What is it about the AR-15?

[mister_air_man]

I'm doing a post for my blog "The Gun Liberal" (google "gun liberal because it's a civil right") and I wanted some more input from folks.

I started this post "The AR-15: Beloved and hated weapon" but realized that as I don't know and shoot the AR-15, and I don't want to say dumb stuff, maybe I'd solicit some help. (The closest I've owned was a Mini-14, but these days mostly handguns...) Perhaps you can help:

- Why is this rifle so popular?
- Obviously not designed "to kill as many people as possible", can you say what the design goals were (or point me to a link)
- Why is the AR-15 the poster boy for gun control?
- Is the AR-15 a good home defense weapon (compared to a pistol or a shotgun)?

These and other insights appreciated. Thanks!

Cheers,

M_A_M

 

[Solo]

- Why is this rifle so popular?

Well made, iconic, reliable, accurate, customizable.

- Obviously not designed "to kill as many people as possible", can you say what the design goals were (or point me to a link)

To make a modern rifle for the US Army using revolutionary manufacturing techniques, novel materials, and a smaller, lighter cartridge more suited to America's combat needs.

- Why is the AR-15 the poster boy for gun control?

It looks like an automatic weapon.

- Is the AR-15 a good home defense weapon (compared to a pistol or a shotgun)?

All else being equal, yes. Shorter AR-15s are handy rifles for close quarter combat, which is why you see SWAT teams using them.

 

[BHP FAN]

this isn't just for the AR 15, but it does strongly pertain to gun control as a whole.

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/julia/gorin030802.asp

 

[Warp]

- Why is this rifle so popular?

Generally speaking (obviously the last 6 weeks are an anomaly)

It is extremely modular
Magazines are common and inexpensive
Ammo is readily available and moderately priced, for rifle ammo
Powerful enough to be effective on people and game animals up to and including deer, for sure
Weak enough that recoil doesn't beat you up
Short, light, ergonomic (just easy to handle, even for women and children)
Former military are familiar with the platform
Economically priced, especially the last years
Extremely reliable when you do it right
Snowball effect. Once it's popular, it becomes more popular, if for no other reason than because there is so much training available aimed directly at it
Did I mention that it is modular?

 

[jamesbeat]

They are good for home defense because of the ability to hold a reasonable amount of ammunition and the reduced chance of riccochets.

That's what I've read, but I don't own one, and I keep a shotgun for HD.
That's more to do with finances than a careful study of HD weapons though, and I certainly would like to own an AR and would have it on HD standby if I did.

 

[Lex Luthier]

The left cannot link between reality and their feelings. They need a symbol, regardless of their intellectual understanding, to point their well-rehearsed community derision.

Have protest sign, will travel.

 

[allaroundhunter]

- Is the AR-15 a good home defense weapon (compared to a pistol or a shotgun)?

They are great home defense weapon. They put a good amount of power into a defender's hands, with the capability of fast, accurate follow-up shots. Also, they actually penetrate less than JHP from a pistol or 00 buckshot from a shotgun. This is because the projectile is at such a high velocity, and when it hits an obstruction (wall, tissue, etc.) it is quickly destabilized and fragments.

 

[Dlowe167]

The Most Versatile rifle platform. Though not as reliable as the AK,but over the years has come real close. Multiple calibers for uppers. Probably the most accessorized platform.....period!

 

[Warp]

- Why is the AR-15 the poster boy for gun control?

Because it's appearance and many people's ignorance make it relatively easy to villanize and to 'other'.

Because it is a most excellent rifle for the actual intent and purpose of the Second Amendment, and they know that taking teeth out of the Constitution/Bill of Rights is an important step before REALLY going to town on the rest of it.

 

[Warp]

- Is the AR-15 a good home defense weapon (compared to a pistol or a shotgun)?

Yes. It is an excellent home defense weapon, and an M4 type rifle is my go-to home defense gun at this time.

Advantages over a shotgun, generally speaking:
Shorter, lighter, more ergonomic and easier to handle
Less recoil, much faster follow up shots
Same or less penetration (depends on ammo)
Equal or greater stopping power (depends on ammo)
Penetrate soft armour, which bad guys do sometimes use

 

[Cesiumsponge]

Here's the thing...everything that makes a firearm easier to use for a law-abiding citizen to use happens to make it easier for a criminal to use, should they get a hold of one. There is no such thing as a consumer product or tool that can determine if the user is a "good guy" or "bad guy". Do we make any other consumer product purposely less efficient, less ergonomic, less safe, and less useful in order to prevent criminals from abusing said product?

