy with my simple AR with an ACOG. Accuracy is great and thee guns are inexpensive.

 

[Kronos]

Why not? a gun is a gun and despite any mechanical improvements over time they all do basically the same thing.

If they don't appeal to you fine,but if the boy wants them then get one and have him "keep" it for you.

 

[RJJ 1971]

I never thought much about one but ran into a great deal on Black Friday at Sportsman's warehouse. I have to admit it is much more fun than I imagined. My son and I shot up 300 rounds one afternoon and enjoyed the time. I'm planning on using it for coyotes which we seem to be getting some of here. Out along the Tanana River it is not hard to get 300 yard shots so a quick second is not all bad.

You live on Alaska. Isn't it mandated by the state that everyone own an AR?

 

[Bat Guano]

Encountered my first AR circa 1966 enroute to you-know-where. Fast forward to 1983 when I got my own for work; sold it when I retired thinking I would never need one again. Changed my ideas on that about 2006. Also found out that I could no longer see the front sight and the target at the same time anymore. One ACOG later and I was back in business. Also my beloved .30 caliber gas guns had put on weight; so the handiness of a shorty AR was welcome.

I like steel and wood, but these are fast becoming classics in their own right--and fun to shoot. They're the Legos of the gun world. I'm going to build one up one of these days, just because I can.

As someone said, get one and test drive it a while. You'll probably like it, and if not, you won't get hurt financially.

Besides, we all want to help the Greatest Gun Salesman Ever to surpass his old record.

 

[BARgunner]

At MulePacker:

Thank you for being open minded. I will try to keep my contribution as fact based as possible.

I started my high power competition career with an old '03A3 National Match in 1988. That '03A3 taught me a lot. In 1992, I graduated to an M1MkII (308) Garand that was match tuned. This Garand taught me a lot about shooting rapid fire stages. It wasn't until 1998 when I moved up to the "Mouse Gun" that I ever "cleaned" a rapid fire target. I also have an M1A for serious 1000 yard shooting.

I earned my Marksman card with the '03A3. I earned my Sharpshooter and Expert card with the M1MkII. I earned my Master card with my Colt HBAR Match Target. I learned that the AR didn't have as much muzzle jump in rapid fire, and it was much easier to recover the sight picture.

Fast forward about 6 years, and I became disabled due to an inattentive motorist. Due to injuries, I can't shoot sustained fire with a heavy recoiling rifle. I found that I could piece together a long range AR for 1000 yard matches that eventually became my 600 yard F class rifle, and with load development will become an F class 1000 yard rifle.

During this time the inactivity of disability motivated retirement kicked in, and I wanted something to do. I established a new project, to build an M4 type CQB rifle. I learned very quickly that I was able to assemble a working rifle, from parts, that really worked. I also learned that I could do virtually any repair or modification without the services of a gunsmith. My next projects involve:
a. Building a match upper in 6mm Fat Rat for any of my AR receivers.
b. Build an upper or two that will build a reasonable match rifle to introduce my children to the wonderful world of rifle competitions.

Under US Code, the concept of a militia has legal justification. As taught in my many political science classes, history classes, and my ROTC classes, it was taught that under the concept of the militia, that when the militia is called upon, the militia was expected to report with military style rifles of military caliber. Ergo, my government and its laws mandate that I have a "Black Rifle"!

Unlike the traditional rifles, the AR platform is the easiest operator maintained and modified rifle on the market. You can swap uppers in order to:
1. Change caliber and cartridge for specialized needs.
2. Change the upper assembly to meet mission specific functions, such as: develop a carbine, or rifle, establish an iron sight platform or an optic platform.

No other semi automatic rifle on the market (to the best of my knowledge) is as versatile as the AR.

Depending on the caliber/cartridge de jure, an AR can be a:
A target rifle,
A personal defense rifle,
A hunting rifle,
A recreational plinking tool, or, if need be,
A battle rifle.

A BIG +1
I do like blued steel and wood and I appreciate and own quite a few classic rifles and handguns but I've always owned at least one AR15 since 1973 and it will always be my go-to rifle. Ergonomic and economical to shoot, easily maintained by almost anyone with a small degree of mechanical ability, a proliferation of parts and accessories to make it anything you want, accurate in almost every form with a variety of bullet weights, I just don't see any downside to owning one.

