Pros/Cons of an AR-15? - Page 2

LMarshall73 · August 30th, 2005, 10:17 PM

I've had 2, a Colt and a Bushmaster. I'd agree with the "pro"s thus far. Only con I can think of is the cost - not only of the rifle, but the accessories. Another con - they do not hold their resale value once you're over the "wow" factor. I've gotten my AR-fix. Now, it's back to more bang for the buck - an SKS.

LPguy · August 30th, 2005, 10:55 PM

My brother in-law has one and my 15 year old son loved it so much, he insisted on having his pic taken with it wearing my old BDU's.

Mike :AR15firin

Bud White · August 30th, 2005, 11:06 PM

No Downside to my bushy Ar 15 never had a problem with it

acparmed · August 31st, 2005, 04:50 AM

I've had my Colt AR-15 SP-1 model since I bought it new in 1984 for the now tranquil cost of $395. off the shelf. I also bought a first generation Aimpoint MKIII that still sits atop it. I have never altered anything on the weapon and it's still going strong at about 25,000 rounds. The only hic-up I've had with it was about 15 years ago. The lower reciever pin for the hammer slipped and caused the hammer to fall out of alignment, thusly jamming the gun. I replaced the pin and have never had another bad thing to say about "the black rifle."

I will say one more positive thing about the gun, from personal experience, when properly used it is an accurate and death dealing little SOB.

Rob72 · August 31st, 2005, 01:14 PM

If you spend decent money, for a decent mil-spec brand (Bushy, RRA, Oly), learn fundamental maintenance, and "tweak" it to your needs/preferences, the AR family really can't be beat. (Don't like the "sproing"? Get Oly's new pneumatic buffer- allows you to adjust action for varied loads and/or regulate rate of fire. Rails, light, barrels, etc., etc..)

Having said that, I traded my Bushy 20" HB for a -91, not long ago. The only disadvantage to a quality AR? It isn't a quality .308.......and that is a situational comparison.

ExSoldier · August 31st, 2005, 02:22 PM

Hey, everybody, just got my POWER back from the first strike of Katrina down in Miami although we are still waiting to hear about family in Slidell LA and it doesn't look good...AT ALL.

Anyway, I had one of the FABLED "GREEN GUNS" of the AR15 type and I sold it in '93 for about...well enough to buy THREE new assault rifles (semiauto, not full...but I coulda bought ONE of those with the $$) I'm in a "will" to get an oldie CAR15 style and that could happen anytime. The AR is not bad, but I MUCH prefer the M1A, especially in SOCOM 16 with picatinny rail and ACOG or Holosight. I have a Ruger Mini14 with the rare Factory Folding Stock that I may sell or trade for the SOCOM16. This is a good idea for me since it cuts down on different mag requirements. I already have a SUPERMATCH M1A that I had tuned by ROBAR for "Reach Out & Touch" capability. I kept a ton of M16 mags, so I'm ready to take possession of the rifle, eventually. And I have several thousand rounds of both .308 and .223 ammo.

rfurtkamp · September 1st, 2005, 04:29 AM

For me it boiled down to weight. As a specialized platform with my night vision scope, the AR weighed less than my FAL without it. It's pretty well the only reason I own one, besides the fact that I finally found a carbine that didn't look like it was growing an extra-long nose in the barrel area to comply with the 16" minimum: the RRA midlength uppers.

The three I've owned over the years (and I'm not selling one this time, as I finally actually found a purpose for it other than range toy) have all been flawless beasts if fed the right ammo and cleaned occasionally. I'm not fond of the round and my preferred platform for launching is the FAL, but for what it is, it's a nice range toy and moderately effective carbine-type beast.

It'll also put one hole groups boringly consistently if you're in to that sort of thing.

And it has functional 100 round drums available. ;)

I don't particularly like the weapon, but I have enough rifles that I'm allowed to have ones I only sometimes enjoy. The linked essay is mostly hyperbole, and I say that as someone who has converted many an AR-o-phile to the FAL dark side.

HotGuns · September 12th, 2005, 12:06 AM

Currently I own 3.
Ive got two in .223 and one in .300 whisper.

Pros...

