Somebody convince me to like black rifles

[RPRNY]

I started reading this post as a skeptic and two things happened by the time I got to the end. First, this is the only time I have read a potentially contentious thread on a firearms forum where nobody got their knickers in a twist. There was good attitude and well reasoned argument throughout. Second, I learned a lot. I still don't want one, but I can say that I have a much better understanding of and perspective on the black rifle, aka MSR. I appreciate the time their advocates took to explain things and I get that it's not purely a tactikewl mall ninja immaturity thing and that there are well reasoned arguments behind the primacy of the AR platform. Good read, thanks.

 

[tarosean]

do we really need this same thread over and over? there's a search function that serves a purpose, especially for new members. no offense, OP, but why do we need to convince you to like a rifle that you clearly are adverse to? use the search function and read the opinions of others. no point in cluttering up the rifle section with another "new to black rifles" thread every three days.

Like it or not there is a new AR thread once or twice a day... thus making it quite difficult to attempt to find something specific without lots of weeding...

 

[35 Whelen]

As an almost 50 year old guy, I resisted for a long time even to the point of telling my High Power buddies "Never" when they told me I needed an AR. My main reason was that EVERYONE shoots them and I get tired of seeing them. Last October I found that with my dealer discount I could buy a Del-Ton kit for $390. A local gun shop was selling lowers for $100. Hmm...sounded like a $500 AR to me, so I built one.

Long story short, this month I fired my third High Power match with it and I love it. I spent most of today building a steel target that simulates the 200 yd. SR target. Firing my AR offhand with plinking handloads, it was easy to keep all the shots in the 8-ring with more than half of them going into the black.

All that said, I recognize the AR for what it is: perhaps the perfect platform for short-range defense and poking holes in paper out to 600 yds., and a fair to good choice for short to medium range deer hunting and varmint hunting. It is not nor will it ever be my "if I could only have one rifle" rifle.

I honestly believe some people have developed such an infatuation with the AR, that they forget that, except for High Power competition, it's a rifle generally capable of handling short to medium range cartridges.

This past Saturday I went to the local range near Emory University and while I'm there this kid comes up and shows me an immaculately tricked out AR-15 with laser sights, flashlights, etc. and it looked like he just bought it off the showroom rack. I couldn't but help think that he probably bought the thing after being inspired from some video game and that's fine to promote and push market sales; but for the newest generation it's more about image and flash.

My observations as well. Lots of AR owners can name every gimmick and gadget ever made for the platform and can likewise be giddy over the cheap ammo, but few have a clue how to use them or how well they shoot at anything further than a shotshell hull laying on the 25 yd. berm.

35W

 

[tarosean]

I never really cared for them either.

However, I started looking at A1 builds a while ago for that original look/configuration that would be at home in just about any collection. Then I started to think I wanted the option of mounting a nice scope. so that led me down a different path all together with flat tops.

All of this ended with me ordering from LaRue Tactical no where in the same ballpark as what I was originally thinking. ha

 

[35 Whelen]

do we really need this same thread over and over?

Yess we do. Otherwise, eventually ever firearms subject under the sun will have been covered and we'll all be limited to using the Search function. How much fun would that be?

35W

 

[proven]

Yess we do. Otherwise, eventually ever firearms subject under the sun will have been covered and we'll all be limited to using the Search function. How much fun would that be?

i guess i'll start a few "ar vs. ak" threads, just to keep things "fun".

 

[nathan]

The AR has been hyped to incredible limits both in TV, videogames and movies. Its all brainwashing the next generation the reasons why people buy it.

 

[Art Eatman]

I'm mostly a hunter, so my AR is more of a fun-toy than a serious rifle. The pistol grip and magazine keep it from being an easy-carry hunting rifle for a walking hunter, compared to a conventional bolt-gun.

Nothing wrong with an AR; just limited for utility in what I mostly do with a rifle.

 

[Sam1911]

Its all brainwashing the next generation the reasons why people buy it

Brainwashing with fact, reason, experience, and proof of concept. Novel idea!

 

[CraigC]

Yes we do. Otherwise, eventually ever firearms subject under the sun will have been covered and we'll all be limited to using the Search function. How much fun would that be?

Believe me, it's no fun at all. I'm a member on an automotive forum where the administrators are search Nazi's. If anything comes up that has been covered before, the thread is closed and the OP told to search.The forum is like an empty library. No camaraderie among the members. No open discussion. Nothing. While I firmly believe that everyone should utilize the search function, it should not be pressed to the point of making the forum a ghost town.

