Best Selling Rifle in America

[tarosean]

AR-15 - The best selling type of rifle in America.

Got proof of that claim???

To answer your questions thou..

Why do you think is it a hot seller?
CALL OF DUTY and other video games, where the kids have grown into men. 90% +/-when I see someone walking out of the store with one its a young man.

Do you have one?

LaRue

Why did you choose the AR-15 platform?

Got multiple rifles of different types/platfroms. I have one because I wanted it.

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

Manufacture

How much ammo do you keep on hand and why?

Less than 300rds I really only use it for plinking and occasionally Ill take it hog hunting.

 

[RBid]

Possibly because AR-15 is more of a category than a specific gun, and spans many makers, models, and configurations. A Ruger 10/22 is just one line, from one maker.

This is like "1911s outsell Sig P226s!"


The AR-15 is America's rifle, for a few years running.

 

[meanmrmustard]

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

How do you have the two of them together and keep a straight face?

Nice rifle btw.

 

[CraigC]

I like my AR, have a bunch invested in it and like shooting it but it will NEVER hang over the mantle. Or anywhere else in sight either.

 

[Pilot]

I like my AR, have a bunch invested in it and like shooting it but it will NEVER hang over the mantle. Or anywhere else in sight either.

I was being facetious, and probably should have put a next to my statement.

All my firearms that aren't on my person are locked in my gun safe.

 

[back40]

i'll admit keeping a straight face was a tad difficult. i just happened to have my ar on the bench, and after shooting my flinter from a standing position, layed it down and then noticed..."hmmm now there's an odd couple"

 

[michaelbsc]

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

Well, I'm actually looking at doing an M-85 build rather than AR-15. But the principle is the same. I think everyone ought to have both ends of the spectrum covered.

I keep trying to push the envelope both ways, not only wanting to do a complete from the ground up build for a gun that uses NATO ammo, but I want to make my own black powder for the front stuffer.

 

[PTMCCAIN]

I'm glad somebody mentioned the Mosin. Crazy how many are avaialble. But understandable.

Very inexpensive.

Literally a massive bang for the buck.

Historical rifle.

What's not to like?

 

[Door Gunner]

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.

Like you, I'm an old Army man. Retired 1SG. Needless to say, after a tour in RVN I have put a lot of ball ammo down range; too much in anger. The M16/AR-15 platform is a remarkable firearm. As with all the others, it has it's limitations. Not a sniper weapon, not a big game rifle. But it excels in so many areas.

I started in the Army with the M14. 7.62 (.308 for you civilians), 20 round magazine; either semi-auto or full auto model. Superb weapon with one major drawback. It was heavy. So was the full magazines. The M16 allowed you to carry far more ammo, pound for pound. Normal engagement range in combat made it ideal. I rarely engaged a target at more than 100 yards, except when I was in a helicopter. I also have an M14 as a fond remembrance of days gone by.

Considering the three most common uses for a rifle; Self Defense, Target Shooting, and Hunting, it fits 2 of 3 nicely. Hunting deer sized or larger, not so much. In our world where criminals may require an occasional spanking... it excels. Short barrel makes it an easy swing in tight spaces. 30 rounds seems adequate before having to swap magazines.

By the way, I have some of the same pistols you do!

 

[Warp]

AR-15 - The best selling type of rifle in America.

This opens up lots of areas for discussion...

Why do you think is it a hot seller?

Do you have one?

Why did you choose the AR-15 platform?

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

How much ammo do you keep on hand and why?

It's a hot seller because it's a good platform that can do a lot of what people want in a rifle.

Yes, I have one. Got it this year.

I chose it because it is the most effective platform for my intended uses. It is relatively easy handle and shoot, is maneuverable, is effective against two-legged predators, and it doesn't excessively penetrate walls/etc in an urban or sub-urban environment. Parts, ammo, magazines, accessories, etc are all plentiful and appropriately priced.

I don't keep nearly as much ammo on hand as I would like. I would like cases and cases stacked upon cases and cases, but I have only a case or two. I don't have more because it costs money and I shoot it up. I want a lot because it will never go bad, will only get more expensive, and might become more difficult/expensive to acquire in the future.

 

[powder]

I disagree, I'd say the best selling rifle in America has been on the 700 platform.

 

[nyc71]

I've read the Ruger 10-22lr is the best seller.

 

[Pete D.]

AR

iconic, yes. And all of the good things already noted by various posters.
I bought mine twenty years ago so that I could shoot High Power matches/Service Rifle. Floated the barrel myself - no gunsmith needed.
Colt Match Target HBar.
Ammo is easy to load.
Pete

 

[jogonmd95]

AR platform is very popular because its damn fun to shoot,quite accurate,and easy to maintain. Full auto is a kick in the pants.
Own a Bush M4 , 11.5 in. HBAR
5.56 are relatively cheap and easy to obtain.I keep around 3-4k rounds on stock JIC.
Best

 

[Ash]

You know, it's funny, but I have never been able to warm up to the AR. I have owned a Bushmaster, Stag, and Rock River at different times and always end up selling it. Ditto on the SKS (sold my Yugo at the Natchez show yesterday) and the FAL, so it isn't anti-AR or anything. Mine were excellent, had wonderful triggers, were light and certainly handy, accurate, what's not to like?

I have no idea. From time to time I decide to get one, keep it for a while, and then pass it on. The last time I sold I became a confirmed bachelor when it comes to AR's. I have a Ruger Mini-14 GB which seems to stay around, even though it isn't as accurate (but has a good trigger and is 100% reliable). Perhaps part of the equation is I have no fascination with lego rifles, which is to say quickly configurable/buildable/changeable rifles. Black plastic also does a lousy job of capturing my imagination. To be honest, I find them boring and uninteresting. Others will quickly say the same of my GB - I certainly don't claim it is better than an AR in any way.

