I have a cousin who I keep in email contact with, and she sent me an email the other day about the AR and how they should be banned because "they're a sniper rifle".
I'be been thinking about my response to that, as I do NOT want to be harsh or offensive to her, I just simply want to educate and hopefully change some preconceived notions she may have.
So not ever having owned an AR style rifle can some of you who do/have explain a bit about their capabilities as a sniper weapon? I know that most all the rifles that snipers DO use, while being "modern" looking in many respects still are bolt actions. Rapid fire is NOT the purpose of a sniper's weapon but ACCURACY is. Or am I incorrect on this?
Here in Illinois we c an only deer hunt with shotguns. I have several semi-autos and doubles which I use for bird hunting, but my deer gun is a Browning A-Bolt. It's stocked like a rifle and has a rifle trigger and with the right sabots will have 3 rounds touching in a paper target at 100 yards if I do my job and achieve the goal of "one shot, one kill". I would think that a sniper's goals would be the same.
There are a number of very popular semiautomatic rifles built off the AR platform used by our military, chambered in both 7.62 and 5.56. Above is a picture of an example I built based off of the MK-12.
Woods Walker's Link
That's what I thought. I saw a webpage that featured Chris Kyle's rifles and every one of them were bolt actions.
In my experience, anti-gunners have no desire to learn about the differences in firearms. So, any attempt to educate your cousin will likely be a waste of time. You'd have a better chance at teaching a 3rd grader nuclear physics.
IMO, you'd be better served asking your cousin if she'd be in favor of banning cell phones, since texting while driving causes far more deaths than ARs do. You probably won't change her mind about guns, but you may make her re-evaluate her position, at least.
Matt
Carlos Hathcock used a Win. Mod 70 30-06 for at least some of his many sniper kills. I know I've read other accounts from very early Vietnam snipers that used the 30-06 Mod 70 that were essentially stock except for a heavy barrel.
In fact, I'd argue the AR in 5.56 wouldn't be the best "sniper rifle" because of wind drift issues and ballistic coefficient of that little bullet. Most deer rifles would be just as good, if not much better "sniper rifle" than a 5.56 AR.
JMO.
One would be a 6.5 Creedmoor built on the LR308 action, set up as a longer range coyote/deer rifle. 22" or 24" barrel. Try to keep it fairly light. Nice big optic on it. Bipod. A sniper type rifle :)
The second, and I'm about to send off for the tax stamp, would be a short-barreled rifle in .300 ACC Blackout, which I would build off the AR15 action. I'm thinking a 9" barrel (if the ATF approves). Short handguard. Surefire suppressor (if I can get the tax stamp). Probably some type of Eotech optic with magnifier. Big bright surefire light mounted on the rail.
I don't NEED either one. But they would just be fun I think.
As far accuracy goes, the M4 platform the shorter barreled AR is built around is by far not near as accurate as a longer barreled rifle commonly associated with bolt action style chambers.
Ask her if she is ready to outlaw cars..... People use cars to break the law and drive drunk killing people everyday!!! Some cars go fast, some slow, some are big, some are small, but in the end they will all kill someone if someone decides to break the law and drive drunk.....
Using a legal object, to commit an illegal act. So they are already breaking the law by committing an illegal act. They really think making the object illegal will change anything???
I built my first AR and it turned into a really fun project--just looking at what was available to make it "uniquely" mine. I had purchased a pair of lowers for a father/son build, but our house fire delayed the project. My son Smith built his while out in WY and kept bugging me to finish mine. I finally did mine a little over a year ago.
Had a chance to pick up two stripped lowers on a good deal and am planning on building my .300 Blackout with an integral suppressor (one stamp vs SBR+ suppressor and would be of similar length). My son is urging me to do the Creedmore build on the other.
If one looks at the number of different calibers (.22 on up) that can be shot from the AR platform, it is easy to see why it has become such a popular weapon. For someone on a budget, the lower is the actual firearm and different uppers can be purchased without having to go through a FFL. Thus, one gun can serve multiple purposes different swappable uppers. Parts are readily available, so even a low budget AR can be improved incrementally "on the cheap". I recently upgraded my trigger.
I don't shoot my AR as much as I probably should. It was more fun and satisfying putting it together. Still, from my hands, it probably is more accurate than my ability to shoot.
