As much as I tried, I just can't like an AR-15 - Page 3

Taco-XL · February 11, 2015, 09:53 AM

I keep hearing people bash the AR for all the attachments that can be used, assuming that we are using every inch of our rail with 30 add-ons. This isnt the case. Just because there are so many options doesnt mean us AR guys use them all. It may seem like a lot of pointless stuff to those who are not familiar with AR platforms, but the options are there to fit anyones needs and true AR users understand this. Its like the gun is being given a bad rap for being versatile.

The AR is an engineering marvel yet is so simplistic in operation once you become familiar with them. And there is no other platform I can think of that you can replace most all the parts with out any gunsmithing...if something breaks, pop in a new part and keep rockin. I have not experienced this 'boing' phenomenon of the recoil spring either. How can you hear the spring over the bang of the round? Or who cares if you can? It doesnt affect the functionality of the system. If you dont like ARs thats OK, I dont have beef with that at all, but to say the gun has no purpose or is a 'cheap' platform is inaccurate. Its only as cheap as you make it. You cannot buy a $600 AR and expect it to be a space ship.

I guess why some dont like ARs is because they are different from anything else and some people hate change and think the only guns worth having were built 'back in the day'. (Oh, I like those too. Mosin, K31, SKS, etc.). Its the same reason why it is the most popular rifle right now...because its different than a cookie-cutter wood stock with a barrel slapped in it. Also, another reason we love them is the government hates the fact we can own one, which is why I have more than one

.

rickyrick · February 11, 2015, 07:22 PM

Leather helps... Lol

tahunua001 · February 12, 2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

I have not experienced this 'boing' phenomenon of the recoil spring either. How can you hear the spring over the bang of the round? Or who cares if you can?

then you must not shoot often. just this weekend I was shooting steel gongs and was having difficulty hearing the gongs over the recoil spring. it is a very common phenomenon and is magnified depending on the caliber being used. I really don't see a whole lot of bashing of the AR going on aside from a few fellows who prefer simple, sleek, and wood to refined, railed and black. the versatility of the AR is not maligned but there are a lot of guys out there that ruin the AR for newbs that try to ask for advice and get 20 yahoos insisting that they need a 4 rail handguard for a gun that's only going to be taken to the range once a month. I know a lot of people that bought 4 rails and never ever put a single thing on them except for rail covers because they are so uncomfortable to grip. if you never intend to mount anything, those rails are a hindrance more than a help and there is no reason why a person should feel compelled to add one if they never need one. I prefer top rails, not because there is ever a need for more rail than what it takes to mount a scope of red dot, but because the ergonomics are usually a lot better than 4 rails or tubes. and if I ever decide I need a flash light, laser, vertical pistolgrip, diagonal pistolgrip, bipod, magnifier, light enhancer, and thermal imaging scope, I can just add rail in 2 inch sections so in the end I still have a comfortable place to grab.

pat701 · February 12, 2015, 10:20 AM

Look at a Sig 556

mardanlin · February 12, 2015, 11:11 AM

I personally love the Stoner platform because of the versatility and interchangeability. I don't waste time with all the flash light and laser attachments though. For my 5.56 it's just a red dot and BUIS for the 7.62 it's a 3-9x scope on top with a 45 degree red dot for close engagements.

I absolutely love my Garand (and carbine) but there is no debate that my 308 AR is a much more functional rifle.

stagpanther · February 12, 2015, 12:18 PM

I recently mounted advanced radar and cruise missile launcher on my AR. Let the home intruders and deer beware!

armoredman · February 12, 2015, 12:22 PM

rickyrick, that has to be the very first leather wrapped AR I have ever seen.

Gotta ask - how does that feel when shooting? I saw leather wrapped rifles from the cowboy era, to keep old stocks from splitting, IIRC. Kind of a neat look, sir.

I did see some beautiful wood furniture available for AR rifles a while ago, don't remember who it was, but they looked great.

rickyrick · February 12, 2015, 02:10 PM

Actually it feels better than plastic. when dampness occurs the leather actually has more grip, or traction...

