Why an AR over a good bolt gun?

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Joe Demko nailed it. I was gonna say because if you want to "play army" you don't want to do it with a hundred year old grampa rifle.

Not just with guns but with cars and lots of other stuff - people don't buy what they need. They buy what the person they would like to be needs.
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How offensive to assert that the thousands of three gun shooters and varmint hunters who choose AR-15s are somehow trying to overcome perceived shortcomings, that you are projecting onto them.

How fortunate we are to live in America where those with small minds don't get to decide what the rest of us get to own.

I don't feel the need to run down black powder shooters. I own more bolt actions than anything. I have use for an AR. I don't have a use for a 3000 dollar trap gun. Should I make disparaging comments about guys who shoot clays every weekend?

Gun owners, our own worst enemies.
 
How offensive to assert that the thousands of three gun shooters and varmint hunters who choose AR-15s are somehow trying to overcome perceived shortcomings, that you are projecting onto them.
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Wow, I must have some really, really serious shortcomings; I own two of the beggars at present and have owned others in the past.
 
get a browning BLR.. Lightweight, accurate, detachable box magazine for quick reloads. It's a pretty sturdy platform, too. I've shot it quite a bit and it's still as tight as ever.

I have a 2.5x scope on mine.
 
Wow, I must have some really, really serious shortcomings; I own two of the beggars at present and have owned others in the past.
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Kindly notice that I wasn't quoting you.
 
I certainly DISAGREE with the statement that the AR is the best selling rifle in the US simply because people want to 'play army'.
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Well, we're all entitled to our opinions. I agreed [sorry, AGREE ;)] with the statement, to some extent anyway.

There are lots of ninja commandos out there, wanting to look cool and imagining that buying/possessing a 'black rifle' magically gives them all the skills of a trained and experienced soldier. That rationale probably fits few people on this forum ... but that is not the subject under discussion.

Not just with guns but with cars and lots of other stuff - people don't buy what they need. They buy what the person they would like to be needs.
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This statement is not offensive: it's simply Marketing 101.
 
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I don't feel the need to run down black powder shooters.
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They generally have the balls to admit that they enjoy playing mountain man.

Should I make disparaging comments about guys who shoot clays every weekend?
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They'd just laugh at you anyway and perhaps offer a friendly bet. People who make fun of clay shooters generally can't hit squat.

And yes, 3-gun IS "playing army." What the hell is wrong with THAT?:rolleyes:

The ARMY plays army, when they're not at war.

Finally, I doubt that varmint hunters need you to come to their rescue...
 
Our old bolt guns at work grouped larger consistantly than any AR Ive ever fired at 100 yds, both using .223. The newer rifles group a bit better than the old ones.
Im sure with spending more money on the bolt gun it will shoot better than an AR. Take my target rifle for example, I payed half price for it, groups the size of a dime with 4 rds consistanly if you take your time. That rifle cost more than an AR full price.
 
Finally, I doubt that varmint hunters need you to come to their rescue...
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:rolleyes:

No I would wager not.

coyote_mange.jpg

I shot that one in particular because it was suffering. If it makes any of you feel any better I shot that one with a bolt rifle chambered for a cartridge that is nearly 75 years old.



Some guys don't seem the get the point I was making, but that really isn't relevant to the original poster's question. No sense in wrestling with a pig any longer I suppose.
 
flyboy1788


I cant believe any self-respecting gun enthusiast doesnt have a bolt-gun.
Maybe we should get all of the THR members to donate one dollar and get him a bolt gun or an AR so he can finally experience true joy.
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I appreciate your offer, but true joy is a few M14 variants built by Smith Enterprise, Inc.

I sold off my last AR a few months ago and have no interest in a bolt gun.
However, my interest in lever guns is growing and my 1895G project is moving forward :evil:
 
Wow, take a couple days off of the forum, and watch the thread grow!
I'm happy to see people discussing this topic, in mostly respectful posts.

Armed Bear, Sorry for the late reply. At the conclusion of post #56, you wrote you posed the question 'what is your point?'. A fair question, it shows that I did not communicate well enough. I'm sorry for that.

