Why do we "Bubba" out our AR's?

[AJAX22]

I blame Airsoft

[will227457]

yeah I dont get all the gear also, I would rather spend my money on ammo and range fees, or better yet a class to really learn the gun, if it dosent help me shoot better I don't want it.

that said it's not my money if guys want to hang gear on their rifle, more power to them.

[Jonathan Doe]

A few months ago, I examined a entry tactical AR from a federal agency when they were involved in a shooting. The rifle had all the bells and whistles, vertical fore grip, rail, eotech, lights, laser, 2 stage trigger, etc. It weighed over 10 lbs, maybe close to 15 lbs. The 2 stage trigger was not adjusted right, and it was too light. I don't know why anyone need a gun that heavy for a tactical carbine.

[theneko]

I still remember a post on arfcom a while back. In the photos section a guy posted a pic of his basic AR when he got it, then the one with all the gadgets on it (no key chain though). The first response was "it looks like it was dragged through a TAPCO catalog"...

I keep mine simple too - flat top with an optic (aimpoint). Add an ambi saftey and sling and I'm good to go.

[IGOTDIRT4U]

Last time I was at the range I noticed how everyone and their brother with an AR had the guns all tac'd out with rails and lasers and lights and all these fancy Eotech Aimpoint red dots and fancy stocks and forward pistol grips and yadda, yadda, yadda.........


So I looked at mine and thought " WTF do I have a 4 rail hand guard? Why do I need the forward pistol grip when I always just use the front of the mag/mag well? While I don't have a flashlight on mine, I looked over and got a chuckle out of the guy a couple of benches down from me with his "Rambo" gun.

So I guess what I'm asking is why DO YOU put all that stuff on your AR when you'll never use it? Cool factor? I mean, yeah they do look pretty cool. That's maybe why I put the stuff on mine. I can admit it. I have a pistol grip and light on my Mossberg 500, but I see that as more useful.

After watching an old timer at the range break out his 20" old school Colt AR with no fancy stuff on I realized all the trick stuff I want will never help me become more proficient with my gun. I'm thinking I'm just gonna keep it in a basic configuration and shoot the hell out of it.

If you can't master firing an A2 with iron sights, all that other crap is not going to make a bit of difference in real life except that you get to carry a heavier gun.

[sorensen440]

nothing wrong with putting a rail a light and optics IMO

[Blue]

They're kinda like Harleys, they all can look the same but the guy with the most money has the one with the most mods on it.

[rumble phish]

WOW! My very first 4 pager!

I appreciate all of your thoughts. I want to be clear on something though. I'm not trying to bash on anyone's preference to "bubba" their rig. Hell, I felt myself being pulled that way, too.

It just hit me when the Range Master asked a young guy if he ever has had a chance to use all the tac stuff he had on his gun and the kid sheepishly said "No. I just thought it looked cool". The RM just chuckled, shook his head and walked off.

I realized that I was gonna be that kid and I realized that all the stuff I was putting on my gun wasn't going to add any real advantage.

Anyway, I think a few guys understood what i was saying here. If you wanna do it, then by golly this is America and I say do it!. But for me, I think I'm gonna keep it light and simple.....

[IGOTDIRT4U]

nothing wrong with putting a rail a light and optics IMO

That much makes sense, but when I see gobs of stuff on a gun that looks like a safe queen, I'm just saying...

[sorensen440]

That much makes sense, but when I see gobs of stuff on a gun that looks like a safe queen, I'm just saying...

Yeah some people go overboard
IR illuminatators are just silly if you dont have NV

[randy]

I spent yesterday shooting with about 30 other shooters at the X3 match in Piru. Other than optics I saw a few cheese grators (quad rails) otherwise the guns were all business. I guess the difference is some people shoot and use their stuff and others just polish the chrome.

[1911su16b870]

IMO if it is your firearm, only used by you, with no intention on ever selling it or getting back what you have in it, go ahead and modify to make it work for you! Bubba-away!!!

[biglou]

I've got mine set up based on the one I used in the Marine Corps. Triangle handguards, 20 in. barrel, iron sights, etc. Seems to work for me. This whole Ar thing has caused a niche in the market for fans of the mouse gun. It's a good thing. It keeps the economy rolling and everyone can dress up their rifle anyway they want. God Bless America !

[IGOTDIRT4U]

Correct me if I am wrong, but NV scoping is illegal in CA at this time, correct? So, having IR on the rail, really has no use. (or is it NV goggles are the only thing illegal?)

[high_revs]

Their money, not yours. They can do whatever they wish to it since it's their property. This is a fine line. We cannot be hypocrites when many in PRK are trying to take away our passion and our rights.