Why did you buy your AR?

[H.m.B]

I joined the U.S. Army right out of high school in 1971 and served during the peacetime period between the Vietnam and the Gulf War ... close to being deployed on both ends, but never having served in a combat zone. During this time the only weapon that I had to qualify and maintain proficiency with was the M16a1 and 1911. And even then, aside from training exercises, that was only on an annual basis. For me, this was the only weapon that I really knew a lot about. I mean, being able to disassemble and assemble them blindfolded! In fact, during Basic Training at Fort Ord, that was an actual training drill that you had to pass. Heck, I can still do this to this day!

It wasn't until the sunset of the Federal Assault Weapons that expired on September 13, 2004 that I really started noticing them at the local range and a couple of years later, broke down an bought a Colt LE6920. Try sneaking that into the house! I forgot what it cost me extra - dinner, trip to Chico's for the wife ... but I finally had a tangible piece of memory that I really missed. Sure, it was an M4 style and not the A1, but hey, this is the 21st century. It was so funny being able break it down from memory that first day!

For me at least, I find comfort in knowing this weapon ... inside and out. I don't shoot it as often as I would like, but do maintain an annual proficiency. I did break down and add an Aimpoint Pro and Troy BUIS and now it serves as one of my home defense elements. The reason for me, and probably a lot of you who served in the armed service, is probably familiarity. You go with what you know. "Chance favors the prepared mind.” Louis Pasteur

 

[BobTheTomato]

Why....cause I wanted one

 

[OilyPablo]

I didn't think I needed an AR until I bought one.

Now I love it. Need no other reason, 2nd Amendment and all.

But they are very accurate, extremely fun to work on, easy to clean, light, carry easy. A ton of side benefits. Like getting a 6.8SPC upper.

 

[JFtheGR8]

Because I wanted one and a couple years ago they were affordable to me finally. Glad I got mine when I did.


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[cfullgraf]

While shooting Service Rifle Matches with an M1 Garand, i discovered how accurate an AR could be. Before then, I really had no interest in them.

My first AR was for a match prepped rifle for Service Rifle competition.

I now have some long, heavy barrel, small critter hunting ARs that are my most accurate rifles.

Besides shooting a very accurate rifle, i enjoy assembling the rifles to my likes.

 

[aeriedad]

1. Familiarity (20 years USMC)
2. Home Defense
3. Smile on my face

 

[jim243]

Interesting question, I don't really have a good answer. I purchased my first one in 1969, an A1 style Armilite AR-15. It replaced my AR-7 that I shot for many years. The design, the low cost of ammunition (surplus), the mild recoil, the fact that you could scope it even with the carry handle, the accuracy of the rifle even with open sights, the relitive light weight, were all factors in that it saw more rounds down range then my 7mm Rem Mag.

Well it stayed with me for 25 years but I always wanted a carbine length, so that is what I have today. And yes it still sees more rounds down range with the exception of my 10/22, but it sees more daylight than the Ruger.

Jim

 

[xfyrfiter]

Home defense, critter control, and recreation. I live out away from town and we have vicious animals, both two and four legged, and LE is at least 30 minutes away on a good day.

 

[thump_rrr]

Legos for adults.

Even here in Canada where the AR is a "restricted" firearm in the same class as handguns it is one of the only semi autos that interest me and available for civilians to purchase.

Being that it is already restricted we can set them up with anything from a 7.5" to a 24" barrel without any additional costs such as the federal tax stamps required south of the border.

Before Sandy Hook I only had a Norinco AR with a 14.5" barrel which I cannot bring across the border to the gun club I belong to in Vermont.
With fears of assault weapons bans south of the border coming into effect I wanted a couple of US made rifles to put on my Form6NIA.
For this reason I jumped on a Noveske lower when I had the chance to buy one at a reasonable price.
Once I figured out that I couldn't find an upper to go with it I went out and bought a Stag 3G.

Now I can put the Stag and the Noveske on my Form 6NIA so they can come with me south of the border.

 

[Quentin]

I carried the M16 in Vietnam but after discharge in 1969 never gave the AR-15 much thought until the Clinton ban. (I had other firearms of course.) After the 2004 sunset I started getting interested and finally bought a stripped lower. Now I have three ARs and wonder why it took me so long!

So my answer is familiarity and that the AR is such a versatile design. It doesn't deserve the bad rap given it by the media and other gun haters.

 

[68wj]

Reliable, easy to use design that I have intricate knowledge of.

It is arguably 2nd to none in aftermarket support and offers a wide variety of chamberings beyond the standard .223/5.56.

It is adjustable for everyone in the family to comfortably, accurately fire it.

