Is the AR our 'national weapon'?

IndianaMatt · 05-12-2011, 14:01

Middle Eastern countries, and the former Soviet communist bloc in general, use the AK-47 as a symbol of independence, rebellion, liberation, etc.

Mozambique even figures the AK in thier national flag- a symbol of people liberating themselves from oppressive governments and taking control of their fate through arms, I guess.

Would you say the AR-15 has similar significance to the United States? Can it be called our national weapon?

It certainly symbolizes American military might and technological progress vis-a-vis the oppressive and backwards dictatorships that we often fight against, but does it hold the same symbolic significance in the West that the AK holds for the Middle East and former Soviet regime?

What if we put it on OUR national flag (or should that be the 1911 or Colt SAA)?

BBJones · 05-12-2011, 14:34

No it does not hold the same significance in our society. No we should not put it on our flag.

IndianaMatt · 05-12-2011, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBJones

No it does not hold the same significance in our society. No we should not put it on our flag.

Would you say your membership in the Kalashnikov club in any way influences your answer?

M&P15T · 05-12-2011, 14:52

Our flag is not to be changed, IMHO. However, the AR is definitely our national rifle.

Jack Black · 05-12-2011, 14:56

I think if I had to pick a rifle to symbolize America it would be the M1 Garand because of it's impact in WWII. General Patton called it the greatest battle implement ever devised.

RyanNREMTP · 05-12-2011, 15:06

Depends on which era of American history you are talking about.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 05-12-2011, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Black

I think if I had to pick a rifle to symbolize America it would be the M1 Garand because of it's impact in WWII. General Patton called it the greatest battle implement ever devised.

This,.......x3!

IndianaMatt · 05-12-2011, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Black

I think if I had to pick a rifle to symbolize America it would be the M1 Garand because of it's impact in WWII. General Patton called it the greatest battle implement ever devised.

He did say that... but only because he never lived to behold an AR-15.

JBnTX · 05-12-2011, 15:18

The M1 Garand saw this country through far darker times than any AR-15 has.

Today in war we may have reports of 2 or 3 soldiers being killed in one day.
In WWII casuality reports numbered in the thousands, and sometimes in tens of thousands.

The M1 Garand saved not only this country but the entire world.

K. Foster · 05-12-2011, 15:18

The 2nd amendment is our “national weapon”.

Jack Black · 05-12-2011, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

He did say that... but only because he never lived to behold an AR-15.

Think about why you said those other countries revere the AK. It's not because it's the most advanced weapon they've used, or even because it's their current issued service rifle. (I believe Russia has moved on to the AK-74.) It's because of what it means historically, as you say, "a symbol of independence, rebellion, liberation, etc." The Garand was used during the greatest conflict in which the U.S. has been involved. The M16 has been used longer by the US, but not in any conflict nearing the significance of WWII.

IndianaMatt · 05-12-2011, 15:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBnTX

The M1 Garand saw this country through far darker times than any AR-15 has.

Today in war we may have reports of 2 or 3 soldiers being killed in one day.
In WWII casuality reports numbered in the thousands, and sometimes in tens of thousands.

The M1 Garand saved not only this country but the entire world.

Doesn't that mean that the AR is a better weapon than the M1, since less people have died during its reign?

Just sayin'.

joecoastie · 05-12-2011, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

Doesn't that mean that the AR is a better weapon than the M1, since less people have died during its reign?

Just sayin'.

I think his point is that World War 2 was a fight for the survival of our way of life, more so than the wars that the M16 has been involved in. This doesn't mean that the M1 is "better" just that from a certain perspective it makes the M1 more powerful as a symbol.

nastytrigger · 05-12-2011, 16:02

glock_19guy1983 · 05-12-2011, 16:05

I would go with the Winchester '73 as our national rifle.

M&P15T · 05-12-2011, 16:07

Service span of the Garand? 15 or so years?

Service span of the M16/M4/AR15? 40+ years.

nastytrigger · 05-12-2011, 16:26

It's sort of a hard choice to pick a national weapon... Garand is up there, AR too, but maybe it should be a Remington 700 or 870? Maybe .22LR?

I'm voting the 1911

***RMTactical*** · 05-12-2011, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&P15T

Our flag is not to be changed, IMHO. However, the AR is definitely our national rifle.

Agreed. At least for now.

***faawrenchbndr*** · 05-12-2011, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by M&P15T

Service span of the Garand? 15 or so years?

Service span of the M16/M4/AR15? 40+ years.

It's OPINIONS,....not a debate or an argument!
The M1 Garand accomplished a hell of a lot more than the AR has!

Sr. Bang Bang · 05-12-2011, 17:33

Unfortunately, I would have to say that our nations most devastating, powerful, and lately most efficient weapon, is the liberal voice.

it haunts my dreams.

On a strictly firearms-based poll, I would have to say that the M16 would take the cake, just because of its' longevity and success with our military's history. Though I would love to own an M14 or and M1 Garand. (and I will someday)

jrs93accord · 05-12-2011, 17:41

The M1 Garand does have its place in history as one of the finest battle implements ever made. It served for a little over two decades as a battle rifle.

The M16/AR15 has also earned itself a place in the American spotlight. In service for over 40 years, it is still serving our nations military and law enforcement.

While the M1 Garand holds a special place in my heart and my collection, the M16/AR15 is by far my favorite platform. I believe that it is a weapon that would represent America today.

Ruggles · 05-12-2011, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaMatt

He did say that... but only because he never lived to behold an AR-15.

I agree, he would have chosen the M16 over the M1 for sure, hell the little M1 carbine was very popular with WWII troops, some who preferred it to the Garand. The Garand was a hell of a rifle but it is not more significant in US history than the M16

The M16 is as much a "rifle" symbol as any other rifle in our history so I would be fine with calling it that.

Not on the flag under any circumstances.

The AK due to it distribution to every peasant in the third world by the former USSR is more of the "peoples" rifle than the symbol of any particular country in my mind.

JK-linux · 05-12-2011, 17:54

.....

Kansas Slim · 05-12-2011, 18:06

It would have to be the 1911. That weapon cemented this great country as the Superpower that we are today. It created who we are as a country just as the AK created the Soviet Union.

IndianaMatt · 05-12-2011, 18:06

I suppose we'll have to wait and see what kind of weapon carries the day when the dust settles from WWIII.

If there's any place for the dust to settle, of course.