Does anyone in the US argue kitchen knives need to be shorter and less pointy? FBI Uniform Crime Reports show more people are killed in the United States by sharp objects than rifles or shotguns. Do we make prybars out of plastic so criminals can't pry open doors or windows? Do we put BAC ignition locks in all cars so a drunkard can't start a vehicle? No, we don't nerf the abilities of consumer products as a method to hinder a criminal. That's back asswards.

The AR-15 is simply a very effective firearm with low recoil and ergonomics that fit a wide range of people, especially females who are typically smaller in build and ability to absorb recoil. The politicians that claim they're designed to be shot from the hip or spray down people are simply taking a page out of Hollywood. No one in the military will tell you that they were trained to operate them in such a manner.

 

[Warp]

Here's the thing...everything that makes a firearm easier to use for a law-abiding citizen to use happens to make it easier for a criminal to use, should they get a hold of one. There is no such thing as a consumer product or tool that can determine if the user is a "good guy" or "bad guy". Do we make any other consumer product purposely less efficient, less ergonomic, less safe, and less useful in order to prevent criminals from abusing said product?

Does anyone in the US argue kitchen knives need to be shorter and less pointy? FBI Uniform Crime Reports show more people are killed in the United States by sharp objects than rifles or shotguns. Do we make prybars out of plastic so criminals can't pry open doors or windows? Do we put BAC ignition locks in all cars so a drunkard can't start a vehicle? No, we don't nerf the abilities of consumer products as a method to hinder a criminal. That's back asswards.

The AR-15 is simply a very effective firearm with low recoil and ergonomics that fit a wide range of people, especially females who are typically smaller in build and ability to absorb recoil.

Yup.

And yet the criminals firearm of choice is by far and away the handgun due to it's portability and concealability. But they won't go after them (YET), too popular with the good guys

 

[12gaugeTim]

What's an AR15? I think you're talking about a Bushmaster. That's what the talking heads keep telling me that assault rifle is called, anyways.

It's targeted because its easiest to make the military connection with. Armed forces are commonly seen carrying them on the news and television shows, so when people see an M16-esque rifle, they automatically make the connection to the military. The liberal media uses this connection to make AR15 owners look like people who are trying to play soldier, because a civilian owning one contradicts the precept they already had about it being a military weapon.

 

[mister_air_man]

Does anyone in the US argue kitchen knives need to be shorter and less pointy?

Not that I've heard of here, but it's underway in the UK.

 

[r1derbike]

Excellent home defense weapon of choice, to repel multiple armed home invaders. There is nothing "assault" about it. It is semi-auto, unlike its military burst or full-auto fire.

It's light, maneuverable, adaptable to users frame size with the adjustable stock. Small caliber, sporting rifle.

Antis moniker "assault weapon" is a farce. They don't have a clue what an AR-15 is, and what its uses are. Medium sized game is taken with them. Coyotes, pigs.

What it isn't is the evil black rifle that antis and actors portray it.

It's understandable. Their ignorance usually trumps any facts spoken about the rifle, publicly.

Antis, media, and actors ignorance has landed squarely in the blatant stupidity camp.

 

[JonnyGringo]

The ergonomics are unbeatable.

 

[Vurtle]

I personally like my defense weapon to look intimidating. I prefer to have the mental upper hand on someone wanting to cause harm. I was also trained with the m16 so I am a lot more comfortable with my ability to use it. The other upside for me is I use it for defense, hunting, and sport. It is one of the best and most versatile rifles ever designed.

 

[Isaac-1]

As to the point of the antis they seem to think ALL black guns with pistor grips are AR-15's these days, 15-20 years ago they thought all black guns with pistol grips were AK-47's. There are also a few anti's that know some black guns are AR's and some are AK's, but even they think it is too confusing that there are 2 types of black guns, so Mini 14's are AR's and FN-FAL's are AK's .....

 

[hso]

Why is this rifle so popular?

Light, ergonomic, modular, easily accessorized, modified more readily than any other firearm in history to provide more practical uses in hunting, competition, and defense. It can be a .22, 5.56, 6.8SPC, or 7.62x39 on the same platform just by changing the upper half.

