Monday, November 4, 2013

News media need to get their facts straight before they report!

http://www.businessinsider.com/assault-rifle-weapon-ar-15-2013-11

So here are the specs on the most popular, and controversial rifle in America:

— It fires a 5.56mm, or .223 caliber bullet. It's a small round that moves very quickly, increasing the weapon's maximum effective range. Despite its small size, the round is tremendously lethal.  - TRUTH: The 5.56×45mm cartridge with the standard 62 gr. steel core bullets will penetrate approximately 15 to 20 in (38 to 51 cm) into soft tissue in ideal circumstances.

— The round moves at a rate of nearly 3,200 feet per second.  TRUTH: 
Barrel length SS109/M855 V4 bullet velocity
210 mm (8.3 in) 723 m/s (2,372 ft/s)
240 mm (9.4 in) 764 m/s (2,507 ft/s)
270 mm (10.6 in) 796 m/s (2,612 ft/s)
300 mm (11.8 in) 825 m/s (2,707 ft/s)
330 mm (13.0 in) 843 m/s (2,766 ft/s)
360 mm (14.2 in) 866 m/s (2,841 ft/s)
390 mm (15.4 in) 878 m/s (2,881 ft/s)
420 mm (16.5 in) 892 m/s (2,927 ft/s)
450 mm (17.7 in) 906 m/s (2,972 ft/s)
480 mm (18.9 in) 915 m/s (3,002 ft/s)
508 mm (20.0 in) 922 m/s (3,025 ft/s)


— Magazines for the weapon (that are in circulation in the U.S.) range from 5 to 100 rounds. With proper training, a shooter can effectively and accurately empty a 30-round magazine in less than a minute, maybe faster.  TRUTH: Key words here are PROPER TRAINING.

— The maximum effective range is between 400 and 600 yards, depending on the barrel length, which varies depending on the model of the rifle. TRUTH: the maximum effective range is possible 550 yards (depending on the training of the shooter).

— Much of what makes the AR-15 so popular is its adaptability. Modern AR-15s feature a rail system that allows for custom sights, scopes, and accessories to be placed on the gun. TRUTH: that is correct, which makes it more suitable for hunting in different climates and weather conditions.

— AR-15s are readily available in most states. The price fluctuates with demand, and demand is often high, but it typically hovers right around $1,000.  TRUTH: average price is around $1,200.00

Very little separates a civilian AR-15 from the M-16s that are the standard-issue rifle for the American military. The military versions are semi-automatic, but also come with the ability to fire in a three-round burst; this feature is rarely used. TRUTH: Military issue fully automatic, with some available with the ability to fire in a three-round burst and some available with semi-automatic selection. The civilian AR-15 is ONLY semi-automatic. According to Michael Bane, "Well, who knew? I was handling a modern military M4A1 last Friday morning, and to my uneducated eyes it appeared to be full auto. In fact, I thought the 3-round burst went away when the M4 upgraded to the M4A1." Read more of what Michael had to say at: http://michaelbane.blogspot.com/

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