Bored With ARs?

by Robert W. Hunnicutt • February 13, 2012 • 9 comments

Lately, I’ve been seeing some comments here and elsewhere complaining about the ubiquity of the AR-15 in gun magazines.

There’s no question that black rifles, especially ARs, are dominating the gun scene these days. I was at the first SHOT Show in 1979, and I wouldn’t be confident in saying there were any ARs shown there. In those days, they were almost exclusively offered by Colt, which sold maybe 7,500 a year.

I would estimate that at this year’s show, there were at least 100 makers of whole guns and another 200 or more suppliers of AR parts. Throw in AKs, FALs and other examples of what the NSSF calls “modern sporting rifles,” and probably 25% or more of the show was black rifle-related.

And there was no question where the action was in Vegas. You had to elbow your way through the aisles of the Law Enforcement section, while things were open and mellow in the traditional hunting part of the show.

This all means that while black guns were once ghettoized into SGN, now everyone’s getting into the act. Magazines that once spurned “assault rifles” are now touting them as ideal hunting guns. That’s pretty funny if you’ve been around a while, but all to the good, nonetheless.

Meanwhile, consolidation is narrowing the field of traditional gunmakers. Harrington & Richardson, Marlin and Remington all were prominent and separate brands when I started in the trade. Now they’re all just components of the Freedom Group, along with black gun purveyors Bushmaster and DPMS. Freedom Group just added Para USA to its stable.

When a big holding company combines formerly free-standing brands, it never advertises as much as did the individual companies. The pages formerly bought by a company like Marlin have to be replaced somewhere, and these days, that somewhere is likely to be an AR manufacturer.

So if you’re bored with ARs on magazine covers, I regret to tell you you’re probably going to have to be bored for a while. I don’t apologize for it in SGN, as ARs have been a vital part of our advertiser base for 25 or 30 years. Your complaints should logically be directed to the Johnny-come-lately types who’ve only recently discovered that “assault rifles” aren’t so bad.

In Featured, Long Guns • Tagged , , ,

9 Responses

  1. bob johnson

    ars are ok. aks are way better!

    On February 14, 2012 at 12:41 am • Reply
  2. steve

    ffn do it for me, 308 forever

    On February 16, 2012 at 6:01 pm • Reply
  3. guest

    I would love an issue that would force the mayors, govenors and such to start thinking about 2nd amendment rights in Il. perhaps a bold cover with the full amendment on it with the visible " white out " they have used over the years.

    On February 19, 2012 at 10:15 am • Reply
    • guest

      you do realize that the second amendment states that you have the right to bear arms to maintain the militia. last time i checked we had a national military not a milita. so therefore the second amendment really doesn't apply anymore. just saying

      On April 19, 2012 at 10:54 pm • Reply
  4. Williams

    I'm saving my pennies, my next gun will be an AR. Steve I agree, 308 forever!

    On February 25, 2012 at 12:33 pm • Reply
  5. Willy R Long

    I love the AR's. I trained on them (as did everyone did for the last few decades) in the military. They are definately an excellent weapon for training and use. My favorite is the DPMS Panther AR-10 that can be either .308 or .243 and easily switched back and forth. The only constriction is Price! I am suprised to not be able to find a cheaper knock off version available. Every other popular weapon seems to have one. Probably the largest factor in the popularity of the AK and SKS models, besides the price of ammo!

    On February 28, 2012 at 3:48 am • Reply
    • Matt

      I've had a DPMS AR15 for a while but this past Saturday picked up a DPMS Panther AR10. I was shocked when I saw it as the back order is crazy. I pick it up Friday- 3 days from now. You said "My favorite is the DPMS Panther AR-10 that can be either .308 or .243 and easily switched back and forth.". Please explain. Are you saying you can replace the .308 upper w/ a .243 upper and it will function?

      On May 1, 2012 at 4:36 pm • Reply
  6. John Blincow

    I am an HK man, 91's and 91k's rule.

    On March 1, 2012 at 4:47 pm • Reply
  7. Guest

    I was always intrigued by the AR 15 and after a lot of research I finally chose Fulton Armory to build my dream AR in 2005. I went with the Far 15 Liberator with accuracy in mind. I had mine built with 20 in. match grade stainless barrel 1-9 twist, free float YHM fore end, YHM buis,match grade trigger, ego pistol grip,Ace skeleton stock,Arms riser,weaver 4-16 scope with a J-point red dot piggy back mounted on top for close in targets. I could not be happier. It has a 1 m.o.a. guaranty. My personal best is a 3/4 in. 3 shot group@100 yards. I never really knew how accurate I could shoot until I got this rifle.

    On April 4, 2012 at 5:56 pm • Reply