AR-15 popularity

[MTMilitiaman]

The AR-15 is all over the news these days. Getting an idea for how many of them there are in this country is difficult by design. One estimate I read somewhere said we could have possibly sold a million AR-15s a year on average since 2004. This would mean American civilians could put an AR in the hands of every soldier in the Chinese and Russian militaries combined. Considering all the 80% receivers and home assembled guns, this doesn't seem like much of an exaggeration.

So this is just an informal poll to see how popular the AR is on The High Road, and what their primary function seems to be to those of us with them.

I just got a brand new Colt 6960 CCU about a month ago after Parkland. I spent the next couple pay checks stocking up on standard capacity magazines. This weekend I hope to get sights and a sling for it, and shoot it for the first time. I anticipate its primary function will be defense, but they are fun, and it is legal to hunt with 5.56mm in MT, so it will likely see several functions at some point.

Pics welcome. They might also help you with insurance claims after your boating accident...

 

[jak67429]

I wanted to select more than 1. I use mine for competition, hunting, and teaching smaller framed people to shoot.

 

[GAF]

All of the above except no.

 

[badkarmamib]

Also yes, for all reasons listed.

 

[.308 Norma]

Add one more "yes" for all of the reasons listed, as well as for "fun" without the "competition" part.

 

[<*(((><]

Yes, for all reasons, and because it is my right, and brave men and women died to establish and defend that right, and for that I'm thankful.

 

[tarosean]

Only use em for competition.

 

[rskent]

I mostly use them just for competition. AR’s dominate High Power. You still see a few bolt guns and the really old guys that run them. I wish I could run a bolt gun in the rapid stages like some of those old guys.

 

[BigDinVT]

I'm another all of the above except "no" (and competition). I'll add that the vast number of options and accessories adds to their attraction. They are a familiar platform and easy to maintain.

 

[Highcaliber]

All of the above...except the investment part.

 

[Terry Chadron]

Yes, they are fun to shoot and with the .22 LR conversion, even something the kids can enjoy at (rather) low cost.

 

[Blue Thunder]

I have a FN-15 and 30 standard capacity (30round) mags for it with red dot optics. I have several spare parts including a BCG. I have taken two intermediate defensive courses with it and feel very comfortable using it. I have a stock of a few thousand rounds of various types. The gun is very well set-up and I use a single sling attachment to the rifle. It is a house gun and when traveling a trunk gun paired with one of my G-19's. The latter is the easy part as the G-19 is always on me and at night next to me with the house gun just past it. I am comfortable with this set-up.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Fun, defense and to tick off gun control folks.

 

[k4swb]

I've shot them in the past but never felt the need for one. Just this year the wife decided she just had to have one so I learned just enough to be dangerous about the purchase.

We went shopping and got her what we thought would be a good basic gun. After disassembling it and oiling it up I mad the remark that I might get me one but a different brand sometime.

A few days later she came home with a surprise for me and had what I had shown an interest in.

We've both shot them now and I can see the appeal but I still mostly bought them for the simple fact that this time around it looks bad.

 

[jmr40]

I'm up to 4 now. Two of them are set up primarily for home defense. One is primarily a hunting rig and the 4th is primarily for informal target shooting. Although any could be used for HD, hunting or target shooting. I took a deer last Fall with one set up for home defense. The area I was hunting required a compact rifle with a low magnification scope and I felt the 16" AR with a 1-4X scope on it was the best tool for the job at hand. It proved to be so.

Finding exact numbers in use is hard. A few weeks ago I did some research and the best numbers I found were from 2013 and an estimate of about 14 million. If true, and I believe it is probably close if not, that equals the number of 30-30's produced by Marlin and Winchester combined since 1895. About double the number of Remington 700's produced in the same 55 years. Considering the AR wasn't introduced until 55 years ago that says a lot. And there have probably been several million more since 2013.

I think it is fair to say the AR is the most common centerfire rifle in sales over the last 25 years. Maybe beating out rimfires too.

 

[JeffG]

My alma mater weapon. Started as one of the first M16 platoons in the Marine Corps. Became an instructor and introduced our police department to them 15 years ago. I enjoy shooting them, I am intimately familiar with the workings and adaptability of the system. It only follows that I would own one for defense.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Two set up for plinking and one for hunting - if I ever hunt again.
I've got better stuff for home defense.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I basically only use them for fun and 3/2 gun competitions.

I occasionally use them for coyotes.

Also have them for defense if necessary.

 

[Walkalong]

Fun, informal target shooting, possible self defense.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I don't own an AR-15 but family members do.

My son built an M4gery that I broke in shooting it in the local club modern military matches (one season, 7 matches, 3 ten shot targets per match).

My son went deer hunting with a family friend (retired military) they each took a deer with a singleshot.

I have plinked at the old home place on the mountain with AR-15s owned by relatives.

With standard parts, the AR-15 is easily maintained and kept in repair by the owner and can be accessorized (or kept bare and simple) for multiple use.

It is easy to see why the gun is popular. It is also the gun for civilian marksmanship practice to provide a reserve familiar with the service rifle platform in case of national emergency (basic training is too late to learn basic marksmanship and safe gun handling.

 

[Danoobie]

Got 2, #1 is my primary hunting rifle. The other is parts left over from what it took to put rifle #1 together. It takes up space really well.

 

[Tommygunn]

I own 4. Mainly for fun....but yea, I like to think I'm annoying the Feinsteins, Schumers, Pelosi, et al, out there.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

I bought one right before the last gun run started. I had to sell it do to a situation beyond my control. I then bought a PSA lower then upper. I loved the way the first one shot. I like the PSA one but not as much. I’ve since built another one since parts and haven’t had time to shoot yet, but think I’ll like it a lot more.

I really love putting them together as they’re a lot of fun to assemble.

So I’m planning on doing a few more.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have 10 of them. Is that enough? I bought my first one in 1968, when I was a 23 year old student.

Three of them are fully automatic.

 

[jamesjames]

I have 4. I guess I'm a "super user". Put me down for all purposes except no, too. I have an ultra light carbine build at 4.5 pounds. I have one set up for long range targets. I have one set up as a SP1 "retro build". And one stock Colt carbine. All are shooters. I was completely anti AR-15 10 years ago. I learned a lot since then. Now I completely "get" them and am an enthusiast.