Don't care about AR's?

[Cryogaijin]

For me it was my rugar 10-22. Ran nicely, and was decently fun with large magazines, but man was it inaccurate. The gun I grew up with, a cheap Armscor m20p ran circles around the 10-22 in terms of accuracy and fun. Except it was impossible to find magazines for.

Then the internet came around. . .

I am considering getting a custom accurized 10-22 made from Clark's Custom Guns, in hopes that it is at least as accurate as my m20p, but then why don't I just shoot my m20p?

 

[YZ]

The fact that it is even debatable is joy to me. No matter where you stand on this, we have the freedom to decide for ourselves. (Which admittedly may include moving to another state) Not so in much of the civilized world. May the debate continue.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

So yesterday, I traded my Sig Sauer P556 and a S&W 642 in to my semi-local gun shop. Great folks to deal with in there.

This was the end result. A S&W 686+ 3" bbl .357, and a Ruger SP101 in .22lr. The shop owner had 300 rounds of CCI Minni Mags to sell me too at a reasonable price. Good guy. No more AR's, AK's, SKSs, Minni 14's or anything. The next time, it's a bolt action, a falling block, or a lever action.

The entire deal cost me $68.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Hell I will have an AR if only for the reason there are people out there that think they can tell me I can't.

 

[lobo9er]

yeah I sold mine the 1st time obama took office for a nice profit on gunbroker. Do I miss it? A little, but I enjoy my 22 mag bolt gun more. The 5.56 is kinda a useless round, for me anyhow. Not proper for deer and a "shotgun" (shotgun should be read in bidens voice) is a better in the HD role IMHO. I have not served and can not speak for those in the military but if I was in a bad place surrounded by bad guys I'm not sure 5.56 would be my first choice if I could choose of course.

That said it was a riot to shoot though so.... I'm not sure where I stand I guess.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I like an AR I just don't want to feed it. My next rifle will be a used lever in 30/30.

 

[mattm0691]

Have any of you gotten all into picking up an AR, or any semiauto rifle caliber firearm for that matter, get the gun all done up the way you want, and then realize you really just don't care about it?

I picked up a Sig Sauer P556 pistol two weeks before Sandy Hook. It shoots great, it is badass looking, it is pretty fun, and all I can think about is trading it on a revolver I would like to have.

I feel un-american. I should love a semiauto 5.56.... and what puts a grin on my face is plugging paper and steel at 15 yards with revolvers. I've shot it 3 times now and I just can't seem to get into it. I had an AR with a 24 inch bull bbl once too. Sold it. I thought the P556 would be more my thing. I also don't know how I am going to afford shooting it. I actually have a lot of .223 ammo to shoot, as I've been buying it for quite awhile. But I burn through the ammo so quickly, I don't know if my wallet can support this gun's appetite.

Anyone realize semiauto rifles or handguns chambered in rifle rounds just isn't for you? Did you save your stuff, in case, or did you ditch it all?

That happened to me, I spent a couple weeks building a really nice AR with a 20 inch barrel... Decided it did nothing for me, so I sold it to a mall ninja from the range I go to for a 250 dollar profit over the cost of the parts that I put into it

 

[chicharrones]

Video games and Hollywood

Just a sign of the times. Minus the video games, Hollywood was a huge influence on the sales of lever guns and single action revolvers back in the '50s and '60s, I'd bet.

 

[RDCL]

Count me as another that never has had an interest in owning AR's.........or even AK's for that matter. That being said, I'm certainly NOT a "fudd" whom looks down upon them. They are terrific for those that like (& love) them. They're just not my thing. I'm more into WW2 type semi auto rifles.

Now, the Stoner 63 is another story all together! I'd love to be able to own one of those. I do not even think they've EVER been available to the public. (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) Strictly military and I think the Navy SEALS still use them.......and of course being select fire means NFA. The Stoner is a true "assault rifle". It can take a 150 rd drum........or.....can be set up for belt feed. While I have NO practical use for a Stoner......I still wish I could have one.
While it slightly resembles an AR......it is a much better looking weapon IMHO.


......and oh, I almost forgot. Mack Bolans' weapon of choice! Yes. Guess I've read too many Mack Bolan novels...

 

[RBid]

Just a sign of the times. Minus the video games, Hollywood was a huge influence on the sales of lever guns and single action revolvers back in the '50s and '60s, I'd bet.

Back then? Those old shows are why a 36 year old like me, who typically favors modern service weapons, has a huge love for lever guns!

 

[Dnaltrop]

My Brother in law doesn't get to spend much on guns, but he did pick up a Colt AR this year.

It was accurate... soft on the shoulder, functional but just didn't "do it" for me.

Hate quoting movies, but...

" I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn't know how to use it."

 

[goon]

RDCL - I think Robinson Armament was doing something with the Stoner 63 design a few years back, but I'm not sure how far they went with it.

As for me, I like the flexibility of the AR design. If you don't like the rifle, you can sell the upper and do something else with it. If all else fails, get a dedicated .22LR upper and you'll have a neat plinker. Who can't use another one of those?

It doesn't have the soul of something like a 99 Savage, but not much does.

 

[YZ]

Mine has a soul. She gets sad when we don't go out for a while. Seriously, I think that's why the aftermarket industry thrives. You get your AR a new comp, an Aimpoint, a forend barnacle or two, magpul this and Troy that. And bam! She's alive. Like no other. Seen those AR resumes, itemizing all mods? Like a proud parent bumper sticker?

