Posted on 12/12/2018 12:18:50 PM PST by detective
In a recent item for The Federalist, David Harsanyi considered the M16 rifle one of the five most innovative firearms in American firearm development history. Yet something equally significant can be said about the semi-automatic AR-15 derived from the M16. Second to the muskets used in our revolutionary and civil wars, the AR-15 may be the most important firearm in American political history.
All told, more Americans have fired more rounds from more AR-15s for personal defense, defensive firearm training, marksmanship competitions, individual practice, and hunting than from any other rifle. For that reason, the AR-15 is the primary firearm upon which Americans would rely if they had to fight for freedom today.
Here are 10 reasons to own at least one AR-15 and to become skilled in its use.
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
"...your preferences may vary..."
And a host of other calibers (.50 Beowulf comes to mind) that makes it a modular HUNTING rifle.
Kewl! I can just drive on down to Dick’s Sporting Goods and buy....
Oh...
Wait......
Nevermind.
(I actually built my AR)
Actually, the M-16 was derived from the AR-15.
Reporter Deterrent.
That is a reason that would throw fear in the hearts of any Jack-booted thugs in the employ of a dictatorship. Knowing that in confrontations, some fully automatic weapons would be picked up by those in revolt and knowing that a goodly portion of them may have been combat trained would also cause the police and military to pause.
M-1 Garand and Savage 110 in 30-06 with a heavy barrel.
If I shoot something I want it to stay shot.
Sorry, M-16 not the older M-14
#11 Feral hogs.
#12 Bacon
11. Because the people who don't want me to have one, don't want me to live.
It's still a problem. I know. From personal experience - and the experiences of several close friends.
In Iraq - brand new M16A4. I used it at the range before deployment; it was LTI'd (inspected by the armorers) before deployment. It was regularly cleaned and well maintained on deployment (Marines are anal like that).
Once the heavy shooting started - It failed twice requiring remedial action during house to house fighting in Fallujah. Trying to clear a jam and unfoul your gas tube while getting shot at = not much f'n fun at all.
During a firefight, my buddy shot the gas tube out of his in Afghanistan. Basically turning it into a glorified bolt action .22
You go to the range and shoot? Great the average shooter will have 0 issues.
You get in a TIC? Great the average shooter will have 0 issues.
You wind up pinned down and surrounded in an ambush? You find yourself doing house to house in continuous contact when it's drizzling outside and everything is grimy? ie. when your buddy's ass is on the line, and your ass is on the line?
M16/AR wouldn't be my first choice.
You fight with the gun you're issued - I took an M16 in one variant or another across x4 combat deployments. Now that I do my own procurement and logistics? I don't own a single AR....
And aside from all that - I've seen a dude (high) take 4 rnds 5.56 to the chest at less than 30m, run - yes run away. Probably died later -but he was still in the fight after two double taps to the chest.
Your preferences and mileage may vary.
Forgot to mention - I busted the cheap plastic handguard on my M16A2 on my first Iraq deployment.
Thank you Toll ping
IMO, the AR15 is a nice to have, maybe, gun one purchases after getting two others. If self or home defense is your primary concern,then your 1st choice will be a concealable pistol or revolver that can be and is carried or within easy reach at all times where it is legal to do so. The 2nd choice will be a shotgun because of it’s versatility. With the right loads, one can hunt anything from squirrels to white tail deer and wild boar. And if you can get to it in time, it makes a great home defense weapon. Personally, I don’t see myself ever buying an AR15.
The AR-15 predates the M-16 version with select fire. It’s a great general purpose design with lots of commodity support.
300BLK is 7.62. There are 7.62x39 barrels as well. 300BLK shares the same bolt and magazine as 5.56. The 7.62x39 needs a different bolt and magazines. I favor the 6.5 Grendel in an AR. Different barrel, bolt, mags. Great round.
The new ones have a much heavier barrel.
And it makes a big difference.
#1, per my wife, “because THEY don’t want you to.”
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