AR - America's Rifle? Do you agree?

[Hokkmike]

Someone recently dubbed the AR as "America's Rifle". I have to disagree. Especially being a Pennsylvanian where the AR is unsuitable for hunting I think they are highly over rated. When it all comes down to it they are fierce looking semi-autos that are little more than target rifles or "super plinkers".

I have one and it looks as cool as can be. It is not a jam-o-matic but it does require TLC to keep it on this side of reliable. Mine is the original 70's A-1 version and not the most ergonomic gun on the planet. The AR's overall quality and accuracy is far superior to the AK's but its reliability isn't there.

But there is a love affair with these thing out there. And in this post I am trying to, in a spirit of friendly discussion, provoke fellow AR owners in to telling me why they think that this weapon may deserve the distinction of being labeled as "America's Rifle".

I am not even sure of the rifles in my stable that I would choose the AR as my proverbial "survival" rifle. I think a good 12 gauge shotgun would probably better fit the bill. I guess I should add that I don't see a mass exodus to the woods in a coming time of trouble as a likely scenario. But, maybe I am wrong.

What do you think?

[spabula]

Well, my thoughts are somewhat along the same lines as yours as far as there being better options for certain senarios. However, I also think that there are ALOT of ex military guys who like to shoot and what better rifle to own than the one you spent day and night with for God knows how long! I think that has alot to do with it. When you know something inside and out like that its hard not to want to always have it around.

[Pa. Patriot]

AR's are great CQB carbines...

When I need a RIFLE, I'll take a REAL rifle.

[MTechnik]

I think it is a great platform that has been very very well developed. That doesn't make it better than anything at everything, but it makes it damned good at the things it does do well.

[Tomcat088]

Hell, I'd be fine calling the AR America's rifle, I'd say the same and go with what PA Patriot said also, beautiful rifle. Here in Texas we can hunt with the semi's and I love it. Especially when varminting, a semi auto can give you lots more dead coyotes when you get them all coming in. I love semi autos for praire dogs also, although sometimes they don't have too much advantage over the bolt guns once you get dialed in. Either way, I wouldn't say that an AR is just a "plinker/target rifle". That may be how it is in Pennsylvania, but definately not how it is in other parts of America. They aren't my favorite rifles, but man for some things there just isn't much of a better tool for the job. You ever gotten into a mess of wild hogs at a little bit of distance (beyond shotgun with 00)? You can't throw those rounds down range fast enough with a bolt gun.

[Cheeseybacon]

Honestly, I don't see what the difficulty is here.

To start with, the AR is American in origin, that much is obvious.

They're damn near all made here in America.

America's military has been using using the AR platform in one form or another since the 60s.

The AR-15 is more popular than ever with civilians as more Americans are either buying AR-15s or building their own.

The resulting increase in popularity of this rifle has spawned an entire industry dedicated solely to the customization of this one particular rifle.

If that doesn't qualify the AR-15 as America's rifle, I don't know what does.


Edit: The above can also be said more or less about the 1911 as well, right? And I don't think anyone here is gonna contest that the 1911 isn't America's pistol either...

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Tomcat088

... Either way, I wouldn't say that an AR is just a "plinker/target rifle". That may be how it is in Pennsylvania, but definately not how it is in other parts of America.

Very true. We have the ridiculous semi-ban for hunting.

I've taken deer and coyote with AR-15 in NY (at my homestead). Taken a few deer with the M1A in NY too

[Pa. Patriot]

Originally Posted by Cheeseybacon

If that doesn't qualify the AR-15 as America's rifle, I don't know what does...

If we call it "Americas carbine" I'll be on board

[Kaos]

It's our age's garand. Similarly in the 40's-50's what was americas rifle? No doubt the garand.

[Warsaw Pact]

Someone recently dubbed the AR as "America's Rifle". I have to disagree. Especially being a Pennsylvanian where the AR is unsuitable for hunting I think they are highly over rated.

Obviously our military uses it, but that is where it ends. When I see a guy with an AR at a range, I don't think "gee that is an apple-pie Amerian rifle..." rather, that is a guy who got one because he saw them on TV, and likes that our Army uses them. So for the guy who should have/could have but didn't serve, it often helps him live that fantasy.

Generally, in the civilian world, I think ARs cannot and should be "America's rifle" as they generally evoke the "gun snob" air to them. Sort of like how HK pistols are sometiems celebrated by elite circles over less expensive pistols. Do you know what I mean?