Will the AR-15 be fondly remembered like the Garand?

[John Kepler]

J
Do you believe that lessening of the learning curve slope may be more from the cartridge than from the rifle's ergonomics?

Truthfully, I think it's both. First reaction from novices shooting the AR for the first time with it's "big bang" and no appreciable recoil is "WOW"! They go from being apprehensive, somewhat intimidated by the entire concept of shooting an HP rifle, to being "best-buds" with the rifle after that first shot, and it propagates from there.

Heck another question as you hear tales from 'over there' first hand;
Has the shorter barrel lengths (16" and less in vogue nowadays it seems) reduced the round's effectiveness?
Tommy

My son very pointedly kept his trusty A2 in Iraq, mainly because he wasn't too impressed with the M4 in Afghanistan. If you're working urban areas and are in and out of vehicles....you like the M4. If you're running convoy escort like my son...you want the extra punch and reach of the A2/A3. One size DOESN'T fit all!

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[M1Tommy]

T....... They go from being apprehensive, somewhat intimidated by the entire concept of shooting an HP rifle, to being "best-buds" with the rifle after that first shot, and it propagates from there.

That makes sense. It sounds like I should set up fro reloading .223 pretty soon then.

My son very pointedly kept his trusty A2 in Iraq, mainly because he wasn't too impressed with the M4 in Afghanistan. If you're working urban areas and are in and out of vehicles....you like the M4. If you're running convoy escort like my son...you want the extra punch and reach of the A2/A3. One size DOESN'T fit all!

OK, thanks for that. I'm leaning towards a 20" barrel, both because of that and SR requirements. My lower has a 4-position 'collapsible' stock that I know isn't SR allowed. However it will fit munchkin#1 and wifey better... for now. I can fit a diff. stock if/when I shoot SR w/ this critter.

Thanks for the reply. I hope your son does well.
Tommy