"The AR-15 is... one of the greatest failures in weaponry by the US military..."

[BigJ]

In this thread, JMP proclaimed:

...The AR-15 is the most overrated gun in the world, and it was one of the greatest failures in weaponry by the US military...

I didn't want to derail that thread, and anyway I thought this statement deserves its own thread. Curious to hear if you agree, or disagree. Give reasoning too.

[MUKAK]

who is JMP?

[Calplinker]

Blow Hard

who is JMP?

Yeah, no kidding. Never heard of him and don't care. Some random person posts something silly and it somehow deserves it's own thread to discuss???

Ever heard of the off topic section?

[H2O MAN]

When did the US military adopt the AR15?

[BigJ]

[Standard]

As someone who doesn't own or really enjoy AR-15s - he is wrong. We've been using it successfully since the 60s. Like any weapon, it's been updated and upgraded over time, and is still out there killing bad guys today.
It isn't perfect and never will be, but neither is anything else.

[pterrell]

If it's been such a failure why has it been in use for 50 years and going strong?

You, sir, got trolled in another thread and have created a thread about a troll...

[esp1]

Does / has the US Military used AR-15's? I thought they used M-16 and other full/burst auto variants but not actually AR-15's?

Anyways. . . I like the AR-15.

[Mossy Man]

I'm pretty sure it was the Patriot Act

[TNP'R]

Does / has the US Military used AR-15's? I thought they used M-16 and other full/burst auto variants but not actually AR-15's?

Anyways. . . I like the AR-15.

The original gun was an ar-15 it had a pencil barrel. Once the military adopted it, it became the m-16.

[pterrell]

And, technically, yes the military did use AR-15s. See here

[GM4spd]

If it's been such a failure why has it been in use for 50 years .

This. The rifle had initial problems in Vietnam but it was NEW,the concept
of a lighter,smaller bullet proved itself. If you note,it forced our arch
rival USSR to toss the 762x39 caliber in favor of the 545mm,this was very
significant. As a civilian rifle the AR types for semi auto have no equal
here in the states. Pete

[BigJ]

You, sir, got trolled in another thread and have created a thread about a troll...

Yup, probably. But...

And, technically, yes the military did use AR-15s. See here

I did learn something, so its not a total waste after all

Thanks for the link. Interesting stuff.

[dinkydau]

I was issued the M16A1 when I was in the Air Force in Vietnam. It had the open 3-pronged flash suppressor, so we could place the prong over the bailing wire on the C-ration cases and twist the butt stock to snap the wire. Ours did not have the forward assist like the Army guys had out in the field.
In the 70's there was the civilian version called the AR15 which was on sale at many gun stores.
The M16 selector switch was-Safe, Semi and Auto.
The Air force still uses the AR type rifle with the solid stock but the handguards are different. The Air Force is replacing those with the M4. Exactly like the LE6920CA. The Air Force version selector is: Safe, Semi and Burst. Its a 3 round burst, so the ammo wont be wasted and the shooter has more control.
I just bought the LE6920CA and like it. Oh yes, its a Colt!

[Milsurps]

As a civilian rifle the AR types for semi auto have no equal here in the states. Pete

Oh Really ?..