What Do You Need an AR For?

 

shutterstock_108509453Every time a criminal murders innocents with an AR-style rifle, people ask what other purpose such firearms serve. As I’ll illustrate below, if you have a particular purpose — or even an aesthetic preference — you’ll find what you need in the AR.

In fact, one of the primary reasons the AR is so popular is the immense amount of customization available in sights, barrel lengths, optics, grips, flashlights, lasers, disco balls, magazine capacity, colors, stocks, and caliber. Indeed, it’s important to understand that there is no single manufacturer of the AR rifle, and that nearly everyone — from a local gunsmith who creates custom rifles to mass-market behemoths like Smith and Wesson — offers some version of it these days.

Hunting: The AR is a popular hunting rifle. While its traditional caliber (5.56/.223) is fine for small game, some AR rifles come chambered in Winchester .308 or other calibers suitable for hunting large game such as moose and wild hogs.

Self-Defense: The customizability of the AR platform means that producers can craft very specialized rifles for a variety of self-defense situations such as home defense. Sure, you can use a standard, mass-produced 5.56 AR with a 16″ barrel for home defense, but why not get something more purpose-built? For example, consider Wilson Combat‘s 9mm AR, which should be very well suited for home defense:

Competition: I shoot competitively and can tell you with metaphysical certitude that American competition shooters love their AR rifles, and competition is where the customization really shines. There are too many competitive shooting disciplines to list here, but one of the fastest-growing shooting sports is 3-Gun shooting, where you see customization based both on performance and, frankly, appearance. As any proper competitive shooter knows, looking cool is at least half the battle.

Revolution: We’re not even close to having this be an issue and are still able to make a myriad of electoral choices at the ballot box (even if we don’t necessarily make the greatest choices). But if some horrible day were to come and a totalitarian government were to deprive us of our liberties, we’d be in an awful situation where rifles such as the AR would be tools to regain our freedom and re-establish a consensual government.

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  1. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    I’ve been wanting to buy an AR for several years now.

    It’s probably time to buy one before they become illegal again.

    • #1
  2. EHerring Coolidge
    EHerring
    @EHerring

    If you are going to introduce a woman to shooting or move a child up from the .22, the AR platform is the way to go.  It is probably the safest long gun for them.  Many of the features hated by the wacko-bird lefties are actually safety features.  The low recoil helps develop good shooting habits since the shooter will be less likely to flinch or jerk the trigger in anticipation.  The AK is similar but with slightly more kick/boom and less ammo choices.  It is a good choice if you like simple guns and have less desire to customize.  Before buying either, make sure you have a local gun range that will allow you to shoot that rifle there.  Here is a pic I took.  I don’t remember what round “Laura” fired but she is a 20 something girl.  The .223 is smaller than the AK round (approx .30)2012-12-11 21.11.36

    • #2
  3. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    We should not have to say why.

    The fact that it exists as a modern day “arms” is enough in my book.

    ANd I don’t even own a gun.

    But the men in my family do, and for that, I am grateful.

    • #3
  4. Robert McReynolds Member
    Robert McReynolds
    @

    Your last reason. My weapons are primarily to cease tyranny and we much closer than you think.

    • #4
  5. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    30 rounds

    • #5
  6. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    You’re are not worried about getting PTSD like this, ahem, left-leaning journalist did after firing an AR-15?

    What is it like to fire an AR-15? It’s horrifying, menacing and very very loud

    The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don’t know what you’re doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.

    Yes, he suffered a temporary form of PTSD from firing an AR-15.

    • #6
  7. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    A-Squared:You’re are not worried about getting PTSD like this, ahem, left-leaning journalist did after firing an AR-15?

    What is it like to fire an AR-15? It’s horrifying, menacing and very very loud

    The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don’t know what you’re doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.

    Yes, he suffered a temporary form of PTSD from firing an AR-15.

    better than being permanently dead, I’d say.

    • #7
  8. DocJay Inactive
    DocJay
    @DocJay

    Robert McReynolds:Your last reason. My weapons are primarily to cease tyranny and we much closer than you think.

    Yeah I’m with you regarding potential disaster.  Agree with nicely explained and logical  OP otherwise.

    • #8
  9. Mark Wilson Inactive
    Mark Wilson
    @MarkWilson

    A-Squared:You’re are not worried about getting PTSD like this, ahem, left-leaning journalist did after firing an AR-15?

