What Would Stoner Do - In His Own Words
Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:19 am
A sometimes opinionated take on what makes AR-15's great:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD0jVBYX7wU
I wholeheartedly agree with the discussion on the "forward assist", use of lightweight advanced materials, and use of a smaller cartridge than the 7.62mm NATO.
It's always an advantage to have lighter ammo (biggest weight factor) and many times helpful to have a lighter rifle (heavier is better for managing recoil). It is a good idea to eliminate all that is unnecessary... but in the end the M16A2 really wasn't that heavy. The 20inch length and lack of a freefloat barrel/rails are the main drawbacks in my mind... and the 20inch length is sometimes an advantage.
A fair comparison to between the M16A2 loaded with 30rds at 8.8lbs would mention that the M1 Garand with 8rds weighed 9.5lbs. That is a MASSIVE difference in ready ammunition. The M14 with 20rds was even heavier at 10.1 lbs. The AK-47 certainly didn't have a weight advantage either.
I question the overconfidence in the 5.56mm cartridge. In 2021 there are more advanced cartridges. The 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC come to mind. For a long distance rifle the 6.5 Creedmore is far superior to a 7.62mm NATO.
I also question the pencil barrel or overly simplistic sights if you are planning on having a versatile rifle. EOTECH, ACOG, ACOG/Red Dot, or Variable power optics are really state of the art. You want to be able to hit targets from Zero to 500 yards and even the M16A2 irons will let you do that. Heat has to go somewhere, and more mass on the barrel helps keep the rifle cool during sustained fire. Having an accurate and reliable rifle matters most, I wouldn't sacrifice those things for a little weight.
Weapon lights aren't that heavy anymore, and identifying your target is still critical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD0jVBYX7wU
I wholeheartedly agree with the discussion on the "forward assist", use of lightweight advanced materials, and use of a smaller cartridge than the 7.62mm NATO.
It's always an advantage to have lighter ammo (biggest weight factor) and many times helpful to have a lighter rifle (heavier is better for managing recoil). It is a good idea to eliminate all that is unnecessary... but in the end the M16A2 really wasn't that heavy. The 20inch length and lack of a freefloat barrel/rails are the main drawbacks in my mind... and the 20inch length is sometimes an advantage.
A fair comparison to between the M16A2 loaded with 30rds at 8.8lbs would mention that the M1 Garand with 8rds weighed 9.5lbs. That is a MASSIVE difference in ready ammunition. The M14 with 20rds was even heavier at 10.1 lbs. The AK-47 certainly didn't have a weight advantage either.
I question the overconfidence in the 5.56mm cartridge. In 2021 there are more advanced cartridges. The 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC come to mind. For a long distance rifle the 6.5 Creedmore is far superior to a 7.62mm NATO.
I also question the pencil barrel or overly simplistic sights if you are planning on having a versatile rifle. EOTECH, ACOG, ACOG/Red Dot, or Variable power optics are really state of the art. You want to be able to hit targets from Zero to 500 yards and even the M16A2 irons will let you do that. Heat has to go somewhere, and more mass on the barrel helps keep the rifle cool during sustained fire. Having an accurate and reliable rifle matters most, I wouldn't sacrifice those things for a little weight.
Weapon lights aren't that heavy anymore, and identifying your target is still critical.