It was my first attempt at forming leather. It was fun and not that difficult.

jimbob86 · February 12, 2015, 02:30 PM

Quote:

I have not experienced this 'boing' phenomenon of the recoil spring either. How can you hear the spring over the bang of the round?

You won't hear it if you are hip shooting the thing, for sure.

Put in some ear plugs, get a good cheek weld, and upon firing, your cheekbone will transmit the "boing!" sound from the buffer spring straight to your inner ear. An -A1/A2 style stock will act as a sound chamber and make the "boing!" sound almost as prominent as the muffled "womp!" of the round exiting the muzzle.

If you have not heard it, then you're doing it wrong.

Jayhawkhuntclub · February 12, 2015, 03:14 PM

Rugged, reliable, easy to work on, fun to build and most have sub-MOA accuracy....works for me. The ARs I've owned have been, on average, more accurate than the bolt actions. Sub half inch groups at 100 yards are pretty common with a decent AR15. What's not to love?

rickyrick · February 12, 2015, 03:53 PM

They do boing...

Heard it all the way back to basic training

Grant D · February 12, 2015, 05:11 PM

I think AR'S are fine weapons, I just care to own one.
I have my AK-47 and Mini 30 that both shoot the same rounds, so that takes care of semi autos for me.
I'm mostly a handgun and shotgun kinda guy anyway.

Stevie-Ray · February 19, 2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

I feel the same way about the AK pattern and just can not get into it.

Same here. Doubtful I'll ever have an AK. I've had a FAL for decades and still love it. Just got my AR, maybe 8 or 10 years ago, though I have wanted one for as long as I've had my FAL. I suppose they're like every gun-not for everybody.

kawasakifreak77 · February 19, 2015, 02:10 PM

Even though the AR is a good gun, I just can't warm up to it either. Dad was in Desert Storm & his life depended on an M16. He's had a few since & taught me everything a guy needs to know to pick one up & use it if need be.

I even broke about a year ago & bought one in my favorite caliber (300 blackout) since I've never been a 22 man.

& I'll admit. It was fun, accurate & always worked with a myriad of loads. I realized you can burn $45 worth of ammo in a few seconds & still I just don't like the gun itself.

Then I got an AK. I found out they're not nearly as innaccurate as internet lore would have you believe. Then another AK followed me home. Now I'm looking into a milled gun & maybe a Krink as fast as form 1s are coming in.. Wood, 30 caliber stomp, iron sights, no more chasing brass & incredible reliability has me sold.

It's a slippery slope. I'm going to have to buy another safe..

SPEMack618 · February 19, 2015, 03:40 PM

I wanted nothing more than a Bushmaster XM-15 growing up.

I wanted one so bad I could taste it.

Got a Mini-14 and a WASR-10 growing up, but never that Bushmaster.

Joined the Army; carried an M-16A2 through OSUT. And was then issued an M-4A1, often times I was a grenadier, so I had the -203 slung underneath.

And that scratched my AR- itch for a good while.

Decided that since I carried one for work, I'd enjoy my boring old walnut stocked bolt guns at home.

Until I got engaged, bought a house, and started thinking about kids and such.

Bought a Colt LE6920. Planning to put an ACOG on it and generally make it a civilian legal copy of what I carried on deployment.

But the Lady shoots it well. Far better than the M-16A4 she is issued in the Air Force.

And it became my home defense carbine. Another working rifle.

I look at AR-15 pattern rifles as working guns, shoot them to maintain proficiency and not much else.

Big Shrek · February 21, 2015, 01:24 PM

Only reason I want an AR is because the Wifey won't let me have an M-60e3

But I have to build her a Hello Kitty AR first...
good thing Brownell's has DPMS lowers for $49

dakota.potts · February 21, 2015, 08:07 PM

At first I hated the feel of shooting them and the springing of the buffer tube in my ear. The more I shoot mine, though, the more I like it

rugerdawg · February 24, 2015, 10:31 AM

A little lithium grease on your buffer spring will go a long way toward quieting the "sproing", or one of the flat chromium silica springs or for really quiet a JP captured spring set up will eliminate it altogether.

jimbob86 · February 24, 2015, 10:37 AM

Quote:

A little lithium grease on your buffer spring will go a long way toward quieting the "sproing", or one of the flat chromium silica springs or for really quiet a JP captured spring set up will eliminate it altogether.

