There is a lot of misinformation floating around the AR-15, making it one of the most misunderstood firearms available today. Many people, especially those who support the 2nd Amendment, believe that this is due to political and media preferences.
However, we will avoid getting into those types of discussions and instead focus on debunking the top myths about AR-15s and providing the real truth about this modern sporting rifle.
What Does “AR” Really Represent?
Source: washingtonpost.com
For a long time, people were convinced that the AR meant Assault Rifle. However, this is not true. In fact, the AR stands for ArmaLite Riffle. The whole design of the AR firearm was used for different models and serial numbers of forearms that were produced by the Eugene Stoner company.
This company is an inventor of the riffle. After some time, Colt Firearms bought this design, and they decided to keep the primary construction. More precisely, they were obligated to do so because of the contract that they had signed.
The term Assault Rifle that we are using today when it comes to AR-15 Rifles is completely made up. People should understand that it has no type of connection or association with the history of the rifle. Everything will be clear to you when you hear that, in reality, a rifle is not able to commit any type of serious attack.
Many people remember that German military forces had a weapon called an assault rifle, so they associated this rifle with that one. However, these two are completely unrelated. The one that we are talking about now in this article has completely different features, and it is built for different purposes.
The number 15 in this rifle name stands for the 15th version of the original design. There is a popular AR-10 that has a larger caliber, and it represents a 10th version.
However, it is important to understand that the number 10 has no relation to the ability of this rifle to fire exactly 15 rounds per second. This is a big misunderstanding that was once claimed. No matter how fast a finger some person has, it is completely impossible to achieve firing so many times because of the rifle mechanics.
Remember that an AR-15 is Not Classified as a Machine Gun
Source: nebraskapublicmedia.org
There is a common misconception about the meaning of the AR designation. Many people believe that it stands for “Automatic Rifle,” which is not true. The AR was originally designed to replace the M1 Carbine for military use.
Although the military version of the rifle has an automatic option, allowing it to fire in three-shot bursts, the civilian version can only fire in semi-automatic mode. This means that one shot is fired for each trigger pull. It is important to note that civilians can not legally own a machine gun without complying with strict legal requirements and incurring significant costs.
No firearm company currently sells machine guns to civilians, so they can not be easily purchased at local sporting goods stores. It is not possible for individuals to convert a semi-automatic rifle into a machine gun as well.
No matter what you have heard until now, you should know that this AR-15 can not be converted into a machine gun that you can use for specific purposes. There are so many differences between the AR-15 and the military M-4 or M-16 since these two are much better.
Converting a civilian rifle into a fully automatic M-16 requires extensive knowledge of its internal mechanics and access to a functional machine shop. However, attempting such a conversion is illegal and carries severe consequences. If you fire an illegal full-auto machine gun, be prepared for law enforcement to contact you.
Hunting With an AR-15 is a Great Experience
For a long time, there was a lively debate on social media platforms regarding AR-15, and people were saying that an AR-15 could not be used as a hunting rifle. That’s another myth that needs debunking. ARs make excellent hunting rifles.
As animal and predator hunting rifles, these accurate rifles work well in smaller calibers, such as the 5.56/.223, which is the most common caliber. This is not the only popular caliber since the AR-15 has so many others.
There are many other popular calibers that make the AR-15, and its AR-10 predecessor, into stellar big game hunting rifles as well. What makes these rifles superior for hunting purposes is the firearm’s modular capabilities.
It is Not Easier to Get an AR-15 Than Any Other Legal Firearm
Source: dailyyonder.com
It is important to clear up any misconceptions about the legality of purchasing firearms. Contrary to popular belief, it is not possible to obtain an AR-15 through the mail without going through the proper steps.
Any firearms ordered online must be transferred to the owner by a federally-licensed broker who will conduct a background check (NICS) just as they would for an in-person purchase. The “Gun-Show Loophole” is also a myth, as dealers with an FFL still perform NICS checks and file paperwork at these events.
However, private sales do not fall under the NICS system requirements. It should be noted that even though the AR-15 is modular, the receiver is still considered a firearm and must go through the NICS system. This ensures that the NICS system has all the necessary information on a person, making it more difficult for individuals with issues to obtain firearms.
The AR-15 is Not Considered a High-powered Rifle
There is another myth that the AR-15’s caliber is very powered and that it can go through walls, cars, or something else. However, this is not true. It’s a common misconception that the AR-15 is a weapon of war or a tool for mass destruction.
In reality, these rifles are great for hunting and target shooting and are often used for these purposes. Unfortunately, many people fall prey to the myths surrounding the AR-15. However, some people are willing to learn the truth about these rifles. Every single person who has experienced shooting with an AR-15 has come away with a new perspective.
You will never understand the true preferences of this rifle if you do not embrace the step of using it and experiencing it on your own.