Any body with half a clue can take one apart, put it in a bag,shake it up and eventually figure out how it goes back together.

They are modular weapons. Dont like the issue stock ? Take it off and put a collapsible on it. Ther are at least 3 gazillion aftermarket items for AR's. Sights, triggers mods,forearms, you name it, its out there.

Barrel lengths go anywhere from 6 inches to 24" in every configuration known to man.

You can make it look cool, or you can make it look like you are a total gadget geek and hang 50 pounds of accessorys off of it.

You can get it in a dozen different calibers and still have basically the same platform.

Break something ? Take it out and replace the part. Can be done in a few minutes. Shot out barrel ? Take it off, throw it in the lake and put a new one on it. With the right tools it wont take over 30 minutes even for the mechanically challenged.

Spectacular kills on armadillos that are suitable for digital cameras with video that jsut be to be distributed on the internet...

Cons...

pipsqueak varmint round.
Not good for deer.
Can be persnickety about ammo.
Requires maintenance to remain reliable.
Looks kind of ugly.
Magazines are easily rendered useless.
Feared by liberal politicians and other with an antigun phobia.
tiny little round .22 bullet
hard to see holes in target at more than 25 yards.
addictive,causing one to spend way too much on ammo
itty bitty caliber :AR15firin

ExSoldier · September 12th, 2005, 12:32 AM

OOOOOooooh HotGuns: What are the pros and cons of the AR15 in .300 Whisper and who makes that one? Any idea of the $$$?

HotGuns · September 12th, 2005, 01:02 AM

Yep.

Model One Sales.

Cost me 335 for a 16 inch top half.

They call it the ."300 Fireball " because JDJones devoloped it and has the patent on the .300 "Whisper" name.

Pros..

30 caliber
can shoot from 110 to 220 grainer
good for deer
can be loaded to subsonic for suppressors or supersonic for hard hitting
uses existing AR mags and bolt
easy to swap out upper halves
easy to reload

Cons..
Ammo is hard to get
ammo is expensive

You can get in any configuration you want...
heres a link..Model 1 Sales

August 31st, 2005, 04:50 AM	#14
acparmed 1952 - 2006 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Posts: 1,371	I've had my Colt AR-15 SP-1 model since I bought it new in 1984 for the now tranquil cost of $395. off the shelf. I also bought a first generation Aimpoint MKIII that still sits atop it. I have never altered anything on the weapon and it's still going strong at about 25,000 rounds. The only hic-up I've had with it was about 15 years ago. The lower reciever pin for the hammer slipped and caused the hammer to fall out of alignment, thusly jamming the gun. I replaced the pin and have never had another bad thing to say about "the black rifle." I will say one more positive thing about the gun, from personal experience, when properly used it is an accurate and death dealing little SOB. __________________ Heroes are people who do what has to be done, when it has to be done, regardless of the consequences "I like when the enemy shoots at me; then I know where the ****** are and can kill them." ~George Patton DE OPPRESSO LIBER**

August 31st, 2005, 02:22 PM	#16
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,211	Hey, everybody, just got my POWER back from the first strike of Katrina down in Miami although we are still waiting to hear about family in Slidell LA and it doesn't look good...AT ALL. Anyway, I had one of the FABLED "GREEN GUNS" of the AR15 type and I sold it in '93 for about...well enough to buy THREE new assault rifles (semiauto, not full...but I coulda bought ONE of those with the $$) I'm in a "will" to get an oldie CAR15 style and that could happen anytime. The AR is not bad, but I MUCH prefer the M1A, especially in SOCOM 16 with picatinny rail and ACOG or Holosight. I have a Ruger Mini14 with the rare Factory Folding Stock that I may sell or trade for the SOCOM16. This is a good idea for me since it cuts down on different mag requirements. I already have a SUPERMATCH M1A that I had tuned by ROBAR for "Reach Out & Touch" capability. I kept a ton of M16 mags, so I'm ready to take possession of the rifle, eventually. And I have several thousand rounds of both .308 and .223 ammo. __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

