Why the AR is so addictive?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Why the AR is so addictive?

Posted: 10/30/2006 8:39:04 AM EDT

I'm starting a new build, don't need one....didn't think I even wanted one until I started shooting my other ARs more. Now I have a new stock on the way, picking out a rail, ordering a new grip, always need more mags, etc...

My theory is they're so addictive because they're so modular and easy to build. It starts out innocent enough..."Eh, I'll just buy a new grip to try out" and that turns into..."Damn, that's a good deal on a lower" and then you end up with "Well, I've got the lower might as well try that new XXX part" and before you know it you have a new rifle/carbine.

Somehow an old ladder rail turns into a new rifle.

Posted: 10/30/2006 8:40:10 AM EDT

[#1]

Hence the reason I have 14 of them

Posted: 10/30/2006 8:47:24 AM EDT

[#2]

I like them because of the uppers are easy to switch

Posted: 10/30/2006 1:19:54 PM EDT

[#3]

It is the ability to have the same gun configured an infinite amount. Stupid BRD got me too...dunno where I am headed, but I like the fact that you can do so much. Even in so many different calibers, and even different mechanics (pistons and such). Crazy!!

---Boomer

Posted: 10/30/2006 1:20:55 PM EDT

[#4]

Because they're just Legos/erector-sets for grown-ups.

Quoted:
Hence the reason I have 14 of them

More than two dozen here.

Hello. My name is HardShell and I am an AR-aholic...

Posted: 10/30/2006 1:23:29 PM EDT

[#5]

Because they are so evil.

Posted: 10/30/2006 1:45:16 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
I like them because of the uppers are easy to switch

I use that excuse too but I still have a lower for all my uppers.

Posted: 10/30/2006 2:19:27 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Because they're just Legos/erector-sets for grown-ups.

That's a good part of it. Amazing variety and availability of parts from a multitude of vendors that all work together is HUGE. So many varieties and possibilities... that and the fact that the hobbiest can completely disassemble/build/rebuild with a reasonable set of tools.

ETA: I'll say it a different way as well. Nearly full backwards compatibility plus multi source parts and accessories availability means that people feel safer investing in the system.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:00:03 PM EDT

[#8]

The EBR is a freedom lovers best friend. The addiction for some may in part be due to the 10 years that the Klinton Ban/Guberment said we could only have neutered rifles (eviless black rifles). Now that the AWB is gone for most of us, it's like a bunch of kids in a candy store. The sad part is, we shouldn't have to worry about our constitutional rights being in question each election, but it seems that's what's at stake quite often.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:14:16 PM EDT

[#9]

Laced with cocaine to get you addicted.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:47:25 PM EDT

[#10]

Junkies.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:49:46 PM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
Hence the reason I have 14 of them

Thats all you have? Thats a nice start!

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:49:51 PM EDT

[#12]

Same reason the 1911 is..availability ,parts,accesories and easy to be your own gunsmith..its the 1911 of rifles.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:51:26 PM EDT

[#13]

i just bought number 5, im eyeing up 3 more at least. id liek to get 10 total before stuff starts to get banned etc. my goal is 1 a month for the next 4-5 months, depending on how my income is :) i like them because of the different styles, etc at how customizable they are.

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:52:39 PM EDT

[#14]

The AR is a Barbie doll for men

Posted: 10/30/2006 6:57:48 PM EDT

[#15]

If my wife can accesorize and have 15 pairs of shoes then I can have 15 diferent ARs without explaining.And a barbie doll for guys is a 12" GI Joe or ultimate soldier with nice detailed weapons..and with a bunch of those theres a reason to keep a barbie around for em

Posted: 10/30/2006 7:34:55 PM EDT

[#16]

Because they all look alike and you can buy a lot of them and keep telling your wife/girfriend that its the same gun just changed a little and she might not know the difference.

Posted: 10/30/2006 7:41:33 PM EDT

[#17]

Like the 1911, there are infinite ways to customize it. They (the AR and the 1911) are the small block Chevy of shooting.

Rich

Posted: 10/30/2006 7:42:17 PM EDT

[#18]

As others have mentioned, it is the ease of maintenance, reliability (if you have a quality system) and the modularity. I can almost dress my M4gery a different way each day of the week.

Posted: 10/30/2006 7:49:21 PM EDT

[#19]

BRD hit me in the head today.

Just ordered a new receiver to feed and grow into a pistol, then one day when my paperwork comes back it can grow into a SBR....yay.

After that I need to work on my M16A2 clone, then convert my Stag lower into a full blown SPR with some real optics.

Of course then I will have enough parts stripped from the other rifles to need another lower.......

little did I know building a patrol rifle would be ten times more expensive than buying one.

