Most useless feature on an AR15.
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R.W.Dale
Member
chrome lined bores on non full auto rifles that get a couple three boxes of shells at most shot in a session between cleanings
czarjl
Member
All that "neat" tactical looking stuff on a gun that is only used at the range. By a guy that can't hit the broad side of a barn due to some "problem" with the gun. Maybe should have spent more on ammo and practice than cool looking stuff to hang on the rail.
And here comes the overwhelming bitching about "tacticool" stuff. I'd like to give the guy who coined that phrase a HiTech Magnum enema.
Pigtail wires are extremely usefull to keep the wire from getting tangled in everything within a 5' radius of the firearm. If mounted correctly, the pigtail will hug the frame of the firearm. Very useful if you consider the alternative being loose wires just hanging around getting snagged.
Pigtail wires are extremely usefull to keep the wire from getting tangled in everything within a 5' radius of the firearm. If mounted correctly, the pigtail will hug the frame of the firearm. Very useful if you consider the alternative being loose wires just hanging around getting snagged.
30 cal slob
Member
nobody mentioned the forward assist yet?
wcwhitey
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I guess I like useless features. My DPMS 16" Low Pro is a tack driver with it's bull barrel, a nice Designated Marksman rifle. My go-to is a Bushy Shorty AK with A-1 Upper, the definition of KISS. Oh and the A-1 sights with a 50 yard zero is all you will ever need from a carbine, good out to 250 yards.
helz_mcfugly
Member
the most useless thing Ive found thus far on alot of AR's are those pesky self absorbed, egotistical, self righteous, know it all, "what I have is better then yours", trigger operatoring devices. 
wouldnt everyone agree?
wouldnt everyone agree?The noise issue - getting out that tool and making that sight adjustment will make noise when you are in a very quiet environment. For example, you could be hunting and need to move the strike of the bullet but don't want to spook the animals that are closer by adjusting your sights to hit the animal that is farther away. Where as if you had A2 sights you could quietly move the strike of the bullet with minimal movement.
Maybe I'm over analyzing. I've seen A2 sights go through some pretty rough abuse without damage. (Rifle thrown like a Frisbee and impacted asphalt, bouncing a few times before coming to rest about 40 yards away).
browningguy
Member
I've got a 16" stainless bull barrel, any time you want to come down and shoot a 300 yard match you can find out what they are good for.
That's a pic with a 6 position stock on it, I spent about a year teaching a friends 12 year old son how to shoot, the shorter stock helped quite a bit. It's back to the Ace stock not that the youngster has graduated to his own rifle.
I love those people that know what's best for everyone else.
That's a pic with a 6 position stock on it, I spent about a year teaching a friends 12 year old son how to shoot, the shorter stock helped quite a bit. It's back to the Ace stock not that the youngster has graduated to his own rifle.
I love those people that know what's best for everyone else.
45B@cav
Member
The only important assesory on any rifle is the one you actually use.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
being chambered in .223, aka 5.56
earlthegoat2
Member
forward assists, deflectors, and dust covers on rifles that are not used in combat, ( may come in handy in some competitions, true)
I am particularly against forward assists. Mainly because any gun that has a forward assist designed into it has a serious design flaw. (I know this may in fact fall under the Most Useful part of the AR15 but you see my point)
I am particularly against forward assists. Mainly because any gun that has a forward assist designed into it has a serious design flaw. (I know this may in fact fall under the Most Useful part of the AR15 but you see my point)
R.W.Dale
Member
Shows what you know.....All modern day assault rifles and commercial variations have a forward assist...........They're called a charging handle.
The only reason an AR has a separate piece is their charging handle isn't connected directly to the bolt
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Depends on what you mean by "bull." A heavy profile 16" barrel is a good compromise between accuracy and portability, IMO.
No AR-15 stock is truly collapsible (buffer tube sets the minimum length at a shootable length of pull). They would be more accurately described as adjustable, and that adjustment can come in handy if your plinking rifle also serves in an HD role. Not everyone can afford one rifle for the bench and another for HD. The 6-position stocks are also handy if people of different stature will be shooting the rifle.
As mentioned above, a forward assist is nice on a defensive carbine when doing a chamber check and you want to make sure the bolt went back forward all the way. With an AK, you can just push the bolt handle forward, but on a rifle with a non-reciprocating handle, you need a FA for that.
A deflector, I'm not sure what they do. Do they help keep brass out of the face when shooting left handed? If so, that'd be useful.
A dust cover, I'd definitely want. On a windy day with a bit of blowing silt, you'll have a lot of dirt on that oily bolt carrier if you don't keep it covered.
If there was one word I could banish by royal decree from firearms slang, it would be that one. If it has a function, it's not tacticool.
