Why an AR ?

[KellyinAvon]

Cool
accurate
cool
lightweight
cool
high capacity
cool
light recoil
cool

 

[short308]

MY biggest reason for owning one at this point is versitility, and standardization. I feel standardization is often over looked.

 

[Bennettjh]

Good platform, easy to maintain/service, ammo availability, largely supported by the aftermarket companies.

Plus, the .gov says you shouldn't have them. All the more reason.

 

[dirtfarmerz]

The REAL answer is that the liberals want to ban them. If they were not the ultimate all around weapon for all those things you stated question for, then the dems wouldnt try to rip them from our hands. They are lightweight, accurate, have a large capacity of rounds, very easy to use, clean, and are very reliable. in the event of a civil war, shooting a shotgun in the air will be stupid, hand guns will be almost pointless for most people outside 50 feet. The first time i shot one i was hitting a 2inch by 2 inch traget from 100 yards with no problem(scoped of course). For me, its that the gov't and dems dont want you to have them, so in my view, that is the very best reason.

+1. They are afraid of them, and that's the way it should be.

 

[robh]

Kind of like a mustang can buy one and modify or build from scratch
Can invest in a couple hundred per paycheck
Liberals hate them

 

[Vince49]

To each his own.

I too spent a little time on an all expense paid vacation to,"Sunny Southeast Asia", (19 mos. and 2 days according to my DD-214) back in '69,'70 and '71. Qualified with and was initially issued the M-14 as our unit did not yet have the new stuff. My first impression upon being issued an M-16, and it lasted in spite the issues we had at the time was,"man this thing would be awesome in the woods, too bad it will never be available to me as a civilian"! The piece itself was lighter and at least for me much more accurate and quicker to bring on target than my heavy old 14. The rounds were smaller,and lighter so I could carry more of them (and did you ever have too much ammo in a firefight)? Granted we had problems keeping them clean and lubed the way they taught us (about a gallon of LSA ought to do it! ), and I think many of the jambs were caused by over lubing but we were getting bad gouge in the field. Like any tool or piece of machinery there are bugs that don't show up until it is put to the ultimate test and unfortunately (especially for some of us) we were the field testing guinea pigs. That was forty years and many billions of rounds down range ago though and I think they finally worked the bugs out some time ago. My first and lasting impression stands.

 

[ScouT6a]

As a young Infantry private, I carried an M16A1, when I was a Specialist we were issued M16A2s. Somewhere during my Staff Sergeant years we were issued M4s. I carried the platform for 22 1/2 years. I only had one fail me and that was in training and it was pretty much subjected to a torture test. We were doing a BMLFX (battle march live fire exercise) and I put 17 thirty round mags through it in rapid succession. It got so hot that when I stuck the last mag in and hit the bolt release the round stuck halfway in the chamber and then cooked off. That is a whole other story but the weapon was deadlined.
The rifles are lightweight, accurate, reliable and they can easily be customized to suit different purposes and different tastes.

 

[Manatee]

I had many different firearms given to me back in 69-71. I had to give them back though. I appreciated the capabilities of the M-16 for the tradeoff between ammo weight vs. rifle weight. As someone said, shooting 5.56 is better than swinging anM-14 as a club.

I don't hunt any more.
I'm about done with competition.
I've never had a break in or reason to defend myself (the wife is a different story).

So....in all likelihood, I don't need any firearm.

But who said that's the criteria?

I detected a bit of arrogance in the OP's remark and decided not to post until now.

My only response would appear to be: The reason this country is free is because of its civilian capability. Not its military.

I'm a gun owner and proud of it.

 

[6mm Shoot]

I have two ARs. One for me that my son got me. I picked up one for the wife. I picked up one for her because they have very little kick and are easy to teach to shoot.

I never liked the platform. They look like some sort of space gun. I think that draws some people to them. I like turn bolts. I also like calibers that do a humane job of killing game. The 5.56 is just to lacking in power. Yes I know it will kill at 500 yards and not pass through a bedroom wall. It is the do all gun of all times according to the fan boys. Me personally, I would rather have a 30 carbine or a M 14.

My son was just in and we did some shooting. He is a Marine. He had his ARs with him. He also had his bolt guns with him and that is what he shot. We worked up some loads for them. I let him shoot my Hoosier and he talked about how light it was. He handed me his target AR and that thing must have been around 11 pounds. The ARs I have go a little over eight pounds.

As far as accuracy goes I have never seen a AR keep up with a bolt gun. I think that is why the military uses turn bolts for there snipers. They are just plain out more accurate.

Now that I have and shoot an AR I don't think they are as bad as I once did. I still get tired of the fan boy bull. The AR is just an other tool in my safe. You can never have to many tools.

When would I pick one of the ARs over one of my turn bolts. That would be when I had to defend my self from a bunch of people wanting to do me harm or when hell freezes over. As I said I like my turn bolts and single shots.

