EBR madness about over?
- Thread starter jnyork
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Mooseman
Member
Kamagong, I feel your pain. I've had a complete lower languishing in my safe for months now. I just can't bear buying an upper for more than I would have paid for a complete rifle last year.
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I am sorry, I fail to understand the love affair/fascination with the EBR's. I have many rifles, handguns and enough ammo for the rest of my life. (Had an AK I got free from my SIL, and sold it shortly after getting it). Other than being butt ugly and having more magazine capacity, what is the advantage over my more traditional firearms? Thanks, maybe I can be convinced to buy one, (doubt it), but I am always on the lookout for the "next one".
Yosemite Sam
Member
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I'm mostly clueless about ARs and AKs about what to look for and what their parts are. But I'm interested in buying one this year. Where can I learn the basic stuff so I don't make a bad buying decision?
Very new to rifles...
Very new to rifles...
dkk73
Member
Persuasion over Force wrote:
Well, I will say that there are some dealers who certainly didn't hesitate to gouge. The last few months have separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of dealers who still provide good customer service and who still offer products at fair prices on fair terms (given supply conditions).
Please no lectures on microeconomics. We are not exactly talking about the price of gas here. We are talking about small 1-50 person businesses who have spent years trying to differentiate themselves in the market in terms of parts sourcing quality, communication, honesty, basic assembly, and who position themselves as "supporters of the community" or "supporters of the cause". When some of them try to make a quick buck off panic buying, they show their colors.
Above is my 2 cents, anyhow.
You're right, though, the fundamentals haven't changed. Just a lot of acute fear superimposed. Thankfully that seems to be waning, and the rest of us can buy, build, and educate without paying as much of a fear premium.
Well, I will say that there are some dealers who certainly didn't hesitate to gouge. The last few months have separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of dealers who still provide good customer service and who still offer products at fair prices on fair terms (given supply conditions).
Please no lectures on microeconomics. We are not exactly talking about the price of gas here. We are talking about small 1-50 person businesses who have spent years trying to differentiate themselves in the market in terms of parts sourcing quality, communication, honesty, basic assembly, and who position themselves as "supporters of the community" or "supporters of the cause". When some of them try to make a quick buck off panic buying, they show their colors.
Above is my 2 cents, anyhow.
You're right, though, the fundamentals haven't changed. Just a lot of acute fear superimposed. Thankfully that seems to be waning, and the rest of us can buy, build, and educate without paying as much of a fear premium.
dkk73
Member
As to "love affair", there certainly is an irrational attraction to EBRs as kind of a go-fast wanna-be thing. Granted.
But, you will be hard pressed to find a more economical, flexible, supportable, accurate solution for most people.
EBRs really are an accessible way for many people to buy into serious longarm ownership and rifle building. I do not mean to say they are "superior" to other choices, just that parts availability for building an accurate and fun platform is hard to beat. They are recognizable.
So... for promoting and supporting mainstream high-powered rifle ownership, I think EBRs have cultural value in the gun rights movement even for people who wouldn't favor them personally. E.g. it is much harder to get someone interested if they have to buy into a vintage or esoteric platform (even one like the M14 type is plagued by parts cost and availability problems, then accurization, etc).
Surplus weapons have great appeal and value to many of us, but they may not always be the best way to get new people interested. (I'd much rather take an interested first-time non-shooter out to shoot my AR-15 than a Mosin-Nagant).
So, whether you like EBRs or not, they are, I would argue, where a lot of the "military pattern" weapon action is these days. Plus, the are the "canary in the coal mine" of gun control/confiscation.
Thus, I think it's a valid area of political concern for all of us.
But, you will be hard pressed to find a more economical, flexible, supportable, accurate solution for most people.
EBRs really are an accessible way for many people to buy into serious longarm ownership and rifle building. I do not mean to say they are "superior" to other choices, just that parts availability for building an accurate and fun platform is hard to beat. They are recognizable.
So... for promoting and supporting mainstream high-powered rifle ownership, I think EBRs have cultural value in the gun rights movement even for people who wouldn't favor them personally. E.g. it is much harder to get someone interested if they have to buy into a vintage or esoteric platform (even one like the M14 type is plagued by parts cost and availability problems, then accurization, etc).
Surplus weapons have great appeal and value to many of us, but they may not always be the best way to get new people interested. (I'd much rather take an interested first-time non-shooter out to shoot my AR-15 than a Mosin-Nagant).
