Best Selling Rifle in America

It is a hot seller for many reasons: Military pattern, modular, light, fun to shoot, easy to customize etc.

Yes

Iconic firearm, lots of parts out there, customization, needed an intermediate round and a semi auto rifle.

I bought the lower in a FTF transaction. Got the upper from BCM.

I used to keep a few hundred rounds on hand. Ideally I would like to have a few thousand. But, being a college student and all and shooting it more often than I used to I only keep anywhere from 0-300 on me. Going to go buy some more today if I can find some good deals.

I have quite a few of this type of rifle and I think I decided to go with getting a few for several reasons. I like the fact that they are so versatile. The rounds are good for most things I will ever need it for. Definitely one of the most enjoyable guns to shoot IMO, tons of customization support out there. However, I guess my main reason is because of my familiarity to this particular weapon. One you have trained with one or used one for awhile they quickly become second nature. And, if you have ever built one then you know everything you need to know about one. I also think it is because it is the gun my generation grew up with. There are cooler guns out there for sure but for the money and everything an AR offers, its hard to beat.

The AWB of '94 is why they're popular. Before then, very very few people were buying them and there were only maybe 3 manufacturers.

I think Big E covered it all as to why. My first AR was purchased in 1967. Last one purchased in Jan 2012.

Lots of options, easy to change parts without need for a gunsmith. Relatively inexpensive ammo and just fun to shoot.

Jim

As it should be. We all should have an AR hanging over the fireplace next to that musket.

I also agree with Big E. The AR is a handy, flexible, highly configurable rifle. It's very easy to build to your exact specifications, the hardest part is making the right decisions the first time around. There are very few firearms that are as easy to upgrade and customize without the need for a large tool collection or a gunsmith.

I also bought stripped lowers locally from licensed FFLs with typical firearms background checks then had complete uppers and other parts delivered from BCM, Daniel Defense, PSA and other quality vendors. If you do your homework you can expect the rifle to work as well or better than one off the shelf. However, for folks who want a factory model, there are more configurations available than ever.

Something else to think of, there are dozens of calibers available and lots of built in accuracy and reliability. And 5.56/.223 is inexpensive compared to other centerfire rifle ammo (about .25-.50 a shot) so you can shoot a lot and store a lot. Many of us take advantage of sales and buy a thousand rounds at a time - or more.

For these reasons, and no doubt the sunset of the AWB, interest in the AR has skyrocketed in the last five or so years. And quality today is better than ever.

Reliable

Durable

Accurate

Adaptive

Light

Simple

Weather resistant

Good fire power

Ergonomic

Great triggers easy to install

Cheap to Shoot

Almost no recoil

Easy to strip and maintain

The AR is a great rifle with a lot of uses but in all honesty, I do believe that a lot of those sales are due to the fear that they will be unavailable in the future. That said, there are a lot of shooters buying them to actually use. I have one and would like to have three or four more but other things on higher on the priority list.

I recently put one together.

I have traditionally been more of a .30 cal guy when it comes to 2A-purpose battle rifles, but when I got the AR, 5.56 was really cheap. Plus I wanted to have something in that caliber, and which takes the same mags and parts as what the government boys use. They also have a lot of benefits as far as being able to gunsmith them in the field with minimal tools... there are few rifles that are easier to barrel and headspace. I also wanted something that was well-suited for close quarters and/or home defense, and the fact is the 5.56 is great for those roles (very little penetration of hard barriers, etc.). Plus I bought at a time when AR's were as cheap as they have ever been. I have also been wanting to go to some carbine courses, and of course the AR is the platform most of those are taught around.

I just ordered the parts to complete one for my Dad, as well. He is caught up in the election hysteria a bit, which I don't really buy into, but I figure any excuse to get him more into shooting is fine by me!

Both rifles are PSA.

It is a popular gun for the same reasons the military has kept it longer than any other rifle. It is very versatile and easy to operate.

The one I have now, at the moment I only have a .22 lr upper for it. I'm working on several builds right now, including an AR-10.

I purchased stripped lowers from dealers.

It is also surging in popularity as a hunting rifle. .223 can take small deer but some states don't allow it and whether it's ethical is up to you. If you don't want to use .223, just swap out the upper for 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, .300 BLK, 6x45 etc.

The semi auto is a nice feature for varmint and hog hunting. Plus, AR's are just so darned easy to clean being military pattern and all.

Pilot said:

As it should be. We all should have an AR hanging over the fireplace next to that musket.

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Gross.

