That is really great!
Well, not really.
That chart is specifically designed to highlight features on ONE type of AR15 but that ONE type of AR15 is really not well suited for civilian use if they value things like accuracy. I'm not saying that the chart should be ignored, if you want a near-mil-spec rifle then that is a good chart. But that chart only picks 1 rifle model from each manufacturer. For example it picked the Oly K3, which is a non-mil-spec budget gun, no wonder it doesn't stack up well on that chart. Stag Arms, OTOH, is considered one of the finest guns out there by gun writers and it looks pretty weak on the chart too. Bushmaster is currently making rifles that are held in pretty high regard, high enough that some of them are being used by our troops in Iraq but it certainly seems to be lacking many of the "critical" mil-spec parts. The chart is a good chart but don't take it to heart. Use it as a guide for only the "specific" rifle model shown for each of those brands and realize that each of the brands may make up a dozen different guns, spec'd for a dozen different jobs.
But what if you want a long range varmint gun? Or a highly accurate plinker? The 'critical' issue of the chrome lined barrel or mil-spec barrel steel all of a sudden become liabilities as opposed to desirable features.
The beauty of an AR is that it has evolved into a highly modifiable rifle. Nobody shooting for accuracy wants a chrome lined barrel, but in harsh military conditions it prevents problems. Most of us who are civilians want rifle accuracy because it is unlikely we will torture our guns.
I have a half dozen AR15s currently, not one of them is mil-spec. Some are long range specialized weapons. Some are just simple fun plinkers. One is bright pink. One is a pistol caliber carbine. One is even 'deer hunting' legal in the state of Indiana.
My very humble advice to people who want an AR15 is to figure out what task you want it to fill. After you figure out what you want to shoot, then start to look at the guns. Do you want a 223 plinker? (buy a cheap one) Do you want a highly accurate varmint round? (consider alternate calibers like the 204 Ruger, 6mmAR, etc) Do you want a highly accurate long range rifle (consider the 6.5 Grendel chambering that surpasses the 7.62 Nato ballistics at long range) Want to use it to hunt deer legally in the state of Indiana? (buy one chambered for factory loaded 458 Socom or a DTech 358 WSSM wildcat) Want to use it in a 3 gun match? (build it up for competition from parts or buy one designed to fit into the rules of the game) Want a long range deer/antelope AR? (buy one chambered in 243 WSSM or 25 WSSM) But if you buy any of these types of guns then realize that they will look pretty crappy based on the chart above. It won't matter that they will punch holes in targets at 1000 yards, or legally knock down deer in the Indiana woods, or make 400 yard clean kills on a hunting trip in the rocky mountains, it won't look good on the above chart.
Wouldn't it be even better if it showed where various features on some of the brands EXCEEDED mil-spec? Like the rifles with match grade stainless barrels. I'd think most users would consider that to be more desirable than a carbon steel barrel and certainly more accurate than a chrome lined barrel. Further, some of the chart features are purely subjective.The chart is intended to help compare the features of rifles intended for use as weapons in the role that the M4 serves. It's really good for that.
Then move on and don't read it.I don't consider to the chart to be 'really good' for much.
Wouldn't it be even better if it showed where various features on some of the brands EXCEEDED mil-spec? Like the rifles with match grade stainless barrels. I'd think most users would consider that to be more desirable than a carbon steel barrel and certainly more accurate than a chrome lined barrel. Further, some of the chart features are purely subjective.
I don't consider to the chart to be 'really good' for much. There are too many well known brands excluded from the cart and too many models within the named brands that are also excluded.
you get 15 ar guys in a room and you'll have at least 25 opinions.
What are you talking about? AR 50, yes. AR 15? LOLAnd with rifle calibers the gamut runs from little 22lr to the 50BMG. Yes, I said 50BMG, at least 2 manufacturers are making uppers for the big Browning 50 although it doesn't feed as a semi-auto.
And that is why I don't much like "AR guys"
Joe, this just shows the ignorance of some of the AR15 folks who think that the AR15 is really just the M4 in 223. YES INDEED I am referring to AR15 upper receivers with 50BMG chambers!!! The big 50 caliber Browning Machine Gun round. There are several companies that are making uppers for the AR15 lower that are chambered in 50BMG. Do yourself a google search for these manufacturers: Bohinca Arms / Ferret Arms / Advanced Long Range Systems / L&G Weaponry All of them make/made a single shot upper receiver for the AR15 lower. It is a nifty way of owning a 50 caliber rifle without actually having to worry about a looming 50 caliber ban because upper receivers are NOT considered guns, they are considered parts. While you are looking up 50BMG conversions, here is a Bohinca 50BMG conversion for you to look at:What are you talking about? AR 50, yes. AR 15? LOL
.50 beowolf sure.
Well I own a half dozen of them. But just because I own some does not mean that I consider myself a mall ninja or a tactical teddy type of guy. I can know something about a gun but not consider myself a fanatic to that weapon.Then why are you here?
Mind showing me where anyone said this?Joe, this just shows the ignorance of some of the AR15 folks who think that the AR15 is really just the M4 in 223.
Here is an article from Defense Review:BTW, can you show me a link showing the .50 beowulf bullet diameter being smaller than .50...I'm not saying this is false, I am just unable to find it myself.