No disagreement with whats been posted…but I’m gonna bet that almost everyone that enjoys AR15’s would opt for one that had full-auto capabilities vs. one that didn’t if they cost the same amount. 
With full auto, most people think it’s an “empty the mag at once” proposition. Really, it’s best for controlled bursts. The only time I’m dumping a magazine (other than function test, R&D, demo, etc) is if I’m breaching a room and have nothing to live for. Other than that it’s semi auto or controlled bursts.
And not with the burst group. The burst group in the AR/M16 is horrible. :suicide2:
.
A while back, I was at the Sheriff Dept’s Range talking with the SWAT Team Leader. He told me he had just come back from a 3-day “Automatics Class” in OK. He had his Colt FA M4 with a new Battle Comp installed and asked if I wanted to stay after everyone left to watch him shoot to see how the BC worked.
He shot 30-rounds at about 20-25 yards and had 20+ shots in a 8" bullseye. I was impressed and told him so. He said “Yah, it is neat and fun but I would have a hard time explaining why I shot a bad guy 20 times in his living room. Just not too practical.”
FWIW, he was extremely impressed with the BC and ordered another one for the Dept’s other FA Colt.
.
Interesting. Now I know how to get out of my two year cell phone contract! Fun and practical!
Interesting responses guys. So are most “patrol rifles” carried by regular cops (not SWAT) semi-auto only then? Also, Isn’t a AR-15 technically only semi auto? If it has select fire capabilities, wouldn’t it be an M-16 or M4?
M16 and M4 are military nomenclature designations, which has nothing to do with a “civillian AR15” and yes, the extreme majority of Police Patrol Rifles would be semi-auto. I am in the military, currently in Afghanistan, and the only time i ever switched to burst was at the range for familiarization.
You, sir, are a better man than I. That’s ALMOST as bad as passing up a free beer.
Yeah I would have done that just to do it. I’ve fired several full autos as well, but why not add one more to the list.
Rrrrrrrrrroger that.
As far as usefulness of full-auto…Yeah, there are definitely times when you could use it. I have shot many rounds through M16A1s owned by my local SO. Rifle length gas systems are friggin titties on full-auto. Smooth and very controllable with an aggressive grip and stance.
So if the majority of Police Patrol Rifles are semi-auto, is it only the SWAT guys that usually have the full autos? I agree that owning one would only be a “cool toy” and nothing more.
US Border Patrol agents carry M4A1’s and Hk UMP’s in .40 down here…
I don’t think there is a correlation at all. I think it just boils down to the individual department. I don’t want to say that MOST people patrol with semi-autos and most SWAT teams carry full-auto. My local sheriff’s office, for example, has full autos in the trunks of some patrol cars. Also some of the SWAT dudes have them. Now, for my local Police Department, I don’t think they have ANY full auto stuff…SWAT or otherwise.
Years ago, my local SO bought three or four G36s. The explanation I remember hearing was something along the lines of “Well, the Iowa State Patrol uses them…and they are cool.” They soon realized that they could have equipped MANY more deputies with AR15s for what they spent on these things. They got sold/traded real quick.
The 24K was just the result of a random google search. I too have seen them around the 15K mark.
OK, so it sounds like most civilians or LEO’s with patrol rifles are owning / running semi-auto only. However, there are some with the cash or certain departments that issue select fires…
.
Our local SD issues semi-auto (RRA, no less :rolleyes:) to most of the patrolmen and all of the SWAT guys except the SWAT Leader and one other SWAT guy are issued FA Colts.
.
My county has M16A1’s thru the Government program. Got them stupid cheap… Scary part is, none, and I mean NONE of them should even be issued side arms, let alone FA Rifles… It’s scary to watch them shoot… How they got thru ILEA(Indiana LE Academy) is beyond me…
Where the hell was this and why wasn’t I there…!?
All our swat rifles are semi. Partly from no need for full auto plus much easier to get rid of when the latest comes out. Wonder how many armorys have a wall full of mp5’s that arent’t used anymore.
Fun factor? We have a full auto thompson!!
Actually, the original “AR15” was full auto.
It’s a heavily semantics based argument about proper nomenclature, but frankly, those that get heavily invested in those discussions/arguments/poo hurling diatribes would be better served by simply getting a girlfriend/boyfriend and leave the rest of us out of their minutia anal-tweezering.
Now, onto the next handy issue, what’s with all the questions about what cops are carrying?
Some get semi-auto, some get govvie program F/A.
What does it matter?
I normally wouldn’t blink and eye about a question or two, but now you have made several posts asking specifically about police.
Let’s just say that raises my hackles.
Eagerly awaiting your reply.
Yes, I definitely agree that many people get way into gun jargon when they could be getting a girlfriend / laid.
Its just out of curiosity. No reason really.