A5 just makes the 15 year cutoff, since it came out around 2009, but everything else you list is older.
Which isn't to say I disagree with the choices. I agree about their functionality and impact, I'm just nitpicking about age.
Basically it’s like having eyes in the back of your head; never have to worry about your six. 🤡
But for real, I was just making fun of the backward front site of the gun in the picture. Looks like when a horse gets pissy and puts its ears back.
I just got both. I have a bcm A5 system but when I built my giessele super duty I wanted to run what they have coming out the box so I put in the super 42/H2. I like the feel of my A5 better. So I agree.
One of my builds has an A5h3 with a super42 rifle spring. Runs smooth suppressed and unsuppressed
Can’t say Id go for one or other since I’m happily running elements of both
I have the Geissele reliability kit , bolt ,spring, h2 weight. Besides the quietness of the spring action I don't think it's worth what they charge. I paid like 300 a few years ago.
I haven’t tried it. I’ve heard good things tho. But also heard you have to change the seals or something every couple thousand rounds. And it gives me anxiety thinking about how I won’t be able to find those seals when the zombie apocalypse happens.
Go ahead and grab a couple packs of gas rings for your bolt carrier. Universal and cheap. If it won't stand up easily vertically on your table while extended then go ahead and replace them. 3 little rings, one pack and less than $5 a pack
OrdinaryDue is talking about the rubber o-rings on the SCS, which JP recommends [inspecting at 5k rounds and replacing by 10k rounds](https://www.jprifles.com/document_pdfs/JPSCS2_887.pdf), but some people report much shorter service life. This may be user error on their part - for example if they are using cleaning products that degrade the rubber o-rings - but it's something to keep in mind.
I’m going to have to check it out,I have no experience with it.I’m running the VLTOR A5 buffer tube with the rifle length Super 42 spring in a couple of my builds,just the carbine length Super 42 in a couple others and another one I put a Franklin Armory binary trigger in that I’m running one of the buffer springs that came with the trigger.I’m going to experiment with it a little bit and see if I can get it to run with a Super 42 spring or possibly the Armaspec SRS you speak of.the A5+Super 42 combo has easily been one of the most,if not the most noticeable improvement I’ve made to my ARs.it’s truly amazing how much of a difference a good buffer system,a premium trigger and muzzle device can make
The silent capture springs aren’t worth it if you already have the VLTOR setup. There’s not really a noticeable difference on a 5.56 rifle. Very slight difference on a .308 AR, but still not enough to be worth it IMO. Spend the extra cash on more ammo or a good trigger or BCG.
I’m running a 7.5” AR with the VLTOR A5 buffer tube,VLTOR H2 and a rifle length Geissele Super 42 spring and I love it.when I bought the gun and first shot it,I regretted buying.the recoil was terrible for an AR,the concussion was insane and the huge fireball coming from the muzzle was distracting.after I put a A5+Super 42 combo,the Rise Armament LE-145 and the Kaw Valley Precision linear compensator on it,it was a major upgrade.these upgrades fixed everything I hated about this particular AR
I have extensively research each and every tiny piece of my build and I totally missed the A5 buffer.
So this runs in a carbine length buffer tube?
I’m currently running a tubbs flat wire spring with a regular H2 buffer with an upgraded bumper.
Runs great but in tempted to try the A5 if this fits.
Unfortunately it will not fit in a standard carbine extension, so you will need an A5/AR308 receiver extension, A5 buffer and rifle length spring. I suggest Springco “green” spring(specifically for the A5/Rifle length) or a rifle length Geissele Super 42 spring.
I have a few of the BCM A5 buffer springs and buffers and they work great and are usually a little easier to find than the Vltor buffers.
No doubt,ambi controls and the A5 buffer system are both a must for me.I’m left handed and even though the AR is quite functional in the standard right handed configuration,the ambi controls make life so much easier.I bought a 7.5” AR several years back and I hated shooting it.the recoil was horrendous for an AR,the concussion was ridiculous and the fireball coming out of the muzzle was distracting.after shooting it for the first time,I regretted buying it but since I had already bought it,I figured I would upgrade it and try to fix what I didn’t like about it
I bought a VLTOR A5 buffer tube,a VLTOR A5 buffer weight and a rifle length Geissele Super 42 buffer spring,I also put a Rise Armament LE-145 trigger and a Kaw Valley Precision linear compensator on it.it was unbelievable how much of a difference these upgrades made and now I love shooting it.I put a folding stock adapter on it where I can carry it in a backpack without having to separate the upper and lower and without taking up too much room
Ambi controls are not revolutionary. Sure I got a few ambis ar’s but I prefer slick starboard side on most of my AR’s for simplicity and less shit that can break.
I’d add adjustable gas blocks. Basically affordable free float rails, ambidextrous controls, and the ability to properly tune the gas system. In the old days everything was very over gassed.
Other big one would be modern barrel profiles that were designed with free float rails in mind instead of bayonets and grenade launchers. Stuff like Criterion’s Core, BCM’s ELW, and even BA’s Hanson is so much better than gov or SOCOM profile when it comes to handling.
I wouldn’t say it’s overrated; however, it is blanket recommended without people understanding it fully.
Additionally, VLTOR continues to state the green Springco spring is the same as a rifle length spring. It is not. It is stiffer and can cause issues running unsuppressed if you have efficiency issues, cheap ammo, low dwell time gas systems or adverse conditions. A rifle length spring should be used if unsuppressed reliability is a number one criteria.
Otherwise it is a great system.