Lights, rails, 1x optics + magnifiers, BUIS, and adjustable stocks aren't tacticool, IMO, because they are perfectly functional.
A 37mm flare launcher, pretty useless, but I can see where a collector trying to construct an authentic-looking M4 might want one.
I'd have to agree with that one as being vestigial and mostly useless. Until someone comes up with something useful to hang on it, anyway. I personally don't like bayonet-lug flashlight mounts because they put the light below the barrel and cast a barrel shadow in the worst possible place.
helz_mcfugly
Member
I can tell you what would be usefull on my AR would be a .223 chamber rather then a 5.56. that way I could OAL my reloads. that would be nice.
1KPerDay
Member
See my post on page 1. Have you ever actually shot an AR without a deflector left-handed?
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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- 13,146
Bipods on shortys make me laugh.
gdcpony
Member
Let me see;
Useful to me
Scope- I recently found my ideal scope 1.5-5 Konus I love the thing and will have one on all my guns soon
Short barrels as stiff as I can get them- I am not out to reduce weight, just the amount of snagging I get swinging in a brier thicket when the yote surprises me.
Bipod- I use it at the range, but even on my shotgun I take one to the woods. When I need to put the gun down- ie. taking down a blind- I use it for a kickstand. For those long shots on g-hogs, I actually use it to go prone and aim in.
Flashlight/ laser combo- Had one on my 1911 and it became my best night yote killer. For shots under 50yds it is as fast as you can get. Assuming you do a little practicing. I must add though that I would remove it most of the time as it is useless in the wrong conditions
Tactical sling- with the odd shape of the AR, I like a 3pt that can be swung up if I happen to need it. Also adds allot of support for offhand shooting.
Collapsible stock- my daughter is loves to shoot. Plus it does pack into a neat little package.
Useless to me:
Unused rails left bare- OUCH! They hurt if you grab quick and allow allot of dirt in there you have to get out later.
Front sight posts on a flat top receiver rifle- Umm why not just use a detachable and avoid the hassles it could cause- snags, scope interference.
AR pistols- A 300yd round (for most people) on a 30yd gun. Not a weapon I would trust. Just buy a pistol for crying out loud.
24" barrel- Why? I doubt it adds anything to the accuracy. Maybe a little to the velocity (slow powder?) The rifle is a quality 300yd varmint rifle in 16" form. Maybe 400 in 20" or 24" versions. I would say beyond that get a bigger caliber.
Might be a bit different than your lists, but it's mine.
I do have one thing I use the FA for. When working up a load I take a case (empty) and seat a bullet partially. Then I put it in the chamber and use the FA to seat it. Then I measure that, subtract .001, and set my seating depth. I could do it other ways, but this way I have the bolt closed on it, and it is engaged the way it would be when I am firing it. My bolt guns I can just close the bolt to do the same. That and brass checks are about it for that.
Useful to me
Scope- I recently found my ideal scope 1.5-5 Konus I love the thing and will have one on all my guns soon
Short barrels as stiff as I can get them- I am not out to reduce weight, just the amount of snagging I get swinging in a brier thicket when the yote surprises me.
Bipod- I use it at the range, but even on my shotgun I take one to the woods. When I need to put the gun down- ie. taking down a blind- I use it for a kickstand. For those long shots on g-hogs, I actually use it to go prone and aim in.
Flashlight/ laser combo- Had one on my 1911 and it became my best night yote killer. For shots under 50yds it is as fast as you can get. Assuming you do a little practicing. I must add though that I would remove it most of the time as it is useless in the wrong conditions
Tactical sling- with the odd shape of the AR, I like a 3pt that can be swung up if I happen to need it. Also adds allot of support for offhand shooting.
Collapsible stock- my daughter is loves to shoot. Plus it does pack into a neat little package.
Useless to me:
Unused rails left bare- OUCH! They hurt if you grab quick and allow allot of dirt in there you have to get out later.
Front sight posts on a flat top receiver rifle- Umm why not just use a detachable and avoid the hassles it could cause- snags, scope interference.
AR pistols- A 300yd round (for most people) on a 30yd gun. Not a weapon I would trust. Just buy a pistol for crying out loud.
24" barrel- Why? I doubt it adds anything to the accuracy. Maybe a little to the velocity (slow powder?) The rifle is a quality 300yd varmint rifle in 16" form. Maybe 400 in 20" or 24" versions. I would say beyond that get a bigger caliber.
Might be a bit different than your lists, but it's mine.
I do have one thing I use the FA for. When working up a load I take a case (empty) and seat a bullet partially. Then I put it in the chamber and use the FA to seat it. Then I measure that, subtract .001, and set my seating depth. I could do it other ways, but this way I have the bolt closed on it, and it is engaged the way it would be when I am firing it. My bolt guns I can just close the bolt to do the same. That and brass checks are about it for that.
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