"The Chart" and reality

Many "gun people" online will quote from The Chart when trying to help people pick an AR15. While there are some good intentions in so doing, there are also a lot of misleading points, and outright fallacies with the chart. Let's take them one by one:

Bolt:
I am going to observe on this segment as a whole. While many of the tests listed do promote a warm and fuzzy feeling for the consumer, the absence of testing does not indicate that the product is not up to par.

One can properly stake his own gas key in a minute or two with a common hammer and screwdriver, or similar.

AR15 vs M16 bolts only matter really if you have an AR15 capable of selective fire. Most people do not have a need for this.


Barrel:
The issue of testing every product vs. batch testing again does not indicate a poor product.

Chrome bore is not an advantage to a High Power or other precision shooter. It is only an advantage to a novice gun owner not likely to clean the gun well or often.

Twist rate - the most common triviality on the AR15 market today. 1:7 twists can destroy smaller bullets (under 50 grain). 1:9 stabilizes all the same bullets as 1:7, except those over 70 grains - but typically costs considerably less (unless there is a sale, etc.). So 1:9 will be more than good enough for common shooters. Not even match shooters use 1:7 frequently - the 1:8 twist is preferred by more precision shooters.

Feedramps can occasionally be an issue - but putting a new upper on the rifle is easy. This is not really an issue.

Pins under the FSB and finish under the FSB are a matter of personal preference. Again, for the casual shooter, not ever going to be an issue.

Handguard shields and FSB height can be fixed for $30, total. Not worth spending the extra for a casual shooter.


Lower:
None of the things here will matter to a casual shooter. Heck, they will be only marginally better, if at all, for a serious shooter.

The staked castle nut - most AR15 people would prefer this not to be staked.