Federalist: 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.
…they left off the BEST reason, which is…
Because it pisses liberals off.
^^Yep.
And, I never really wanted one until the gov’t told me I shouldn’t have one.
I think I’ll get another one, mrs6pak needs another one too.
Speaking of a “run on ammunition “, California’s ammunition law goes into effect in July 2019. It is sure to cause a shortage to closer we get to July. Not only is the law an outright assault on the 2A, but it was a ballot initiative voted on by the idiots in that state. And the idiots in my state aren’t too far behind. Stock up now while you still can.
Let us not forget the original – the venerable AR-10.
Collect all 2! 😀
Christmas is coming soon!
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2018/12/daniel-zimmerman/brownells-now-selling-5-56-and-7-62×51-ammunition-by-the-barrel/
Got enough room under your tree?
Our department’s Range Master contends the primary value of our sidearm is to fight our way to our vehicle to retrieve our AR-15.
Yeah… I got 4 rifles (3 semi, 1 bolt) that shoot 5.56mm. They’re fun…but spray and pray is not a good tactic for self preservation.
If/when SHTF happens… my ‘go to’ will be my Henry lever-action in…of, course… .45-70. There will be no walking wounded.
I’m a firm believer in gun contro… Being able to hit your target and render it useless.
FN L1A1 7.62
And that’s all I have to say about that…
@45-70….how many rounds can your Henry hold?….My gun of choice would be my knock off Winchester 1892 in .44 mag because, after all, I was trained since early childhood by Lucas McCain….It holds 11….with one chambered….
…I LOVE me some 7.62 @Cactus Fowler, even in 39 for my SKS, but that’s some EXPENSIVE rifle chow, even if you buy the steel-jacketed Russian stuff that wrecks the rifle UP…
…all in all, the AR has much more accessible and much more affordable ammo.
For now.
But my SKS has this nice long flip-up bayonet for those times when there are more Indians than cartridges, and that’s gotta be worth SOMETHING…
I have a 1884 Springfield Trapdoor 45-70, 45-70. Fun to shoot with smokeless power at about 1350 fps. The flat nosed bullet doesn’t look like it would be very accurate but it ain’t too bad, even with my not so young anymore eyes.
I do have a Colt Match AR that is also fun to shoot but I have never fired it squeezing the trigger as fast as I could. Waste of ammunition. It’s VERY accurate and easy to shoot. Thank you Mr Stoner (developer of the AR-15 platform).
@Cactus Fowler,
SGAmmo beats those prices by a few cents per round. I had a buddy some years ago who got carried away and purchased a drum om 5.56 and as we got towards the bottom, there were several dozen unusable rounds due to crushing and whatnot.
“Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act.” Geo. Orwell
“I think I’ll get another one, mrs6pak needs another one too.”
It is nice to train with your spouse, @joe6pack. We have a code to talk about potential threats and tactics in, practice standing back-to-back and moving with mutual cover to keep threats off each other, train with each other’s weapons just in case…lots of things you can do with someone you can trust and also spend your life with, and that you also have mutual stakes with, that just isn’t possible with more casual acquaintances, outside of the military, anyway..
…treasure that. Work with that.
…just don’t piss her off once she gets good…
Willy –
6 in the tube…1 in the pipe.
I think Lucas and Matt could defeat an army by themselves.
1873 Marlin 45-70 doesn’t have to hit center mass. Concussion does the job.
Dan Ryan Galt –
Yes…we all should raise our glasses in a toast to Mr. Stoner.
Don’t forget Mr. Ruger and the mini-14…..Mines just fer shootin’ varmints….
** Don’t forget Mr. Ruger **
I have ‘donated’ to Mr. Ruger, too. I am an equal opportunity ‘donater’.
Did you know Crowder did a parody on Hickok 45?
And it’s freaken hilarious.
https://youtu.be/4TCa6vsJAfw
Hickok 45, that was funny, and I’m not a big time Crowder fan.
My Sabatti Rover 7mm is zeroed in at 200yds.
I say just cut em in half.