September 1st, 2005, 04:29 AM	#17
rfurtkamp Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 940	For me it boiled down to weight. As a specialized platform with my night vision scope, the AR weighed less than my FAL without it. It's pretty well the only reason I own one, besides the fact that I finally found a carbine that didn't look like it was growing an extra-long nose in the barrel area to comply with the 16" minimum: the RRA midlength uppers. The three I've owned over the years (and I'm not selling one this time, as I finally actually found a purpose for it other than range toy) have all been flawless beasts if fed the right ammo and cleaned occasionally. I'm not fond of the round and my preferred platform for launching is the FAL, but for what it is, it's a nice range toy and moderately effective carbine-type beast. It'll also put one hole groups boringly consistently if you're in to that sort of thing. And it has functional 100 round drums available. ;) I don't particularly like the weapon, but I have enough rifles that I'm allowed to have ones I only sometimes enjoy. The linked essay is mostly hyperbole, and I say that as someone who has converted many an AR-o-phile to the FAL dark side. __________________ Driver carries less than $45 worth of remorse.

September 12th, 2005, 12:32 AM	#19
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,211	OOOOOooooh HotGuns: What are the pros and cons of the AR15 in .300 Whisper and who makes that one? Any idea of the $$$? __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

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August 30th, 2005, 10:17 PM	#11
LMarshall73 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South East US Posts: 200	I've had 2, a Colt and a Bushmaster. I'd agree with the "pro"s thus far. Only con I can think of is the cost - not only of the rifle, but the accessories. Another con - they do not hold their resale value once you're over the "wow" factor. I've gotten my AR-fix. Now, it's back to more bang for the buck - an SKS.

August 30th, 2005, 11:06 PM	#13
Bud White VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Elsewhere Posts: 17,476	No Downside to my bushy Ar 15 never had a problem with it

August 31st, 2005, 01:14 PM	#15
Rob72 VIP Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,047	If you spend decent money, for a decent mil-spec brand (Bushy, RRA, Oly), learn fundamental maintenance, and "tweak" it to your needs/preferences, the AR family really can't be beat. (Don't like the "sproing"? Get Oly's new pneumatic buffer- allows you to adjust action for varied loads and/or regulate rate of fire. Rails, light, barrels, etc., etc..) Having said that, I traded my Bushy 20" HB for a -91, not long ago. The only disadvantage to a quality AR? It isn't a quality .308.......and that is a situational comparison.

September 12th, 2005, 12:06 AM	#18
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,184	Currently I own 3. Ive got two in .223 and one in .300 whisper. Pros... Any body with half a clue can take one apart, put it in a bag,shake it up and eventually figure out how it goes back together. They are modular weapons. Dont like the issue stock ? Take it off and put a collapsible on it. Ther are at least 3 gazillion aftermarket items for AR's. Sights, triggers mods,forearms, you name it, its out there. Barrel lengths go anywhere from 6 inches to 24" in every configuration known to man. You can make it look cool, or you can make it look like you are a total gadget geek and hang 50 pounds of accessorys off of it. You can get it in a dozen different calibers and still have basically the same platform. Break something ? Take it out and replace the part. Can be done in a few minutes. Shot out barrel ? Take it off, throw it in the lake and put a new one on it. With the right tools it wont take over 30 minutes even for the mechanically challenged. Spectacular kills on armadillos that are suitable for digital cameras with video that jsut be to be distributed on the internet... Cons... pipsqueak varmint round. Not good for deer. Can be persnickety about ammo. Requires maintenance to remain reliable. Looks kind of ugly. Magazines are easily rendered useless. Feared by liberal politicians and other with an antigun phobia. tiny little round .22 bullet hard to see holes in target at more than 25 yards. addictive,causing one to spend way too much on ammo itty bitty caliber :AR15firin

September 12th, 2005, 01:02 AM	#20
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,184	Yep. Model One Sales. Cost me 335 for a 16 inch top half. They call it the ."300 Fireball " because JDJones devoloped it and has the patent on the .300 "Whisper" name. Pros.. 30 caliber can shoot from 110 to 220 grainer good for deer can be loaded to subsonic for suppressors or supersonic for hard hitting uses existing AR mags and bolt easy to swap out upper halves easy to reload Cons.. Ammo is hard to get ammo is expensive You can get in any configuration you want... heres a link..Model 1 Sales