BTW, like bows, it is easier with the wife to build than bring another gun into the house. Little packages don't arouse suspicion like a long box ;o)
The wife thing is why I'm building as well. Easier to justify a couple hundred bucks here and there over a period of time than a big purchase at once :)
Plus, I bought a Bushmaster years ago, and pretty much nothing on it is stock anymore except the main lower, the upper receiver only, and the bolt group. It's got after-market trigger, buttstock, barrel, handguard, grips, etc. Doesn't make any sense to spend $500 to $700 on a rifle that I would tear apart and build back to what I wanted it to be.
The correct response is that yes, it can be used as a sniper rifle (like any rifle can) and since the importance of gun rights centers around an armed citizenry capable of fighting against military, that's a good thing. Any good fighting force should include snipers.
The 2A isn't about duck guns.
I think your do-goodnik cuz needs an education on media generated hysteria.
My son has a built up AR-15 that can stack 'em under a 2 bit piece out to 300 yards. Good optics, good barrel and bolt group. Easy money. Has it set up to hunt speed goats out here in Nv.
Not shown is my Javaman Elkheart...copperhead skins over Osage. Greg Coffee makes a great bow. He used to make Shrews for Ron.
The typical AR only shoots a tiny .22 caliber bullet (the same size as a boy scout rifle) only flying faster. The bullets are generally designed to wound rather than kill. It is a medium power medium range rifle, that shoots one bullet with each trigger pull, firing no more rapidly than a pistol.
A sniper rifle is more accurate, far more powerful, and has a much greater range.
The big one is 6.5 Creedmore, his father/son AR build and a .300 Blackout AR pistol.
Lou
Sometimes Crowder is way overboard, but this video is worth sharing with your cousin. This video is great because Crowder has a conversation without any hysterics by either of the participants. Rational and respectful conversation that one never ever sees from those who speak holophobia propaganda from the anti-2A crowd.
Amoebus's Link
Have your ever gone Cougar hunting without an AR?
?? No video or link posted.
Fixed
Demand an NRA Cake of Your Local Progressive Baker
Militant homosexuals have made a sport of searching out bakeries owned by Christians, demanding that they prepare a cake explicitly celebrating blasphemy, and then suing them if they refuse to betray their faith. Liberal courts eagerly join in the fun, crushing the businesses out of existence with monstrous fines for “discrimination” against a favored group. We have waited in vain for militant homosexuals to play this game on a Muslim bakery. In light of businesses joining the anti-NRA lynch mob, I hope we don’t have to wait in vain for someone to try this:
An NRA member needs to find the most progressive bakery he can, and then request an AR-15-shaped cake for a Second Amendment celebration. Walk into the store wearing an NRA shirt and hat. Openly carry a gun if you’re legally allowed. Ask for the top of the cake to be decorated with words like “In celebration of the NRA.”
When the mortified SJW baker refuses, sue her.
A taste of their own medicine might do progressive bullies some good.
For those that are on the fence, the lower is the part that requires the FFL and all the paperwork, the rest you can just buy and they mail it to wherever. After Sandy Hook prices skyrocketed for lowers and ammo, which hasn't happened yet as far as I know. I paid about $55 for my lowers maybe 10 years ago, not sure what they are now, but if any sort of legislation comes of this latest shooting they'll be considerably more.
Scale down to a .22 LR AR for mastery of the basics and cost-effective training.
I have never owned an AR15, and quite likely never will, as I don't need for anything and have other things I like spend money on. But I am fairly certain that rights are not determined by arbitrary definitions of "need." No ones "needs" two houses. No one "needs" to own a second car. No one "needs" to spout their opinions on the internet. The internet was "unnecessary" for the free expression of speech for all the centuries before it was developed. Just because something is not a "need" or is "unnecessary" does not entitle the government to ban it.
Bowhunting, as far as wildlife management is concerned, is probably "unnecessary." I'm pretty sure guided mountain lion hunts are "unnecessary." I'll likely never go on one, but that doesn't mean I want them banned.
We can by all means have a conversation about gun crime in America (way down over the last several decades, actually) but whenever someone wants to enter into the conversation by calling for something to banned (or Constitutional rights to be curtailed) because something is "unnecessary" (according to to their subjective judgment) then we have gone far beyond the bounds of logic or reason.
BTW, my father was a gun smith so I had use of many weapons from the time I was 5 years old. Still have the single shot 22 he gave me for Christmas when I was 5. I gave the 257 Roberts, and ammo, to my daughter.
I have two 80% lowers in the mail to me right now too :)
Building the lower was easy....lots of YouTube videos and how-to's on the Internet. I built mine in under an hour.
