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Why do people love the black rifles so much ?

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unfy:
Seriously.  What is the fascination with the AR15 style rifles ?  I personally find them extremely ugly visually, don't overtly approve of the function, and have nothing positive to say about the 223 round.

Why do so many people love these infernal things ?

With most weapons I can find redeeming qualities that I can see people enjoying, but not these. The closest I can come to understanding the fascination is with the semi-modular build for customization and maybe some romance due to being trained with one in the military earlier in life. The last 'stretch' might be higher capacity magazines being available.

I hate them, I know others love them. I understand that they love them and respect their love... but... WHY  ???

*ducks*

Greybeard:
I have an Armalite AR10A2 which chambers 7.62 X 54. I wanted a stronger round than the 5.56 but like the function of the AR style. I can, and do, load up a 4 round mag with .308 for hunting. I bought it primarily as a defensive weapon against the day when our freedom, safety and way of life are threatened by internal or external forces.

Mudinyeri:
I wouldn't say I "love" AR-style rifles but I have to ask ... What is your counter-proposal for a relatively inexpensive, reliable, lightweight, semi-automatic rifle in a caliber that is inexpensive to shoot and has been battle-proven?

Hardwood83:

--- Quote from: unfy on August 04, 2010, 03:36:58 AM ---Seriously.  What is the fascination with the AR15 style rifles ?  I personally find them extremely ugly visually, don't overtly approve of the function, and have nothing positive to say about the 223 round.

Why do so many people love these infernal things ?

With most weapons I can find redeeming qualities that I can see people enjoying, but not these. The closest I can come to understanding the fascination is with the semi-modular build for customization and maybe some romance due to being trained with one in the military earlier in life. The last 'stretch' might be higher capacity magazines being available.

I hate them, I know others love them. I understand that they love them and respect their love... but... WHY  ???

*ducks*

--- End quote ---

First when you say 'Black Rifle' I don't automatically assume 'AR' I think 'Military style' including the FAL, AK, etc.

Beyond that while I don't LOVE the AR platform necessarily, I do appreciate it and recognize it does have a lot going for it. As you mention it is extremely modular & customized. That counters your argument about the .223- just get a 6.8, 6.5, .308, etc. Don't care for the carbine? Then get a 20" rifle, don't like DI? then get a piston...you get the idea. It has a jillion accessories, options & configurations. I have a Win M94, about all I can do with it is (maybe) add a scope or different sights. Same for my Remington 700 or even my FAL's, other then changing the stocks. With an AR I can pull 2 pins, swap out uppers & lowers and have a huge variety. Plus it has proven itself over 40+ yrs of combat & competition. Importantly, they are pretty accurate- more so then any other semi-auto I own. Finally they aren't that expensive anymore- you can get a very decent complete rifle for under $800. Try that with a M14, FAL, ACR, SCAR, Aug, etc. And mags are dirt cheap and everywhere too. Would you rather have a Mini 30?

I agree the AR isn't the most beautiful or even interesting rifle platform, I think it has too many little springs and is a pain to clean.....but on the whole it brings a lot to the table and is awfully hard to beat.

senax:
To me, it's partly the modular nature of the AR platform. It's like LEGO for grownups...you can mix and match to make it just what you want, and it doesn't take a gunsmith to do a lot of different things with it.

It's simple, reliable (not as much as some, but more than most), has nice ergonomics and is a handy size. Ammo is reasonably priced, as are the rifle and most accessories. I was introduced to the AR in military service, so maybe that's a factor. The gadget freak in me admires an efficient, well-designed mechanism.

As for the way it looks, I think it's attractive in a functional way, which is not the same beauty one would see in a hunting rifle with a nice walnut stock. Military hardware tends to be that way.

You say you hate it. Would you mind explaining why?

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