July 26, 2012 11:17 PM UTC

My AR-15

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• by: Gray in Mountains

(Interesting first-hand information on assault weapons and access to ammunition – promoted by Colorado Pols)

My AR-15 is not at all what a typical AR-15 looks like, what you have seen photos of. BTW, AR does not stand for assault rifle. It was developed by Armalite.

What makes my AR different is that it has very few parts from an AR, primarily the chambering and magazine. It does not have a hand grip or a handle on top. I know how to carry a rifle. Mine was built by a gunsmith who is a world recognized shooter and has a barrel different from any OTC AR, does not include a collapsible stock and is chambered for .308. It was not a cheap rifle, probably cost 5X what they sell for at Gander Mt or Bass Pro. Off shelf ARs are chambered in .223 which is really only suitable for shooting people or varmints. The .223 round tumbles after it hits mass which creates a great deal more damage to muscles, bones and organs

When there was an “assault weapons ban” the most reasonable argument against it was “What is different, my 30-06 (or .303, .308, .270) is also semi automatic?” That is true.

My AR will last longer than my unborn grandchildren as will all but one of my guns. I have 2 other rifles that are also air cooled with gas chambering. Gas chambering allows a shell to be ejected after firing and another chambered ready for shooting. I have 2 other rifles with this feature. An AK-47 which I bought as a collectible and a Ruger 10-22. The Ruger has been a very commonly sold rifle and is often “tricked out” to look similar to an AR. Not by gun afficionados but by those who wish to appear tough and only have $150.

I think this air cooled, gas chambering is what makes a rifle truly an assault weapon. While mine is built for hunting and very long range target shooting, most of these, off the shelf have very little utility for hunting or target shooting. Not for a sportsman in .223.

There was one significant error in reporting about online ammo purchases that I saw on Sunday. The reporter claimed that a buyer has to fax a copy of driver’s license to a seller prior to order. I have ordered online ammo many times from 6-8 dealers and have never had to provide my driver’s license. The shippers say that the law requires someone over 21 to sign for ammo on delivery. Mine is often left on my porch. There are some states that require you to prove you are over 18 when you purchase ammo in a store

I don’t think it unusual at all for an avid recreational shooter to have upwards of 6,000 rounds. I probably have more than 10,000. But, I have ammo for more than 20 guns and typically buy it in 1,000 rd lots because it is cheaper. If stored in a dry cool room it will last many years. Last fall I fired a .303 round that a friend’s father brought back from WWII. The muzzle velocity might have dropped a little but it went through a 1″ board

Large capacity magazines have no utility for a sportsman or target shooter. I would never use a 100 rd magazine unless I intended to buy a new barrel after firing it. A barrel gets pretty hot even after 10-12 rounds. If you care about preserving your gun and you are not in combat then after 10-12 rounds you would set that gun down and use another at the range or wait 15 minutes or so

I’ve owned and used pistols, rifles and shotguns all of my adult life. I’ve only ever bought 2 that I wish I hadn’t, that AK and a .380 that is just too small for my hand. Like most gunowners I really, really admire the workmanship. The tolerances of manufacture are so tiny that guns represent some of the finest workmanship and manufacturing this country offers.

While I am pretty sure I don’t ever want to live in any country where I can’t own a gun and it is something I’ve considered as there are some other places where I have dear friends. But, in Germany I found nothing but laughter from authorities when I inquired about bringing even one gun if I moved there.

I greatly favor gun control. Limit me. Make it harder to get a gun than a car, boat or airplane. Limit ammo purchases. Lets have waiting periods.