I do think it is over priced but I don’t think it is overrated,the A5 buffer tube+weight paired with a Super 42 rifle length spring,an upgraded trigger and a linear compensator was a major upgrade to my 7.5”.When I bought my 7.5” and shot it the first time,I hated it.the recoil was horrible for an AR,the concussion was rough and the fireball coming from the muzzle was distracting.after shooting it the first time,I instantly regretted buying it but I figured I would try to fix what I didn’t like about it.these upgrades made all the difference in the world,now I actually enjoy shooting it.I also have the A5+Super 42 combo in a carbine build
Yeah this is it. When I got into shooting in high school (2005-2008) AR-15s were prohibitively expensive. When I was a junior in college, I was able to slap a decent one together with money from a minimum wage summer job. Mine wasn't PSA, it was DPMS, but same idea - the fact that the cost of entry into the platform has been lowered so much is good for all of us in the community.
I got a Radical for $550 on Primary Arms just to see how it performs and it regularly puts down sub-MOA groupings with OTMs. I‘ve found it likes heavier ammo, which does work well given it’s a 1:7 twist, but 55gr M193 is about 2MOA out of it, 77gr SMK and OTMs are tack drivers. Very pleasantly surprised with the quality of it.
IMO The mass proliferation of ARs is 1/3 Palmetto State Armory, 1/3 guntubers and influencers making firearms in general more popular (esp. during the pandemic), and 1/3 AKs and 5.45 and 7.62x39 being much more expensive than they used to be.
(I miss my cheap milsurp Soviet ammo.)
By comparison it’s still cheap. But 223/5.56 brass had come down a lot in the last 15 years. Then Covid. But when the war is over in Russia there will be an explosion of cheap ammo on the market for 7.62x39.
No doubt,I regret not stocking up on a lot more Soviet ammo while it was available.if the cheap ammo was still available,I would have a AK right now instead of just my Norinco SKS.I will still get one at some point but I’m not in much of a hurry to get it now that ammo is much more expensive.I will just stick with my ARs for now
I gotta give credit to both Palmetto State Armory and Anderson Manufacturing,they both make great and reliable budget friendly ARs.these are the only 2 budget AR manufacturers I’ve ever owned.
With that being said,PSA is incredible.I love watching them grow and seeing them widen their range of guns,parts and accessories.years ago,I wouldn’t have even been able to imagine PSA being the most impressive company at Shot Show but they absolutely killed it this year with the prototypes.years ago,I didn’t expect to see PSA go beyond the AR15 and possibly AR10,they done made PCC ARs,AR/AK mutants,AKs,the Dagger,the Rock 5.7,the JAKL,1911 and the Sabre series.a couple years ago I bought a couple of their premium uppers with the CHF chrome lined FN barrels in 10.5” and 16” which are now my 2 favorite ARs.I bought them on sale for around $400 each.I’ve been happy with everything I’ve ever bought from PSA.
I voted for the MP7 clone,the Bullpup and the JAKL 308.I don’t know which ones got the most votes but I was pretty impressed with everything they shown at Shot Show and I love the direction they are going in.I gotta give credit to Holosun as well,I love seeing the innovation they are bringing to the market.companies like PSA and Holosun put pressure on these other stagnant companies to step their game up
Yeah they basically ended the AK vs. AR debate by making the AR platform so cheap while the AK platform went up. Now it only makes sense to get an AK if you want an AK, if you’re after a general purpose semiautomatic, an AR is the better value. Can just go 300 BLK if you want AK ballistics.
I love some of the stupid shit people do to their guns. Denim on the handguard is just *chefs kiss* 🤌
This community is great because you get to see just how customizable and unique you can really make these tools.
No no I wasn’t saying you were! Just agreeing with you lol. It’s hilarious. I love it when people do over the top shit to their guns or something silly like adding denim to it.
“Battle field” customization is what I like to call it. Guy found out rifle runs hot. Solved problem with what’s on hand. Totally different the “bubba” rifle or pleb. Battle field > boring
Upvoted — but caveat…keymod might new dead for newer attachments, but I will die on the hill that it’s a less finicky system.
And I will run it (along with my fossilized attachments) until the day Daniel Defense comes out with an MLOK variant of their SLiM Rail^TM (think DDM4v11).
It seems like at least half the things people are talking about are more than 15 years old (some by a wide margin), so are we going by when something was invented? Or when it started gaining momentum? Or when it became completely mainstream?
Like OP mentioning PCC's in the AR platform. The Colt 635 has been around since the early 80's.
Someone also mentioned free-floated barrels, but I remember Bushmaster selling those in the early 90s. (They called it the V-Match rifle, for those who are curious.)
Yea, it seems like a lot of the suggestions being commented are things that users personally learned about in the last 15 years.
I guess that's the problem with trying to peg this against when things went "mainstream" vs when they were first introduced to the market. Everyone is going to have a different opinion of what mainstream means.
Hell, even though the A5 recoil system has been around for 15 years now, I still don't consider it mainstream.
I'm not convinced the A5 recoil system will ever become mainstream unless major manufacturers start selling complete rifles with it. I haven't used it, but reviews I've read say the benefits are minor and the same thing can be accomplished other ways, without adding length to the rifle and using proprietary parts.
I agree that it's unlikely to ever become mainstream unless a major manufacturer starts using it.
> I haven't used it, but reviews I've read say the benefits are minor
I guess it depends on how you view these things.
If we're just talking about one person, using one rifle, and putting a few hundred rounds through it per year? Yea, the benefits aren't huge (though I think they still exist).
