You Don't Need A $2,500 Rifle

The AR-15 is one of the most common firearms in America today.  Thanks to economy of scale and a lack of any patents or copyrights, it is also one of the most affordable.  Except, some companies have found ways increase the perceived value of these weapons by means of proprietary design elements, additional features and unique designs.  However, not all of these additions are needed in an effective rifle.  In fact, some of these "high-end" rifles are probably not the best options for a shooter.  Especially one who is of the Boogaloo persuasion.  In most cases, people recommend many of these rifles just to flex on the poors.

Many of the AR-15's have such high price tags because of components that unlike a more conventional rifles, contain components that are proprietary and patented.  Some of these components are simple things like handguards and barrel nuts.  While others are more complex like ambidextrous lower receivers or even proprietary upper receivers and bolt carriers.  Some rifles, especially ones that are piston operated are almost entirely proprietary and spare parts can only be purchased from the manufacturer for extremely high prices.  For someone who is intending to Boogaloo or is just preparing for a SHTF scenario in general needs to take such factors into consideration.  If you have one of these heavily proprietary rifles and a part was to encounter a failure, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to match parts in the event you are able to scavenge additional AR-15's or components.  Unless you've gone out and spend the usually high costs for the necessary spare parts, if your rifle goes down you are most likely gonna be shit out of luck.

Some rifles are extremely high end purpose built machines.  Designed for competitions, these rifles are designed to be fast firing and accurate.  Often simply referred to as "race guns" one could easily think these rifles would be great for combat.  In reality though, these are probably the last rifles that one would want.  First off, many of the rifles are simply not designed for heavy duty use.  Some can be much heavier than a more conventional rifle making carrying for long distances and long periods of time a more difficult task than needed.  Also, most competition guns are built to very tight tolerances.  While it makes for a very accurate and smooth shooting rifle, it also makes for a severe reliability concern when used in adverse conditions.  Conditions that are more than likely endured and a Boogaloo or SHTF scenario.  In a nutshell, you'll have a very nice a shootable rifle.  If you can get it to work.

 

You will also have these rifles that are high priced but, that's about it.  Not to say they are bad or just have a high price tag on them.  Most of them are very well built with a lot of craftsmanship and quality control.  However, many command a price that is just unwarranted for what you get.  You're mostly just paying for the name.  Some may have a minor proprietary component that might be one of the best on the market or even some sort of engraving intended to appease a specific political view.  Even worse, you could be getting a rifle that still uses what many in the firearms community might consider to be out of date technology or bargain bin components.  Such features do not mean the weapon is worth such a high price.   Especially when in most cases you can get a rifle with similar feature and the same level of quality and functionality for hundreds of dollars less.

Now I'm not saying weapons like these are bad.  Some of them are absolutely great and definitely the best AR-15's on the market.  If you have the means there are many high end rifles that I would absolutely recommend.  However, just remember what you are getting into.  Some will require that you stock up on plenty of spare parts in the event of a failure.  Others are nothing more than you wanting to show off which is your right.  Just know what you're getting into when you buy.  This doesn't mean you should get the cheapest AR-15 on the market either.  Those have their own sets of problems and misadventures.