Patriot Rifle of Choice

A couple of readers have written me in regards to my report on range activities last week. It would seem that my suggestions that the AR15 being a superior weapon to the M1 leave some folks puzzled. So I have researched some information on why I like the AR15, and its advantages as a platform.

Caliber
Generally, the AR15 uses .223 / 5.56 mm rounds. However, it can be chambered in other rifle rounds (7.62x39 and 6.8 SPC to name a few), as well as most pistol cartridges (9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP). It also has .22LR models.

Size
My 5-year-old has shot the rifle. My wife can shoot it, too. And I can shoot it comfortably. Both the dimensions and the weight of the platform are well suited to most people.

Accuracy
Are there more accurate rifles out there? Sure. Any in a semiautomatic configuration? Well, none that are really more accurate - certainly not without a dramatic increase in price.

Reliability
The old stories from the early days in Vietnam are long behind us. The AR15 was designed for different ammo and operation than the way it was fielded in the Army in the early 1960's, and has been redesigned multiple times for optimal performance since then.

These days, the AR15 can run with any semiautomatic platform in terms of reliability. Parts are cheap and plentiful when replacement is needed. Ammo is as cheap as it comes in centerfire rifle.

Uses

The AR15 can be modified and used in multiple roles. It is almost never the single best rifle for any one role, but it can easily adapt to different purposes with minimal changes.

Sniper Use
Are there better sniper rifles out there? Sure.
Can an AR15 with a 20" or 24" barrel make sniper shots to 1000 meters. Yes. Even the M4 has confirmed kills out to 600 yards. That distance increases with the longer barrel platforms. The longer barrels assist in accuracy, and velocity.

SDM Use
The Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) is a squad-level individual that provides accurate fire in intermediate ranges - longer than the standard soldier or Marine, but not as long-range as a sniper. Generally, the SDM operates in the 300-800 meter range. The AR15, again with either a 20" or 24" barrel fills the role nicely.
Is the M14 more powerful at those ranges? Yes.
More accurate? Nope.
The AR15 is also significantly lighter, and has ammo and mag compatibility with the standard infantry troops.

Standard troop use
Tough one here - since the Marines use the M16 (an AR15 variant) and have since the 1960's. The Army uses the M4 (a shorter AR15 variant), and has since the 1980's. Before that, the Army used the M16 - and had since the 1960's.
So we have 50+ years of reliable troop usage. I'd say that is about as good as it comes in a standard issue rifle / carbine.

Special forces use
The Army Rangers and Navy SEALs are the outfits that the current standard issue M4 was designed for.
Enough said?

Police use
Most police departments issue the AR15 of some variant to their officers and / or SWAT teams.


Civilian use
Since 2008, no other single type of firearm has been sold in the US more than the AR15 and its variants. The 5.56 mm style rifles and carbines are excellent for home defense. They are also quite effective for hunting. The 6.8 SPC cartridge is really catching on in the civilian markets for hunting and home defense.

Currently, one would be more likely to find the carbine styles than the rifle styles, and that is fine for what most people need or want.

And the aftermarket accessory market is huge. One can purchase all sorts of add-ons. It is not uncommon to find more money invested in accessories than the rifle itself.

Many people shoot in competitions with their AR15's. Some shoot NRA High Power (long distance precision shooting), and some shoot 3-gun (short range, high speed shooting). The AR15 is well represented in most major shooting sports, with notable exceptions in shotgunning, and cowboy style shooting.

"SHTF"
Some folks, often associated with marksmanship programs, competitions, or survival organizations, will point out that M1's and M14's would translate better for self defense "SHTF" situations, because they are more powerful. I will not argue that the .30-06 and the .308 are more powerful. However, I will point out these facts:
- The AR10 is functionally identical to the AR15, but shoots the .308 round.
- The 5.56 mm projectile has a higher confirmed kill rate in shots above the collar bone since Vietnam.
- For the same weight, a person could carry 2-3 times more 5.56mm ammo.
- In such a situation, a person is highly unlikely to be making shots past 400 yards, where the greater power is more useful.
- The larger calibers carry more potential for over-penetration. Collateral damage is not a good thing.
- Training is everything. I'd much rather endure SHTF with an AR15 I've fired thousands of times, than an M1 I've only fired a few times due to harsh recoil and high cost of ammo.
- 5.56 is more widely used - by civilians, police, and military. Therefore, having a commonality in weapons is to be preferred. in a 30-caliber situation, one would have to procure almost all of one's ammo. Not as much sharing.
- Some folks say that at long range, the 5.56 wounds like an ice pick. This is true. The fragmentation  tendencies of the 5.56 mm are all but gone past 200 yards. However, the ice pick style wound is virtually identical to that of a .30-caliber projectile, save for it being 0.08" smaller. And, ice picks in the hands of a killer are deadly weapons.