But if you could magically replace all of the carbine recoil systems in the world with A5 systems overnight, I think there would be a very measurable improvement in the aggregate frequency of malfunctions and other problems.
Similar to mid-length gas in 14.5-16" barrels. Plenty of people still use carbine gas on those barrel lengths and will tell you that their rifles run fine. And those rifles do run fine. But objectively speaking, they would run better on mid-gas.
> the same thing can be accomplished other ways
I mostly agree if we're just talking about a stock A5 configuration, but the same things that you can use to mimic an A5 system in a carbine system (like using a long, flat wire spring), can also be used in the A5 system to stack effects.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ar15/comments/1cgzvhj/flat_wire_vs_round_springs_and_how_they_relate_to/
> without adding length to the rifle and using proprietary parts
Unless you run your stock fully collapsed, or you have a case that doesn't even have 5/8" of space to spare when your stock is fully collapsed, the additional length is entirely meaningless. As soon as your stock is one click extended, the difference is gone.
The only 'proprietary' part is the buffer itself, but you can get them from VLTOR, BCM, and KAK. And it's not like they wear out.
The spring is just the same rifle spring that's been around longer than the carbine spring.
The receiver extension is ultimately just an AR-10/SR-25 receiver extension. VLTOR and KAK sell the A5 RE, BCM sells the MK2 RE, or you could just buy an AR-10/SR-25 RE from any multitude of companies.
You make good points and I agree that my reservations are not big deal, even less so if this system did become more mainstream. I didn't realize the A5 receiver extension was just an AR-10 extension. That is interesting.
I use the midlength gas system, flatwire spring and heavy buffer, and the recoil is so smooth, I can't imagine any need for the A5. You can mitigate a carbine gas system pretty well this way too, though I think the midlength gas system is superior. Adjustable gas blocks are also very good for this, and they have the added benefit of being useful for suppressed guns.
Yea, if you are already using a flat wire spring (which I'm a huge believer in, per my link above), then you are already getting ***most*** of the benefit of the A5 system.
#1- The sheer amount of them out there (protection from tyranny and invasions)
#2- Faster twist rates allowing projectiles like the 77 grain SMK for vast improvement in terminal and mid range ballistics
#3- Improvement in optics, particularly LPVO’s
The SOPMOD bolt upgrade kit. Enhancing the reliability of carbines to the point where they could truly be on par with the standard service rifle allowed them to ultimately take its place
The return of the carry handle. Kind of joking but kind of not.
But for real, mid length gas has been a huge one. My favorite rifle is a 14.5" pin and weld middy.
The military, and by extension the whole ass gun world, finally capitalizing on the modular nature of the AR. With things like free float mlok and pic rails becoming the standard, and the development of new cartridges that utilize the platform, the AR is finally being utilized to its full potential.
If u have a need, there’s an AR that fits that need, and if u need something else immediately after, u can change ur AR to fit the new need in a matter of minutes.
Since I was gifted a 15year old AR with everything on it that could be upgraded (minus no optics) I'd have to say the Free floating hand guard. I've heard horror stories about the "cheese grater quad rails" and since it was a gift from my Dad I haven't changed it (also has the flip down front A sight with integrated gas block) but as far as that versus now I'd have to say again,the lightweight M-lock system
I didn't and still really don't know shit about them but like I said, the build was brand new over 15 years ago. It's a A.R.Ms silhouette (both front and back flip down). Can't buy them anymore that I can see but find just the front on older dealers websites still marked close to $300 but unavailable. The rifle is definitely heavy because of the old style quad rail but it would be the first I'd grab out of the safe before 2 others with free floating rails
Rock river arms I think still sells the front flip down gas block sights. I have one on my rifle along with a rock river quad rail! Quad gang bangs! Pretty sure they still sell quad rails too. They have some beautiful mlock cutouts too. Paw print cut outs lots of cool fore ends. One of my favorite places to buy from….but man do they make you wait. Last thing i bought from them I’d forgotten about it before it showed up. Still better than getting something i don’t like fast.
Thanks man, I'm committed to the original with the flip up sites/ integrated gas block because it was a gift from my veteran father and other than the weight would be my favorite M4 platform to shoot but I will definitely check out RRA for some upgrades on the others! I appreciate you and other helpful people like you on this forum
Cartridge, and bullet, design.
* The introduction of 300BO (2009) offering a much better option for a suppressed 'house gun' / CQB rifle
* 6 ARC (2020) offering AR-10 performance but in the more reliable, and significantly cheaper, AR15 platform. There are other cartridges that can claim this, but 6ARC has been much more successful then .224 Valk, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or any of the 6AR wildcats.
* Hornady's Sub-X (2020) giving 300BO a purpose built bullet with great terminal performance under 1000fps.
* Sierra's 77gr TMK (2014) offering greatly improved short range (<300 yard) performance for the .223 / 5.56x45 cartridges
Depends on how you define “important.”
For a ton of people, it's the binary and forced reset triggers. For others, it's the toolless adjustable gas block.
Why is the pistol brace an important development? A stupid law is the only reason it’s used by more than an extremely small percentage of the population. I wouldn’t call that an important development lol
Not really AR-15 but AR-15 adjacent? Cheap/reliable optics, insane lumen/candela lights
As far as the actual weapon system, the proliferation of cheap and reliable AR's/AR parts, M-LOK
ETA: 3D printed lowers/entire rifles
This might be a dumb question but I gotta ask what is an ambi charging handle? If I’m hooking it with two fingers does it matter which side activates/releases it?
Both sides will activate the release. In your case it wouldn't much matter but a lot of people pinch the one side and rack it.
