The AR15 is America’s Rifle.
When loss of liberty is looming, as it is now, the siren sounds first in the hearts of freedom’s vanguard. The smoke in the air of our Concord bridges and Pearl Harbors is always smelled first by the farmers, who come from their simple homes to find the fire, and fight, because they know that sacred stuff resides in that wooden stock and blued steel — something that gives the most common man the most uncommon of freedoms. — Charlton Heston
The firearm may have progressed from hardwood and blued steel to polymer and phosphate coating, but that sacred stuff remains.
That sacred stuff is the ability to control your own destiny despite the efforts of those who’d take your property, life, or family by violence. The AR15 holds that sacred stuff.
Designed in the 1950s, the AR15 represented the modern space age rifle. Firing an intermediate cartridge and with it’s aerospace aluminum receivers the AR15 is a lightweight rifle with minimal recoil.
The AR15 also has great ergonomics and the manual of arms is now industry standard. Originally known as the “Blackrifle” the AR15 did not initially enjoy the commercial success it has now captured.
The Eye of the Beholder.
Really those who are used to polished walnut and high luster blue might see the AR15 as somewhat ugly. I remember when I got an AR15 after the onerous “Assault Weapons” ban expired. I showed it to a friend, who said “that’s um a ‘beautiful’… a… gun.” I think he’d heard that term so often he didn’t know how to compliment a firearm other than that.
But, the AR15 is beautiful. The AR15’s direct impingement gas system is so perfectly balanced that the bolt group requires no rails. The ergonomics make for efficient magazine changes and great offhand accuracy. Functionality has a beauty all its own.
Comeback Kid
The military variant has served the US Military since it’s adoption in 1964. However the civilian specific semiautomatic AR15 did not become popular until much later.
In 1994 the AR15 was banned in it’s military style form. Ban compliant versions missing flash-hiders and adjustable stocks popped up shortly there after.
It has been argued that banning the AR15, AK47s and rifles of the like with their “evil” features only drew attention to this type of rifle.
After the ban expired in 2004, AR15s became the most popular rifle in america. There are arguably more AR15s out there than any other specific type of rifle in America.
The Right Arm of Freedom.
Eugene Stoner designed this rifle for Armalite, hence its designation AR15. Its variants have hung on US Servicemen’s slings for 3 generations. AR15s ride next to Police Officers keeping them safe… to keep the citizens safe. It is only fitting that its dedicated civilian variant continue to keep US Civilians safe.
The AR15 is too good at its job (Protecting America) to see attacks on owning that firearm as anything else besides an attack on the freedom that America represents.
Personally I’ve put an M-16 or FN15 between me and more hostile parties than I can remember. I know first hand that AR15s have aided in officer response to keep innocent citizens safe on countless occasions. These situations occur everyday regardless if blood is shed.
Anyone concerned about their own safety as well as their families should consider the AR15 when addressing preparedness in these uncertain times.
