Companies that cater to AR type rifles.

[gulogulo1970]

I was thinking while commenting on the thread about Dick's sporting goods. That maybe, in addition to writing letters and boycotting anti-gun companies maybe we should write letters of encouragement and thanks to companies like Academy and the like for increasing their selection of sporting rifle goods. They didn't always have an AR section, they do now. Tell them I appreciate their selection, their choice and will spend my money there.

Maybe, hearing our voices of thanks and loyalty might serve us better than getting mad after the fact. What do you think? Squeaky wheel gets the grease. So instead of the CEO getting hate mail from the antis, we can give them some love.

 

[FL-NC]

I show academy and bass pro my appreciation with my wallet. I don't have a ton of $, but I do have some. If dicks/ F&S don't want it, I'll find someone who does.

 

[bassjam]

I often review the customer comments at my company, basically everyone only cares about the negative comments. The person reviewing and compiling the data might see the positive comments, but management only sees (and seems to care about) the negative comments where they can make a change. Positive comments really only back up what positive sales numbers are already telling them so they aren't that beneficial to review.

I'm making my statements with my wallet. I let Dick's know how I feel and won't shop there anymore. Since then I've put in 2 orders to Academy and one to PSA.

 

[Deanimator]

Fin, Feather, Fur in Ohio. They've got a good selection of everything, including semi-auto rifles. Good service too.

 

[bearcreek]

maybe we should write letters of encouragement and thanks to companies like Academy and the like for increasing their selection of sporting rifle goods. They didn't always have an AR section, they do now. Tell them I appreciate their selection, their choice and will spend my money there.

Interesting that you refer to "sporting rifle". Personally I refuse to buy from a company that refers to AR's as "sporting" rifles, unless they're talking about one that is specifically set up for "sporting" use. The whole "MSR" thing is just another way of surrendering to the anti freedom lobby. The 2A has nothing to do with sport and referring to all AR's as "sporting" rifles is disingenuous at best. I don't own any "sporting" rifles, I own fighting rifles and hunting rifles (and in case someone asks, I hunt for food, not sport).

 

[hdwhit]

gulogulo1970 wrote:
...maybe, in addition to writing letters and boycotting anti-gun companies maybe we should write letters of encouragement and thanks to companies like Academy and the like...

After the Pulse nighclub shooting, Academy pulled "Modern Sporting Rifles" (MSRs) from their shelves. At the time I wrote them saying that I thought they were going to find that decision to be a mistake. I also did not threaten them; in fact, I sent a copy of the receipt for a gun I had purchased the week before and encouraged them to reconsider their policy.

When MSRs returned to Academy's shelves, I sent them a thank you letter in which I pointed out that I buy my powder and primers at Academy even though they cost a bit more because I want to keep them as a presence in my town.

 

[AlexanderA]

Interesting that you refer to "sporting rifle". Personally I refuse to buy from a company that refers to AR's as "sporting" rifles, unless they're talking about one that is specifically set up for "sporting" use. The whole "MSR" thing is just another way of surrendering to the anti freedom lobby. The 2A has nothing to do with sport and referring to all AR's as "sporting" rifles is disingenuous at best.

Yes. Although I wouldn't go so far as to boycott a company that uses the "sporting rifle" terminology, I think they're making a mistake. Conceding that firearms are mainly for "sporting use" severely weakens the RKBA case. After all, "sporting use" is just a hobby, a hobby that can easily be done away with for the "greater good." And this terminology panders to the popular conception that firearms can be justified only for hunting and target shooting. That popular conception needs to be disputed, not reinforced.

 

[kcofohio]

Fin, Feather, Fur in Ohio. They've got a good selection of everything, including semi-auto rifles. Good service too.

I've always heard good about them. I haven't traveled that way in a while. We're about 2 hrs. from there. Next time we go to Holmes Co. I'd like to stop in there.

 

[bassjam]

Interesting that you refer to "sporting rifle". Personally I refuse to buy from a company that refers to AR's as "sporting" rifles, unless they're talking about one that is specifically set up for "sporting" use. The whole "MSR" thing is just another way of surrendering to the anti freedom lobby. The 2A has nothing to do with sport and referring to all AR's as "sporting" rifles is disingenuous at best. I don't own any "sporting" rifles, I own fighting rifles and hunting rifles (and in case someone asks, I hunt for food, not sport).

The 2nd Amendment might have nothing to do with "sporting" but that doesn't mean that AR15's aren't used for sporting reasons. Technically, an "AR15" is a Colt. Everything else is based on the Armalite/Colt design but there's a reason none of them specifically name their products "AR15's".

