By Ronan 
AR-15 is considered one of the most readily available and most popular guns in the US. Its massive popularity can be linked to the following factors.
- The rifle’s firing rate
- The gun’s nominal recoil
- It’s ease of firing
- The rifle’s image
AR-15s are semiautomatic, making them release bullets quickly as soon as the shooter pulls the rifle’s trigger. It also fires continuously until its magazine is left empty. This rifle’s popularity also led to the manufacturing of the aero precision handguard and other rifle parts and accessories.
History of the AR-15 Rifle
AR originated from the rifle’s original manufacturer named ArmaLite, Inc. AR stands for ArmaLite Rifle, not for automatic rifle or assault rifle as the common notion goes.
When ArmaLite was first developed in the 1950s, it was in the form of a military rifle. However, since the company didn’t become successful in selling it, they sold the rifle design in 1959 to Colt.
Since the launching of the M-16 rifle became successful, Colt started manufacturing semiautomatic versions of the infamous M-16. It then sold these new rifles to the public and the law enforcement as AR-15 rifles.
After Colt’s patent expired in the late 1970s, other gun manufacturers started making their models patterned after Colt’s AR-15. While these manufacturers gave their rifles their names, AR-15’s popularity made it into an umbrella term to refer to all kinds of AR-15 guns.
The new AR-15 rifles, later on, evolved and paved the way for the rise of manufacturers of the aero precision handguard and other rifle parts and accessories.
Buy Nice Now or Buy Twice Later
One of the best buying advice AR-15 enthusiasts give to first-time buyers is to prefer quality over quantity. If you buy a rifle, buy the brand that will last.
Some people buy a cheaper red dot sight. However, it breaks after a few months, so they have to buy another. Within a year, these buyers have replaced their red dot sight three times. Overall, the money they spend on the three red dots is more than the price of a durable higher-quality red dot. A quality sight can last forever, and it also comes with a lifetime warranty.
It’s the Mission that determines the Gear
An old military adage states that it’s the task at hand that dictates the kind of equipment one should use. For one, it’s illogical to use short-barreled rifles if you’re aiming for long-range precision. On the other hand, if you’re clearing buildings or if you’re navigating close quarters, short-barreled guns are preferred.
Also, if you’re dumping lead in high volumes into a dirt berm, it’s not a good idea to use a precision match rifle.
To help you choose, here are some rifle variants the US Military has worked with.
- M16A1: Equipped with the tough fixed rear sight, skinny barrel, and a triangular handguard.
- M16A2: Comes with adjustable sights, a profile barrel, and a round handguard.
- M16A4: Comes with magnified optics, detachable sights, and railed handguard.
Now that you have basic knowledge about AR-15 rifles, you can check out reputable manufacturers within your area or online. If you’re looking for AR15 parts and accessories, you can browse through the product catalog of Picket’s Mill Armory. They have a wide array of high-quality and long-lasting AR-15 parts and accessories so you won’t have to worry about the lifespan of your rifle.