My brother just bought a bolt gun in a Grendel. Pretty nice little round and within its limitations very effective. Creedmoors are great and I have built a few on bolt platforms. Everyone one of them shot factory 143 ELDX absolutely fantastic. So good I never even ended up buying a set of dies.
Annony Mouse's Link
Gee, Honey...they must have reproduced in the dark!
If not, have to order a complete lower through my guy. Maybe two. But seems easy enough to finish out an 80?
Stripped lowers just require assembly. 80% lowers require machining and then assembly.
Salagi's Link
She hasn't asked me why I picked that date. ;) But just in case any of you are interested and close, I'm betting AR parts will be in abundance.
Area 53 upper and lower receivers, Faxon Flame Fluted 5.56 NATO barrel with 1 in 7 twist, Syrac Ordnance piston system, Nordic free float hand grip, Rogers Super Stock.
That's a 40 round mag in the well now but we usually shoot with 20s. The rifle just looked 'hungry' without a magazine in it and the 40 was most readily available at the time of posing.
It will shoot .75 MOA with XM855 rounds.
Its PINK. Prison PINK.
She loves it!
Buff
A lot of sales right now on complete ARs for less than $500. This is a reasonable base to start if interested in having different caliber guns for specific purposes. Even a low end AR can be improved over time with easy replacement of the standard parts with premium ones over time (again, a money saver).
Depending on numerous factors, different uppers can be bought and sent via USPS, UPS, FedEx. etc. direct to you without having to go through a FFL. The cost should be cheaper for each additonal upper (caliber/source dependent) than the complete AR. This makes one purchase of an AR a multipurpose tool. And, remember, you do not have to go through a FFL for every purchase. There are a lot of sources and options available.
Another benefit is that any accessories you put on one upper can easily be transferred to another...another potential source of savings if you are going to use one lower for multiple uppers.
You can easily make your AR into a pistol caliber carbine with a magazine adapter that will accept 9mm Glock mags.
A lot of info and great knowledge base at AR15.com.
1. Self-defense - the AR has become my go to platform for home defense. Not only does the 5.56 pack plenty of punch (you certainly need to be aware of penetration and the direction you are shooting it), but the real benefit IMO is the capacity. Having 30 rounds immediately at your disposal is just about impossible with a pistol, shotgun, or traditional hunting rifle.
2. Versatility -- it's not just about having a place to put accessories, it's the fact that you can accessorize so easily and extensively to suit your needs. You can run an AR with an accurized 20" barrel, high-powered scope, bipod, and stock designed for long-range/precision engagements -- and in 30 seconds you can swap that upper for one with a red dot, 10.5" barrel (with the appropriate ATF stamp), silencer, light/laser, and vertical foregrip that turns into the perfect home defense weapon...or, if you're like me, you just buy another lower to stick that second upper on :-) You can't do that with a Model 700.
3. Ease of shooting -- ARs are incredibly easy to shoot, and a great option for beginners given the low recoil.
It all depends on what you're looking for out of a gun.
YES!!!
The flame flute is created by continuously varying the depth of the fluting mill bit. The flame feature seems to reduce barrel harmonics and improves the accuracy capability of the barrel.
And it looks cool!
Buff, I NEVER wanted a black rifle until Slick Willie Clinton told me that I didn't need one. I immediately went out and bought an HK91. Then Armalite resurrected the AR10, so I got one of those. Reasons to own one? (1) Government doesn't want you to. (2) Fun to shoot. (3) Easy to carry. (4) Rugged. Even the pretty pink ones. (5) Easy to clean. (6) Easy to build/repair/upgrade/customize.
My older son built one up using a Spike's Tactical lower. He spent most of his resources on the lower receiver and trigger components and then just put a complete Adams Arms upper on it. His intent was to have a great rifle base and then swap uppers as needed. His next move will be either an upper in 6.5 Grendel or a suppressed 300.
Versatility!
LOL. Now go tell the teacher men ole sleepy is picking on you again. Poor baby.
At dinner Saturday night, after shooting the AR Saturday afternoon, this was her start of conversation... Her "Did we shoot all the bullets?" Me "No, not even close" Her "So, we can shoot again in the morning?" Me Laughing "Of course we can"
Fumble thumbs with the Galaxy 7 edge.
Oh, and BEG is an AR slut. Lol.
Dang KPC, I'd hate to unload the groceries from that after the wife got home!
I second the "I bought one because the government doesn't want me to have one!" reason. I bought my first one a few months before Ole Barry was reelected and before Sandy Hook occurred.
