Finding the Best Firearm For You

So you’ve found the best handgun for concealed carry, what now? Well, now you need a rifle to add to your collection. While there are plenty on the market, very few can compete with the AR15. This is a rifle built for performance. Take it to the range, hunt with it, or even use a AR 15 pistol for home defense. Don’t shop anywhere but GrabAGun for your AR15 rifle. We are the premier online gun store featuring reputable brands like Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Daniel Defense, and more. Shop for AR 15 rifle deals at GrabAGun today and start saving! 

About the AR-15

History

The first AR-15 was developed by the ArmaLite Company. ArmaLite traces its beginnings back to 1950s Hollywood. It was founded by George Sullivan and, originally, the company was focused on weapons design, not manufacturing. The chief architect behind ArmaLite’s weapons designs was a man named Eugene Stoner, who is credited as the original designer of the AR-15 model. In case you haven’t figured out, the AR in AR 15 does not stand for “assault rifle” as many might have you believe. It actually stands for ArmaLite, the original developer of the firearm. 

The first weapon designed by the company was the AR-5, a bolt-action rifle with a .22 Hornet round. It was developed as a survival rifle for the flight crew in the Air Force. After that came a replacement for the M1 Garand. ArmaLite developed an AR-10 rifle that, unfortunately, the military did not adopt. However, it set the precedent for what we know today. In 1959, Colt bought the designs for the AR-15 and began producing the firearm. By 1961, the U.S. Air Force began testing the AR-15 Colt was producing, commissioning 8,500 for Air Force use. 

How It Works

From the start, the AR-15 has been a gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle. Semi-automatic means that every pull of the trigger constitutes one shot. So, as soon as the cartridge is ejected, a new one slides into the chamber automatically, thus the name. Compare that to a pump-action shotgun, where every time you shoot, you have to pump the slide in order to eject the cartridge and begin the next cycle. 

Direct Impingement

The type of gas system the AR15 uses is a direct impingement. This is a system that directs gas from the ignited gunpowder of a cartridge to the slide assembly, or the bolt barrier, to cycle the rifle’s action. The thing about a direct impingement system is that it doesn’t use a separate piston, gas cylinder, and operating rod assembly, unlike other traditional gas-operated firearms. 

Instead, the pressure from the emitted gas acts upon the carrier and the bolt to cause the firing action. Ultimately, this system makes the overall cost cheaper and the rifle’s weight lighter by decreasing the mass of its operating parts. The only downside to this system is that the breech of the firearm becomes more prone to fouling. (Fouling is that build-up of powder residues due to high temperatures and frequent exposure to moisture)

Standard Facts

A standard AR-15 of today is a lightweight, semi-automatic rifle or carbine fed from a 30-round box magazine. It’s normally chambered in 5.56x45mm that can also fire .223 Remington. I’m using several buzzwords like ‘standard’ and ‘normal’ because the phrase ‘standard AR-15 rifle’ is a little relative. It encompasses all kinds of variants and permutations of the AR15 including the itty bitty 9mm’s with 7-inch barrels all the way to the 22-inch, .300 WinMags, and beyond. For the sake of this post and this post alone, when we’re referring to the AR-15, we’re talking bout the “classic” 5.56mm version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the AR-15 an “assault rifle”?

No. An assault rifle is a select-fire, fully automatic weapon (better known as a machine gun. Think UZI or the Thompson Submachine Gun). That in mind, it’s illegal for civilians to own a fully automatic weapon in the United States. Anything like that is only in service with militaries, law enforcement, and/or defense organizations. The AR15 is a semi-automatic weapon and it’s no different, legally or in name, from any other semi-automatic weapon you’d buy or build. 

Can I order an AR15 online?

Yes and no. The only part of a AR 15 that’s actually considered a firearm is the stripped lower receiver. All other parts, including the upper receiver, barrel, parts kit, buttstock, gas system, etc. are not considered firearms. That means they can be purchased online and shipped to your home. You don’t need an FFL to make the transfer, not unless you want to. You can find great AR 15 rifle deals–ready to shoot guns as well as parts–at GrabAGun today! 

Is the AR-15 good for beginners?

Honestly? Yeah. 

When broken down, part by part, the AR-15 is kind of a mediocre firearm. But, put everything together and you’ve got yourself an exceptional rifle. Bonus: it’s incredibly lightweight for its class. Yes, there are several rifles that outperform the AR-15, but in terms of overall performance, there is nothing quite like it.

Beginners will find that it’s easy to handle. The AR15 is considered a soft shooter, meaning there is minimal felt recoil or muzzle rise. On top of it begin lightweight, it has a relatively simple control layout. Most models also feature an adjustable stock to accommodate the shooter’s stature and if the shooter is wearing body armor or backpack straps. Loading is pretty simple and easy to pick up on. Despite that minimal action, it’s fairly accurate and can reach targets several hundred meters away. 

In terms of maintenance, the AR15 doesn’t really require frequent oiling and cleaning. Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever take care of your firearm, but it’s not as high-maintenance as you might think. When the time does come to care for it, you can easily disassemble its base. 

Is the AR15 good for hunting?

Yes, the AR15 is lightweight and powerful enough to take down large animals. It’s easy to carry and can certainly immobilize a target. Plus, it’s safer to use due to its “drop safety” feature, something not common among hunting rifles. Harsh weather, rain–you name it and the AR 15 can handle it since the stock isn’t made of wood. Wood, as you know, expands and warps when exposed to moisture. That can cause issues with aiming down the line. 

Many do prefer a semi-automatic rifle like the AR15 for hunting since shooters don’t have to adjust their hand positions after every shot. This is critical when hunting pack animals such as coyotes and wild boar where the shooter may need/want to take down multiple animals quickly. That’s much easier to do when you aren’t having to shift positions after each and every shot. 

Not to sound like a broken record, but the AR15 has minimal recoil and muzzle creep. When hunting, especially for a first-time hunter, this is a huge advantage. You’re more likely to experience greater accuracy with more time for follow-up shots this way. 

Our AR15 Recommendations

AR 15 Rifle Deals at GrabAGun

Despite the negative narrative surrounding AR15s, they are probably the best, most reliable firearm you could own. When you’re searching for the best deals on AR 15 rifles for sale, GrabAGun is the best place to shop. You’ll find Colt M4 Carbines, Ruger AR-556 deals, Springfield Armory rifles for sale, to name a few. Need ammo? Not a problem! We have plenty of ammo deals and, as if you needed any more reason, we offer flat-rate shipping. That means you can buy 1 or 100 boxes of ammo and the shipping is still the same. 

Cash in on any of the AR 15 rifle deals we have on our site right now and you won’t be sorry! 

–Kellie Krevosky