IME, grease attracts dust. In hot weather, it will run everywhere, too.

The "boing" does not hurt anything, nor cost anything ..... it can't be heard by anybody but the shooter.

It goes "boing" ....that's normal. If I pulled the trigger and it didn't do that, I'd think something was wrong.....

rickyrick · February 24, 2015, 10:52 AM

It also serves as a last shot indicator, as the boing is different when the bolt is held open

A pause for the COZ · February 25, 2015, 06:19 PM

Thats why they make more than one kind of rifle. Get the kind you like.
I have 20 rifles, Guess I like em all

I love my AR's though. Guess Uncle Sugar brung me up right.
3 AR 15's a 5.56 carbine, a 5.56 rifle and a 300 Black out carbine.
Thought I was in AR hog heaven until I snabbed a AR10 in 308 win.
Now it starts all over again.

Skans · February 26, 2015, 09:20 AM

For right now, AR's are cheap for what you get. Good accuracy, good reliability and lots of ability to customize it.

There are, however, some great alternatives:

Sig 556 - $1,000
Sig 551 - $10,000
SCAR-16s - $2,300
FN FNC - $3,500
Custom, accurized Mini-14 $2,000
Mini-14 Ranch Rifle - $680
Aug and MSAR - starting at about $1,500
Tavor - $1,600
Robinson Arms XCR $1,700

There are lots of other 5.56 alternatives out there, some rare some not so rare, but this is enough to show why AR's are pretty popular for the 5.56 round.

skizzums · February 26, 2015, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Also, another reason we love them is the government hates the fact we can own one, which is why I have more than one

so true, I love it.

if you hate the boing that much, you can spend the extra cash on a silent capture spring. I could not care less, actually I can't hear it on but one of my ARs

Tom C. · February 27, 2015, 10:33 PM

I fired an AR in the form of an M-16A1 about 40 yrs. ago. The first time I fired it, hearing the bong of the recoil spring I thought I had broken something. I preferred the M-1 Garand and M-14 and didn't use or own an AR until recently. I find I am warming up to them. I now have a couple in different configurations. I like the accuracy possible with good components. I like the erector set aspect to the thing, where I can built anything I want, or later modify it. They have become fun things to play with.

Ignition Override · February 27, 2015, 11:33 PM

The appeal-as with anything else-can require the right combination of situation, setting, targets, fellow shooters etc. I wish that it Did have more appeal, as with the same friend's Beretta handgun stored at my place.

With so much production among various companies, this could be the best time to buy any AR-15, compared to the Next Unexpected panic, which could inflate demand almost overnight, followed by small steps to ban certain features.
What happend in CA etc could happen in more states.

The anti-AR-15/semi-auto rifle types don't expect to create an overnight ban. Their goal is over the next twenty, thrity years or more.
Ho Chi Minh's goals were for the very long-term, and one of his mottos was "Forward!" (many small steps accumulate).

February 12, 2015, 02:10 PM	#58
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	Actually it feels better than plastic. when dampness occurs the leather actually has more grip, or traction... It was my first attempt at forming leather. It was fun and not that difficult. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 12, 2015, 03:53 PM	#61
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	They do boing... Heard it all the way back to basic training __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 19, 2015, 02:10 PM	#64
kawasakifreak77 Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2007 Location: St. John, Ks. Posts: 267	Even though the AR is a good gun, I just can't warm up to it either. Dad was in Desert Storm & his life depended on an M16. He's had a few since & taught me everything a guy needs to know to pick one up & use it if need be. I even broke about a year ago & bought one in my favorite caliber (300 blackout) since I've never been a 22 man. & I'll admit. It was fun, accurate & always worked with a myriad of loads. I realized you can burn $45 worth of ammo in a few seconds & still I just don't like the gun itself. Then I got an AK. I found out they're not nearly as innaccurate as internet lore would have you believe. Then another AK followed me home. Now I'm looking into a milled gun & maybe a Krink as fast as form 1s are coming in.. Wood, 30 caliber stomp, iron sights, no more chasing brass & incredible reliability has me sold. It's a slippery slope. I'm going to have to buy another safe.. __________________ Looking for oddball ammo. Tracers, AP, whatcha got?