 

[srgvaz]

OP..

If your son has advise for you then why not take it?
He probably knows you better than anyone here does.
And if you find you don't like the AR you can gift it to him.

Made in the USA!

All the other points have already been mentioned on this thread.

 

[BUFF]

I only believed in manually operated weapons for serious use for years, bolt action rifles, pump action shotguns and double action revolvers. I had seen too many semiautos choke on the range to trust them.

I got hired as a deputy sheriff in 1981. My department let you carry a .38 or .357 revolver and there was a Remington 870 in every car, but it was only loaded with #4 buckshot. I left the shotgun in the car after the department shot several perps with them and didn't seriously inconvenience anybody by doing so. Useless with that ammo over 25 yards.

Utah POST put together a 'police rifle' class taught by Chuck Taylor and Dennis Tueller in early June, 1985. I bought a brand new Colt Sporter and a case of ammo and some mags and took the course. It rained every day that week, and the Salt Lake City P.D. Hendricksen range was a morass of red clay mud. For 3 days, practically every firing string began with throwing yourself down into that red goo and going to prone. We got filthy, as did all of our gear. I fieldstripped my AR each night and it had red grit all through it. After the end of the third day, I took the rifle as far down as I could with the help of an Army Reserve armorer, and there was red grit EVERYWHERE!

But you know what? That little rifle never missed a beat, not one.

Next year, I took an instructors course taught by the local FBI. It covered handgun, shotgun and AR, but only about 1/3 of us had an AR, so we loaned ours out if we had one. The FeeBees provided the ammunition, Mexican-made UMC. I fired the course, then a friend used my rifle to fire the course. During a string, he got a "click." I was startled. He was startled. His FBI coach was mildly discomfited. Friend ejected the dud, chambered another and finished the course.

"Yep," I thought to myself," not as reliable as a bolt gun. I grabbed the ejected dud. Good solid primer strike.

There were two or three other duds with the rifles, which were all Colts. I had everyone save their dud rounds. When the drill was over, we put the dud rounds into one mag and attempted to fire them all through one AR that hadn't choked at all during the class. None of the rounds shot on a second strike. Or a third

I got a couple of sets of pliers from my car and began pulling the bullets from the dud rounds and dumping the powder. Visual inspection looking into the cartridge case from the mouth showed that none of the cases had flash holes!

I have fired probably 2,500-3,000 rounds through mine, and another 2,500 rounds through a U.S. Army M-16-A2 I was issued later. I never have had one round bobble.

I greatly admire the little guns. They are outstandingly dependable and very easy to shoot well. There has never been a better jackrabbit or varmint gun. I have a preference for bigger bullets, and if I buy another battle rifle, it will probably be an AR chambered in .308/7.62 NATO. That may be redundant as I have a semiauto M-14, a HK-G3 clone, and a few FAL/L1A1 rifles. Sure, got an SKS and a semiauto AK-47, but all the other rifles mentioned here by me are more accurate than the Com Bloc guns and more powerful.

And for those days I am feeling geriatric or want to storm a beach, I have my Garand.

Muleguy, you don't want to be the only guy who shows up with just a .30-30 when the balloon goes up, do you? Get thee an AR or two! You will love them!

 

[RJJ 1971]

I have 1 AR (DPMS) it has no frills, bells, or whistles.
It's fun at the range butttttt, it really has no "purpose" for me.
If I ever sold of traded anything - it would be the first to go, over my other firearms that mean more to me.

 

[lrrifleman]

On a comparable vein, if you want to shoot NRA high power rifle competitions, you can currently shoot in one of two divisions: match rifle or service rifle.

Match rifle is now very expensive to get into. Classic competitive bolt guns with stripper clip guides aren't made anymore. Springfield receivers are rare, and collecting is trumping match shooting them. Lyman and Redfield sights have been out of production for at least a generation.

Service rifle competitions are easier (read more affordable) for the novice shooter to enter, in some respects. To build a match grade Garand, you are talking at least 2 grand, if you ship it out, and you have a wait time that denies immediate gratification. M1As are pretty much produced by one company, and while a match grade rifle is standard production, you are looking at a starting price in the neighborhood of 2 grand. The downside to the Garands and 14s/M1As, is that the glass bedding needs to be skimmed/maintained every few years, match ammo runs about $1.40 a round, and they need to be rebarreled about every 3000 rounds. The last "legal" service rifle in NRA Service Rifle competitions is the M16/AR15. A novice can get a match grade AR for under 1200, and it is complete and ready to rock. Barrel life is closer to 5000 rounds, and match ammo can be had for closer to $0.60 a round.

