I have come to the conclusion that I am just not an AR guy.....

[dispatch55126]

I shot enough of them in the militay. They do have the WOW factor, but its cheaper to burn ammo through a 91/30 or SKS. I keep tossing around the idea of trading one gun for this or that but then I realize why I bought them in the first place. The only rifle I ever traded away was my Mini 30 and at times I wish I hadn't done that. Oh well.

 

[rantingredneck]

I've already got a deal pending on another board with the Keltec. I'm trading it to a fellow for an LNIB 870 factory folder model plus a LNIB Keltec P3AT and a bunch of ammo. I won't be selling it outright and getting mucho cash at the moment, but the deal I've worked out gets me back about what I've got in the keltec at least and a gun or two that I'll be happy with. (I like pocket guns BTW, but have been an NAA guy to this point, the P3AT we'll see about I guess)

I have considered a Garand (have never actually fired one, but would very much like to). I am leaning toward an M1A scout at some point though. I like how they feel and how the one I put a few rounds through (borrowed at the range from a fellow member) shot.

I won't be doing either at the moment though. Gotta pay off the hospital bill from my back surgery first. After that though, an M1A may be on the top of the to purchase list.

 

[Kingcreek]

Many years ago, I shot High Power with an M1A SuperMatch. The world was changing and almost everybody was going to the black AR. I bought one set up for match, shot 1 match and hated it. It sat in the safe for years and still does, maybe 200 rounds total in 20 years.
I recently decided to try the AR platform once again but only if I could get one to handle like a good shotgun, quick and light. I went with an "entry tacticle" with the light 16" barrel and Eotech holographic sight and I have to say it is pretty slick.
My primary home front battle weapon will still be a 12g 870 but with a little more practice, my AR will be another option.

 

[Zundfolge]

I keep buying the darn things, then selling them or trading them off.

Its not really the AR platform that I seem to quickly lose interest in, its the caliber ... I think if I ever end up with an AR10 I'll never sell it.

 

[jpwilly]

I enjoy my AR's for much the same reasons I enjoyed my 22lr when I was a kid. I can hit what I look at, at will, until the magazine is empty. I have two rigs a "Varmint/Target" and M4...both DPMS. AR's are a pure joy to shoot they don't - beat you up either. You won't take one on a trophy elk hunt but for plinking, matches, small game, and survival I wouldn't be without one!

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

Consider yourself fortunate. I like AR15s, bolt action rifles, lever actions, and slide action shotguns. I even want an AR-10. It's expensive to have that many platforms.

There isn't a thing wrong with sticking with long-proven shotguns and using the long-proven lever action carbines for your home defense needs.

 

[Blade37db]

I feel the same way. I want to like them, I really do. I've shot a few and it just doesn't work for me.
At the moment (always subject to change), I've settled on the M1 Carbine as my "platform of choice". I've loved their look since I was a kid and now that I own one and have had a chance to shoot it, I find it perfect for me. I don't think I'll ever have the need to take someone/something down beyond 100-150 yards (won't be able to see that far soon anyway). I have my S&W .357 for home defense and a Glock 19 to represent semi-autos in my collection.

 

[mustanger98]

AR's... I dont' like 'em and I don't even want to like 'em. I don't like AK's much better. I could do with an SKS, but my M1 Garand holds the top among my choices of semi-autos. I really like my Mini-14 though because although it's a .223, it's also a Garand type action.

 

[Samuraigg]

Same here. Tried getting into AR land and I just wasn't feeling it.

I find I enjoy shooting my Garand and SKS far more.

And I have my Saiga for when I want to venture towards AK land.

 

[KBintheSLC]

If I get an AR, it will be a 7.62X51. I guess I just have a thing for rifles that have real power at long ranges. 5.56 is a great round for sub-200 meter ranges. Here in the Rocky's, that doesn't feel suitable to me.
I do agree that for "urban sweeping" in close quarters combat, the 870 is the best choice hands down. I have one with a short barrel and 6 round tube. I put a laser and a xenon light on there too. It will make a mess of things quicker than any other gun I own. I use #4 buckshot to minimize over-penetration.
As for my AR craving, the DPMS LR-308 is calling my name.

 

[jpwilly]

If the DPMS LR is calling your name The Gun Source has them on sale for $906 this week!

 

[KBintheSLC]

If the DPMS LR is calling your name The Gun Source has them on sale for $906 this week!

You are a bad man... tempting me in such ways.

 

[Owen]

The true beauty of the AR platform doesn't really become apparent until you start shooting against a clock. everything is faster. First shot, shot to shot, mag changes, a safety mere human beings can reach...

 

[SoCalShooter]

I am kinda on the same page. I have two. They are great rifles but honestly I prefer my Garand or a HK 91 or a FAL. Not just because they are 308 I just prefer them and I tend to shoot better with them.I can shoot the 10 ring out with my friends HK91 at 100 yards but I cant with my AR, its very frustrating.

 

[Andrewsky]

Me too!

Everytime I've held an AR15 I've been disappointed. I got to fire a real Colt M4a1 (on full auto no less ), and that was pretty fun. But still I just don't like the ergonomics and feel of it.

I have a build for an M16A4 clone all planned out, but I've abandoned it after holding a 20" Bushmaster flattop and an M1A Loaded back to back.

My next rifle is going to be an M1A Standard with Walnut.

I just love the M1A. Nostalgic, reliable, powerful, beautiful, solid feel (no handguards that shift back and forth), ummmmm yeah.

I'd be more open to an AR if they were available in full auto. But they aren't.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

Wel, I could never make up my mind. So I wound up with a 590 mossy, 2 AKs, an SKS and a Bushy shorty carbine.

As much as love AKs, they just don't feel right. For me the AR platform felt right.

I think you are far better off with the weapon that fits your body and your mind.

It's a very zen thing.

Joe

 

[cbsbyte]

Double post

 

[GunTech]

I have a couple of ARs in the safe and love them. They're like legos. One is so old when I first got it, it had triagular handguards. It's had sveral barrels, a couple of upper, etc. It's been a precision varminter that would shoot 1/4 MOA, an integrally suppressed generic blaster, and is not a fully loaded M-Forgery. How many guns can you do that with?

But right now (or the last 5 years) I am in my M1A phase. I've built several, in different formats. My current 'great pumpkin' is my deer rifle this year. They have soul (if not accuracy).

I plan on building an AR-10 though, because the AR platform is so easy to make shoot well. Even a guy with two left hands can build a tack driver AR in his garage with the right componants.

 

[cbsbyte]

Personally I have no need for assault type rifles. I never liked the look of them, especially the AR. I have shot them but never enjoyed shooting them as I do with my military surplus bolt actions. The puny .223 round is a joke compared to the sweet shooting 6.5 Swede or 7.5 Swiss. For me AR15s have no soul like my bolt action military rifles. AR15s feel like junk in comparison. Though the FAL, AKs, and M1A1 among others are more substantiation weapons than an AR15, I just don't like shooting them, either because they are too inaccurate or ungainly. There are only a few semi-auto rifles I would buy the top of the list would be a M1 Garand. For home defense a handgun is fine for me.