I think I'm done with AR's

[Hoosier]

Ok, bit of a rant. I think I'm going to stop with the AR's. I've got two of them now, and to be blunt, they are kinda lacking.

Let me say first that I think the idea of a "open source" gun like the AR is great. By mishap more than anything else, a gun that holds together with two pins, where anyone can manufacture compatible parts is an idea that built an industry.

It's just that the actual gun isn't that great. Take a look at the ergonomics... the charging handle is in a horrible location, and is just awkward to use. The magazine release doesn't work for lefties, neither does the safety. The safety is designed to make a nice clean rotation for the internal workings, without regard for how it feels in your hand. And sadly, it's probably the most ergonomic feature on it, other than the trigger. The bolt release, we've see Magpul issue their B.A.D. as a hack to try and improve it.

End rant!

So, my goal is to collect other modern semi-auto versions of modern battle rifles. I think these three are top of the list:

1) http://www.robarm.com/resources/prod...std/index.aspx
2) Steyr AUG A3 USA (anyone know the prices on these?)
3) DSA FAL

Hoosier

[Graves]

Although I'm no southpaw, I do agree with some of your points. There are a few options to aid in using one for lefties as far as the mag release and selector switch go but the charge handle is pretty funky. Just takes a little getting used to I guess.

[tmckay2]

ooooooooor........you could could simply pay just a little more money and get all those features you want (a lefty mag release, lefty safety) and i don't see how the charging handle is a problem, even on something like an AK you have to take one hand off and pull back. but hey its your opinion.

steyr aug's are usually damn expensive

[Hoosier]

Steyr is about $2k from the looks of it, they're getting cheap since Steyr is out with a real USA version now... here's one http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=156781783

I'd love to play around with an IMI Tavor, but their US import partnership fell through, so no telling when we'll get them here.

I think for the price that Robinson Armament rifle solves most of the problems, which is why it's at the top of my list.

Also, I think the AR based pistols are going to get AWB'd again, so I'll probably buy one for the novelty factor if nothing else.

Just can't make these purchases today, sadly!

[Irving]

Do you want my home address or my work address so you can *unload those burdens on me?





* I don't have any money. Thanks for being so generous.

[Marlin]

Always a Left-handed AR..

[jerrymrc]

While I understand your frustration a trip back to the basics may help. I carried an A1 for 12 years and 4 deployments and a War. I was also a unit armorer for most of those years.

Until a few years ago I wanted nothing to do with an AR. I owned Fal's, AK's and a few others.
Time has a way of healing things. The wife had been shooting a SAR3 and I had my Fal's (among others). So a few years ago I start reading about the "retro" movement and built one.

The Wife likes it (she carried an A1 as well) and other than some of the ergonomics that are different than all the rest of the toys out there we seem to be able to switch gears pretty easily.

My thought is that an AR complements a Fal or M14 (A1) or even a G3 or Cetme. I am too old to throw anything under the bus but in my case I have done much with what I have. I do plan on my last build to be an Izzy A1 CAR just to keep it in the family.

[DD977GM2]

Not Eugene's problem you were born with the wrong side of the hand usage going for ya.

There are options for lefties. Not all that much mroe for the lefty stuff. Ergonomics, what AR are YOU shooting? It is very ergonamical. Very point of aim and easy to handle. Very easy for a first time shooter to hit rounds on target. I just do not see the ergonomics as being bad at all. My M1A and M1 Carbine has worse ergonomics. Just as any traditional style rifle has the same kind of ergos. For me, my hand doesnt quite feel right holding it etc, but with the AR and even AK, ergos are not at all awkward.

Oh well, send me your ARs for proper disposal

[GunTroll]

Opened a can here!

Hey....it is black and mean looking! Its got that going for it!

[Troublco]

I'm an M1/M14 fan, and even I admit that the M16 and its variants are a lot more ergonomic in many ways than the M1/M14 (Don't let the folks on the M14TFL forum hear I said that!) but that doesn't mean it's perfect. The charging handle placement is better than it was originally, I think, simply because if they'd left it where it was originally we wouldn't have flattop AR's today. You can get one with a charging handle on the right side attached to the carrier to eliminate the stock charging handle.
The safety throw is a bit long, but I think it's better than the M1/M14 and not too much worse than the FAL. The G3/CETME safety is roughly the same as the FAL. The thing I don't like about the M1/M14 safety is you have your finger in the triggerguard to take it off, and then your finger is in the triggerguard with the safety off. Just takes some getting used to, and a little extra caution.
Bolt release, well, at least it has one. The FAL doesn't. Neither does the G3 or the CETME. The M14 has one, but unless you upgrade it to an extended unit such as the one from Sadlak it's almost vestigial.
You can get left handed AR's from Stag, in fact a friend of mine who's a lefty discovered one as he was browsing a gun shop one day and liked it so much it followed him home. I don't know if other makers make left handed units, but they might.
It all depends on what you like. I didn't used to be big on AR's, I stuck with my M1's and M14's. But you can't get those in multiple calibers with easy to switch top ends with cheap, easy to find magazines (for the most part - Bushy .450's excluded), and with the massive quantity of different parts available. The different furniture alone is amazing. The charging handle bugs me once in a while, but I'm getting used to it. I just put extended charging handle releases on the ones that need it. My AR in 6.5 Grendel is so versatile I could use it for nearly everything I normally do, excluding Elk. And my .458 SOCOM AR is basically an autoloading 45/70 with a bit more power. Takes down hogs like a freight train.
Just my $.02 worth