Yes, I have an AR-15 and wouldn’t part with it. However, it is also a good idea to have one or two other rifles for a couple of reasons. I wouldn’t want to be without a nice, simple old military bolt action (the author mentions 1898 Mauser, Lee-Enfield, and Moisin-Nagant). They are simpler, with fewer parts to break, and generally very robustly built. And these old battle rifles are generally shooting .30 caliber more powerful rounds than .223/5.56 ARs. This can be useful. A repair packet with extractors, ejectors, springs, firing pins rounds out this requirement.
The other secondary rifle I’ve got to have is a .22 with a deserved reputation for reliability. Lots to choose from, and a lot of people have chosen the Ruger 10/22 in one of its many, many forms. Nice gun, even though it has its quirks.
BB –
Great clip.
Heh…heh…
🙂
AR15 in 300 ACC. THE ULTIMATE GET OFF MY LAWN GUN. I own several. Cause I make em.
@Bad_Brad – Is there any way I can get my mitts on one of your rifles here in Florida?
Uncle Al
California has put the big kibosh on us selling guns out of state. I would need an assault weapons permit and CalDoj just laughs at FFLs that apply for one. We’ve had request from the military for 7.62 by 39 AR’s and Cali won’t even let us sell to them. Communist bastards. Thanks for your interest though.
Uncle Al hit the spot and it will come straight to work.
@Bad_Brad – It looks like the only way is for one of the people I know in California who are thinking of moving to Florida to legally acquire one of your rifles there, then move here, and once a FL resident, let me talk him into selling it to me privately (still legal here for now).
That’s assuming you have non-LEO / compliant firearms that I might legally turn into something useful here with new furniture.
Unlikely scenario, to be sure, but not totally out of the question.
Lest anyone think I’d ever in a million years set up a straw purchase, the story would go, “Hey, Fred! I know a guy in California who makes outstanding rifles. You really ought to pick one up before you leave, because he can’t sell out of state. If it isn’t everything I say it is, I’ll take it off your hands with no cost to yourself, but that’s unlikely.”
Uncle Al
All you would need to do is change the pistol grip and you would have a normal AR.
BFH
You are free to give Brad my info
Move to TX. get a CCW. It’s a “Shall issue” state, and they do.
Now you have a shiny new license that gets you out of the gun show or retail store with your piece under your arm; same day service.
Haven’t served a ‘waiting period’ since I left the land of fruits and nuts.
SCOTUS Plans to Hear a Regulatory Case That Could Be a HUGE Win For Gun Owners
“It looks as though Kisor – theoretically – should have the votes to win his case, especially with the addition of Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch. If that does happen, we could see a roll back in some of the red tape we see, especially when it comes to the ATF’s interpretation of laws.”
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/bethbaumann/2018/12/11/scotus-plans-to-hear-a-regulatory-case-that-could-be-a-huge-win-for-gun-owners-n2537371 .
@ Blink: “It looks as though Kisor – theoretically – should have the votes to win his case, especially with the addition of Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch.”
Don’t be too sure; at least after the recent Planned Parenthood debacle.
I have one chambered / configured for almost every occasion. I have 2 in 5.56 (1 rifle and 1 pistol), 1 in 300 Blackout, and my favorite, 1 in .458 SOCOM. I thought I was about done with the platform with a couple of stripped lowers to spare, but then I ran across the Sharps 25-45.
I have shot both the M-16 A1 and A2, and I would take any of mine over the milspec ones any day. I have to admit that saving for a M-16A1 lower has crossed my mind though. Shooting the 458 on full auto would be a riot 🙂
I do not disclose what I own, but Mortgages believes one should own at least one or more weapons in each of the following readily available calibers:
1. 5.65mm (AR-15 and/or Mini-14)
2. 12 Gauge (20 Gauge for the lady in the house)
3 7.62 X 51 ( I like the Springfield MA1A)
4. .22 LR (rifle and pistol)
5 .45 ACP pistol
6 9 mm pistol
7 .380 auto pocket pistol
8 7.62 X 39 AK or Mini-30
9 A muzzle loaded field piece no less than 75 mm bore made of quality steel, recoil system optional, using a .223 caliber primer (just joking, but if you can make one, why not).
Then pick any special weapon and caliber.