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

[Mule Packer]

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.

Okay, help me out here, folks. I'm not a real fan of "black rifles" for some reason, and I've never been real impressed with the 5.56 or .223 round. Also, they just look too "Star Wars" for me.

Give me some reasons why you think a person should have an AR. I think if I were prone to get a semi-automatic rifle of that nature, I'd probably opt for something more like the Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. But, that's just me.

Remember, I'm just an old guy that still carries a lever action rifle in his pickup truck.

Okay...I'm ready. Educate me. Thanks.

 

[pharmer]

I'm not a big fan of the AR/ 5.56 platform either but your son sounds prescient. Good enough reason to grab one, or more. Joe

 

[Chuck24]

The only reason I have one is that there are people who think I shouldn't be allowed to have one.

 

[bigwheelzip]

When I told my husband I wanted a rifle with a little more kick than my 22LR, he started showing me AR's. Didn't like the look, and picked out a .357 1892 lever action.

The only .223 I thought I might consider, was the bullpup Tavor, for its looks, compact readiness, and balance. Often, when you see urban forces in other parts of the world respond to a terror threat, the carry bullpups. It also has a 9mm kit.

Tavor - IWI US

 

[Coldshooter]

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.

 

[moralem]

It doesn't matter whether you acquire an AR, AK or Mini 14, I think the point is that one day we may not be able to acquire these types of semi auto rifles with high capacity magazines. I have lever actions and semi auto because the day will come when we just might not be able to have them as easily as we do now.

 

[curtmini14]

ars are very easy to shoot and will out shoot a mini hands down. parts are every were and you can make that rifle any way you want it.very simple to clean and care for.

 

[Arik]

Don't be fooled by the bullet size. That may have worked in 1860 but not so much today. What you're typically looking at the ammo ...its 55gr and while it still can and will kill it's really just practice ammo. Check out how fast a 77gr SMK bullet drops a hog at 250 - 300 yards. Right tool for the right job.

Also these rifles may be new but they are all 1950 - 60 design.

 

[gksr]

AR why?

Your son brings up a good point, I have 52 guns half are handguns three are shotguns the rest are rifles. I never wanted
an AR -15, I had a AR-10 on order once for 9 months 3 years
ago wish I had waited. Now that Ct. has basically banned the
AR platform from the average citizen I really would like to have
one.

 

[les.b]

I may just be pessimistic, but I see how things work. With the so called "main stream media" repeating the lies of the anti gun extremists, and the far left political types going into a full court press to enact "common sense gun violence legislation", your son is in all probability correct. I mostly enjoy my revolvers, and mostly the older ones at that, but I do have some of those scary. "Military grade" firearms. There is just something in me that I think I share with a lot of other Americans (and freedom loving folks from around the world), that balks at being told what I can and cannot do, and what I can and cannot have, own, or possess.

Get one while you can, and stock up on ammo too... They are already trying to ban it also. And get plenty of mags as well. Kudos to your son!!!

 

[chud333]

Well i grew up shooting a Colt AR15 for groundhog control
back around my grandfathers Gravel Pit.
Fun little rifles with little recoil and can handle anything
from a 36 grain bullet up to 77 grain.
Varmints to Deer size.
Reliable, parts and ammo are (everywhere) if needed,
easily customized to your every whim, and the Gov't
thinks we shouldn't have access to them.
I get the purty wood and classic lines of an old Bolt
gun or Lever action, but i have a soft spot for these
AR's.



Chuck

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

Give me some reasons why you think a person should have an AR.

Okay...I'm ready. Educate me. Thanks.

Ughhh, for the revolution! Duhhh!!!

 

[Hunter8282]

I bought mine because some in the government don't want me to have one. That was reason enough for me...

Well that and it's awesome to have 30 rounds ready to rock by the nightstand.

 

[rwsmith]

There are a lot of things I'd feel better with.....

If I KNEW that a fight was imminent, I might get an AR

But I'd rather have:

A Winchester
A M1A Carbine
An Uzi or comparable 9mm Carbine
I like the Bullpups also
A pump 12 ga., 18" barrel


They do have rifles that do the same thing an AR15 does, but they look like 'real' rifles instead of Black Ops looking stuff.

 

[sooper44]

My wife bought me an AR-15 for my 70th birthday a couple of years ago. I absolutely love shooting it and the ammo is reasonable in bulk quantities. I like having a firearm someone, sometime may tell me I can't own. I keep a good supply of ammo on hand, because everyone that visits just has to shoot it. I enjoy sharing my love of firearms and the shooting sport with others.

 

[bricker]

No one has mentioned zombie hordes. Don't y'all watch TV?

 

[Wyo]

Well, OK, I carry a 44/40 lever gun around in my truck too, but also have a bunch of AR's that I've collected over the years. Looks of a gun are something you like or you don't - not much I can do about that - but here are a few points to consider. The AR is:
-lightweight and handy in an M4 configuration
-fairly inexpensive to buy
-very easy to maintain. Parts are everywhere.
-accurate. A really good one will hold 1/2" and most of the better ones will do an inch or so with good ammo. A Ranch Rifle won't get anywhere near that.
-reliable. This isn't 1967. AR's have come a long way. They will run forever with minimal maintenance.
-ammo is cheap, easy to buy, easy to reload and extremely versatile. Just about any job can be accomplished with the .223 with the right bullet
-modular. You can have a .22, a .223, a 6.8 SPC and various others all on the same lower. You can build the rifle in about any configuration you want.
-magazines are cheap and easily available, at least for now.

There are other factors as well, and I can say a some of this stuff about a lot of rifles. I just can't say all of it about very many. Heck, buy one. Try it out. My money bets you'll have a ball with it but, it not, you can always sell it and get your money back.

 

[johngalt]

I bought one over 20 years ago, in the Clinton gun ban days. My primary motivation was that I thought I should have one since they were trying to ban them.

Truth is I don't shoot it much. I like my Winchester M70 better. The AR is probably more suitable for shooting the heavier bullets, it is 1:7 while the M70 is probably 1:12, may even by 1:14.

 

[Maddog 521]

My brother bought one and my best buddy bought one also. I have plenty of rifles that are "the old standard type". I'm riding the fence on this so far and I'm going to be on that fence for a while.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

You could just buy a stripped AR lower. They are what's considered the firearm. You can buy one for under $100. Then if you want an AR, you can build it. If for some reason they end up banning ARs, you all ready technically have the firearm and should legally be able to buy the rest of the parts since they are not considered firearms.

Just remember to stock up on 30 round mags now too. Lots of great sales on AR mags. I suggest you start stocking up on them now before the elec......never mind, can't talk about that here.