Just like Lee-Enfields, Mausers, and M1903's were perfect to use for "sporting" reasons and became "sporterized" in the hands of civilians, the AR15 design also fits plenty of roles other than strictly military so I think the term "MSR" is about perfect to capture all the AR15 based guns.

 

[AlexanderA]

the AR15 design also fits plenty of roles other than strictly military so I think the term "MSR" is about perfect to capture all the AR15 based guns.

The term "Modern Sporting Rifle" is a transparent euphemism that doesn't convince anybody. I've been collecting AR-15's since 1968. Their main appeal is precisely because they're civilian-legal versions of the standard military rifle. The deception of calling them "sporting" is, frankly, an insult to the intelligence.

The term "sporting" should be banished from all pro-gun arguments. That's not what any of this is about. (If "sporting" is the 2nd Amendment standard, then any AWB would be perfectly OK. On the other hand, even if the 2nd Amendment is mainly based on the right of self defense -- as Scalia seemed to indicate in the Heller case -- self defense is certainly not "sporting.")

 

[bearcreek]

The 2nd Amendment might have nothing to do with "sporting" but that doesn't mean that AR15's aren't used for sporting reasons.

Yes, of course. I didn't imply otherwise. Any tool can be "for a sporting purpose" if it's used in a competition. AR 15's, chainsaws, cars, sawmills, cranes, axes etc are a few examples of tools that can be used in competitions. In some cases there are versions of those tools that are specifically made or modified to be used only in competitions. It would be ridiculous though, to call all of that type of tool, "sporting" just because there are versions of it that are used for sporting purposes.

Technically, an "AR15" is a Colt. Everything else is based on the Armalite/Colt design but there's a reason none of them specifically name their products "AR15's".

I know. Technically gay means "keenly alive and exuberant" too. Language evolves. The term "AR 15" is very rarely used to refer exclusively to Colt products.

Just like Lee-Enfields, Mausers, and M1903's were perfect to use for "sporting" reasons and became "sporterized" in the hands of civilians, the AR15 design also fits plenty of roles other than strictly military so I think the term "MSR" is about perfect to capture all the AR15 based guns.

Again, just because it can fit a role doesn't mean that all of them should be referred to by that role. The 2A is specifically about civilians owning and training with the same small arms as the modern military. Our 2A right to do that has been severely infringed upon at this point unless and until that changes the AR15 is it.

Look at it another way. Why would someone want to refer to all models of a particular type of firearm as "sporting" unless all of that type of firearm was intended for "sporting" purposes? The only reason I can think of is that they're trying to justify ownership of that type of weapon based on it's usefulness for sporting purposes.

 

[bassjam]

I think you guys are missing the point. Calling your M&P15 or AR556 an "AR-15" is the same as calling everything you blow your nose with a "Kleenex". Everybody will know what you are talking about but technically it's wrong. The term "modern sporting rifle" attempts to encapsulate all of the AR15 variants out there without stealing Colt's trademarked name. Would you feel better if we decided instead to call them "semi-auto only assault rifles"?

 

[AlexanderA]

There are many brand names that have become generic in common usage -- Kleenex, Xerox, and Coke come to mind. Using "AR-15" in a generic sense is exactly the same. This is not an issue unless Colt sues for trademark infringement. Anyway, "AR-15" is simple and is commonly understood, much more so than the contrived term "MSR."

 

[bearcreek]

I think you guys are missing the point. Calling your M&P15 or AR556 an "AR-15" is the same as calling everything you blow your nose with a "Kleenex". Everybody will know what you are talking about but technically it's wrong. The term "modern sporting rifle" attempts to encapsulate all of the AR15 variants out there without stealing Colt's trademarked name. Would you feel better if we decided instead to call them "semi-auto only assault rifles"?

If we here in this discussion could somehow choose how everyone refers to them, I would prefer they be called something that clarifies their primary purpose as it relates to the 2A. Maybe semi auto fighting rifle. That's a totally moot point though, obviously. We here don't get to choose. BTW, there's a significant difference between your Kleenex example and the AR. No manufacturer of "nose tissues" or whatever we want to call them, other than Kleenex, calls their product Kleenex. It's trademarked or copyrighted. AR15 is not, making the term fair game for anyone who makes parts or weapons that fit the profile, as it were.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I love how some get caught up in the wording. Call it an assault rifle, get crucified. Call it a sporting rifle, get crucified.

I used the term most in vogue today. Also, anti-tyrannical government rifle just doesn't roll off the tongue.

If there was a better term that just rolls off the tongue, let me know. But so far I'm unimpressed with terms you all feel are better than MSR. Also, these observations really aren't on topic with the thread are they?

 

[bearcreek]

I love how some get caught up in the wording. Call it an assault rifle, get crucified. Call it a sporting rifle, get crucified.

