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As much AR15 "bashing" as I do around here, I think this thread is appropriate to clarify my stance on the AR15/M16 rifle and its variants, so here goes.
Eugene Stoner was a phenomenal weapons designer, one of many in a line of great small arms designers that have been from the United States. He took successful design elements from a number of weapons to create the AR10 which was scaled down to create the AR15:
From the FAL it took the hinged receiver system allowing the rifle to be opened for cleaning
The ejection port cover is similar to that found on the German World War II-era StG44
The non-reciprocating charging handle was borrowed from an Uzi SMG (at least on earlier hook charging rifles)
The bolt locking mechanism is similar to the M1941 Johnson rifle-
The ejecting mechanism is similar to a Remington model 8's
From the German FG42 and M1941 Johnson machine gun came the idea of straight-line stocks to reduce muzzle climb in fully automatic fire.
The direct impingement system was borrowed from the French MAS series of semi-automatic rifles.
Because of these factors, the AR-10/AR15's method of rotary bolt locking, straight-line recoil, and gas operation enhanced its inherent accuracy. Movement of the bolt carrier is in-line with the bore, greatly improving inherent accuracy, as well as keeping the rifle on target as the gun fired. Stoner's use of aluminum alloys and polymers combined with the aforementioned features borrowed from other designs culminated to create a new American rifle that was destined to hit the jungles of Vietnam. This new weapon was light, accurate, easy to field, ahead of its time, and loved by the soldiers who initially got their hands on it (if you have ever lugged around an m14 or m1A, you can see why a soldier would prefer an m16a1!).
The truth is that if you want a 5.56/.223 semi-automatic (or selective fire for that matter) rifle in the United States, then an AR15/M16 is the best option for a number of reasons. They are readily available at any gun store, they have an aftermarket that is just unparalleled by any other center-fire rifle, and they are extremely cost effective, they can be configured any number of ways not limited to a range plinker or a long range precision rifle. For these reasons the AR15 is the current king here in the US. In the 80s you had the HK roller locked stuff everywhere and a ton of other options:
A new AUG was $900
A new FNC was $475
Action Arms Galils were $800
An HK93 was $550
A Colt AR15 HBAR was $700
A Beretta AR70 was $500
A sig 550 was $1200
Then the '89 ban let Colt be the only game in town if you wanted a "tactical" style 5.56 rifle. This ban is IMO one of the most horseshit laws in the name of free market capitalism; It allows American gun manufacturers to literally have no competition from foreign markets (at least until recently). I would liken this import ban to a ban on foreign sports cars from being brought into the country. That being said it is what it is, and we have to deal with it and I have digressed from my point.
I have never said the AR15 is a bad rifle, it just doesn't do much for me anymore. I have probably built 10 or so over the years and I bought my first one in 2007 (that I still own and have shot the ever loving hell out of). The platform is versatile and really is the only 5.56 rifle I need, but not the only one I want. Some people are die hard AR15 folks, but it may well in my lifetime fade in popularity in favor of some new platform that we barely know about. Only time will tell, but until then the AR15 is king.
CJ, this better not get rubbed in my face in the future.
Eugene Stoner was a phenomenal weapons designer, one of many in a line of great small arms designers that have been from the United States. He took successful design elements from a number of weapons to create the AR10 which was scaled down to create the AR15:
From the FAL it took the hinged receiver system allowing the rifle to be opened for cleaning
The ejection port cover is similar to that found on the German World War II-era StG44
The non-reciprocating charging handle was borrowed from an Uzi SMG (at least on earlier hook charging rifles)
The bolt locking mechanism is similar to the M1941 Johnson rifle-
The ejecting mechanism is similar to a Remington model 8's
From the German FG42 and M1941 Johnson machine gun came the idea of straight-line stocks to reduce muzzle climb in fully automatic fire.
The direct impingement system was borrowed from the French MAS series of semi-automatic rifles.
Because of these factors, the AR-10/AR15's method of rotary bolt locking, straight-line recoil, and gas operation enhanced its inherent accuracy. Movement of the bolt carrier is in-line with the bore, greatly improving inherent accuracy, as well as keeping the rifle on target as the gun fired. Stoner's use of aluminum alloys and polymers combined with the aforementioned features borrowed from other designs culminated to create a new American rifle that was destined to hit the jungles of Vietnam. This new weapon was light, accurate, easy to field, ahead of its time, and loved by the soldiers who initially got their hands on it (if you have ever lugged around an m14 or m1A, you can see why a soldier would prefer an m16a1!).
The truth is that if you want a 5.56/.223 semi-automatic (or selective fire for that matter) rifle in the United States, then an AR15/M16 is the best option for a number of reasons. They are readily available at any gun store, they have an aftermarket that is just unparalleled by any other center-fire rifle, and they are extremely cost effective, they can be configured any number of ways not limited to a range plinker or a long range precision rifle. For these reasons the AR15 is the current king here in the US. In the 80s you had the HK roller locked stuff everywhere and a ton of other options:
A new AUG was $900
A new FNC was $475
Action Arms Galils were $800
An HK93 was $550
A Colt AR15 HBAR was $700
A Beretta AR70 was $500
A sig 550 was $1200
Then the '89 ban let Colt be the only game in town if you wanted a "tactical" style 5.56 rifle. This ban is IMO one of the most horseshit laws in the name of free market capitalism; It allows American gun manufacturers to literally have no competition from foreign markets (at least until recently). I would liken this import ban to a ban on foreign sports cars from being brought into the country. That being said it is what it is, and we have to deal with it and I have digressed from my point.
I have never said the AR15 is a bad rifle, it just doesn't do much for me anymore. I have probably built 10 or so over the years and I bought my first one in 2007 (that I still own and have shot the ever loving hell out of). The platform is versatile and really is the only 5.56 rifle I need, but not the only one I want. Some people are die hard AR15 folks, but it may well in my lifetime fade in popularity in favor of some new platform that we barely know about. Only time will tell, but until then the AR15 is king.
CJ, this better not get rubbed in my face in the future.
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