February 19, 2015, 03:40 PM	#65
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	I wanted nothing more than a Bushmaster XM-15 growing up. I wanted one so bad I could taste it. Got a Mini-14 and a WASR-10 growing up, but never that Bushmaster. Joined the Army; carried an M-16A2 through OSUT. And was then issued an M-4A1, often times I was a grenadier, so I had the -203 slung underneath. And that scratched my AR- itch for a good while. Decided that since I carried one for work, I'd enjoy my boring old walnut stocked bolt guns at home. Until I got engaged, bought a house, and started thinking about kids and such. Bought a Colt LE6920. Planning to put an ACOG on it and generally make it a civilian legal copy of what I carried on deployment. But the Lady shoots it well. Far better than the M-16A4 she is issued in the Air Force. And it became my home defense carbine. Another working rifle. I look at AR-15 pattern rifles as working guns, shoot them to maintain proficiency and not much else. __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

February 21, 2015, 01:24 PM	#66
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	Only reason I want an AR is because the Wifey won't let me have an M-60e3 But I have to build her a Hello Kitty AR first... good thing Brownell's has DPMS lowers for $49 __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

February 11, 2015, 09:53 AM	#51
Taco-XL Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2015 Location: West Virginia Posts: 168	I keep hearing people bash the AR for all the attachments that can be used, assuming that we are using every inch of our rail with 30 add-ons. This isnt the case. Just because there are so many options doesnt mean us AR guys use them all. It may seem like a lot of pointless stuff to those who are not familiar with AR platforms, but the options are there to fit anyones needs and true AR users understand this. Its like the gun is being given a bad rap for being versatile. The AR is an engineering marvel yet is so simplistic in operation once you become familiar with them. And there is no other platform I can think of that you can replace most all the parts with out any gunsmithing...if something breaks, pop in a new part and keep rockin. I have not experienced this 'boing' phenomenon of the recoil spring either. How can you hear the spring over the bang of the round? Or who cares if you can? It doesnt affect the functionality of the system. If you dont like ARs thats OK, I dont have beef with that at all, but to say the gun has no purpose or is a 'cheap' platform is inaccurate. Its only as cheap as you make it. You cannot buy a $600 AR and expect it to be a space ship. I guess why some dont like ARs is because they are different from anything else and some people hate change and think the only guns worth having were built 'back in the day'. (Oh, I like those too. Mosin, K31, SKS, etc.). Its the same reason why it is the most popular rifle right now...because its different than a cookie-cutter wood stock with a barrel slapped in it. Also, another reason we love them is the government hates the fact we can own one, which is why I have more than one .

February 11, 2015, 07:22 PM	#52
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	Leather helps... Lol

February 12, 2015, 10:20 AM	#54
pat701 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2005 Location: South west Missouri Posts: 315	Look at a Sig 556

February 12, 2015, 11:11 AM	#55
mardanlin Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2013 Posts: 208	I personally love the Stoner platform because of the versatility and interchangeability. I don't waste time with all the flash light and laser attachments though. For my 5.56 it's just a red dot and BUIS for the 7.62 it's a 3-9x scope on top with a 45 degree red dot for close engagements. I absolutely love my Garand (and carbine) but there is no debate that my 308 AR is a much more functional rifle.

February 12, 2015, 12:18 PM	#56
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	I recently mounted advanced radar and cruise missile launcher on my AR. Let the home intruders and deer beware!

