The AR15 is one of the most versatile firearms ever built. Find out how it’s used by different types of gun owners.

RELATED: Best AR15 Hacks To Unlock Your Gun’s True Potential

In this article:

1. An Iconic Firearm
2. Preppers
3. DIYers
4. Target Practice
5. Home Defense

AR15 | What Makes it a Desirable Firearm for Many

An Iconic Firearm

It’s the civilian version of the iconic M16, which is the go-to rifle for the military since the Vietnam era. While it is certainly not without its flaws, there are some very appealing aspects to it that make it even more desirable to some shooters than its Russian opponent, the AK-47.

Over the next couple of months, I’ll be dedicating some of our time here at GC to the AR-15 platform. In this first post, I wanted to take a look at why this is an excellent rifle from a few different points of view.

Preppers

More and more, people are preparing for a large scale disaster. And, I’m not just talking about doomsday preppers, here.

There are a lot of average folks who just want to make sure they are ready for any life-altering events. And, should the proverbial poop ever hit the fan (yes, I know…I said poop), an AR 15 caliber is the perfect multi-function tool for survival.

First, you can hunt game of different sizes with the 5.56/.223 rifle cartridge. Some people have successfully taken whitetail deer with it, and others have taken varmint sized animals to the dinner table with it.

Regardless of what you’re after, an AR-15 can put food in front of your family.

Second, they are great for security. If you’re a prepper, you’ve likely got some resources that you want to protect from marauders.

Because the AR-15 is a popular weapon, ammunition will be plentiful. There’s just something to be said about the “commonality of Ar 15 parts,” as one of my prepper friends likes to say.

In other words, if your rifle breaks down after the zombies begin slurping our brains through straws, you’ll have a better chance at finding what you need to fix an AR than you would most other rifles.

Finally, there’s a way to acquire one without anyone knowing, which brings me to my next point.

DIYers

An AR-15 is one of the few weapons that you can build yourself from the ground up using nothing but hand tools and AR 15 accessories found on the internet or at gun shows. To prove that any average firearm enthusiast can build one, I’ve requested an unfinished lower and Easy Jig from 80% Arms and will be purchasing the upper receiver components shortly.

I’ll be documenting the entire experience for our readers to see. I’ve never finished a lower receiver before, so it’ll be a learning experience for you and me.

But, perhaps the best part, is that there aren’t any serial numbers associated with this rifle once it is completed. An added benefit is that I can build as many of them as I’d like for right around the $5-600 mark per rifle.

And like I said, in the coming months I’ll show you how.

RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About The AR15 Rifle Platform

Target Practice

Why do you have any firearms? For protection/hunting right?

This means that you need to be able to actually hit the target when you want to. There is almost no better rifle to go do some target practice with because of how inexpensive the ammo is.

Plus, when you take into account that there is almost no felt recoil, it sweetens the deal.

Even better, these rifles are perfect to learn long-distance open sight shooting. I recommend this to every shooter before they ever begin using a scope.

That way, you really get the mechanics of shooting down, before you ever have a crutch to lean on.

In the Marines, we punch our M16s out to 500 yards in the prone position and actually hit the man-sized target 9 out of 10 times. With training and proper mechanics, it is actually quite easy to do.

Home Defense

Listen, I’ll probably catch some heat for this, but I’m a firm believer that a rifle is the perfect home defense tool.

Don’t believe me? When your life is in danger in your own home, the goal of your primary defense weapon is to stop the threat.

You don’t want to slow them down, because they can still hurt you.

You need to stop that person from getting to you or, even worse, your family. A pistol may or may not do that.

A lot depends upon shot placement, the number of rounds fired, etc.

A shotgun loaded with buckshot most certainly could neutralize a threat but the problem with a shotgun is that they kick like a mule. So, if you miss your first shot, or there is more than one bad guy, a smaller person may not be able to throw another round at the enemy.

However, a small 55-62 grain bullet leaving the barrel of a rifle doesn’t really kick. Therefore, it is easier for you to shoot more than once.

And, let’s face it, more holes in an attacker means he won’t be getting up any time soon. An added benefit to home defense with a rifle is that it is easier to be more accurate with a rifle than it is with a pistol.

But, perhaps one of the most alluring facts about home defense with an AR15, is that it won’t over-penetrate as much as handgun ammo will. It seems counter-intuitive, but it is true.

One of the reasons why is because it transfers much of the energy to devastate a target on impact, and slows down much faster.

For more info on this, check out the below video by Trop Gun:

In numerous aspects, the AR15 is basically a firearm of choice. Preppers consider it effective in SHTF situations, it’s good for home defense to guard the perimeter, and DIYers enjoy adding useful components with their own rifle.

The AR15 is definitely one of the most versatile firearms out there.

What can you say about the versatility of the AR15 rifle? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!

UP NEXT:

• AR-15 Basics: A Guide To The AR-15 Platform
• YHM Black Diamond Specter | Gun Carrier Rifle Reviews
• The Best Free Smartphone Apps For Your Firearms

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on April 21, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

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