    What is it like to fire an AR-15? It’s horrifying, menacing and very very loud

    The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don’t know what you’re doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.

    Yes, he suffered a temporary form of PTSD from firing an AR-15.

    It’s easy to go on YouTube and find videos of 7 year old girls shooting the AR-15 with no problem.  What a world that guy must live in.

    • #9
  10. Publius Inactive
    Publius
    @Publius

    A-Squared:I’ve been wanting to buy an AR for several years now.

    It’s probably time to buy one before they become illegal again.

    I don’t think there is an immediate risk of another partial gun ban, but if the Democrats take control of Congress this time around and get close to sixty votes in the Senate, it’s possible no matter who ends up in office over in the White House.

    There is a lot of competition when it comes to AR rifles so you can get a very nice rifle at a very reasonable price.

    • #10
  11. Publius Inactive
    Publius
    @Publius

    Jules PA:We should not have to say why.

    The fact that it exists as a modern day “arms” is enough in my book.

    ANd I don’t even own a gun.

    But the men in my family do, and for that, I am grateful.

    I actually had a section at the end saying essentially “…and I shouldn’t have to even give you a reason to exercise my 2nd amendment rights anymore than I have to provide reasons for my 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendment rights”, but I hated how it flowed so I just decided less was more in the unlikely event this would end up on the main feed.

    • #11
  12. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Mark Wilson: It’s easy to go on YouTube and find videos of 7 year old girls shooting the AR-15 with no problem. What a world that guy must live in.

    So the author found out

    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gun-lovers-opinion-assault-rifles-article-1.2674555

    Others sent me videos of 7-, 10- and 12-year old girls firing the same weapon I fired — except these kids were smiling. And I wear it as a point of personal pride that conservative darling Erick Erickson posted a story on The Resurgent with the headline, “My 10 Year Old Daughter Is Tougher Than Gersh Kuntzman, Author of the Stupidest Thing on the Internet Today.”

    • #12
  13. Guruforhire Inactive
    Guruforhire
    @Guruforhire

    The only reason I need as a red blooded american:

    FYTW

    • #13
  14. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    Publius:

    Jules PA:We should not have to say why.

    The fact that it exists as a modern day “arms” is enough in my book.

    ANd I don’t even own a gun.

    But the men in my family do, and for that, I am grateful.

    I actually had a section at the end saying essentially “…and I shouldn’t have to even give you a reason to exercise my 2nd amendment rights anymore than I have to provide reasons for my 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendment rights”, but I hated how it flowed so I just decided less was more in the unlikely event this would end up on the main feed.

    It may not sound nice, but it is true, and it was exactly what I thought when I started reading our post. I did not meant to detract from your well reasoned conversation, which is valuable when dealing with people who don’t comprehend the concept of “inalienable rights.”

    I’ll own it. You can be the diplomat. :)

    thanks for the post.

    • #14
  15. Mark Wilson Inactive
    Mark Wilson
    @MarkWilson

    A-Squared:So the author found out

    http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gun-lovers-opinion-assault-rifles-article-1.2674555

    Others sent me videos of 7-, 10- and 12-year old girls firing the same weapon I fired — except these kids were smiling. And I wear it as a point of personal pride that conservative darling Erick Erickson posted a story on The Resurgent with the headline, “My 10 Year Old Daughter Is Tougher Than Gersh Kuntzman, Author of the Stupidest Thing on the Internet Today.”

    I saw his follow up.  He conveniently ignores all the substantive criticisms and spends almost the entire article giving examples of bad manners on the internet (!).  Many of the things he wrote in his original article are objectively false or so extremely exaggerated that they amount to a basic misrepresentation of the facts, yet as a “journalist” he has decided use the “pioneers take the most arrows” approach.

    • #15
  16. A-Squared Inactive
    A-Squared
    @ASquared

    Mark Wilson: Many of the things he wrote in his original article are objectively false or so extremely exaggerated that they amount to a basic misrepresentation of the facts

    He is a left-wing journalist. He has no use for facts.

    • #16
  17. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    A-Squared:

    Mark Wilson: Many of the things he wrote in his original article are objectively false or so extremely exaggerated that they amount to a basic misrepresentation of the facts

    He is a left-wing journalist. He has no use for facts.

    To that lefty journalist, I bet facts are as smelly as the smoke from an AR15 and as disorienting as the brass shell casings flying past his face.

    Unhealthy, useless, and dangerous; facts should be banned.