So, whether you like EBRs or not, they are, I would argue, where a lot of the "military pattern" weapon action is these days. Plus, the are the "canary in the coal mine" of gun control/confiscation.
Thus, I think it's a valid area of political concern for all of us.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
Ergonomics, modularity, accessory mounting points, reliability (if you own an AK
), light recoil, and yes, aesthetics---personally, I think EBR's look better than straight-stocked guns.I suspect many lever-action advocates asked similar questions when military-derived bolt-actions became all the rage among civilian shooters after World War I, and bolt guns eventually became the dominant civilian rifles for a generation.
One of the larger shops in my area had 25 DPMS shorty flat tops on sale for $649.00 no sights this last weekend. One guy I talked with purchased two. I think things are starting slow some as it took over 4 months to get my RRA Preditor for yotes. A friend just purchased a DPMS shorty it has the front sight plus take off carrying handle and he paid $900.00 out the door. Tonight were're going to zero it and see how it shoots. It still seems to be a dry spell for reloading components primers being the hard find.
Turk
Turk
Thank you very much for you excellent and well reasoned explanation. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out on something that has power beyond what I already have.
I understand and applaud those who see this as a political/liberty thing. I am 100% for our personal liberties and hate that they are being taken from us almost daily.
22-rimfire
Member
Not to go off topic, but there is a fascination with EBR's in the general public. I say, different stokes for different folks. Let the good times roll.
I noticed a local dealer had 5 or 6 lowers about a week ago. I know that supply is catching up with demand now. It is as it should be.
I noticed a local dealer had 5 or 6 lowers about a week ago. I know that supply is catching up with demand now. It is as it should be.
clarence222
Member
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- 251
I would be interested in another AR but I already own 11 of them and just can't justify buying anymore.
The_Shootist
Member
Ok
so I guess the ammo crisis is about to ease too? Right?
so I guess the ammo crisis is about to ease too? Right?
DoubleTapDrew
Member
Aside from the search function on this fine site
try ARFcom. Set aside a few weeks of reading.Most people stick with a good name brand. Your ABCs (Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt), plus the newer guys like Rock River Arms (RRA), DPMS, Stag, and the higher end stuff like Noveske, LMT (Lewis Machine & Tool), Les Baer, Wilson Combat. Figure out what you want to use it for, then buy a rifle accordingly (like if you want to mount a scope you'll probably want a flat-top without a front sight post, if you'll use it for home defense you probably don't want a bull-barrel varmint model, etc). As long as it's Mil-Spec dimensions, and the vast majority are, all the components are interchangable so you aren't stuck with what ya got if needs/wants change
The lower receiver is the only serial numbered part and considered the "firearm". Everything else can be bought and shipped to your door. The AR-15 is the Lego of guns.runrabbitrun
member
Now see, that's the main thing that makes me want to get one.
That, and I always wanted one since having an M16 in the service.
I'll get one if and when the prices come back to
a more reasonable level.
The AR-15 is the Lego of guns. I like that statement.
RX-178
Member
Define 'madness'.
They aren't flying off the shelves out of fear, but our current pop culture (military themed games, movies, TV shows, etc.), as well as the new supply of veterans...
EBRs are going to be the most popular semi-auto rifles for years and years to come.
They aren't flying off the shelves out of fear, but our current pop culture (military themed games, movies, TV shows, etc.), as well as the new supply of veterans...
EBRs are going to be the most popular semi-auto rifles for years and years to come.
jeff-10
Member
Around here the AR buying spree has been over for since March or so. Its been ammo madness since then but I think thats peaked also. The trick is to be in on the ground floor on the next panic buying item. Hard to say what it'll be though. It usually involves a slip up by a politician or an some kind of email circulating that is meant to to scare gun owners.
Dang, I have 7 thought I had plenty, guess I better start looking for more....
I still get that crazed look in my eve when I go into a new gun store and see a bunch of AR's lined up on the shelf. So no the madness still rages on for some of us, but mostly over the price.
DHJenkins
Member
I'm just waiting for prices to drop some more - there's no such thing as "too many" to me.
Well, ok, there is - but it's a number I'll probably never get to.
Well, ok, there is - but it's a number I'll probably never get to.
Maybe some light at the end of a tunnel, and then again possibly not. But perhaps those looking for an AR-15 style rifle should check it out.
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