I think it all comes down to opinions:
what is fun?
what is our citizen responsibity?
what is cost-effective for us?
what do I want to do with it?
... and many others.

I offered a couple of examples that I am aware of, or participate in.

The jeep I referenced is not practical for transportation. Its great at providing entertainment. But it's a trailer queen, and just barely 'street legal'. I have no dilustions otherwise. I would no sooner take a cadillac in the forested mountain trails of the PNW, than I would try use my jeep to commute to work, it's quite 'single purpose'. You're right, one CAN fish from a bank, beach, tube, rowboat or 35" cruiser. Take your pick. I accpet that in your opinion, real men don't need a boat. I notice by your title, you are in ID. Wonderful place, I hope to move there someday (really, I do), but I also know honorable, Godly men that like to fish for saltwater bottom fish. That's their opinion. You need to be on a boat to do that.

Some here have listed they love to shoot competetivly. Well, depending on the type of shoots they do, perhaps the AR platform is best. Perhaps not. Maybe a shotgun is the best choice.

I guess I could sum up my point that we all have opinions. Everyone's is different. No one person's is better or worse than anothers'. I try hard (sometimes I fail) to remember that idea, in all walks of life.

Now, we take those different opinions, and add in the economics laws as a mulitiplier, and you get what we have now. Lots of new buyers running out and buying ARs, and the support supplies, and current owners adding to their inventory.

So, why an AR over a good bolt gun? Because the buying public out there have an opinion the AR platform is better for what they want to do. Maybe they just want to have one to look at, or so they preserve the option to shoot it for the future, or ??????
 
I sold off my last AR a few months ago and have no interest in a bolt gun. However, my interest in lever guns is growing
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There's hope for you yet! :) Try a Sako Finnwolf or Winchester 88, and you will have all the advantages of a bolt-action in a lever-action package.

I cant believe any self-respecting gun enthusiast doesn't have a bolt-gun.
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For "bolt-gun", one could credibly insert "K-22", "Colt Peacemaker", ".22 rifle", "side-by-side 12 gauge", "Thompson 1928", ".50-70 Sharps", "flintlock Kentucy rifle", "Mauser C96" ... and the list goes on. Apparently the true firearms enthusiast needs a big budget, a huge safe, and a tolerant spouse!
 
they both have a purpose a bolt can simply be chambered in a bigger cartridge for a cheaper price, but a semi-auto is crazy fun to shoot and on the off chance that you happen to miss you have a quick second shot ;)

I'l use mine, if the pagan hordes come thundering up my mountain.
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you will have no time to grab it :p they already have a song for their inevitable victory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyvPe0uqjjY
 
There are two boards for handguns, one for auto and one for revolvers. Why can't the same happen for rifles? Clearly the people in each rifle category have little in common. I'd have no use for the semi auto forum and the AR people would have no use for the.... let's call it manual action rifle board. Brilliant!
 
...manual action rifle board...
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My semi automatic MK14 SEI Mod 0 becomes a box fed bolt action rifle whenever I fire sub sonic ammo through my sound suppressor :evil:
 
My semi automatic MK14 SEI Mod 0 becomes a box fed bolt action rifle whenever I fire sub sonic ammo through my sound suppressor
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I can turn the gas wide open on my FAL and make it bolt action, do I get to go in both forums?

The fact that we're seeing this internal fighting is why we get screwed when bans come up.

Remember Zumbo?

We are all on the same side don't forget.

Saying stuff like "if you buy an AR you're just playing army" is a Zumbo.
 
The Zumbo controversy was much ado about nothing.

Everyone should feel free to voice their opinions without having to worry about the 'party line'. Groupthink is dangerous, and the first amendment is no less important than the second
 
Groupthink is dangerous, and the first amendment is no less important than the second
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The Zumbo thing has absolutely nothing to do with the First Amendment. The 1st protect speech from interference by the government.

Gun owners, outraged by his statements, made their opinions known and he was crushed for saying it.

That is not a First Amendment case in any fashion.

You may feel that Zumbo was wronged, but that has nothing to do with the First Amendment.
 
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