What if the AR15 had not been created?

[stanc]

That M14A1 has a muzzle break to help keep it controllable on AUTO...

Nice comparison of a 240lb shooter leaning into the muzzle-breaked M14A1 with a 120lb kid shooting the AR10 without a muzzle brake and not using the modern technique to drive the gun.

First, the M14A1 in that video does not have a muzzle brake.

Second, they weren't meant to be recoil control comparisons.

The M14A1 video was just to show the configuration that offers better balance and handling than any AR in my experience.

The AR10 video was merely a jesting "poke in the ribs" response to pinz's statement that the AR design..."is easy for untrained people to shoot to military standards."

Stoner's genius is evidenced in several areas:

Use of aircraft-grade aluminum for the receiver
Barrel extension fit into Aluminum receivers
Overall lightweight never achieved before in that caliber class
Fitting of receivers together
Mild recoil impulse in a lightweight auto-loading rifle
Excellent ergonomics and ease of user interface for common controls
Inherent accuracy

Obviously we have different ideas of what "genius" is.

When 95% of the features are copied from other designs, I find it difficult to call it genius. Great engineering, yes. Genius, no.

I'll be the first to admit that the charge handle design is nowhere near optimum, but I still don't like side-chargers on the right side of the weapon.

To each his own. I always liked charging handles on the right side, and even more so now that I have to switch to shooting left-handed.

The most convenient charge handle design is on the Sturmgewehr grandaddy of assault rifles, and the Belgian FAL.

We differ on that, too. When it comes to left side handles, I never cared much for that on the FAL. I always liked a farther forward placement, such as on the G3.