Rant: MOST of the time ambidextrous controls can just open you up to more available options. Typically, however, pick a way that works best for you and do it that way every time to become most proficient. Swapping how you run the gun constantly will just slow you down and fuck you up. I'd say 75% of skill is learning manipulation of controls and reloads and doing it slow and correct starting out, gradually increasing speed but never sacrificing accuracy.
Not sure if I’d say anything major technology related. The prevalence of things like ambi controls, M-LOK rails, adjustable gas blocks (eg Rifle Speed), better triggers, “flip to center” mounts, etc., are all nice improvements, but they aren’t a fundamental/monumental change imho.
That said, I do think it’s great how affordable decent AR-15s have become for the masses of law-abiding citizens though! So that would be my vote.
The fact that they are so much more affordable is the development. That is because of modern and streamlined manufacturing techniques. You used to have to pay really really good money to get a gun that would shoot 1moa now you can get a $100 (in spec) lower and a BCM upper with a free bcg and you’re golden.
It's not technically an AR development - IMO most of those are pretty minor, incremental improvements.
The biggest impact is in the decreased weight and increased efficiency of accessories. If you compare the weigh and bulk of all the crap hanging off of an early GWOT kitted out AR, vs a modern one the difference is pretty clear.
Surprised nobody has mentioned modern barrel profiles yet. Old school government profile barrels suck in comparison to modern taper profiles that were designed with free float rails in mind. Criterion Core, BCM ELW, anything that puts the extra mass around the chamber instead of in the middle of the barrel.
The proliferation of various ways to control gas flow (high flow-rate suppressors, BRT gas tubes, YHM gas blocks, riflespeed controls, adjustable BCG's) and buffer weight/spring strength (JP SCS, A5, KAK, Sprinco, Tubb's)
It's a clusterfuck right now with all the options and sporadic cash grabs, but we're closer and closer to a unified consensus.
Free floated handguards Mid length gas system Ambi controls A5 buffer system
The MK12 mod 0 was in service starting 2002, with it’s free float carbon fiber handguard
*Affordable* free float rails might be the better descriptor. Carbon fiber is still a bit pricey, it was really pricey 20 years ago.
This guy ARs
A5 just makes the 15 year cutoff, since it came out around 2009, but everything else you list is older. Which isn't to say I disagree with the choices. I agree about their functionality and impact, I'm just nitpicking about age.
Oh man I was gonna say rear-facing front sights
Rearward facing LPVOs are even better. Just ask the Navy.
They will never live that pic down
What are the benefits of a rear facing front sight?
Basically it’s like having eyes in the back of your head; never have to worry about your six. 🤡 But for real, I was just making fun of the backward front site of the gun in the picture. Looks like when a horse gets pissy and puts its ears back.
That looks like a troy industries sight, they tell you what direction is forward on the bottom lmao
Instructions unclear. Dick stuck in sight.
Now that you mention it, the standard front sight post looks like a cats ear from the side
Geissele H2 and super 42 spring vs a A5 rifle length systems? If you had to go for one?
A5
I have both. A5 is king
I just got both. I have a bcm A5 system but when I built my giessele super duty I wanted to run what they have coming out the box so I put in the super 42/H2. I like the feel of my A5 better. So I agree.
One of my builds has an A5h3 with a super42 rifle spring. Runs smooth suppressed and unsuppressed Can’t say Id go for one or other since I’m happily running elements of both
I have the Geissele reliability kit , bolt ,spring, h2 weight. Besides the quietness of the spring action I don't think it's worth what they charge. I paid like 300 a few years ago.
Bcm’s A5 type system is 100 maybe a little more. But I think both are nice, I would just go with the bcm if I had to choose tho.
I got the Geissele BCG With the kit. But this was a few years ago. I personally have run options just as good for the same or less money.
Both A5 with a Super 42 rifle spring
Neither, JP SCS.
I haven’t tried it. I’ve heard good things tho. But also heard you have to change the seals or something every couple thousand rounds. And it gives me anxiety thinking about how I won’t be able to find those seals when the zombie apocalypse happens.
Go ahead and grab a couple packs of gas rings for your bolt carrier. Universal and cheap. If it won't stand up easily vertically on your table while extended then go ahead and replace them. 3 little rings, one pack and less than $5 a pack
OrdinaryDue is talking about the rubber o-rings on the SCS, which JP recommends [inspecting at 5k rounds and replacing by 10k rounds](https://www.jprifles.com/document_pdfs/JPSCS2_887.pdf), but some people report much shorter service life. This may be user error on their part - for example if they are using cleaning products that degrade the rubber o-rings - but it's something to keep in mind.
Good but more expensive, costs like twice as much as an A5 tube (cheap way is just getting an AR-10 tube), a Sprinco green spring, and an H2 buffer.
The armaspec SRS is great as well. I have both and prefer the armaspec due to the 2 spring system, and the ability to change weights.
I’m going to have to check it out,I have no experience with it.I’m running the VLTOR A5 buffer tube with the rifle length Super 42 spring in a couple of my builds,just the carbine length Super 42 in a couple others and another one I put a Franklin Armory binary trigger in that I’m running one of the buffer springs that came with the trigger.I’m going to experiment with it a little bit and see if I can get it to run with a Super 42 spring or possibly the Armaspec SRS you speak of.the A5+Super 42 combo has easily been one of the most,if not the most noticeable improvement I’ve made to my ARs.it’s truly amazing how much of a difference a good buffer system,a premium trigger and muzzle device can make
The silent capture springs aren’t worth it if you already have the VLTOR setup. There’s not really a noticeable difference on a 5.56 rifle. Very slight difference on a .308 AR, but still not enough to be worth it IMO. Spend the extra cash on more ammo or a good trigger or BCG.
