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Political Commentary #1 (and last):
It's quite amazing how Eugene Stoner's AR is endearing itself to us as a people. Back in the 1975, it was a 5.56 mm Colt AR15 ($350) and that was it. Today, Colt is not alone in producing Stoner's rifle (Bushmaster, DPMS, Olympic Arms, etc.) and there are more calibers than ever before (9mm, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, 7.62x39, .300 Whisper and 7.62x51 Nato). If you don't like your rifle, change it to a red dot sighted carbine or a heavy barrel scoped target gun by changing the upper receiver in less than a minute. The AR has become as versatile as the TC Contender. Caliber, barrel lengths and weights, sights (iron sights, scope, laser, red dot), stock configurations. Take your pick as there is a cottage industry eager meet your needs. Even left handers aren't neglected.
More fascinating is that with the military manual, a vise, two wrenches, a brass hammer, some roll pin punches, headspace gauges, and a few other tools, you can build your own for the price of a sporting rifle ($600). You can buy everything except the lower receiver via email.
The Black Rifle may be accredited for a firearms building rennaisance harkening back to the days when this country was literally served by hundreds of gunsmiths; each of whom was capable of assembling a rifle from parts (besides making their own from scratch, some blackpowder gunsmiths often bought locks from one source and barrels from another and assembled the parts into flintlocks or percussion cap rifles). Common folks who by vocation are not gunsmiths are taking to building ARs with an enthusiasm equalling that of teenagers to cars.
In becoming America's Sweetheart, the AR draws us closer to another legacy left by our forefathers. We may be rediscovering ourselves as a nation of riflemen. Perhaps this is all wishful thinking, but it's good.
Your comments are welcome.
4v50 Gary
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