Hey CNN, Here Are The Real Reasons The AR15 Is The Most Popular Rifle In America

CNN Recently Published An Article Supposedly
Explaining The Reasons Why The AR15 Is So Popular

First of all, without realizing it, CNN is making the point that AR15s are protected by the 2nd Amendment.  According to SCOTUS, firearms in "common civilian use" are protected.  Therefore clearly America's most popular rifle cannot be banned.

Second of all, CNN makes liberal use of the term "weapon of war" to describe the AR15.  The truth is THERE ARE NO FIREARMS IN EXISTENCE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN WEAPONS OF WAR.   This includes .22 rifles, lever action deer rifles, muzzle loading rifles and shotguns, all kinds of handguns, bolt action rifles, double barreled shotguns, pump shotguns, semi-auto shotguns and yes, semi and fully automatic rifles.  Do not be fooled, ANY CALL TO BAN "WEAPONS OF WAR" IS A CALL TO BAN ALL GUNS.

But to answer their question, let me give the real reasons why the AR15 (and its' big brother, the AR10) has become America's favorite rifle, in no particular order.

1) The AR15/M16 pattern rifle has been America's military rifle and carbine for over 50 years.  This means that tens of millions of veterans have learned to shoot this kind of rifle.  They like the ergonomics and are able shoot more accurately with AR pattern rifles.  This kind of "cross pollination" between civilian and military firearms has been going on for as long as there have been firearms.  After millions of soldiers were trained on bolt action rifles during WWI, more and more hunters began using bolt action rifles instead of the then traditional lever action rifles (in much the same way the AR15 has become so popular).  An example of rifles flowing the other way, the .50 BMG rifle was invented by long range target shooters - and then picked up by the military as a sniper and anti-material rifle.

2) The AR15 is modern.  It uses modern materials, such as plastic and aluminum.  While this was at first mocked by shooters, they have since realized that, unlike traditional wood and steel, modern materials resist both swelling and corrosion.  A bolt action rifle with a wood stock can experience significant changes in point of impact if the wood swells due to changes in humidity, causing the shooter to miss their target - metal and plastic do not have this problem.

3) The AR15 is modular and user serviceable.  Compared with older designs, it is much easier for end users to customize and service their rifles.  Users can change out virtually any part with a few basic tools.  In addition to stocks, scope mounts, sights and many other items, a user can change a worn out barrel (or simply change a barrel because they want a different one).  Changing a barrel in a bolt action rifle requires many specialized and expensive tools and is best done at a well equipped machine shop - making a barrel change difficult and expensive.

4) The AR15 design is inherently accurate.  If there is one thing that every rifleman wants it is accuracy.  The AR15 is at least as accurate as bolt action rifles and is more accurate than many other rifles.

Just Because It Is Made Of Modern Materials
That Does Not Mean It Is Not Suitable For Hunting 

5) The AR15 can be used to hunt animals ranging from ground squirrels to grizzly bears.   Contrary to the statements of many in the anti-gun rights crowd, Ar15 rifles are well suited for hunting and are becoming more and more popular for hunting.



7) The AR15 can be quickly adapted for many different purposes, by simply changing the upper half of the rifle.  This can be done in seconds. Target shooting?  Install a heavy barreled .223 upper.  Want to shoot a few tin cans?  Install a .22 rimfire upper.  Want to hunt deer?  Install a 6.8 SPC upper.  Going hog hunting?  Install a .458 SOCOM upper.  This is an uncommon feature in repeating rifles.

8) The AR15 is exceptionally easy for women and smaller men to shoot.  In its' most common .223/5.56mm version, recoil is light and quite manageable.  In its' most common configuration, the stock adjusts to fit people of different body sizes - enabling husband a wife (and others) to share the same rifle.


9) It its' most common caliber (.223/5.56), it is much more economical to shoot than larger calibers.  A quick comparison of prices shows that 55gr brass cased 5.56 ammunition can be bought for for $ .45 per round.  The typical 30-06 150gr brass case ammo is listed at $ .90 per round.  Given that most shooters are firing at paper targets and are more interested in target shooting than hunting, there is no advantage to the larger and more expensive caliber.

These are the real reasons why the AR15 is America's favorite rifle - and as such, any attempt to ban these modern rifles will continue to be opposed by the vast majority of gun owners.