How Many Americans Own AR-15 Style Rifles and Large-Capacity Magazines?

[Paladin]

Interesting:

How Many Americans Own AR-15 Style Rifles and Large-Capacity Magazines?

Among the unique qualities of Professor English’s National Firearms Survey is that he asked respondents whether they owned AR-15 style rifles or large-capacity magazines (holding 10+ rounds of ammunition).

English finds that 30.2% of gun owners have owned AR-15 style rifles (around 25 million people), and 48% have owned 10+ capacity magazines (approximately 40 million people).

[RottenApple]

Sadly, all of my firearms and ammunition were lost in a tragic boating accident.

[anygunanywhere]

Sadly, all of my firearms and ammunition were lost in a tragic boating accident.

Shame. You lost them when it’s time to use them.

I still have all of mine.

If they want them let them bring it.

[troglodyte]

As with any of these polls or surveys, I wonder how many gun owners don't answer. I wouldn't. I suspect the numbers are higher and wouldn't be surprised if they weren't a lot higher.

[eyedoc]

I lost all of mine when the safe leaked when my house flooded during Harvey,

[LDB415]

Well, the first problem with this is the use of the term "large-capacity magazine" or "high-capacity magazine" for what are NOT such magazines. They are standard capacity magazines. And the biggest problem of all is that so many of our own numbers use those same incorrect anti-gun terms!!!! Unless an AR magazine holds 31 or more rounds IT ISN'T HIGH-CAPACITY. STOP USING THAT TERM. Every time you use it when speaking of a standard capacity magazine the anti-gunners win. They've brainwashed you and converted you to their falsehoods. Words matter.

[powerboatr]

Well, the first problem with this is the use of the term "large-capacity magazine" or "high-capacity magazine" for what are NOT such magazines. They are standard capacity magazines. And the biggest problem of all is that so many of our own numbers use those same incorrect anti-gun terms!!!! Unless an AR magazine holds 31 or more rounds IT ISN'T HIGH-CAPACITY. STOP USING THAT TERM. Every time you use it when speaking of a standard capacity magazine the anti-gunners win. They've brainwashed you and converted you to their falsehoods. Words matter.

very well stated
my AR 10 came with three factory magazines, 2 ten rounds and one 20 rounds

[The Annoyed Man]

I read somewhere a while back that there are in excess of 25 million AR15s in private hands in the U.S. But that said, it’s probably impossible to extrapolate how many AR15 owners there are for from that number. Many people, myself included, own more than one example. Many others have only one. Still others used to own one, and sold it to finance something else, like {{{{shudder}}} an AK {{{/shudder}}} or a Hipoint carbine. My personal estimate is that there are somewhere between 10-15 million AR owners.

[Paladin]

I read somewhere a while back that there are in excess of 25 million AR15s in private hands in the U.S. But that said, it’s probably impossible to extrapolate how many AR15 owners there are for from that number. Many people, myself included, own more than one example. Many others have only one. Still others used to own one, and sold it to finance something else, like {{{{shudder}}} an AK {{{/shudder}}} or a Hipoint carbine. My personal estimate is that there are somewhere between 10-15 million AR owners.

It is an interesting question how many AR owners are out there.

I do my best to make sure the number of AR owners with training is a constantly increasing number.

[Paladin]

Well, the first problem with this is the use of the term "large-capacity magazine" or "high-capacity magazine" for what are NOT such magazines. They are standard capacity magazines. And the biggest problem of all is that so many of our own numbers use those same incorrect anti-gun terms!!!! Unless an AR magazine holds 31 or more rounds IT ISN'T HIGH-CAPACITY. STOP USING THAT TERM. Every time you use it when speaking of a standard capacity magazine the anti-gunners win. They've brainwashed you and converted you to their falsehoods. Words matter.

Perhaps the best strategy here is to make sure that magazines ABOVE standard capacity are as widely owned as standard capacity mags. Its always amusing to see how anti-gunners react when you actually do what they have been pretending you do.

PMAG 40s, D-60's, Surefire MAG5-60's, extended pistol mags, etc...

[K.Mooneyham]

I put my vote in for the numbers being much larger than whatever that guy was told. A LOT of folks would simply refuse to say what firearms they own, or give out any details regarding those firearms. As long as the firearms aren't being misused to commit crimes, then it's no one's business what type, how many, or what other firearms parts (including magazines) that any American owns.

[AndyC1911]

Enough for them to be considered as being in "common, lawful use".

[Paladin]

Estimating AR-15 Production, 1964-2017

From this data you can extrapolate that in 2022 there have been more than 10 million AR-15's produced which make them one of the most common firearms in the US.

[puma guy]

Estimating AR-15 Production, 1964-2017

From this data you can extrapolate that in 2022 there have been more than 10 million AR-15's produced which make them one of the most common firearms in the US.

Enough for them to be considered as being in "common, lawful use".

I'd venture to say it's the most popular long gun in the history of the US. I sold Colt firearms back in the mid 60's to early 70's and never sold a single Colt Sporter. Everyone wanted blued steel and walnut, including me. At the time I considered them to be one of the ugliest guns ever constructed. Now I think they're one of the most beautiful firearms around.

[Beiruty]

More than anti-gun folks would like to admit. Making AR the safest firearm on the planet