THE AR-15 RIFLE: AN ACQUIRED TASTE: My growing admiration for the AR Rifle

Appropriate Prior Knowledge Level: Article is written for the entry level reader or reader with no prior or limited experience with AR-15 firearms.

An excerpt from the article: What I like mainly about the AR-15 is that I can change the configuration of my rifles as my mood and shooting needs change. You could say that the AR allows you to progress with a project as your budget allows. I can purchase a plain Jane upper receiver and then morph it over a period of time into the customized upper that I would not normally be able to afford as a single, large purchase. The same goes for building and AR lower receiver. The majority of my gun related purchases are small, low fiscal impact purchases that do not catch the attention of my family’s fiscal director/dictator – my wife. One week I might buy a front grip for $19, a few weeks later purchase a $39 polymer front sight. Another great AR feature for the budget minded shooter is that you can own a single AR rifle that has many purposes and physical profiles. I own an 18” Patriot Ordinance Factory (POF) gas piston upper receiver that I then have two different, dedicated, configured lower receivers and optic sets that I can exchange out when the mood strikes me or the shooting need arises. This is not really expensive if you think about it. You can pick up a good name brand lower receiver for $89 to $150, plus the lower receiver parts kit will cost an additional $69 and you are well on your way to outfitting another version of your rifle. It kind of reminds me of that purse commercial on late night cable television that allows the owner to purchase from a choice of hundreds of different purse covers that come in an array of styles and colors. You affix different covers to the outside of the purse and as a result the physical appearance of the purse changes to match any outfit that the purse owner may wear. My POF upper receiver is like that purse.