Posted: 10/30/2006 7:52:19 PM EDT

[#20]

God am I in trouble I have 4 are buildng 1 more and thats just carbine stage,then it will be full size then SPR..Damn im screwed.

Posted: 10/30/2006 8:45:26 PM EDT

[#21]

#1 I'am Powerless over my BRD.
#2 Came to Belive that the Purchase of another would return me to Sanity.

THEY TELL ME THERE ARE 12 STEPS TO THIS RECOVERY THING.. I JUST CANT GET PAST THE SECOND...

Posted: 10/30/2006 8:58:47 PM EDT

[#22]

I am up to step 2. I think all the others numbers
after that means, I have more to play with doesn't
it?

Posted: 10/30/2006 9:53:05 PM EDT

[#23]

Same reason women are addictive. There are so many, they all have interesting parts and they're fun to play with. You can't stop at just one.

Posted: 10/30/2006 11:57:40 PM EDT

[#24]

Infinite configuration possibilities.

Posted: 10/31/2006 2:15:36 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I like them because of the uppers are easy to switch

I use that excuse too but I still have a lower for all my uppers.

Me too except for the Bushmaster Shorty A1

I replaced the upper with a LMT M4 14.5 upper

Now I have a Bushy A1 Shorty upper

Most likely I will sale it . So I can buy more ammo

Posted: 10/31/2006 2:30:11 AM EDT

[#26]

height=8

Quoted:
Because they all look alike and you can buy a lot of them and keep telling your wife/girfriend that its the same gun just changed a little and she might not know the difference.hat

Posted: 10/31/2006 6:50:43 AM EDT

[#27]

I dunno, I'm apparentley immune to EBR disease.

Posted: 10/31/2006 6:54:20 AM EDT

[#28]

I think part of it has to do with the idea that they may decide to ban these things one day. When that happens the value will go WAY up. Of course then I won't want to sell any of them and we will be back to me having too many black rifles.

Look at it this way. It could be worse. You could get hooked on Class III weapons. If I had that much disposible income I would be in BIG trouble.

Posted: 10/31/2006 7:11:01 AM EDT

[#29]

You know that whiff of ammonia you get when firing an AR? Well, it's really some kind of narcotic. All it takes is a snort or two and you're hooked for life!

Posted: 10/31/2006 7:11:57 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Because they all look alike and you can buy a lot of them and keep telling your wife/girfriend that its the same gun just changed a little and she might not know the difference.

That only works until you feel compelled to do something like this...

Posted: 10/31/2006 7:15:22 AM EDT

[#31]

I was determined not to get addicted ... I don't particularly like the 5.56mm round (and yes I have read the Ammo Oracle several times). But that hasn't stopped me from buying several. They're fun. I like the variability of the system - whatever the role you see for your rifle, you can build it. You don't need any "one size fits all" rifles - just build (or have built) a new one.

Posted: 10/31/2006 7:28:42 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Because they're just Legos/erector-sets for grown-ups.

+1 on that... Once you think you've got your AR just the way you want it, you see something else that causes you to make major changes....

TO

Posted: 10/31/2006 10:08:36 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
I was determined not to get addicted ... I don't particularly like the 5.56mm round (and yes I have read the Ammo Oracle several times).

There's an answer to that....

Posted: 10/31/2006 10:59:26 AM EDT

[#34]

For me they are addictive because I think that they are the perfect weapon for civilian use. They are effective for personal defense from CQB distances out to 200 yards, they can be used for hunting, they can be used for plinking and they can be used as longer range accuracy rifles. They are easily customizable, there are alot of accessories available for them, they are durable, reliable and simple. You can become an expert on them quickly and you don't need to be a gun smith to work on them. Anyone can replace any part with a couple of punches.

Posted: 10/31/2006 11:30:32 AM EDT

[#35]

As someone who used to only shoot old surplus rifles, its great to have a weapon where ammo is relatively cheap (Compared to .303, 7.62X54R and 30-06) and doesn't kick the living crap put of my shoulder. the fact that it is adaptable has made me look forward to buying my next EBR. I got an carbine with an aimpoint, now I need an A4 with an ACOG....

Posted: 10/31/2006 11:46:48 AM EDT

[#36]

I figure life is sort enjoy yourself anyway you can. BRD. Is better than being a boze hound. At lest you have something to show for it. And no hang overs untill the C/C bill arive.(I am the one bye the underpass with a shopping cart of rifles and a cardboard sigh WILL WORK FOR AMMO)

Posted: 10/31/2006 12:24:23 PM EDT

[#37]

A lot of us have mental scars from the ban.

Plus you gots to be ready for the zombies!

But yea the modularity of it is the thing. You can have several rifles all with a different purpse, and really a different value, yet all share the same internals, mags, parts etc. Makes the logisitics of the shooting hobby so much easier.