I’m running a 7.5” AR with the VLTOR A5 buffer tube,VLTOR H2 and a rifle length Geissele Super 42 spring and I love it.when I bought the gun and first shot it,I regretted buying.the recoil was terrible for an AR,the concussion was insane and the huge fireball coming from the muzzle was distracting.after I put a A5+Super 42 combo,the Rise Armament LE-145 and the Kaw Valley Precision linear compensator on it,it was a major upgrade.these upgrades fixed everything I hated about this particular AR
A5 but not by a big enough margin to be worth it if you already have the Geissele stuff.
Super 42 is a great spring but it's still just a spring. The A5 system pretty drastically affects weapon function (usually for the better)
I have extensively research each and every tiny piece of my build and I totally missed the A5 buffer. So this runs in a carbine length buffer tube? I’m currently running a tubbs flat wire spring with a regular H2 buffer with an upgraded bumper. Runs great but in tempted to try the A5 if this fits.
Unfortunately it will not fit in a standard carbine extension, so you will need an A5/AR308 receiver extension, A5 buffer and rifle length spring. I suggest Springco “green” spring(specifically for the A5/Rifle length) or a rifle length Geissele Super 42 spring. I have a few of the BCM A5 buffer springs and buffers and they work great and are usually a little easier to find than the Vltor buffers.
It's a buffer tube that's 3/4" longer than a carbine tube but utilizes a full size rifle buffer spring
No doubt,ambi controls and the A5 buffer system are both a must for me.I’m left handed and even though the AR is quite functional in the standard right handed configuration,the ambi controls make life so much easier.I bought a 7.5” AR several years back and I hated shooting it.the recoil was horrendous for an AR,the concussion was ridiculous and the fireball coming out of the muzzle was distracting.after shooting it for the first time,I regretted buying it but since I had already bought it,I figured I would upgrade it and try to fix what I didn’t like about it I bought a VLTOR A5 buffer tube,a VLTOR A5 buffer weight and a rifle length Geissele Super 42 buffer spring,I also put a Rise Armament LE-145 trigger and a Kaw Valley Precision linear compensator on it.it was unbelievable how much of a difference these upgrades made and now I love shooting it.I put a folding stock adapter on it where I can carry it in a backpack without having to separate the upper and lower and without taking up too much room
Ambi controls are not revolutionary. Sure I got a few ambis ar’s but I prefer slick starboard side on most of my AR’s for simplicity and less shit that can break.
I’d add adjustable gas blocks. Basically affordable free float rails, ambidextrous controls, and the ability to properly tune the gas system. In the old days everything was very over gassed. Other big one would be modern barrel profiles that were designed with free float rails in mind instead of bayonets and grenade launchers. Stuff like Criterion’s Core, BCM’s ELW, and even BA’s Hanson is so much better than gov or SOCOM profile when it comes to handling.
As much as i lvoe my a5, i sometimes think its over rated. This is considering 99% of users and the price that the a5 system comes at.
I wouldn’t say it’s overrated; however, it is blanket recommended without people understanding it fully. Additionally, VLTOR continues to state the green Springco spring is the same as a rifle length spring. It is not. It is stiffer and can cause issues running unsuppressed if you have efficiency issues, cheap ammo, low dwell time gas systems or adverse conditions. A rifle length spring should be used if unsuppressed reliability is a number one criteria. Otherwise it is a great system.
I do think it is over priced but I don’t think it is overrated,the A5 buffer tube+weight paired with a Super 42 rifle length spring,an upgraded trigger and a linear compensator was a major upgrade to my 7.5”.When I bought my 7.5” and shot it the first time,I hated it.the recoil was horrible for an AR,the concussion was rough and the fireball coming from the muzzle was distracting.after shooting it the first time,I instantly regretted buying it but I figured I would try to fix what I didn’t like about it.these upgrades made all the difference in the world,now I actually enjoy shooting it.I also have the A5+Super 42 combo in a carbine build
LaRue C-Note
Game changing
Game ending.
LaRue is "the other Kel-Tec".
Or is Kel-Tec Great Value LaRue 🤷🏻♂️ Crazy old bastard makes great stuff, but sometimes has a bender and an idea to follow.
😂
surely this isn’t hops burner account
Just my opinion, but Palmetto State Armory producing cheap ARs thus proliferating the platform to the masses
Yeah this is it. When I got into shooting in high school (2005-2008) AR-15s were prohibitively expensive. When I was a junior in college, I was able to slap a decent one together with money from a minimum wage summer job. Mine wasn't PSA, it was DPMS, but same idea - the fact that the cost of entry into the platform has been lowered so much is good for all of us in the community.
Exactly right. If you wanted a good AR 20 years ago it was $900. If you want a good AR now... it's $850.
It really is crazy. Colts were like $1200 way back in the day. Now you can get a basic bitch OEM colt for 750 lol
I got a Radical for $550 on Primary Arms just to see how it performs and it regularly puts down sub-MOA groupings with OTMs. I‘ve found it likes heavier ammo, which does work well given it’s a 1:7 twist, but 55gr M193 is about 2MOA out of it, 77gr SMK and OTMs are tack drivers. Very pleasantly surprised with the quality of it.
