MY M16/AR15/M4 "Rant" lol

[medic72]

OK, here's my thoughts for what they're worth. I got my 1st experience with the M16 way way back in Feb 1991. I was issued this weapon @ MCRD San Diego (plt 1015). I had seen the movie, M16s with massive recoil, fire and smoke, loud, massive killing machine.... I looked in amazement @ MY M16A2 service rifle, I learned everything about it!, I learned how to strip that baby down and back together in under 1min. I know its maximum effective range on a point target is 500 meters +- and 800 meters area target. Learned her completely. In the "Corps" we shot @ 200, 300, & 500 meters with various stages of fire. We had NO "optics", just good old iron sights!

Now to today.... I am the proud parent of "Louise" my bushmaster "M4". Now to the point of my "rant". I see all these neat "add-ons", lasers, flashlights, flat tops, flip up sights, grips, free floated barrels, holographic sights, etc etc. Here's my question, WHY? Holo sights average $600, hell the weapon was a $1000! Add stocks, grips, titanium firing pins, and the like and you'll easily spend 1500, on a weapon that is TOTALLY effective up to 500 meters (A2) with good old iron sights! Don't get me wrong, I can understand "some", but I mean really? Really? I see AR's that look like "space Marine" weapons! Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of these "add-ons" add a tactical advantage to the Marine or Solider fighting overseas!! But to those of us who us who are here i the land of the free??? Really? When you spend more for your "add-ons" than you did for the weapon
Haven't you went a bit too far??? How about actually lean to shoot, I mean the sound principles, like "sight alignment, sight picture' "BRASS", trigger control, etc..... Maybe I'm just "old Corps" at heart lol.

Oh yeah btw, after I did 4 in the Corps, I also did 4 1/2 in the Nat Guard. And my last time on an Army range I scored a "perfect", I did what they called "Hawkeyed the range" with an "A2 service rifle" and yes in the Corps I was a 2nd award expert as well,,, just saying, what are ya'lls thoughts??

[Horkos]

To a point I agree. I have a smith and wesson M&P 15. It looks sweet as is straight out the box. I did put an inexpensive red dot on it because my rifle came optics ready and shoot at half price for a Bushnell I figured what the hell why not. I am a firm believer of function over beauty. But I also believe in less is more and find that simplicity has an appeal of its own. Unless you're an operator or a law enforcement officer bout ready to breech some crack house, then what good does all that "extra" stuff do?. On ther other hand there is something cool about having it loaded up for WWIII. And cool just can't be overappreciated. Just my 2 cents.

[routereyes]

Unfortunately not all of us have gone through the training you have nor have time to really get to know or name the AR-15 in our life. I also have an M&P15 Tactical that came with a flat-top and flip-up iron sights. Although I practice with the iron sights, I also decided to buy a scope and red dot sight (both for $250) to learn how to shoot with them. I have never owned or fired a rifle before (I don't count my Crossman BB pump gun I had as a kid) so I wanted to get the whole experience and see what my friends were talking about. All in all, I love putting rounds down range with all three options and can't wait to take it hog hunting one day here in Florida which lasts all year. As long as you practice often enough to become profficient over time, as a regular citizen, I am just waiting for the zombie hoard.

[medic72]

Unfortunately not all of us have gone through the training you have nor have time to really get to know or name the AR-15 in our life. I also have an M&P15 Tactical that came with a flat-top and flip-up iron sights. Although I practice with the iron sights, I also decided to buy a scope and red dot sight (both for $250) to learn how to shoot with them. I have never owned or fired a rifle before (I don't count my Crossman BB pump gun I had as a kid) so I wanted to get the whole experience and see what my friends were talking about. All in all, I love putting rounds down range with all three options and can't wait to take it hog hunting one day here in Florida which lasts all year. As long as you practice often enough to become profficient over time, as a regular citizen, I am just waiting for the zombie hoard.

Ok, I see your point, maybe to some degree I take the training I've had for granted. My wife and I were discussing your reply and yeah we do agree, Heck if I didn't have the military experience I do, I wouldn't know how to handle a weapon, I wouldn't know tactics or even how to "clear a house".

But I do say this, the "basic" AR set up is highly accurate! You can "dial" that baby in! When shooting her remember a few things, when using the iron sights, make sure you focus on your front sight post making it clear (your target should be the on out of focus, and time of the round being fired), also know that the front sight post should be centered left to right, and up & down in the rear sight appeture. Also the larger rear sight (as I was taught) was for low light conditions, not close shooting, learn what "BRASS" means and how to do it, learn what natural point of aim is, learn trigger control. Learn the immediate action drills.

Also don't be afraid to ask your prior service friends to show you a few things, heck they prolly would love to help you out, and feel and smell the AR in action again. Also find a range or local shooting club, I'm sure they would love to see new faces and love to help you out. And also remember that when the "zombies" do come wearing blue helmets, they have good gear! You can take their NVG, optics, ammo and what ever they have (if you die 1st we're spliting your gear)...

Have fun..... MOLON LABE!

[Deanimator]

I've got an AR. I put it together from a used Eagle lower, and an FN 20" and a 16" generic CAR upper. Both are A2s with HBAR type barrels.

I bought this setup because of some on-going threats. I like my self-defense guns pretty simple.

The only thing I would have done different today would be to have bought flat tops and a removable carrying handle so that I could more easily use a dot sight.

[TheSp8]

I agree with Medic72. Even before I enlisted I didn't like optics and extras on rifles. I taught myself marksmanship since neither my daddy nor my granddaddy hunted or shot. I only put a scope on a rifle a couple of years ago because most of the hog hunting I do now in TX is at night.

Yes, a red dot reflexive sight will help for a hurried close range shot but it is not necessary. We've done reflexive fire drills with the M16A2 from 5 to 25 meters away. Basically the target had 3 shapes on it and a shape was called out and we had to turn and shoot and turn away. There is no time to aim. If you don't have a place or time to practice then the red dot is the way to go.

The final point, the more stuff you put on the rifle and depend on the more things can go wrong. Remember, when the zombies come, aim for the head.

YMOS,
Tony

[FloridaBlue]

It's supply and demand. If there is enough demand of something such as accessories and modifications the supply will be there. I see it as when someone buys a low value car then puts rims on it the size of football fields that are worth 4x more than the car. Some people just have the money to buy the upgrades because it's no big deal to them others save up to "trick out their weapon" if you will. Then you have those ex-service members who just want to recreate something they may have had after leaving the service, or guys who just like the wall trophies and so forth.

[Punch]

I agree with Medic. My AR/M4 is plain Jane with a Heavy Barrel. The flat top has a detachable carry handle rather than any fancy optics. I don't think you need all that crap if you know what you are doing.

As an aside, only one of my bolt action rifles even has a scope. The Mauser and Ruger are both iron sighted.

[Bighouse Doc]

I spent years shooting National Matches to 600 yds with iron sights on my A2.

My Para TTR has fold-down iron sights and a magnifying EOTECH. I can aqquire and hit lightning fast with this! Much faster than with the iron sights.

-Doc

[Horkos]

I don't think you need all that crap if you know what you are doing.

As an aside, only one of my bolt action rifles even has a scope. The Mauser and Ruger are both iron sighted.

I think its important to remember that taste and personal preference aren't necessarily direct reflections on ability and "need", though it should take priority over "want", shouldn't limit your ambitions. Just my 2 Cents.