Who Needs an AR-15? (Here's Who)

National Review ^ | 01/18/2013 | Daniel Foster

[jboot]

FRiend, you need an M14 or M1A. Best of both worlds (actually rather better than the AR world).

Good luck getting anything, though. Fulton Armory can't even be contacted anymore...massive traffic knocked out both their server AND their phones.

[jboot]

One "problem" with the M14 was the requirement for it to serve as a squad automatic weapon. It was too difficult to control in sustained auto fire even after being upgraded with a special heavy stock. Other than that it was a superb battle rifle.

The other "problem" was the agenda of SecDef MacNamara and AF Gen LeMay who worked to force the M16 on a largely unwilling military. The M16 eventually evolved into a useful but underpowered weapon. Emphasis on "Eventually". Tellingly, the M16 was NOT held to the squad automatic weapon requirement. I wonder how many soldiers got whacked by the VC while the M16 was teething?

The "heavy ammo" canard is, well, a canard. GIs in Korea routinely carried 120-160 rounds of .30-06. It was not a problem.

[Hardastarboard]

Who Needs an AR-15? (Here's Who)

I'll add in here. I'm sure the 30 or so people killed in Algeria at that gas plant would have liked to have had at least one apiece when they got hit.

[familyop]

Self-defense and/or defense of family could possibly be against a long range attacker (sniper). We can see why many suburban folks don’t see the possibility, but many in rural areas—especially those without much concealment or cover—do.

[MarkL]

Note that some M-14’s were retained for service well into Vietnam and beyond

They're currently being used in Afghanistan & Iraq too.

Mark

[libstripper]

I shot Expert with one in Officers’ basic in 1968, finally bought an M1A in 1986, and have moved it ever since. Now it’s happy to have a little brother from the othe side, a VEPR II in cal. 7.62x39. Having plenty of mags and ammo for both, I haven’t had to participate in the current run.

[MarkL]

The Dems "gun violence" solutions are like a doctor recommending that we cut our hands off, just because they are the leading cause of the spreading and sharing of diseases and colds! Lets just ignore the fact that viruses and bacteria actually CAUSE the diseases and colds!

I was thinking something similar... That if there's a flu epidemic, using Obama's & Biden's "solution" would be to put all the people NOT infected with the flu into isolation, while doing nothing to help or treat the sick, just allowing them to go about their business

Mark