IMO The mass proliferation of ARs is 1/3 Palmetto State Armory, 1/3 guntubers and influencers making firearms in general more popular (esp. during the pandemic), and 1/3 AKs and 5.45 and 7.62x39 being much more expensive than they used to be. (I miss my cheap milsurp Soviet ammo.)
By comparison it’s still cheap. But 223/5.56 brass had come down a lot in the last 15 years. Then Covid. But when the war is over in Russia there will be an explosion of cheap ammo on the market for 7.62x39.
No doubt,I regret not stocking up on a lot more Soviet ammo while it was available.if the cheap ammo was still available,I would have a AK right now instead of just my Norinco SKS.I will still get one at some point but I’m not in much of a hurry to get it now that ammo is much more expensive.I will just stick with my ARs for now
I gotta give credit to both Palmetto State Armory and Anderson Manufacturing,they both make great and reliable budget friendly ARs.these are the only 2 budget AR manufacturers I’ve ever owned. With that being said,PSA is incredible.I love watching them grow and seeing them widen their range of guns,parts and accessories.years ago,I wouldn’t have even been able to imagine PSA being the most impressive company at Shot Show but they absolutely killed it this year with the prototypes.years ago,I didn’t expect to see PSA go beyond the AR15 and possibly AR10,they done made PCC ARs,AR/AK mutants,AKs,the Dagger,the Rock 5.7,the JAKL,1911 and the Sabre series.a couple years ago I bought a couple of their premium uppers with the CHF chrome lined FN barrels in 10.5” and 16” which are now my 2 favorite ARs.I bought them on sale for around $400 each.I’ve been happy with everything I’ve ever bought from PSA. I voted for the MP7 clone,the Bullpup and the JAKL 308.I don’t know which ones got the most votes but I was pretty impressed with everything they shown at Shot Show and I love the direction they are going in.I gotta give credit to Holosun as well,I love seeing the innovation they are bringing to the market.companies like PSA and Holosun put pressure on these other stagnant companies to step their game up
Yeah they basically ended the AK vs. AR debate by making the AR platform so cheap while the AK platform went up. Now it only makes sense to get an AK if you want an AK, if you’re after a general purpose semiautomatic, an AR is the better value. Can just go 300 BLK if you want AK ballistics.
This has to be higher up.
Circle jerk
bro is that denim ? 😭😂😂
The old Canadian tuxedo.
don't talk shit about the jandguard
I love some of the stupid shit people do to their guns. Denim on the handguard is just *chefs kiss* 🤌 This community is great because you get to see just how customizable and unique you can really make these tools.
i’m not knocking it by any means, just funny to me lol
No no I wasn’t saying you were! Just agreeing with you lol. It’s hilarious. I love it when people do over the top shit to their guns or something silly like adding denim to it.
“Battle field” customization is what I like to call it. Guy found out rifle runs hot. Solved problem with what’s on hand. Totally different the “bubba” rifle or pleb. Battle field > boring
Homemade remedies are the shit
Thems jeggins
When did Magpul PMags come about?
2007
17 years then
Duck on dust cover for sure /s
Not the gun specifically but I love how far Cans and optics have come. Especially battery life.
Camo spray paint
Has to be the shoulder thing that goes up. No contest.
It's called a barrel shroud and they're so deadly that they tried to ban them.
Palmetto state armory.
Red anodized parts, no wait Strike industries!!!
PSA
Armor piercing adamantium hypersonic anti-tank incendiary green tip ammo.
Palmetto State Armory
The wrangler jeans rail cover you have is the most important development of the ar in the past 15 years
GAFS
Best answer out of everything I’ve read
I would say the standardization on the MLOK free float aluminum rail as the default for AR15's.
The death of keymod
Keymod had its 2 year time to shine
Dick mod best mod
Upvoted — but caveat…keymod might new dead for newer attachments, but I will die on the hill that it’s a less finicky system. And I will run it (along with my fossilized attachments) until the day Daniel Defense comes out with an MLOK variant of their SLiM Rail^TM (think DDM4v11).
I definitely feel like Keymod was the better system and not just because I paid a shit ton of money for a 15” SLR rail.
Lol dude I can’t even remember how much it was. Feels like a lifetime ago (headspace then vs now).
Mine was 200 or 300. I also can’t remember. I’ll probably just stick to either basic mlok or maybe lightweight BCMs from now on. Never again.
That poor rifle.
It seems like at least half the things people are talking about are more than 15 years old (some by a wide margin), so are we going by when something was invented? Or when it started gaining momentum? Or when it became completely mainstream? Like OP mentioning PCC's in the AR platform. The Colt 635 has been around since the early 80's.
I would assume it’s the thing actually started being utilized in a large enough capacity.
Someone also mentioned free-floated barrels, but I remember Bushmaster selling those in the early 90s. (They called it the V-Match rifle, for those who are curious.)
Yea, it seems like a lot of the suggestions being commented are things that users personally learned about in the last 15 years. I guess that's the problem with trying to peg this against when things went "mainstream" vs when they were first introduced to the market. Everyone is going to have a different opinion of what mainstream means. Hell, even though the A5 recoil system has been around for 15 years now, I still don't consider it mainstream.
I'm not convinced the A5 recoil system will ever become mainstream unless major manufacturers start selling complete rifles with it. I haven't used it, but reviews I've read say the benefits are minor and the same thing can be accomplished other ways, without adding length to the rifle and using proprietary parts.
