DirksterG30

I'm looking at getting a semi-auto rifle of some sort, and wanted to hear from you folks - what are the strengths & weaknesses of the AR-15 design? Why do you have one, or why do you not have one?

500Mag

You can accesorize the crap out of an AR (lights, sights, "gangsta" grips, bi-pod, M203). That's not to mention ease of interchanging complete uppers (bull barrel, different cal.) I got a .22 rimfire upper for small plinking and its cheap ammo. I like the overall design of an AR, plus the reliability and accuracy is sufficient, and lets not forget it's a blast to shoot.

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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Euclidean

I'm bumping this topic. The main attraction I've always seen are the gadget factor and the fact that if you have military experience, this is probably a good gun for you because it's what you've trained with so much. But I want to see if there's any other pros.

I hope George Hill will link to his excellent article on the cons of the AR family.

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P95Carry

I have often thought of getting a Bushy but cost has been one disincentive. Beyond that I am not over struck with it, having shot one or two - for some reason they don't float my boat. Just me.

My only 223 platform is Mini-14 - bit of a spray gun as it is in just std trim but - good enough to employ the cal.

For me, in this category (EBR, loosely) I feel better served by having the cheap reliability and capacity of an AK, and the FAL for serious work!

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Chris - P95
NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member.

"To own a gun and assume that you are armed
is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!."

If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

rocky

Pros- light weight, good accuracy, proven combat performance, interchangable multiple acces. options, light recoil impulse, intimidating looking, and plentiful , cheap hi cap mags.


Cons- possible malfunction due to gas system(some problems first hand) , light bullet weight, over penetration thru walls& people, deemed an "assault rifle" by the media, all black and evil looking. Sproing noise during firing may cause ya to laugh and miss. Many configurations to choose from, accesories will empty your wallet if ya get em all. Causes BRD (black rifle disease) according to the surgeon general

DirksterG30

Euc,

I've read George Hill's thoughts on the AR - he pretty much hates them. For his thoughts on the matter:

http://www.madogre.com/Interviews/Hate_the_AR15.htm

rocky

Wow, what an extemly opinionated, not all factual account of AR's. If they were all that bad, I think out troops would have XM8's already. Also hundreds of civilian contractors in Iraq would choose a diffrent weapon.

firefighter4884

Dirk...

I'm just getting into firearms...well, just starting my collection.

I can tell you that one of the things I want is at least one AR lower reciever. For that reciever, I want a 16" upper in .22LR, .223, and 6.8mm. I might also add a 9mm upper to that list.

I also want a 20" .223 and a 24" .223 heavyweight. These last two might have seperate lowers so that specific optics can be installed on them.

So, the biggest pro that I see to the gun, with the exception of the fact that it is the issue weapon for the US military is that it's very easy (less then 5 minutes to change upper recievers) and therefore barrel lengths, and other options.

It's also very easy to customize the rifle to do what you want by adding sites, optics, lights, grips, etc.

--Jim

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Firefighter / EMT - Always Ready. Ever Willing.

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500Mag

My response to the neighsayers that think the platform is garbage. Granted it's not perfect, however, the design has been around since long before me, Vietnam if i'm not mistaken. They've been trying to replace it with something better but haven't figured it out yet....there's a reason for that.

Quick engineering generalization...tight tolerances require super maintance but result in super results. loose tolerances require minimal maintance but often result in less than ideal results.

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"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Euclidean

Tell the truth I've always wanted one and still do, but I put it off because I didn't want it to be my only gun.

Of course now it wouldn't have to be, so there you go. I told myself I would get one before Bush leaves office and I plan to carry through on that threat.

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I am The Armed Educator.