 

[huntsman]

Just a sign of the times. Minus the video games, Hollywood was a huge influence on the sales of lever guns and single action revolvers back in the '50s and '60s, I'd bet.

Agreed, I've read where the cowboy craze inspired Bill Ruger to offer the Single-Six

 

[YZ]

Don't forget the good old patriotism. The US military is more popular and admired than ever since the 50's perhaps. Emulating it comes naturally.

 

[goon]

Mine has a soul. She gets sad when we don't go out for a while. Seriously, I think that's why the aftermarket industry thrives. You get your AR a new comp, an Aimpoint, a forend barnacle or two, magpul this and Troy that. And bam! She's alive. Like no other. Seen those AR resumes, itemizing all mods? Like a proud parent bumper sticker?

I think the AR is great for "gear guys." One of my friends built a lot of his AR and he is supremely proud of the components he chose for it. I asked him what he'd buy today if he were in the market for an AR and he said he wouldn't buy anything factory built. He enjoyed the process of choosing his own parts and making it work. In a way, I can see how that involvement in building your own rifle could make it special to you.
But some of us also don't want to be troubled with seeking out a nickle-plated, hand-spun, triple-peened Chatwitz BCG. (This is a fictional part that I just thought up to make a point. Please, no one panic).
Some of us just want a quality rifle that will freakin' work.
With the AR, you have the full range of possibilities ranging from building your own rifle to just buying a Colt or Noveske and calling it good.

But... the fine lines on my grandfather's 1923 Model 99 Savage, the excellent fit of parts, the balance, and the way that rifle did its job for 70 years before being relegated to the status of heirloom - that's a different type of feeling than I get from an AR.

I do have a couple AR's on my wishlist. I'll probably start with lowers and buying stuff on sale from PSA when I find new employment. I respect them... but they're not the same. Maybe that's part of why they don't speak to some people.

 

[mj246]

For me, it is any centerfire semi-auto rifle. I don't mind a 22, it can be fun blasting away with cheap near-recoiless ammo. However, I tried a mini14 - hated it. Tried an m1 carbine - too short LOP and weak ammo. Bought an SKS, and while it is everything I wanted and fits me quite well, it still just leaves me a little bored when I shoot it. It is now my "Emergency" gun due to ammo availability/price (once stock fully recovers), rate of fire, and decent accuracy with iron sights.

However, for fun and just range work, give me a good Bolt action or single-shot any day. I enjoy having to manipulate the action with each shot.

 

[chicharrones]

Back then? Those old shows are why a 36 year old like me, who typically favors modern service weapons, has a huge love for lever guns!

Good point.

I got my first lever gun in the '90s due in no small part to watching plenty of reruns of western movies.

 

[lobo9er]

RDCL
Robinson Arms made this Robinson M96 had another name too. It was a semi auto they are bouncing around still if you look.

 

[Ragsdale0509]

What do you mean by "AR"? There is so many configurations and manufacturers that it's pretty silly to poo-poo the AR because you didn't like one configuration or one manufacturer.

 

[I6turbo]

I could absolutely care less about AR15s. They do nothing for me.

In that case, the statement would be "I absolutely could NOT care less about AR15s" If you could care less than you currently do, you're not at the bottom of the barrel yet.

Kidding aside, I think guns are the epitome of the old adage, "Different strokes for different folks." AK and AR and plastic semi-auto pistol manufacturers would be out of business if they depended on me for sales, but some of my family and best friends love them. These same people don't understand my love for bolt action steel and walnut guns, older Smith and Colt revolvers, and the like. It's all good, though, and the last thing we need is any serious infighting among fellow gun nuts.

 

[I6turbo]

However, for fun and just range work, give me a good Bolt action or single-shot any day. I enjoy having to manipulate the action with each shot.

Same here. Cycling the action on a great bolt gun is half the fun -- kind of like a manual-transmission performance car vs. an automatic.

 

[brainwake]

When I first "got into guns"..lets just say...as a mature adult. (and no the Army doesn't count). I was all into the tactical stuff too. It's cool...looks cool...it's easy to relate too. But as I matured in knowledge and experience. I started to realize just how little actual tactical shooting I get to do. So as I mature into a hunter/shooter/reloader, I gain appreciation in the classics and guns that are more purpose built. I dare not say it's a maturity thing, I don't want to insult anyone. But it was for me.

 

[fpgt72]

For me I buy the guns that I want at the time. Back in the early 90's I bought my AR...and still have it in box stock condition....Had all the original cardboard boxes for them, but a basement flood killed all of them. I don't know how long it has been that I have shot it. I know my son shot it at a high power match about a year ago....that was the last time it was shot....to tell the truth I can't remember if I even cleaned it after the match. I just do not care at all for that rifle....but I would never sell it.

Peoples taste change, and one day....perhaps the way things are going for me that soon all I may be able to shoot is that hot rod .22. But again that does not mean I will sell the other guns.

 

[230RN]

Same here. Cycling the action on a great bolt gun is half the fun -- kind of like a manual-transmission performance car vs. an automatic.

And you can pick out the shells just as they peek out of the ejection port and place them carefully in the box without rooting around on the ground looking for them and wishing you had a brass magnet and only recovering 75% of them.