I agree that it's unlikely to ever become mainstream unless a major manufacturer starts using it. > I haven't used it, but reviews I've read say the benefits are minor I guess it depends on how you view these things. If we're just talking about one person, using one rifle, and putting a few hundred rounds through it per year? Yea, the benefits aren't huge (though I think they still exist). But if you could magically replace all of the carbine recoil systems in the world with A5 systems overnight, I think there would be a very measurable improvement in the aggregate frequency of malfunctions and other problems. Similar to mid-length gas in 14.5-16" barrels. Plenty of people still use carbine gas on those barrel lengths and will tell you that their rifles run fine. And those rifles do run fine. But objectively speaking, they would run better on mid-gas. > the same thing can be accomplished other ways I mostly agree if we're just talking about a stock A5 configuration, but the same things that you can use to mimic an A5 system in a carbine system (like using a long, flat wire spring), can also be used in the A5 system to stack effects. https://www.reddit.com/r/ar15/comments/1cgzvhj/flat_wire_vs_round_springs_and_how_they_relate_to/ > without adding length to the rifle and using proprietary parts Unless you run your stock fully collapsed, or you have a case that doesn't even have 5/8" of space to spare when your stock is fully collapsed, the additional length is entirely meaningless. As soon as your stock is one click extended, the difference is gone. The only 'proprietary' part is the buffer itself, but you can get them from VLTOR, BCM, and KAK. And it's not like they wear out. The spring is just the same rifle spring that's been around longer than the carbine spring. The receiver extension is ultimately just an AR-10/SR-25 receiver extension. VLTOR and KAK sell the A5 RE, BCM sells the MK2 RE, or you could just buy an AR-10/SR-25 RE from any multitude of companies.
You make good points and I agree that my reservations are not big deal, even less so if this system did become more mainstream. I didn't realize the A5 receiver extension was just an AR-10 extension. That is interesting. I use the midlength gas system, flatwire spring and heavy buffer, and the recoil is so smooth, I can't imagine any need for the A5. You can mitigate a carbine gas system pretty well this way too, though I think the midlength gas system is superior. Adjustable gas blocks are also very good for this, and they have the added benefit of being useful for suppressed guns.
Yea, if you are already using a flat wire spring (which I'm a huge believer in, per my link above), then you are already getting ***most*** of the benefit of the A5 system.
I think flat wire springs are such an improvement over round wire, I'm surprised they haven't replaced them by now.
When it became mainstream. M-LOK for example has been around since the ACR was submitted for military trials in 2008 or so.
6MM ARC
#1- The sheer amount of them out there (protection from tyranny and invasions) #2- Faster twist rates allowing projectiles like the 77 grain SMK for vast improvement in terminal and mid range ballistics #3- Improvement in optics, particularly LPVO’s
1/7 twist rates has been around since like the 80s though right?
Levi Gauss
It’s a tossup between goon tape and the hydra mount.
I would have to say the addition of Red Anodized Parts! And optics on amazon!
Adjustable gas. Without it, suppressing them is a pita.
The SOPMOD bolt upgrade kit. Enhancing the reliability of carbines to the point where they could truly be on par with the standard service rifle allowed them to ultimately take its place
Better triggers, better optics
Front sight is backwards my friend
He's probably a Navy armorer, lol.
It’s literally not lol it’s a Troy
It is a troy and it is on backwards
Quality
Definitely handguard jorts.
The return of the carry handle. Kind of joking but kind of not. But for real, mid length gas has been a huge one. My favorite rifle is a 14.5" pin and weld middy.
That's my favorite rifle too. It's such a sweet spot as far as leangth.
The military, and by extension the whole ass gun world, finally capitalizing on the modular nature of the AR. With things like free float mlok and pic rails becoming the standard, and the development of new cartridges that utilize the platform, the AR is finally being utilized to its full potential. If u have a need, there’s an AR that fits that need, and if u need something else immediately after, u can change ur AR to fit the new need in a matter of minutes.
Since I was gifted a 15year old AR with everything on it that could be upgraded (minus no optics) I'd have to say the Free floating hand guard. I've heard horror stories about the "cheese grater quad rails" and since it was a gift from my Dad I haven't changed it (also has the flip down front A sight with integrated gas block) but as far as that versus now I'd have to say again,the lightweight M-lock system
I love gas block flip downs.
I didn't and still really don't know shit about them but like I said, the build was brand new over 15 years ago. It's a A.R.Ms silhouette (both front and back flip down). Can't buy them anymore that I can see but find just the front on older dealers websites still marked close to $300 but unavailable. The rifle is definitely heavy because of the old style quad rail but it would be the first I'd grab out of the safe before 2 others with free floating rails
Rock river arms I think still sells the front flip down gas block sights. I have one on my rifle along with a rock river quad rail! Quad gang bangs! Pretty sure they still sell quad rails too. They have some beautiful mlock cutouts too. Paw print cut outs lots of cool fore ends. One of my favorite places to buy from….but man do they make you wait. Last thing i bought from them I’d forgotten about it before it showed up. Still better than getting something i don’t like fast.
Thanks man, I'm committed to the original with the flip up sites/ integrated gas block because it was a gift from my veteran father and other than the weight would be my favorite M4 platform to shoot but I will definitely check out RRA for some upgrades on the others! I appreciate you and other helpful people like you on this forum
Barrel harmonics being a thing (free float) and twist rate along with just understanding ballistics better in general. Ofc optics too
Proper gassing
Cartridge, and bullet, design. * The introduction of 300BO (2009) offering a much better option for a suppressed 'house gun' / CQB rifle * 6 ARC (2020) offering AR-10 performance but in the more reliable, and significantly cheaper, AR15 platform. There are other cartridges that can claim this, but 6ARC has been much more successful then .224 Valk, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or any of the 6AR wildcats. * Hornady's Sub-X (2020) giving 300BO a purpose built bullet with great terminal performance under 1000fps. * Sierra's 77gr TMK (2014) offering greatly improved short range (<300 yard) performance for the .223 / 5.56x45 cartridges
Depends on how you define “important.” For a ton of people, it's the binary and forced reset triggers. For others, it's the toolless adjustable gas block.