I can ethically hunt any available game animals or enjoy an afternoon at the range with a fun to shoot rifle.

 

[Fiv3r]

Because they are a cool, modular, effective piece of American military history. Back before the panic, a box of. 223 cost less than 5 bucks for plinking ammo. That's about as cheap as you can shoot a center fire rifle off the shelf without picking up Russian surplus.

It was fun and accurate. I don't get it out much as I am short on time and feeding it costs more than I would like. However, I have it cleaned and cased and several high cap magazines put back for when i can buy ammo at a reasonable price.

 

[WNTFW]

I have to say the 1st was as a defensive weapon.

Now I like to shoot in High Power matches. Sadly I have not been able to do much of that.

Accuracy was a driving part of both decisions. I was really slow to get on the accessory band wagon.

I have enjoyed the used parts availability the AR has. (Before this last frenzy)

 

[thump_rrr]

I forgot to mention that it doesn't require a gunsmith or armorer to fix.

 

[WNTFW]

Thump,
That is an advantage. I have a friend that 'builds' AK's. I hesitate to say 'build' an AR. I tend to say 'assemble'.
Eugene Stoner was a genius in my opinion. I think his design was just a bit ahead of its time in terms of mfg capability.
I sure do like the ARs.

It is probably one of the easiest rifles for the average joe to work with.

 

[swiftak]

All of the above reasons.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

1. For SHTF caused by an out of control gov't
2. To keep a tyranical gov't in check

Looking for a second 6920 when they become available again at a reasonable price

One is none--two is one

 

[joed]

I used an A1 while in Vietnam in the service. About 8 years ago I bought an A2. Hated it and sold it after a few months. May of 2012 I purchased a Colt carbine. This one is really a defense rifle.

Why did I buy it? Because I knew the government would step in eventually. I look at the morons paying 2k now for what I was smart enough to buy months ago for half the price and just laugh.

 

[snakeman]

I bought one to carry around on the ranch. They fit nicely on a quad and are accurate with a high rate of fire. That said, they get too dirty too quick and jam up in dusty conditions. I have since carried a 94 angle eject and it keeps on shooting even when it's dirty. So do mosins. I use my ar's for hunting and target shooting now.

 

[saitek]

why !

like bob the tomato because i wanted one and my rockriver came in .308 that's the main reason .

 

[Tommygunn]

Bought mine in 2006 when the demorats took over kongress. Bush had said in a 2000 debate with AlGore that he'd sign a renewed assault wepon ban and with the demos in power I thought it stood a good chance of happening.
I haven't regreted it. Since then I've bought a Sig 556 in 5.56mm. and a Sig 556R in 7.62x39 Soviet to play with.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I didn't have the $$ or opportunity to buy a Colt rifle before the first ban. Decided if the ban did sunset I'd buy one. I didn't get around to until Obama won. I might have paid a little more for my 6920 but I also decided if I was going to buy one it wouldn't be a safe queen. I've been shooting matches with it since 2009.

That Colt AR is the most reliable semi auto I have ever owned.. rifle or pistol. It's a really well made piece of machinery and suprisingly accurate for a shot barrel. I'm really pleased with it and its become one of my favorites.

 

[Cemetery21]

The first one, in the 1980's, was so I could practice. I was on a combat rifle team, but we couldn't sign out weapons or ammo for practice, only for matches.
Started taking it prairie dog shooting and eventually replaced some bolt guns with varmint ARs.

 

[Reloadron]

cfullgraf

While shooting Service Rifle Matches with an M1 Garand, i discovered how accurate an AR could be. Before then, I really had no interest in them.

Thinking it was '93. Had a small shop and was selling the things.

I prepared for a DCM service rifle match in detail, hand loading all my ammunition for my NM M1A. I figured I had a fair shot in this little local club match. When the day came it was cold and wet with rain showers on and off, just plain a suck day.

There was only one mouse gun in that match and when all was said and done I ran second to that mouse gun. Opened the shop on Monday and ordered my first mouse gun! Following having been M14 trained I had a M16 in Vietnam but never had a desire to own one. The rest is history.....

Ron

 

[76shuvlinoff]

'Cause you can read and read and read but it's never the same as owning.

I always have chosen walnut and blue for long and most sidearms. (There is a bit of Tupperware scattered through my bottom feeders). I wanted to see what the fuss was all about so last fall even though at 52 I've never fired or even handled an EBR I purchased a new Colt 6920.

These days the media, and other blathering idiots, are trying to make me a criminal for that purchase but I am still very glad I did it and would do it again.

After 200 hundred rounds I now abstain from shooting it due to ammo availability and pricing. Actually I have not been shooting any of my 9 calibers since Sandy Hook and the world got stupid.