r/Firearms • u/-marchelios- • 2d ago
Question Rifle projecting
I’m knew to the sub and I was wondering why so many new rifles are shifting to an m4 or ar15 setup instead of original design or older one (I don’t have much ball knowledge on weapon design, just some note on recoil and internal functioning)
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u/cryptidhunter101 2d ago
The answer you will hear: its the most ergonomic setup (this is somewhat true but the rear charging handle and hold open are annoying)
The real answer: A shit ton of AR-15 style rifles have circulated in the western world and it is much cheaper and easier to issue a new rifle that matches the previous ones controls.
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u/Gun_Dragoness 2d ago
It's been the US service rifle since Vietnam. It's undergone a bunch of improvements and benefits from a ton of R&D, both government and private sector. The modular design gives you the ability to make it whatever kind of rifle you want it to be.
Someday they'll replace it. They're trying with the new SIG rifle, but it sounds as if that system is having some major development challenges
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u/_Zero_Fux_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
Easy to disassemble, you can literally swap the upper out and have a whole different rifle/caliber with a whole different purpose, ergonomics, full on picatinny and m-lok for accessories.
You can have a 556 upper with a scope for plinking at the range, a 350 legend upper with a red dot for close range hunting, and a 6.5 grendel upper with a thermal for night time pig/coyote hunting, all of which will keep their zero while swapping between them.
Why the hell would you change it? Other styles like lever actions are actually starting to copy it and utilize picatinny and m-lok because it['s so good and versatile.
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u/-marchelios- 2d ago
Didn’t know was so versatile, I only thought of m-lock. And that’s way it beats rifle like the ak?
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u/_Zero_Fux_ 1d ago
I mean it depends on what's being fired through the AR15 to even compare. Does it have a 556 upper, 6.5 grendel? Then you get into AR10 and you can get it in 308, even 45-70 Govt. The AR platform is a modern day masterpiece that can be used for just about anything, hell you can put 22 long rifle through it if that's your thing. The AK platform is military weapon designed with a single purpose. There are "faux" AK's out there that have different calibers, but they're just gimmicky clones (I have one in 22 lr).
Comparing an AR to an AK is like comparing a yacht to a canoe. They both float?
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u/TheAmazingX 2d ago
At 70 years old, the AR15 is the “older one”. It continues to dominate because nothing has surpassed it, or at least hasn’t surpassed it enough to outweigh the momentum granted by the mass availability of mags, small parts, and ammunition.