I'm not "into" tactical rifles at all, but when I hear the term "AR-15" the rifles in the photos are what I think of. I never warmed up to the newer versions of the M-16 with the rear sights hacked off and a sniper scope installed and all the chingaderas hanging off the barrel LOL. I think of the classic M-16A1 from the 1960's when I hear people use the term AR-15.
I have very little experience with the M-16. After my USN Service I did a stint in the Nat. Guard and qualed with the M-16A2. If I recall, the rifle I was issued was made by FN? Believe it or not...maybe memory is wrong on that?, it was 1997 when I last fired an M-16A2. What little I saw of the M-16A2, it was not a bad little rifle. For someone who did not get to qual. in Boot Camp and had one handed to me and qualed on the spot, I think I did alright with it? Had we actually had some live fire practice and had the prior instruction I'd have done better.
We did not have the scopes that I see on the newer M-16s, but I never had a problem with the regular sights. I was in a Maint. Unit and if we needed to actually use our M-16A2s for their God given purpose....something horribly went wrong LOL!!!
For someone who really has no legit use for a "tactical" rifle and someone who likes wood and blued steel, there are times when I think I'd like to have a civvie legal replica M-16A1. I say M-16A1, because I think that the USN was still suing them when I was in?, but I could be wrong? I just like the 60's era M-16s better for the way they look LOL. So, I've considered trying to find a AR-15 that looks like the M-16A1 and putting it on layaway one of these days.
But knowing me...I will stumble into that Lee-Metford Mk.II from 1891 that I want so bad, or a Savage Model-99 and forget the M-16 Replica, but you never know?
I hear people say "AR-15" and "AR"...is there a difference?
That is enough rambling about something I know nothing about LOL.
Mark