 

[DOYOUFEELLUCKYPUNK]

No military service yet ! But have grown up shooting the AR, love the accuracy of them, lightweight, very easy to take apart and very customizable.

 

[Stschil]

I like the AR platform for the same reason I like the 1911. I carried and trained with them both for many years when I was in the Army. They bring with them a familiarity and comfort which translates into ease of use and reliability for me. I'm not into hanging a ton of extras, both of my ARs are basically plain janes with scopes. I enjoy shooting them and also enjoy the fact that they are mild enough to put in the hands of a new shooter and pretty much know that they will have a good experience.

 

[LarryC]

Well I don't own an AR, I'm 72 YO, never been in the military or police. I do collect firearms, and do have a couple of AR lowers. I also assembled a close relative the LR-308. Not really a fan of the 5.56 round. I and my have several military rifles in our collection, including AK's, SKS's, Mosins, Mausers from different nations, British 303, Swiss K31, Russian SVD-40, Gerand's, M1 Carbine, Swedish 6.5x55, 1903A3, US Enfield, and probably will complete a couple of AR builds in the future. My son does have an AR - his wife really enjoys shooting it so it is worth having just for that reason.

My only dislike / mistrust of any group of firearms is the "plastic" ones. With my experience working with all types of polymers in the 39+ years as an Engineer, I have never seen any plastic that will not "break down" with age and exposure to UV radiation. As I expect and demand that all the firearms I own do not "degrade" or have a limited lifespan (I do not sell or trade firearms - they will be left to my heirs), I don't own or intend to purchase any firearm that has functional parts made of plastic. When I assembled my LR-308, I built it using wood furniture.

 

[gregkl]

Well I don't own an AR, I'm 72 YO, never been in the military or police. I do collect firearms, and do have a couple of AR lowers. I also assembled a close relative the LR-308. Not really a fan of the 5.56 round. I and my have several military rifles in our collection, including AK's, SKS's, Mosins, Mausers from different nations, British 303, Swiss K31, Russian SVD-40, Gerand's, M1 Carbine, Swedish 6.5x55, 1903A3, US Enfield, and probably will complete a couple of AR builds in the future. My son does have an AR - his wife really enjoys shooting it so it is worth having just for that reason.

My only dislike / mistrust of any group of firearms is the "plastic" ones. With my experience working with all types of polymers in the 39+ years as an Engineer, I have never seen any plastic that will not "break down" with age and exposure to UV radiation. As I expect and demand that all the firearms I own do not "degrade" or have a limited lifespan (I do not sell or trade firearms - they will be left to my heirs), I don't own or intend to purchase any firearm that has functional parts made of plastic. When I assembled my LR-308, I built it using wood furniture.

Cool.

 

[Miles42]

I like the fact that in a situation where there has been a break down in civil control it is a great weapon for self protection and ready available ammo.

 

[boogieman]

I personally like the versatility and availability of them. I personally own 5 in 4 different calibers. I have everything from a .22 up to .308. My .223 I have a carbine and I have a 22" barrel for longer distance shooting. My wife and kids all like shooting them so that is a plus. You can put whatever accessories you want on them. If you want a scope, red dot or iron sights you can, if you want a bipod you can, if you want a fixed stock or adjustable. It is your rifle and you can make it what you want. Also if there ever is a civilian break down or invasion of the US, there are enough of them out there that you should be able to find parts if necessary.

I was never military but did train for the US Border Patrol (destroyed my knee on the o course which ended that career) and we did train with an M4. These are my opinions and beliefs, you may or may not like them but they are mine.

 

[Fordtough25]

Why not?

 

[Tanfodude]

I'm not a fan.

So, what do you consider lightweight? 5lbs? Also for recoil, your shotty has less? As for accuracy, did you not shoot well and blame the rifle? Just curious. An old fella I've talked to at FNS was shooting 1" groups in 200yrds.

 

[kawtech87]

Why not?

^^ This for the most part.

I like my AR. And that is my reason.

 

[Redtbird]

Why not?

You beat me to it! LOL!

For the four years I was in the Army Security Agency, all we were issued were M-14s. Big, heavy, powerful, loud. But I always wanted one after I was discharged. I now have a Springfield Armory M-1A, and it now looks, sounds,, shoots, feels and smells just like the M-14s I had in the late 60s. Of the seven rifles I now own, this is my Favorite (capitol intended). I love shooting it, and enjoy letting others shoot it. You should see the smiles on their faces when they hand it back to me.

I also have an AR15, and really enjoy shooting it too. Loud, low recoil, more accurate than I am, lightweight, easy to maneuver. I think it's neat shooting a round that travels over 2200 mph(3320fps). For shooting at home, I have Crosman's MRT77NPC, that looks and weighs the same as my AR. It's a break barrel, Nitro Piston, single shot pellet rifle, and is as much fun to shoot as the "real" AR. And much cheaper to shoot!

So again, I use the comment, "Why not?"

Enjoy what ever you shoot!

 

[Mark 1911]

Because too many politicians want to revoke your right to own one.