How many of you have used your AR for self defense?

[tacticalcity]

I have no point to sell.I merely noticed people are paying alot of money for rifles(MYSELFINCLUDED) and even more for accessories that are being touted as tactical, defense oriented and military style to people that shoot paper or cans.The AR is just an example.I'm sure everyone agrees it's the barbie of the rifle world.I know it's a free country, I believe in capitalism, I drive a 4 door luxury sedan(because I can) and I know some times the essentials just don't cut it.It's just an observation

A lot of it is cool factor, especially when it comes to the accessories (which helps pay my bills). But if this stuff was not commercially available then it would stiffle developement. Most the really cool stuff started off less cooler commercially available stuff that spec ops guys strapped to their rifles. These days the R&D costs on some of the stuff the elite operators are using is being absorbed by you and me. Which means they are not just stuck with what some pencil pusher thinks is best. He has a massive selection from which to choose from. Take the Aimpoint Micro Dot. Aimpoint had hunters and handgun competition shooters in mind when they designed that sight. While still in the developement stages the military guys got the idea of using them as a primary on their ARs to cut down weight...and suddently this nitch optic found mass appeal both with real life operators and the general public (the later thanks largely to the Magpul DVDs). So if you think about it, your recreational dollars are helping out our soliders as well. There is no way they would have as advanced weapons as they do if not for you and me blowing all our money on this stuff.

Plus, if you take a carbine course...suddenly an AR looks like a really great option for self defense. Relatively easy to use compared to your other options and very effective. Not to mention those courses are a blast!!!

[Press Check]

And if shtf you can get a cup of joe from the mall ninja with the espresso machine hanging off his rifle. Now thatd come in handy. Lol

LMAO!

[Saber2Golf]

I was thinking, with all the advertising aimed at combat, defense and tactical use, has anyone actually used their rifle in that capacity?I ask because everyone (including myself) is spending ALOT of money on stuff designed to work with the aforementioned applications.In my opinion, the accesory companies and the rifle manufacturers themselves are making a killing off of people buying stuff they will never ever use or need.the more I think about it, the more I appreciate my Kalishnakov rifle.

I spent a few years in the Army and spent all of 2005 in Iraq as a gunner on a HMMWV. During that time I found my M4 to be accurate and reliable over hundreds and hundreds of rounds fired in combat situations. For the record, my M4 had an M68 Aimpoint, a Vital-2 IR laser, a Surefire weapon light, and a vertical foregrip on it, and all the accessories were also reliable and useful.

Of course, a civilian without NODs isn't going to need the IR laser, and up close indoors looking through the sight/sights is a borderline waste of time. A vertical foregrip is personal preference, but I don't (nor would ever) own a defensive firearm without a light on it.

Your last statement makes this topic sound like a thinly veiled AR vs AK thread. Of course AKs can be and commonly are as dressed up as ARs in the states, and plenty of foreign military and police forces use AKs with optics and other devices on them. If anything is to blame for the "tacticool" fad it's likely the "war on terror" and all the accompanying related media (Call of Duty 4, Battlefield Bad Company, etc etc etc). If there's a market for the magnifiers and the AFGs and the crenelated muzzle devices then companies are going to make them.

There is a lot to be said for a basic rifle, but all these whiz-bang accessories have their place as well. Pinning this fad on AR owners may be accurate, but you're using a pretty broad brush to paint us/them...ARs can be basic too.

/rant. Sorry if that was harsh :/

[bighead]

Saber-You're clarifying my observation.You needed that stuff on your rifle, and I'm glad and proud you came home.But I think civillians decking out their guns is potentially a waste.I think Im going to build a KISS carbine now lol.

[sevensix2x51]

kalashnikov... just throwing that out there.

[locosway]

Saber-You're clarifying my observation.You needed that stuff on your rifle, and I'm glad and proud you came home.But I think civillians decking out their guns is potentially a waste.I think Im going to build a KISS carbine now lol.

It depends what it is... An IR light is probably a waste, and so is a laser for the most part. Optics, depending on the shooting, are usually a good investment. AFG/VFG can be a good investment if it suits your shooting style. A sling is needed for many types of shooting and carrying.

Honestly, I don't see what the deal is with some of this stuff. If someone wants this stuff on their rifle because they use it, so what? It's THEIR rifle, let them build it and shoot it the way they want to.

It's like complaining that the Mustang has too many after market parts. Who cares? Let people mod their stuff the way they want.

[bighead]

My bad Seven, noted.

[Saber2Golf]

Saber-You're clarifying my observation.You needed that stuff on your rifle, and I'm glad and proud you came home.But I think civillians decking out their guns is potentially a waste.I think Im going to build a KISS carbine now lol.

I'm inclined to agree actually (especially in CA where if you want the cool stuff you have to use a BB)...but nobody is having their arm twisted when it comes to purchasing said items. Different strokes for different folks, and different tools for different jobs. I'll use this opportunity to reiterate that a defensive gun needs a light.

Bringing up "tacticooling" ARs for home defense brings up a question on my end: are you using/suggesting the AK-patterned rifles for the same purpose?

Or more to the point, what is the real point of the topic: viability of ARs for home defense - or - usefulness/uselessness of gadgets on HD weapons?

[Ackrite]

Saber-You're clarifying my observation.You needed that stuff on your rifle, and I'm glad and proud you came home.But I think civillians decking out their guns is potentially a waste.I think Im going to build a KISS carbine now lol.

My fully dressed up 15lb ar might be a waste and just because I could've bought 3 ak's with the money I spent on accessories doesn't mean I want 3 ak's. At the end of the day it's my money and I can mall-ninja the hell out of my rifle just because I like the way it looks. However, my ar isn't always in full mall-ninja mode since it wouldn't make sense to have a light hanging off the rail at the range or a magnifier for the eotech wouldn't help in a hd situation. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of this mall-ninja hate in general is rooted in jealousy for many individuals.

[pyro3k2]

all arguments aside lets look at odds/statistics for a second
1. How many people own firearms?
2. Of that group of owners how many have used a firearm in Self defense?
3. Of that group who have used in SD, how many were not law enforcement/Military?
4. Of that group how many used a rifle?
5. Of whats left how many of those rifles were AR pattern?

just by numbers crunching the odds of getting more than one or two people who have actually done so would be very low if all any. Not saying the OP is a troll just saying the likely hood of getting a straight answer is pretty much not there. A more appropriate question would be the use of a centerfire fire. I can't say i've used my M16 defensively, when I got to go outside of the wire we always were in ASV's. When we would take fire the ASV's would engage the targets. There was no point for us to dismount and engage with 5.56 when we had multiple .50's rolling the targets.

[1988]

I was thinking, with all the advertising aimed at combat, defense and tactical use, has anyone actually used their rifle in that capacity?I ask because everyone (including myself) is spending ALOT of money on stuff designed to work with the aforementioned applications.In my opinion, the accesory companies and the rifle manufacturers themselves are making a killing off of people buying stuff they will never ever use or need.the more I think about it, the more I appreciate my Kalishnakov rifle.

You mean that we don't spend on AKs ?

[pyro3k2]

You mean that we don't spend on AKs ?

After the Conversion my Saiga 12 is my most expensive fire arm...if we aren't including optics here.

[MrPlink]

I'm sure Seal team 6 was glad that the terrorists used AK's to during their raid.

oh come on, like it would have mattered what they had!

[crazy]

ALL the time!

The targets, they mock me...

You too?

[MrPlink]

I never have; but it happens.

shot multiple times by an AR and still managed to go to a hospital huh...