Yes, the AR does have its limitations. But if you work within those limitations, it excels at the challenges!

 

[g8rb8]

My son says I need an AR. My question...why? .............
Okay, help me out here, folks...........

Short answer: BECAUSE.

Long answer: JUST BECAUSE.

 

[fdw]

Have much consideration, I've come to the decision to buy something. Probably will be a 9mm or 40 carbine though.


Recommendations anyone?

 

[deadin]

I bought one years ago, hung all the accessories on it, (bipod,etc.). It ended up weighing around 10+ lbs with the 30 rd mag.
Took it out and blew through a couple of mags and it didn't do a thing for me. Got rid of it.
Besides, if the apocalypse comes, I don't see myself as a "front-line" troop where I need the firepower. (At my age I wouldn't last long..)
I fantasize more being a long range sniper, so maybe I should save up for a Barrett .50..........

 

[Brian41]

I've had 5. Two I bought and 3 I built with one being a dedicated .22lr. Lots of fun to shoot and plenty of rounds should one ever have need to defend themselves against multiple attackers such as looters.
I now have two as had to sell the rest in my divorce. I may build another some time a 3 of them sound about right.

My service rifle was an M-16 and handgun a S&W Model 15. I think that has influenced me as I like ARs and revolvers now.

I hate it when the anti-gun crowd claim ARs aren't for hunting. I know many that varmint hunt with them and my buddy hunted mule deer with me in Wyoming with his AR-10 in .308. Hunting shouldn't be a requirement for a gun but I do hate it when they get that one wrong.

If you decide to build you can do it without special tools but is harder. If you buy tools it takes a couple builds anyhow to justify their cost. Price is so good on factory built ARs now it hardly makes sense to build unless you want custom or just to enjoy messing around with guns.

 

[boykinlp]

One of my sons called yesterday to tell me that "we" need to pick up a couple of AR15's. I asked why. His response was to the effect that he's afraid a time is going to come when, due to whatever may be, we'll no longer be able to purchase them and he wanted to make sure he had one before you couldn't buy them anymore. And he thought it would be prudent for his old man to have one, too.

Tell him that giving "his old man" an AR, and some practice ammo, would be a fantastic gift from him!

 

[Bill Bates]

I'm not an AR tactical kind of guy. Give me a wood and blued steel bolt rifle for the type of rifle work I do. I never had any interest in owning an AR but I do own one now.

I picked my Rock River up after the first Obama driven AR craze. A year after that scare the prices on AR's crashed and I bought my Rock River M$ Carbine with and EoTech sight for not much more than the cost of the sight.

I bought mine to take shooting with my grandkids. The telescoping stock made it easy to handle and shoot for even my preteen grand children. It doesn't kick so it has been a great rifle to introduce them to larger center fire calibers. They think the red dot optic is really cool and they really like shooting the AR. I did learn that 10 round magazines have a place. Ten round magazines slow how quickly they burn up ammo. They have to load their own magazines so they go through ammo even wee bit slower.

I guess my AR was money well spent. It nice having my grandkids call and ask to go shooting. Now some of them hunt and bring their own guns when we go shooting.

Oh and I guess I'm ready for the zombies.

My grand daughter out plinking.

 

[Blackshirt]

Here are my reasons for having an AR:
1. I made a living with one for 23 years and have developed a familiarity that makes the weapon effective for me.
2. It has the best ergonomics for a right handed shooter of any rifle made. Every manipulation except clearing a double-feed can be accomplished while maintaining a firing grip.
3. Depending on configuration, the rifle/5.56 cartridge combination is effective out past 600 meters.
4. I live on a farm and ARs answer the mail for varmint-control or security (I can't really count on the police to help me in a timely manner).
5. Ammunition of decent quality is available at good prices.
6. I don't feel that my oath to support and defend the Constitution will ever expire.

 

[DWalt]

I am by no means a stranger to the AR platform. However, I have never been a fan, I don't own one, and don't plan to. If it came down to making a choice between an AR and a .30 Carbine for any serious purpose I would select the latter.