What You Should Know

Today in this article and video, I’m giving you an overview on my take on one of the most used, most versatile, and most controversial rifle platform in the country!

I go over my setups, best practices and tips on building and buying your own “American Rifle – 15”!

Whether you are new to the game or not, this article/video will shed some light on the versatility of this platform and its uses. If you are getting one for recreation or hunting, competition or defense there’s definitely a path for you to make one your own!

AR-15 Brief History

Did you know that the A.R. -15 Does not mean Assault Rifle -15! NO, not at all! That’s just some political spin to control people with fear and fill their hearts with hate and discontent for an inanimate object. It actually stands for the “ArmaLite Rifle” 15. That’s because that’s the name of the rifle company who made it. This handy little rifle was adopted by the Dept of Defense and given the designation of the “M-16”.

In Brief, the rifle was actually birthed out of the AR-10 platform and modified to the 5.5.6nato round a close cousin to the .223Remington by a Mr. Eugene Stoner.

Many variants have been produced since then and we now have literally 10-30million of this firearm platform in the hands of Americans nationwide. So, if you think this firearm platform is a problem……. Think Again… Seriously! If it were a problem you would know it.

Why We Use Them!

Well, as long as I can remember, I wanted an AR-15. I ended up going into the USAF, and was issued the Military version and did well with it under Army and Air Force standards as an expert. I love this platform; it’s so versatile and adaptable to the shooter… I’ll give you an example.

Hunting

Let’s say you like to shoot varmint or just want to ring steel and shoot long distance even out to 1000yards.  Well, with the right caliber of a .308 Winchester, 6.5Creedmore, 300Winchester Magnum you can sling hot fishing weight out that far with supreme accuracy!

Or, let’s say you want to hit the maximum effective range of the standard AR-15, that’s still 600meters and out west here, I’ll tell you with some West Texas, Eastern NM windage, you can accomplish ringing some steel or taking down those pesky critters after your livestock as well.

Self Defense

I know what you might be thinking! I’m in the city, and there’s no way in Hates, I care about varmint, but what you do care about is protection. Well, there’s a solution for that too in the AR platform. 9mm, 300blkout, 5.56nato and others are there for your self defense options. In my video I discuss some of these thoroughly.

There are many configurations to a decent AR platform for self defense and you don’t need to spend the most or get the coolest to have it work for you and your purpose. Even a decent 9mm platform can be versatile for recreational and defensive training.

Since you are choosing to use it for self defense, I will tell you that it is Supremely important for you to train like your life depended on it.  It’s vital for you to know all the ramifications of pushing a projectile down range that doesn’t stop until its energy is spent or strikes a mass that is harder than itself. “Bullets don’t stop when you want them to“.

Competition & Recreation

I can’t begin to tell you all the well developed organizations out there doing great things to build a great responsible culture for the youth and their shooting communities! Seriously, there are thousands upon thousands of good Red blooded Americans that are in some very serious competitions with this what I like to call this “American Rifle” platform..

From 3 Gun Matches, PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) to Precision Rifle (PRS), there are many out there to choose from locally, regionally and they each have their national matches as well. It’s also encouraging to see so many women get involved with the shooting sports up to 30% of shooters on the ranges and in classes are ladies!

Having started Patriot Outdoors in New Mexico around 2006, I saw hundreds of shooters just come out to the range to plink! Steel, work on their accuracy, just enjoying the hobby of understanding their fundamentals and taking care of the firearm in their possession. I think many people around the country are not really exposed to the good natured fellow Americans that just love their hobbies with their firearms.

As a father teaching my three sons and daughter, it was a proud moment when they learned how to shoot their firearms! Yes, all of them learned to shoot, maintenance an AR-15. Why Not? In my opinion, you can kill the curiosity of the cat by exposing them to knowledge, skill and attitude to keep things proper and yes, I’m saying it again, “IN CONTEXT”.

WORD OF ADVICE, when possessing any firearm: Know your Target, Know your Distance, Know your bullet (what it is capable of doing and traveling) and know your capabilities and limitations.. You aren’t James Bond or John J. Rambo! Violence isn’t a “Tarantino” flick! It is faster, life-changing, surreal and more violent than you can possibly imagine. The closer to your reality your training, the higher the probability of your success and survival.

AR Platform SET UP

This is debatable. Everyone has their opinion on which twist rate of barrel to what stock or trigger and optics used to make it work for you. I’ll give you my two cents and keep it at a 35K foot view not to confuse you due to the supreme lack of availability of products in the market place.

The rifle or pistol itself shouldn’t be made of plastic. Get an aluminum receiver. You do need what we call “iron sights” but we also say ‘flip up sights” which will work on any AR out there. If you want more accuracy and faster target acquisition a minimal “red dot” optic or even magnified depending on your intent on range or purpose will suffice. I prefer these manufacturers and they are like “backsides” everyone’s got one! LOL

BCM, Daniel Defense, LWRC, Breachers Customs, when it comes to guns. Optics stick with Aimpoint if you can afford it, Holosun, Sig Sauer, and Trijicon for Red Dots and others. If you want more of a hunting scope go with Leupold, US Optics and Nikon or even a Bushnell Elite.  A good manufacturer of accessories would be BCM, Ergo Grips, Daniel Defense and Magpul..  Magazines, I only go with two, Magpul and Lancer. You probably will want a rifle strap from Viking Tactics, Magpul or Blue Force Gear also. Don’t forget an amazing trigger. I’m a big fan of Timney Triggers. There’s so much more to it, but do your research, reach out if you like, I’ll be glad to share more.

Legislation

So, yeah about that… Yes, there’s legislation and it’s coming.. The Powers that be, in my opinion are not kind to the land of the free and the home of the brave. You should act now and stand for what is right according to our forefathers intentions and let freedom ring, keep the freedoms you have and hold our politicians in check and accountable to the citizenry that voted for them. Let’s be intelligent, respectable and diplomatic in nature but not apathetic or we will lose our rights… Stay Tuned for more on this subject.

In closing, Feel free to comment and share and don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube! Pass this video along to your friends as well and let’s educate others on what it really means to have an American Rifle -15! That’s all I got for you today! 

Stay True America, We Need You!

Stephen D. Powell ~The GunLife Coach

 

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