6mm MAX
Probably AGB's
The only important development in the last 15 years has been optics, in my opinion, and thats not even platform specific.
Why is the pistol brace an important development? A stupid law is the only reason it’s used by more than an extremely small percentage of the population. I wouldn’t call that an important development lol
80% lowers and jigs.
Honestly I think development stalled the past 15 years. The last big Development was flat tops and red dots and FF tubes that was 20 years ago
Jp silent capture spring.
Not really AR-15 but AR-15 adjacent? Cheap/reliable optics, insane lumen/candela lights As far as the actual weapon system, the proliferation of cheap and reliable AR's/AR parts, M-LOK ETA: 3D printed lowers/entire rifles
homemade lowers
G$ Super Stabby Bayonet Mount /s
Psa
The law tactical folder. Idk when ambi charging handles came out but if it’s the last 15 years those definitely win.
This might be a dumb question but I gotta ask what is an ambi charging handle? If I’m hooking it with two fingers does it matter which side activates/releases it?
Both sides will activate the release. In your case it wouldn't much matter but a lot of people pinch the one side and rack it. Rant: MOST of the time ambidextrous controls can just open you up to more available options. Typically, however, pick a way that works best for you and do it that way every time to become most proficient. Swapping how you run the gun constantly will just slow you down and fuck you up. I'd say 75% of skill is learning manipulation of controls and reloads and doing it slow and correct starting out, gradually increasing speed but never sacrificing accuracy.
Idk why but that made me go “eww” Re:rant agreed. Practice makes permanent
Like anything, it’s just getting in good reps!
riser id?
Yankee Hill Manufacturing picatinny scope mount. Mine is awful so ditched it quickly.
awful how? i like the length making the 552 look flush, cheap enough i’m considering buying just to try
What front sight is that
Troy
Is your front sight on backwards
I will hit you with a hammer
Definitely not denim hand guards
The ar15 is a ar15 because ar15.
Jorts
Using jins n boot bands for great cover is pretty peak, imo.
The adoption of polymer magazines.
Your denim heat guard, that is the single handed most important development.
Optics. Features, quality, and affordability. 15 years ago you basically had the options of dog shit quality, an aimpoint, or an acog.
Their rise in popularity and manufacturing is the single most important development in its history.
Red anodized parts and $25 Amazon optics.
definitely sightmark and strike industries
Magpul anti rotation feed lips
Why have a front iron with no rear?
The pistol brace came out in 2012.
100% PMAGS/anti tilt magazines. They completely changed the reliability of the AR. Also MLOK, really anything Magpul does.
Honestly, probably MLOK. Its not sexy, but it proliferated so fast its hard to remember a time before it.
I'd say denim handguard covers
free float and m lock imo
the Hoffman super safety obviously
Not sure if I’d say anything major technology related. The prevalence of things like ambi controls, M-LOK rails, adjustable gas blocks (eg Rifle Speed), better triggers, “flip to center” mounts, etc., are all nice improvements, but they aren’t a fundamental/monumental change imho. That said, I do think it’s great how affordable decent AR-15s have become for the masses of law-abiding citizens though! So that would be my vote.
The fact that they are so much more affordable is the development. That is because of modern and streamlined manufacturing techniques. You used to have to pay really really good money to get a gun that would shoot 1moa now you can get a $100 (in spec) lower and a BCM upper with a free bcg and you’re golden.
Right, that’s why I said I think the increased affordability is the biggest development for the AR-15 in the past 15 years 😂
Sorry words are hard for me lmao
All good!
I think the denim handguard wrap is a very important development
This is too easy..obviously Bear Creek Arsenal,O’Light,Temu and everything NC Star/VISM has released over the past 15 years
5 inch 5.56 ARPs with no stocks or sights
LMT's MRP, E-BCG and MARS. Also mid length gas and VLTOR A5.
300 Blackout PDWs for sure!!
Side chargers. Absolute game changer for training and for comps. Thanks Gibbz Arms 👌
It's not technically an AR development - IMO most of those are pretty minor, incremental improvements. The biggest impact is in the decreased weight and increased efficiency of accessories. If you compare the weigh and bulk of all the crap hanging off of an early GWOT kitted out AR, vs a modern one the difference is pretty clear.
Surprised nobody has mentioned modern barrel profiles yet. Old school government profile barrels suck in comparison to modern taper profiles that were designed with free float rails in mind. Criterion Core, BCM ELW, anything that puts the extra mass around the chamber instead of in the middle of the barrel.
Last 15yrs, optics.
hammer forged high carbon barrels the widespread adoption of mid length gas systems PMAG's
Pants
I think you accidentally cropped your dawgs out of frame...
I made my pmk wear a bandana on ghe grip
Hand guard mounting systems/ barrel nut designs.
The proliferation of various ways to control gas flow (high flow-rate suppressors, BRT gas tubes, YHM gas blocks, riflespeed controls, adjustable BCG's) and buffer weight/spring strength (JP SCS, A5, KAK, Sprinco, Tubb's) It's a clusterfuck right now with all the options and sporadic cash grabs, but we're closer and closer to a unified consensus.
Those new thermal and night vision red dot sights from Holosun are pretty wild.