    • #17
  18. The King Prawn Inactive
    The King Prawn
    @TheKingPrawn

    weak

    • #18
  19. EHerring Coolidge
    EHerring
    @EHerring

    I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning. His own shells ejecting disoriented him?  Try shooting on a military range without dividers between lanes and have a hot shell from the gun to your left fly into your shirt and lodge in your bra…and I still shot expert.

    • #19
  20. Jules PA Inactive
    Jules PA
    @JulesPA

    EHerring:I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning. His own shells ejecting disoriented him? Try shooting on a military range without dividers between lanes and have a hot shell from the gun to your left fly into your shirt and lodge in your bra…and I still shot expert.

    That story redefines the meaning of “She’s Hot.”

    • #20
  21. Kevin Creighton Contributor
    Kevin Creighton
    @KevinCreighton

    “AN” AR?

    I have… more than that. :D

    • #21
  22. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Publius: Revolution: We’re not even close to having this be an issue and are still able to make a myriad of electoral choices at the ballot box (even if we don’t necessarily make the greatest choices). But if some horrible day were to come and a totalitarian government were to deprive us of our liberties, we’d be in an awful situation where rifles such as the AR would be tools to regain our freedom and re-establish a consensual government.

    Closer then you care to admit.

    • #22
  23. Publius Inactive
    Publius
    @Publius

    EHerring:I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning. His own shells ejecting disoriented him? Try shooting on a military range without dividers between lanes and have a hot shell from the gun to your left fly into your shirt and lodge in your bra…and I still shot expert.

    If I’m shooting at a military range in a bra, I’ve got more substantial problems than hot brass, but I see your point.  Regardless, thank you for your service and very well done making expert while doing the hot brass dance.

    • #23
  24. Von Snrub Inactive
    Von Snrub
    @VonSnrub

    I agree. My brother has one, and it’s the perfect weapon for warding off an intrusive government.

    The liberals often make a point that we would stand no chance against an army. Well tell that to Isis or the Taliban.

    Under this horrible scenario, we’d be the side more properly train, and would most likely see a military defection to our side.

    I don’t even know who would fight on their side.

    • #24
  25. Kevin Creighton Contributor
    Kevin Creighton
    @KevinCreighton

    I’d add one more:

    Training / Plinking / Having Fun: Thanks to its logical controls, light weight, medium-powered round and operating system that includes a buffer spring to soak up recoil, the AR is a fantastic gun to teach others how to shoot. Plus, with millions of rounds of government surplus ammo in circulation, it’s also a cheap gun to shoot.

    • #25
  26. Von Snrub Inactive
    Von Snrub
    @VonSnrub

    What AR-15 did that idiot writer shoot? My brother’s .22 caliber has virtually no recoil. The only gun that ever had recoil at a level, where I wanted to stop firing was a 10 gauge shot gun. That gun hurts like a baseball bat to the shoulder.

    • #26
  27. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    As I said in another thread:

    The burden isn’t on the people to prove the utility of freedom (be it drugs, alcohol, or guns), the burden is on those who want to take away freedom.

    Publius: Revolution: We’re not even close to having this be an issue and are still able to make a myriad of electoral choices at the ballot box (even if we don’t necessarily make the greatest choices). But if some horrible day were to come and a totalitarian government were to deprive us of our liberties, we’d be in an awful situation where rifles such as the AR would be tools to regain our freedom and re-establish a consensual government.

    For what it’s worth, the other ones are nice, but I consider this far and away to be the most important.

    • #27
  28. The King Prawn Inactive
    The King Prawn
    @TheKingPrawn

    Fred Cole: For what it’s worth, the other ones are nice, but I consider this far and away to be the most important.

    It’s also the ultimate desire of the left to limit the people’s ability check their government. The second amendment is not about hunting or even self defense, unless it is defense against tyranny. We have lost utterly what it means to be free.

    • #28
  29. Fred Cole Inactive
    Fred Cole
    @FredCole

    The King Prawn: It’s also the ultimate desire of the left to limit the people’s ability check their government. The second amendment is not about hunting or even self defense, unless it is defense against tyranny. We have lost utterly what it means to be free.

    I don’t disagree. But don’t think that’s a phenomenon reserved only for the left.

    • #29
  30. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    What do you need the right to remain silent for? Peaceable assembly? Redress of grievances?

    I don’t need to demonstrate a need for a right. I shall not be required to demonstrate a need for a right.

    • #30
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