 

[proven]

craigc, i've belonged to forums that were run exactly as you mention, and i agree, they are a drag. i'm not advocating for this forum to be run in that manner. but the mods could once in a while politely urge new members to use the search function for such general questions as this. this isn't the first time someone has asked why so many like the ar platform, and i'm sure it won't be the last. it just feels like it gets beat to death around here. between that and "what ar should i buy for X$", it's gets old.

maybe it's just me. that's fine.

 

[Sam1911]

the mods could once in a while politely urge new members to use the search function for such general questions as this.

Believe me, we do. And we merge new threads with duplicate others that are fairly recent.

THR was started after another forum that many of the founding members were participants in decided to shut down and go archive-only as everything that needed to be discussed had been. Nothing new under the sun.

We try to strike a balance. Another "Which autoloader should I buy?" thread is obviously monstrously redundant, but it also doesn't really hurt anything. The threads that get mean/contentious/loud/stupid ("Why do AR's suck?," "Why are ARs the best?," "Glocks RULE!," ".45 vs. 9mm," etc) are usually let to go for a little while and then killed off at the first instance of the inevitable unpleasantness.

 

[proven]

appreciate the response, sam1911.

OP, my apologies for sidetracking your thread.

 

[Gtimothy]

Maybe he likes it because you don't have one! You have a lot of nice guns but maybe he just wanted one that you didn't own. I've let my kids shoot every gun I own and let them decide what they like and don't like. They all LOVE to shoot the ARs because they don't have a lot of recoil and look "Cool" (their words)...Different strokes!

 

[ethicalrelic]

subdude,

My first (and currently only) rifle is a "black rifle." I'm a little older than your son (31). For me, it was a project, something to tinker with, that has really been opening me up to the shooting world. My initial interest did spring from video game and movie iconography, but the lasting thing that has really fixated me on the platform is the ease and accessibility of working on it. Currently, I'm buying a part here or there every payday to put together a 6.8mm upper and to start on an AR-10. In my mind, there is a special kind of accomplishment that comes with taking a pile of metal parts in front you and assembling them into a functional, accurate, and incredibly fun to run weapon system.

Although I'm not military/LE, I believe there's legitimate fun to be had in watching Magpul dvds and practicing reloads, etc, then hitting the range to squander $50 in a minute and half with a system that you put together. Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to attending my first 3 gun match some time this summer- a chance to find some of my weaknesses, but also to run a course with a rifle I built. Not sure if your son is interested in competing or building his own AR, but I believe this kind of adaptability and personalization is pretty appealing to a lot of people, when it comes down to it. Maybe you and your son could get the parts and build one together? It's a project I would love to do with my own father at some point. Best of luck!

 

[happygeek]

Not an AR, but you can get a AK in either .223 or .308 with a conventional wood stock as well.

http://www.classicfirearms.co/russianveprrifles.htm

 

[ethicalrelic]

Sorry, double posted.

 

[Slamfire]

Avoid the Black Rifle, stay on the path of righteousness, these are the beacons of the one true way.

 

[Cherokee305]

Do this with your mini.

Group at 440 yrds, with my rock river predator pursuit.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I don't think there would be any convincing you.

Probably not.

There is no accounting for personal taste, OP, but just don't go off Jim Zumbo-style about it and there is no problem.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Before I could convince you to like the black plastic rifles, I would have to convince you start wearing your baseball cap backwards and to wear your pants low enough so your underwear was showing. In my opinion, you've got a great collection in there is no need to get a black plastic rifle.

 

[The War Wagon]

Here's the deal. My son is infatuated with black rifles. (he's 26) I don't get it. My safe is stocked with Garands, M1 Carbines, Mini 14s, Mosin Nagants, Ruger 77s and the like. Black plastic rifles just don't look like proper firearms to me.

You own firearms based on LOOKS?

You do know the Armalite Rifle & it's variants, have been the standard U.S. military rifle for 45+ years now, correct?

Other than your highly subjective... "looks"... test, what else about them... specifically... do you find problematic?

 

[Sam1911]

As subdude hasn't responded again since Feb. 8th, let's assume he's happy with his answers and call this one answered. I'm sure we'll have the chance to discuss it again tomorrow. Heck, we're probably already also disucssing this issue in three other threads anyway. ... we usually are.