Don't have one and never will. I prefer bolts and levers which I'm allowed to hunt with. Even if semiauto centerfires were allowed I would still not purchase one. I've shot them plenty of times. They just aren't what I enjoy shooting.


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Nope. Don't have one. This "platform" is not something I would choose.

I respect those who do, and it is a fantastic rifle. Just as some people like licorice, for some it sets their teeth on edge.

Enjoy!

I am a lever operated wood and blue steel fan but I am on a collision course to buy my first AR. I gotta see what all the fervor is about and you can't do that sitting at the keyboard.

Future Fanboi? Could be Rabbit, could be.

I didn't care for them.. until I got one. Based on a vote on this forum actually. It really turned my mind around on AR's. Contrary to the CW I've found mine to be extremely reliable and user-friendly. A real plug-and-play rifle.

Also something they don't tell you--all AR's are takedown models!

Honestly, I was in a phase for awhile where I hated AR's. I started drinking all the cool aid and misinformation from shows like Futureweapons and talk about how 5.56 was a weak and inferior round. People made it seem like AR's would jam on every shot and 5.56 wouldn't even wound something.

After lot's of research and an open mind I decided to go ahead and take the plunge. Never regret one bit about buying my only AR so far. It is indeed my favorite firearm of my collection, more so than my beloved CZ-75B.

Funny, growing up I would shoot my dad's Colt SP1 and his Armi Jager .22. I thought the AR was one of the coolest guns ever. Then the haters got into my mind. Now I am an adamant supporter of AR's. Sure there are rifles that may be a little better for military and operator use now. But the AR is still an amazing rifle (or pistol if you go that route). Only problem is, .223 is still cheap for rifle ammo but it is still expensive. I really need to start reloading. I also understand not everyone likes AR's, that's fine but you have to see the merits of the firearm.

meanmrmustard said:

Gross.

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i don't know....they seem to get along just fine....

Technically I only own half of an AR right now. I bought the stripped lower at a gun show recently and have finished building the lower, complete with the stock. Still waiting for my upper to be delivered and trying to find the barrel that I want.

I thought about buying a stock model, but I figured I'd enjoy building it more, and then I'd know it inside and out. Very simple build (so far) and like everyone else said, I imagine that's one reason they are so popular. They are easy to work on and customize, and there are tons of options. I've already planned at least two more AR builds, but I gotta get this one finished first.

I surprised myself, because I used to be anti-AR. However, since getting into this build, I actually really like the platform. I can't wait to be able to shoot it.

After being in the army, I was sick of the AR platform....(Rattling uppers @ BCT) However, after seeing the cost of ammo, and the fact that i own a mini-14, i realized it just made sense. BUT, I decided to build my first AR and change some features which i hated about it.. I'm 80% done and waiting on funding to complete it...

I bought an AR because it was my first rifle purchase of my own, and I wanted something I could customize and learn how to do some neat shooting.

I keep around 500-1000 rounds right now but I have not gone to the range too much recently. Also just got married, so funding for this hobby is not a priority at the moment.

Anyone who owns any firearm should also have it due to the original purpose of the Second Amendment.

I have 30% of an AR. It is a work in progress

It is the barbie doll for men. Because it is so popular there are so many accessories and different parts available. Don't like that stock? One screw and it comes out for a different one. Don't like that trigger? 2 or 3 pins depending on your lower receiver and it comes out. Want to swap out your 5.56 to make a hog gun in 454 or .50 Beowulf? 2 pins to take off the upper and a different magazine.

I am building my own for familiarity. 8 years in the Army means lots of practice with one. My wife was in the Army for a few years before getting out on a medical so she knows how to use one too. That is a big selling point for both of us to get an AR.

Lower from FFL. The rest from stores or private transactions.

Plan on keeping at least 1000 rounds on hand for it. Already have about 300 and it isn't even done yet. Semi-auto and 30 round magazines means you can shoot through a large stockpile of ammo and not even realize.

You sure it is not the mosin nagant. Buds alone sold like 500K of them last year.

Why do you think is it a hot seller?

Because some people in my generation like to play military, some people like guns they can attach a lot of accessories to. I was never in the military, don't intend on it, so I have no fascination at all with the platform.

Do you have one?

No.

Why did you choose the AR-15 platform?

I didn't and probably won't unless they try some stupid ban again.

Did you purchase it from a licensed dealer or a private individual?

I didn't.

How much ammo do you keep on hand and why?

In .223...zero. The round doesn't really serve any purposes for me and I don't have a firearm chambered for it.