February 12, 2015, 12:22 PM	#57
armoredman Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,299	rickyrick, that has to be the very first leather wrapped AR I have ever seen. Gotta ask - how does that feel when shooting? I saw leather wrapped rifles from the cowboy era, to keep old stocks from splitting, IIRC. Kind of a neat look, sir. I did see some beautiful wood furniture available for AR rifles a while ago, don't remember who it was, but they looked great.

February 12, 2015, 03:14 PM	#60
Jayhawkhuntclub Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2007 Posts: 581	Rugged, reliable, easy to work on, fun to build and most have sub-MOA accuracy....works for me. The ARs I've owned have been, on average, more accurate than the bolt actions. Sub half inch groups at 100 yards are pretty common with a decent AR15. What's not to love?

February 12, 2015, 05:11 PM	#62
Grant D Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2011 Location: Brazos County, Texas Posts: 1,038	I think AR'S are fine weapons, I just care to own one. I have my AK-47 and Mini 30 that both shoot the same rounds, so that takes care of semi autos for me. I'm mostly a handgun and shotgun kinda guy anyway.

February 21, 2015, 08:07 PM	#67
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	At first I hated the feel of shooting them and the springing of the buffer tube in my ear. The more I shoot mine, though, the more I like it __________________ Certified Gunsmith (On Hiatus) Certified Armorer - H&K and Glock Among Others You can find my writings at my website, pottsprecision.com.

February 24, 2015, 10:31 AM	#68
rugerdawg Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Posts: 68	A little lithium grease on your buffer spring will go a long way toward quieting the "sproing", or one of the flat chromium silica springs or for really quiet a JP captured spring set up will eliminate it altogether.

February 24, 2015, 10:52 AM	#70
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,238	It also serves as a last shot indicator, as the boing is different when the bolt is held open __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

February 25, 2015, 06:19 PM	#71
A pause for the COZ Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Braham, Minnesota Posts: 1,314	Thats why they make more than one kind of rifle. Get the kind you like. I have 20 rifles, Guess I like em all I love my AR's though. Guess Uncle Sugar brung me up right. 3 AR 15's a 5.56 carbine, a 5.56 rifle and a 300 Black out carbine. Thought I was in AR hog heaven until I snabbed a AR10 in 308 win. Now it starts all over again.

February 26, 2015, 09:20 AM	#72
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	For right now, AR's are cheap for what you get. Good accuracy, good reliability and lots of ability to customize it. There are, however, some great alternatives: Sig 556 - $1,000 Sig 551 - $10,000 SCAR-16s - $2,300 FN FNC - $3,500 Custom, accurized Mini-14 $2,000 Mini-14 Ranch Rifle - $680 Aug and MSAR - starting at about $1,500 Tavor - $1,600 Robinson Arms XCR $1,700 There are lots of other 5.56 alternatives out there, some rare some not so rare, but this is enough to show why AR's are pretty popular for the 5.56 round.

February 27, 2015, 10:33 PM	#74
Tom C. Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2002 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 259	I fired an AR in the form of an M-16A1 about 40 yrs. ago. The first time I fired it, hearing the bong of the recoil spring I thought I had broken something. I preferred the M-1 Garand and M-14 and didn't use or own an AR until recently. I find I am warming up to them. I now have a couple in different configurations. I like the accuracy possible with good components. I like the erector set aspect to the thing, where I can built anything I want, or later modify it. They have become fun things to play with. __________________ Tom

February 27, 2015, 11:33 PM	#75
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,887	The appeal-as with anything else-can require the right combination of situation, setting, targets, fellow shooters etc. I wish that it Did have more appeal, as with the same friend's Beretta handgun stored at my place. With so much production among various companies, this could be the best time to buy any AR-15, compared to the Next Unexpected panic, which could inflate demand almost overnight, followed by small steps to ban certain features. What happend in CA etc could happen in more states. The anti-AR-15/semi-auto rifle types don't expect to create an overnight ban. Their goal is over the next twenty, thrity years or more. Ho Chi Minh's goals were for the very long-term, and one of his mottos was "Forward!" (many small steps accumulate).