The problem that I have with it is the reason that the term is being used. The term "assault rifle" is primarily used by those who want to paint those weapons in a negative light. The term "MSR" was invented in an attempt to justify ownership of those weapons based on their usefulness for sporting purposes. I have no "sporting use" for my AR's. The majority of AR15 owners do not use their weapons for sporting purposes. The 2A has nothing to do with sporting purposes. Why does it make any sense to call it a "sporting rifle" when that's not what most of them are for? My brother who is in the Marine Corps was in a competition recently in which he used an M4. Should we call that a "sporting rifle" too?

 

[bearcreek]

If there was a better term that just rolls off the tongue, let me know. But so far I'm unimpressed with terms you all feel are better than MSR.

AR15 rolls off the tongue pretty good I think.

 

[bassjam]

If we here in this discussion could somehow choose how everyone refers to them, I would prefer they be called something that clarifies their primary purpose as it relates to the 2A. Maybe semi auto fighting rifle. That's a totally moot point though, obviously. We here don't get to choose. BTW, there's a significant difference between your Kleenex example and the AR. No manufacturer of "nose tissues" or whatever we want to call them, other than Kleenex, calls their product Kleenex. It's trademarked or copyrighted. AR15 is not, making the term fair game for anyone who makes parts or weapons that fit the profile, as it were.

"AR-15" IS trademarked. By Colt. They own the legal rights to use that term and nobody else does.

https://trademarks.justia.com/722/53/ar-72253092.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_AR-15

"After Colt's patents expired in 1977,other manufacturers began to copy the Colt AR-15 rifle's design. However, the term "AR-15" is a Colt registered trademark and Colt only uses the term to refer to its line of semi-automatic rifles.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, until the advent of the FDE fashion statements, I simply called 'em "Black Rifles." Even the rifles that were done up in varying forms of camo depending on the location of the deployment started off black ...

So this thread about companies that still support/sell ARs has devolved into bickering about what we should call ARs? What's wrong with just "AR" anyway? Stands for American Rifles. And no, Ruger can't own that term.

That should be good enough. And I don't mind "MSR" either; it's not that we've caved to the evil forces of political correctness, we're just looking for a good name. Sheesh, how can we overcome the anti-gun crowd if we cannot agree on what to call arguably the most popular rifle sold these days?

 

[Robert]

Are we going to split hairs about terminology or are we going to talk about supporting companies that support us? We have drifted pretty far from the original premise of this thread.

 

[Old Dog]

Well, I can say that my local Sportman's Warehouse hasn't taken any black rifles off its shelves; in fact, seems as there are now more than ever, and the counter guys (and gal) are perfectly willing to allow the tire-kickers to handle 'em and talk about 'em ... While this chain might not have the best prices, the selection ain't bad, and I've definitely let management know I appreciate their continuing efforts to retail quality firearms.

 

[bearcreek]

Are we going to split hairs about terminology or are we going to talk about supporting companies that support us? We have drifted pretty far from the original premise of this thread.

Alright, I'll quit.

I wish there were more brick and mortar companies that sold "black rifles" and quality gear to go with them. There is one store near me that sells AR style rifles and they don't have anything but the rifles themselves and a few grossly overpriced magazines. There's one other place that sells some surplus and a bit of Asian garbage gear. Other than that there's nothing around here. It's all online ordering. If we're talking online stores that aren't also manufacturers, then Primary Arms, Midway, Brownells, and occasionally Palmetto Armory are my go to places.

 

[gulogulo1970]

I just think I would do our side good to write a company's CEO or some such. And say I spend "X Dollars" per year on guns in your store and really appreciate your support for the Second Amendment. Same goes for Wells Fargo, crooked as that bank is, they are on our side when loaning to gun companies. Couldn't hurt, I think it could only help, worst it could do is nothing.

 

[CoalTrain49]

Pulling a product like an AR is a decision by the company to promote a *better* image with shoppers. They obviously feel they don't need those AR shoppers. I don't communicate with those companies because I don't feel they care enough about that segment of their sales to really be worried about it in the first place.

As long as you can purchase an AR from any one of a dozen companies online or just go to a gun store in your area to purchase who cares. I certainly don't. I don't buy much of anything from the big box stores like Cabelas anyway. Mostly you're paying their overhead on everything you buy and it looks to me like it has to be substantial. A lot of that junk is made in China anyway.

Why not support a local business and get to know the owner?

 

[bassjam]

So I said I wouldn't write a "positive" note to a company that still supports AR sales, but I guess I lied. Academy sent me a feedback survey from my last order, and I let them know in the comments why they're going to see more business from me.