Will the AR15 become an icon like the 1911 and M2 50 cal?
- Thread starter usmarine0352_2005
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Eightball
Member
Nah, it'll fade away into obscurity, along with the generation that used it.
Just like the 1903 and M1 Garand.
Just like the 1903 and M1 Garand.
Detritus
Member
Icon already,
Those 45+ years the M-16 has been in service mean that it has already been in the hands of American troops longer than any other stadardized long arm, with the exception of maybe the Brown Bess (if you include the french and Indian wars).
Those 45+ years the M-16 has been in service mean that it has already been in the hands of American troops longer than any other stadardized long arm, with the exception of maybe the Brown Bess (if you include the french and Indian wars).
AWorthyOpponent
Member
+1
The m16 style rifle has been around for along time. Whenever someone thinks about a modern military weapon, they think of the AR and AK style "assault weapon". If that doesnt pop into their mind, the .50 BMG sniper rifle will.
I know that there are many that know military weaponry fairly well and you have to admit, it is the first that comes to mind
I think it has already become an icon, maybe not in the same way as the 1911, but it certainly is a well respected firearm that, although you may not like, deserves that respect.
Mr. Bojangles
Member
Whatever may be adopted in the future, I think it will continue to represent this era, much like the Garand. I'm not comparing it to the Garand, so don't pee in my wheaties. It will likely also be around for a while, even if the U.S. military ceases to use it.
Madcap_Magician
Member
An aside on the Ma Deuce... some of our new ones started showing up with manual safeties on them. That was a colossal change that is really messing us up. We rather miss the days of using a cartridge case under the trigger as a safety.
LightningJoe
Member
When I first carried an M-16, the guns in our armory were already almost as old as we were. And that was almost 30 years ago.
If the M-16 weren't an icon, er, what would be?
If the M-16 weren't an icon, er, what would be?
Dravur
Member
hmmmm, Icon status.....
Used by the military for a long time....Check
Owned by a shload of civilians....Check
Eminently customizable....Check
Did I mention...Owned by a shload of civilians? Check
Instantly recognizable by most people....Check
used by police, military, sportsmen, aliens, zombies and every other group you can think of...Check
Yep, it already is an Icon.
Used by the military for a long time....Check
Owned by a shload of civilians....Check
Eminently customizable....Check
Did I mention...Owned by a shload of civilians? Check
Instantly recognizable by most people....Check
used by police, military, sportsmen, aliens, zombies and every other group you can think of...Check
Yep, it already is an Icon.
12131
Member
Jmho, but it already has reached it.
NWGunner
Member
M16/AR15 is clearly an Icon already.
The better question is: When the U.S. Military moves to it's next main battle rifle, what will become of all the M16A1's, A2's, M4's, etc? Will they be "converted" to semi-auto and re-sold through the CMP? I know LEO's and their depts. can already purchase M16A1's through a certain program (name escapes me now).
If the actual military weapons can, at some point, be used by or sold to civilians, the M16/AR15 platform will cast a long shadow over Grandfather Garand.
The better question is: When the U.S. Military moves to it's next main battle rifle, what will become of all the M16A1's, A2's, M4's, etc? Will they be "converted" to semi-auto and re-sold through the CMP? I know LEO's and their depts. can already purchase M16A1's through a certain program (name escapes me now).
If the actual military weapons can, at some point, be used by or sold to civilians, the M16/AR15 platform will cast a long shadow over Grandfather Garand.
texgunner
Member
That will depend on the politics of the day.
It's an icon, has been for some time.
I don't think the Armalite should be considered an icon based solely on the number of years it has been in service. That could simply be an indication of the intelligence of the political clowns that got it adopted and simply refuse to upgrade to a better weapon. (If you're not familiar with that story then read up on it) Our politicians and generals are far too concerned with multi billion dollar projects that will make huge sums of money for their friends and campaign contributors than whether or not our GIs have the best equipment available. Ask any Marine who has been lugging obsolete equipment from the last major war if he has the best equipment available. This has been going on for many years. Remember what Eisenhower said about the vast military industrial complex. He knew what he was talking about but no one was listening to him.
ScareyH22A
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The M14 was only used in the military as their primary rifle for about 10 years which ended in 1970. People still love them and use them, some even in the military for specific purposes. It's been almost 40 years since. I can't imagine the AR platform, which has been in service for several decades, to disappear anytime soon. At least not in my lifetime.
Like all the M14s before the M16? The ones Clinton destroyed and then got the ATF to silence civilian opposition by saying "once a machinegun always a machinegun"?
That is an arbitrary ruling by the ATF and can always be changed, and there is already some limited exceptions under law. However on a large scale I don't see them ever converting previously select fire weapons and receivers into semi-autos under current law and ATF opinion enforced as law.
Which means they would be sold to LEO agencies, other nations, or destroyed, and not given to civilians.
The days of Americans being able to acquire the standard infantry weapon as surplus once it is retired appear to be over.
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