Even so, I have no animosity towards AR's or guys who shoot/like them. Best selling? Perhaps, but I have found that being the best seller has never been a selection category on my part. I own neither a Remington 700 or a Ruger 10/22 nor a 1911 or Glock.

 

[Warp]

I've read the Ruger 10-22lr is the best seller.

Where did you read that? Link or source?

I would bet that a platform (AR15) outsells a specific model (10/22)

 

[Ash]

Well, then let's talk platforms. I'd wager semi-auto 22lr's outsell AR's. Overly broad, I know, but at the same time, AR popularity has waxed only recently, relatively speaking. Ruger 10/22's have been popular for a few decades. Perhaps more AR's of every flavor are sold than any specific model of other rifle, but that's like saying revolvers outsell Spingfield Armory EMP's every year. Not a real good apples and apples comparison.

 

[Warp]

Well, then let's talk platforms. I'd wager semi-auto 22lr's outsell AR's. Overly broad, I know, but at the same time, AR popularity has waxed only recently, relatively speaking. Ruger 10/22's have been popular for a few decades. Perhaps more AR's of every flavor are sold than any specific model of other rifle, but that's like saying revolvers outsell Spingfield Armory EMP's every year. Not a real good apples and apples comparison.

Being popular for decades would seem, to me, to be a factor in REDUCING current sales. I wouldn't count guns sold decades ago for "best selling rifle in america".

I think your analogy is failed, and is in fact an apples/oranges comparison. AR15 is far more specific than "revolver".

 

[johnnydollar]

If almost everyone else has one, I shouldn't have to explain why I don't have one.

 

[Warp]

If almost everyone else has one, I shouldn't have to explain why I don't have one.

Did anybody ask you to??

 

[M1key]

I do believe that a lot of those sales are due to the fear that they will be unavailable in the future.

Thanks to the "greatest gun Salesman ever"...

M

 

[OilyPablo]

Why do you think is it a hot seller?

Lately? Fad. Recently? Stupid attempts to ban and the fact the new models are really, really reliable.

Really? Adaptability. Simpleness. Weight. Accuracy.

Do you have one?

I have "three":

Daniel Defense M4V3 5.56 midlength, with some useful (to me) mods. I can shoot flies off targets
Palmetto State Armory 6.8SPC Upper, mix of various parts (95% complete)
.458 SOCOM still in dream phase


Why did you choose the AR-15 platform?

Got tired of my other rifles which are quite varied (including an AK) and said to myself, what the heck, join the crowd!

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

I bought my DD from Rainer Arms. If anyone ever has a chance, visit this smallish shop. So many cool toys.

How much ammo do you keep on hand and why?

I have 1000's of rounds. I have boxes I forget I have. What can I say?

 

[Ash]

Failed? Nah, you just don't understand analogies. Perhaps you think it too broad, but that was by example. AR's embody an entire class of firearms which includes multiple manufacturing techniques and materials, from cast to forged to polymer frames, plus different gas styles, to a point where one AR type firearm might be so utterly different from another with no interchanging parts, all within the umbrella created, as to be considered different firearms entirely.

Fine, you create a large category encompassing numerous companies, configurations, materials, and then compare this big tent with a single product. Of course it makes sense to you, and that big tent might well indicate a greater total production number over the single product, that is, the 10/22. Even so, there are more 10/22's made annually than any single AR model or manufacturer. That is to say, there are more 10/22's than Rock River's, more than Stag, than Grizzly, you name it.

Consider, then, that the semi-auto 22lr out sells the AR platform, embodied.

 

[Warp]

Failed? Nah, you just don't understand analogies. Perhaps you think it too broad, but that was by example. AR's embody an entire class of firearms which includes multiple manufacturing techniques and materials, from cast to forged to polymer frames, plus different gas styles, to a point where one AR type firearm might be so utterly different from another with no interchanging parts, all within the umbrella created, as to be considered different firearms entirely.

Fine, you create a large category encompassing numerous companies, configurations, materials, and then compare this big tent with a single product. Of course it makes sense to you, and that big tent might well indicate a greater total production number over the single product, that is, the 10/22. Even so, there are more 10/22's made annually than any single AR model or manufacturer. That is to say, there are more 10/22's than Rock River's, more than Stag, than Grizzly, you name it.

Consider, then, that the semi-auto 22lr out sells the AR platform, embodied.

Then only consider "M4" type AR15s, if you are so concerned about the variability, and compare that to only 10/22 type 22s.

 

[rukwikenuf]

i've got close to 2k rounds on hand. all NATO ammo: 1K of M885 LAP, and 100 m196 tracers, 200 m856 AP tracers, close to 1k of m193. i've got a few dozen m995 Armor Pierce.

yeah, i'm kinda stockpiling ammunition, but it's getting more expensive every day.

i built my rifle from a stripped lower i got at the shop i work at, and i did it all on a budget. i ordered some specific parts and got them at cost, others i bought used. i got a barely used Saber Defence barrel, match grade SS fluted HBar configuration 20" long, put it on a Spike's Blem upper, Palmetto lower, CMMG LPK, PWS buffer tube, Magpul MOE stock, Troy 15" Battlerail Alpha tube. so far i only have a Burris Fastfire II on there, but i'm planning a 2.5-10 Vortex Viper PST scope on an American Defense QD mount.