- Obviously not designed "to kill as many people as possible", can you say what the design goals were (or point me to a link)

That's easily out there just by googling the history of the AR. The short answer is that there had been attempts to introduce an intermediate cartridge carbine as far back as WWI by the British. The AR is a rifle designed around that concept using modern ergonomics and materials to produce a lightweight firearm with easily managed recoil.

- Why is the AR-15 the poster boy for gun control?

The AK used to be the "poster boy for gun control" because it was iconic as the firearm most seen on TV/movies. The AR has taken over that role for the same reason, but also because it has become so enormously popular more than any other firearm.

- Is the AR-15 a good home defense weapon (compared to a pistol or a shotgun)?

Go to Box O Truth or look at any of the analysis of the firearm. It is about ideal for home defense because using standard ammunition it is effective at stopping attacks while it penetrates standard building materials less than a pistol or shotgun making it safer to use indoors. It is light and has lighter recoil than a shotgun while being more accurate and easily aimed/controlled than a handgun.

 

[CarolinaChuck]

A lot of folks have been trained and have used the rifle since it was adobted as the US military service rifle. I would start there because it really changed the structure and tactics used by the military in order to actually adobt the weapon for service.

One thing I always noted about it was, it will never hold a candle to the M14 as far as range, accuracy and lethality; but, it has proved itself well to do the job. You would actually need to get into the heads of the high brass back in the day of its inception, but I think the 3 key reasons were, full auto, weight of both firearm and the ammo a soldier could carry and it fit the needs of a more mobile force. Money wise, it has saved a ton of cash just in ammo and moving that around the world.

Good luck on the project,

Chuck

 

[Warp]

A lot of folks have been trained and have used the rifle since it was adobted as the US military service rifle. I would start there because it really changed the structure and tactics used by the military in order to actually adobt the weapon for service.

One thing I always noted about it was, it will never hold a candle to the M14 as far as range, accuracy and lethality; but, it has proved itself well to do the job. You would actually need to get into the heads of the high brass back in the day of its inception, but I think the 3 key reasons were, full auto, weight of both firearm and the ammo a soldier could carry and it fit the needs of a more mobile force. Money wise, it has saved a ton of cash just in ammo and moving that around the world.

Good luck on the project,

Chuck

The 5.56 round has always had that listed as one of the major reasons for military adoption.

 

[Queen_of_Thunder]

The ergonomics are unbeatable.

Not only that but simply switching out the upper you end up with another rifle capable of meeting your specific needs and when you are done you can switch it back or switch to another caliber for a different job.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

And the AR-15 IS used for hunting, even moreso when you take into account the various calibers it's available in.

I don't know why we don't attack this point more often. It's as if people can declare the sky green simply by repeating it, despite the obvious.

 

[savanahsdad]

The ergonomics are unbeatable.

sure if your eye ball is in your cheek ! lol... when I got my AR flat top and put a scope on it nothing felt right , there like looking down a broom stick , with just about every other gun ever made your cheek is inline or under the center of the bore I had shot 100's of guns before I ever shot an AR, I found out I needed a riser for the scope and then it still took some training , it's all good now, but ergonmic it's not , better than my UZI but that don't take much
however if this is what you have been trained on then thats another story, My son's Marien recruiter picked up my AR like he was born with it , and told me most the guys in the corps want or have one , I'd bet that goes for most of are servicemen
I see most of the posts here are for AR's in 5.56/223rem, the draw for me was that there are lots of better hunting rounds out there for them , If AR's only came in 5.56 I would not have one ,mine is in 25WSSM, I was looking at a 6.8 mil-spec (.277 round) but ended up going with th 25WSSM,
the another draw is that you can tare them down with out tools, eazy to clean, and eazy to tune, ,lots of parts out there for them ,
as for some others saying there light , well....... My AR is a scoped target gun , about 13lbs,
you will see many reasons the gun guy like or buy AR's, my reasons are not the same as most , however there are 1000's of odd-ball AR's like mine out there , they didn't make just one WSSM and the gun-grabers dont know that and/or don't care ,

 

[50 cal]

The AR-15 is popular because it is supposed to be popular at this time and right now our our gubberment doesn't want us to have this rifle because when we are starving to death, they can't imagine a crap load of angry,starving americans that are told they can't have something is scaring them to death.